Mission Possible
We’re past the half way mark for 2019 (yes, that sobbing noise you’re hearing is coming from me) and it’s time to revisit your writing goals from the beginning of the year. How many of your writing goals have you achieved so far? Have you been following our Year of Fearless Writing posts? If you haven’t achieved many of your goals, or if you haven’t set any yet, don’t despair! There’s still time. As my mother likes to (rightfully and annoyingly) remind me, the only time you can’t set goals is when you’re dead. Though I guess if you believe in an afterlife or in reincarnation you could probably still set goals… ghoul goals! I know, I know. I’m just three poorly formed dad jokes in a trenchcoat. But I digress. If you haven’t had a chance to swing by the YOFW, now is a good time to click the link. If you’ve been following along and organising your writing life, let us know how you’re doing in the comments.
On a separate note, I want to send you all enormous love. Our weekly grids have been looking plump with posts recently, and you’ve all been supporting each other so productively in the comments sections. It truly warms the cockles of our hearts at YeahWrite to see so much engagement and such a strong sense of community (click the link to see the origins of this idiom). Thank you and well done!
~ Asha
Welcome to Week 431
We’re kicking off the week in style at YeahWrite with both our competitive challenge grids in one post, plus prompts, tips, tricks and more. You asked, we answered! Keep scrolling down cause it’s all right here.
Submissions for this week’s challenges open on Saturday at 12 midnight and close on Wednesday at 10pm ET. Voting will then open immediately thereafter and close on Thursday at 10pm ET. The winners, as always, will be celebrated on Friday.
Having trouble getting started? Hop on over to our quick guide. And don’t forget to doublecheck the full submission guidelines before you hit that button.
Technique Toolbox: Year of Fearless Writing – So… what do you write?
Ready to take yourself seriously as a writer? Not sure how, or not convinced you’re ready? We think you can, and are, and will be. This year is our Year of Fearless Writing, where we’re going to focus on the craft of writing, not the art, to take you from “I write” to “I’m a writer.”
In July we’re helping you answer the dreaded question “so what do you write?” Learn how to talk about your work quickly and concisely while keeping your listener (or potential agent) excited to hear more. We’ll delve into summaries this month, from a quick elevator speech to how you put together a more formal “this is what’s in my book” pitch. So… what DO you write?
Nonfiction: Optional Prompt
The nonfiction grid has no mandatory prompts. However, each week, we will give you an optional prompt in case that helps your mostly-true story juices flow. Since Rowan’s going to spend this week hoping not to run out of gas, let’s send her some good luck by sharing stories of “running out of something.” Whether it’s sugar, time, or the ability to care about something, we’re sure you can find 750 words about running out. [ed’s note: I see what you did there and I would have used the swear word. /RBG]
Fiction|Poetry Mandatory Prompt
It’s July and we’re just past the half-way point in the year! A new month means it’s time for new prompts. This month we’re bringing you two mandatory prompts; a photograph and an emotion. Instead of a word or phrase that you have to use verbatim (exactly as given) in your story, you’ll have an emotion to convey through your writing without using the word for the emotion. This prompt is a good opportunity to practice how well you can show rather than tell emotion.
The first prompt to incorporate into your story, a photo prompt, is this image by Pezibear at Pixabay. You can access a downloadable version of the photo by clicking on it.
The second prompt, from YeahWrite #429 fiction|poetry winner MM Schreier, is to use the following emotion: infatuation (you can find a definition here). Remember with the emotion prompt not to use the word itself in your story. Instead, try to convey a sense of the emotion in other ways; show, don’t tell.
Poets: Meet the newest Poet Laureate of the US, explore a metaphor, and try your hand at a longer poem this month with our poetry slam. Or you can use the photo prompt, or write a poem conveying infatuation. Pick at least one of those three available prompts and you’re good to go!
Everyone: Need to brush up on your poetry critique? Check out our guide.
Poetry Slam - Meet Joy Harjo
We’re excited to feature the US’s first Native American poet laureate for this month’s slam. Explore how Joy Harjo’s poem “She Had Some Horses” works, and write your own longform poem in (at least) two cantos exploring metaphor through Harjo’s lens. You’ll learn to employ a couple different poetic techniques, plus get a chance to use your favorite form. Join us!
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Our tiniest challenge with the biggest bang is open the first Wednesday of every month from midnight to 10 p.m.
YeahWrite Super Challenge
Super Challenge #13 (nonfiction!) is now open for registration through July 24! Make sure you sign up for our email blast so you don’t miss out on any Super Challenge announcements.
Winners’ Round-Up
In case you missed them, you can find last week’s YeahWrite staff picks and crowd favorites all laid out for you on last Friday’s winners’ post. Leave the winners some love in the comments. They will love you right back, we guarantee it.
About the author:
Asha lives near the beach in Perth, Western Australia, but hates sand between her toes. She began blogging at YeahWrite in October 2014 with this post, and YeahWrite was lucky to pull her on board as a Contributing Editor in December 2016. In addition to short stories and personal essays, she is currently working on a novel set in the Perth hills. Asha is published in a variety of places including Modern Loss, PANK, Dead Housekeeping, and SheKnows. You can find her inconsistent blogging at Asha Rajan Writer.
“I’m just three poorly formed dad jokes in a trenchcoat” cracked me up!!