Summertime Writing
When I was younger, summer was a great time for writing for me. I had some free time on my hands and a little more room in my brain for thinking. Now, summer is filled with working and parenting. For the past two weeks, I’ve been traveling – first I was in NJ (my first trip back since moving west!) and now I’m in San Diego. And while I’m not really writing all that much, I’m reminded that travel and new experiences, and even smaller deviations from day-to-day routine, can spark new ideas. I saw a guy on a plane and his tattoo led me to an idea for a thing I’m working on. I’ve been to museums and lots of public areas where I’ve thought about the layout and architecture and how it fits into my work. Everything stands out more when it’s newer, even if it’s not all that unique. Anyway, my point is, when you can’t write, still take some time to look around and think about how what you see can help you write in the future.Welcome to Week 432
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. This week’s prompt is to write about the worst road, whether that’s a bad memory or just a bad pothole. Have fun!
Fiction|Poetry Mandatory Prompt
It’s July and we’re just past the half-way point in the year! This month we’re bringing you two mandatory prompts; a photograph and an emotion.
The photo prompt is this image by Ryan McGuire at gratisography.
The emotion prompt, from YeahWrite #430 fiction|poetry winner Sanchie Vee, is: shame (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 the emotion prompt above. 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 this Wednesday, 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:
Michelle submitted her first entry to YeahWrite in March 2012 and was brought on staff shortly thereafter. In 2016, she stepped into the role of Editor-In-Chief. Outside of YeahWrite, she is a freelance writer working with a variety of corporate clients, primarily in the insurance and employee benefits space. Her work has been featured on The Huffington Post, Cosplay Culture, and xoJane, as well as several local websites near her former home in northern NJ home. She now lives in Southern California, enjoying the sunshine. She sometimes blogs at themichellelongo.com.
