Keep on Writin’
This might sound odd, but one way to improve your writing is to try not to care what other people think. Of course, this is easier said than done, but effectively it keeps you writing more and the more you write, the greater your chances of improving. When I was new around these parts, I never won the vote–ever. I’m a scientist trained in science writing, which breaks all the normal writing rules, such as avoiding passive voice. But I kept writing and improving until occasionally I did win the popular vote or get editor picks (which are even more special).
When it comes to poetry, I have no training although I do have a good ear for rhyming scansion. Rowan sets up really fun poetry slams and I would participate just to see if I could do it. My poems weren’t necessarily great, but I posted them anyway and it kept me engaged. Plus, after struggling with a poetry form, it was so much fun to see how other people mastered their poems. Reading other people’s work can also help you improve your own.
YeahWrite is a really safe community to practice your writing and put your stuff “out there,” even if it makes you uncomfortable. We just love that you are trying, so won’t you join us this week?
–Stacie
Welcome to Week 438
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 – Pitch Perfect
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 August we’re beginning to put the pieces of the puzzle together, looking at how you assemble “this is who I am and what I write” into a tempting pitch or query for editors and agents. Not even sure what pitching means and how to do it? Stop by!
And stay tuned for a new topic in September!
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. With Stacie traveling this week, we want to know: what’s the farthest (or furthest) you’ve ever been from home? (ed’s note: farthest refers to actual physical distances; furthest is emotional distance. So the farthest I’ve been is Poland, and while I was there work was the furthest from my mind.)
Of course, the prompt is optional: use it as a jumping-off point, or feel free to ignore it completely if other inspiration strikes!
Fiction|Poetry Mandatory Prompt
It’s August, and while it’s not quite back-to-school we’re getting back to work on the fiction|poetry grid.
This month we’ll have two mandatory prompts: an occupation and the first sentence of your story.
You must use our prompt sentence as the first sentence of your story. No changing tenses or punctuation, although you can add quotes around it to make it a line of dialogue.
One (or more) characters in your story must have the occupation, but it doesn’t have to be the main or point of view character.
Stories that make the prompts integral to the story and use them naturally will be favored by the editors. Hint: You may have to change up your writing style to become an author that would write the opening sentence. We encourage that!
This week’s occupation prompt, from YeahWrite #436 winner, Jen, is : a building security guard.
This week’s first sentence prompt, from YeahWrite editors, is: I look around for the keys, patting my pockets and scanning the ground, but they’re gone; that jerk stole my keys.
Poets: This week’s grids overlap two months, so you have lots of choices.
- It’s back to brevity for August with the sevenling.
- Starting September first, we’re exploring new ways to look at old lines- track down the slam rules and join us!
- Or write a poem in the form of your choice starting with our first line or featuring the occupation prompt.
At least one of these things is mandatory, if you want to link your poetry to the fiction|poetry grid this week! But remember, our nonfiction grid also welcomes poetry that expresses your truth.
Poetry Slam - August and September
August’s poetry slam was a short form, with strict requirements but not a required meter or rhyme. The sevenling has three stanzas and seven lines, each of which works to affect the meaning of the others. Come play in the sevenling sandbox with us as summer (or winter) draws to an end.
Starting September first, we’re exploring new ways to look at old lines- track down the slam rules right here starting Sunday and join us!
A QUICK NOTE REGARDING OUR GRIDS: Inlinkz, which supports our grid format, is currently upgrading its offerings and website which can sometimes result in a glitch or two. If you upload a piece to the grid and notice it disappears later on, please email us and let us know. This has been happening to one or two pieces each week. We will happily add it manually once we are notified. We apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your patience!
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Loading InLinkz ...Microprose Challenge Opens Wednesday
This week has the first Wednesday of the month, and you know what that means: our tiniest challenge will be open for under 24 hours, starting Wednesday at midnight! Every microprose challenge has different rules, so you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled and your fingers fast. Need a quick link to the challenge? This one goes live when the microprose grid opens.
Micro Weeks are Moderated Weeks!
YeahWrite Super Challenge
Congrats to Heidi Lobecker, our Super Challenge #13 champion, and to Marcy Dilworth and Kavitha Gnanasekhar for rounding out the top three! Keep an eye out for the opening of Super Challenge #14 registration coming up soon. We’re back to the land of flash fiction for this one! Make sure you also 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:
Stacie joined YeahWrite as its Fiction Editor in early 2013 before becoming YeahWrite’s Executive Editor in 2016. She blogs at Stacie’s Snapshots and Tidbits and was thrilled to be honored as a 2015 BlogHer Voice of the Year (VOTY) for this post. Before retiring, Stacie’s career involved developing new medicines for cancer and autoimmune diseases, work that resulted in more than twenty publications in scientific journals. Now, she enjoys daily hikes with her dogs and spending more time with her youngest son while her oldest is off at college.
