When Other People Are Right
I was talking with a friend a few weeks back about writing, among other things. Somehow, we got onto the subject of my book and some things that happened as a result of me not yet finishing it. Essentially I was complaining, blaming, making excuses – you know the drill. So my friend said, “Why don’t you just finish the book then?”
Well. I was pretty busy making the unfinished book something that happened to me, as though I had no control over any of it, and he just straight up called me out. I can’t sell or publish what I don’t write. I can’t win contests I don’t enter. Like Wayne Gretzky said, and forgive me for quoting Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” So while I’m inclined to tell Wayne and my friend to stop throwing logic in my face, I guess I probably could just go finish the book.
And that thing you haven’t done yet? You should go do that, too.
–Michelle
Welcome to Week 440
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 – The MFA
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 September, we’re going back to school. Is an MFA right for you? Or do the cons outweigh the pros? What about that workshop you’ve had your eye on? We can’t make the decision for you, but we can give you some things to think about while you’re weighing your options.
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 we’re thinking about, well, last week’s drama. Tell us about a time you were ill, or hospitalized, or someone else was. Or don’t! The prompt is optional!
Fiction|Poetry Mandatory Prompt
In the spirit of back to school, we’re doing a twofer prompt combo for September and October. Forget pumpkin spice lattes; this fall is gonna be all about CHARACTER.
Here’s how September is gonna work. We’ll give two mandatory prompts: a Western zodiac sign and an animal. Your job is to combine key traits of the two prompts into your main character. (In October we’ll do something exciting with this, hang in there.)
Example: if the zodiac prompt is Libra and the animal is owl, then the main character could be an older judge (Libra is about balance and fairness) who works the night court circuit and keeps her hair cropped to her skull. Or the main character could be a young bright-eyed (owl) man who has a hard time making a decision (Libra) about which muffin to buy at Starbucks.
Active character sketches are encouraged. Not sure what we mean by “character sketch”? Read (but skip the first paragraph after the heading “But first, what is a character sketch?” because it’s just…not helpful) this explanation. But while a character sketch can be as simple as a character staring into the mirror and thinking about their past, an active character sketch conveys this information in part through the character’s interactions with the world around them. The editors will favor submissions that have an active main character. Don’t keep the narrative trapped inside your character’s mind, please. Have them interact with people and things. How would they tell a friend that their dog died? How would they get ready for work in the morning?
This week’s prompts are:
- The Western zodiac prompt from YeahWrite #437 Fiction|Poetry winner, Kim, is Libra – the sign of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman in space, Libras are characterized as intellectuals and born leaders who are charming, flirtatious, diplomatic and have a strong sense of justice. They can be elegant, indecisive, bossy social butterflies, and can also be self-centered. You can find more famous Librans here.
- The animal prompt is a dog – I’m sure you know what a dog is, and what they’re like already, but just in case you want to brush up, here’s a handy (or paw-ish) link and you can find dog behaviors at this link.
In good news, our editor who was hospitalized has been diagnosed, treated, and is now back home recouperating!
Poets: In September we’re looking at your old favorites in a new way as we explore poetry from song lyrics. Get an earworm with us, or write a poem in the form of your choice which includes the zodiac sign or the animal above. At least one of these three things is mandatory! But remember, our nonfiction grid also welcomes poetry that expresses your truth.
Poetry Slam - Lyrics
This September we’re finding poetry in other poetry, deconstructing songs for their meaningful lyrics and reassembling them into poems that have independent meaning. We know you have a favorite song – why not come explore it with us in a new way?
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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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 #14 (fiction!) is now open for early (discounted!) registration! Our next contest kicks off in October so sign up today to ensure your spot. 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:
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.
