Tick Tock
I participated in a writing contest a few weeks ago. The first three days of the contests was MLK Day weekend, and I didn’t write; I told myself I was “planning.” Tuesday rolls around and work explodes with deadlines and stress. I came home that night and realized I only had four days to write 2,300 words. Plus editing, class, YeahWrite and, you know, Life. I was overwhelmed.
I came home from writing all day at work, set a timer for an hour and a half, and just typed. 830 words Tuesday night. Each night, even though I didn’t want to, I set my timer and filled pages. Another 750 words Wednesday night. By Thursday night, I had 2,200 words and my story was told. I took Friday and Saturday to edit, beta, and submit.
I was reminded that writing a story–actually putting words on a page–doesn’t take as long as it seems. Break it up into smaller bits, set a timer, and type.
–Nate
Welcome to Week 461
We’re kicking off the week in style at YeahWrite with 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: 20/20 Hindsight
For 2020 we’re looking back at stories. Didn’t get a chance to write one in January? That’s fine: jump in whenever you can.
If you did write a story or essay in January, we’ve got our hardest hindsight challenge first: rewrite your work in only 100 words. [ed’s note: We did this. It was terrible. But if we can, you can. /RBG&CH]
Check out this month’s challenge and some suggestions for how to succeed right here.
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, let’s support our super challengeers: tell us about a time you managed to do a thing that you wanted to give up on. (Also, was it worth it? One of our editors is asking, because she’s got half a sweater in a giant ziploc and no will to go on.)
Fiction|Poetry Mandatory Prompt
For February’s prompts, we’re going to reverse engineer January’s prompt. Here’s how it works: We give you a decision that has already been made and that will become the final moments of your story. Your job will be to create the backstory of that decision. How did the decision come about? What significance does the decision have on the characters?
For example, say the prompt is “The main character does not get the job they applied for.” You will need to show the reader how the MC became unemployed, build up the stakes of what it means for the character not to have a job, and then your last scene will be the phone call or email informing them of their failure.
This week’s decision point is:
The main character does not get the gift she expected.
The ending of your story must contain some form of the event described in the prompt. Good stories will build significance to the decision made; have a clear beginning, middle, and end; and invoke emotion from the consequences of the choice.
Poets: Check out our technique-based February slam, then explore that technique to write a poem of your own. Or write a different style of poem incorporating the prompt above: a gift not given. Or both, we’re not your mom.
Poetry Slam - Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer's Day?
In 2020, we’re turning from “how to write a poem” to “what is a poem?” with technique-based slams. This month, we’ll use Sonnet 18 to examine metaphor and how to make it fresh and unexpected by exploiting (instead of being exploited by) cliches and expectations. There’s even a bonus round! Check it out.
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, and are looking into alternative services. Thank you for your patience!
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Our tiniest challenge with the biggest bang is open the first Saturday of every month for exactly 48 hours.
YeahWrite Super Challenge
Super Challenge #15 (nonfiction!) is officially underway! Good luck to all our contestants as they furiously finish their essays. Miss out on registration? 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:
As a professional editor and writer, Nate has published his work in numerous English and history textbooks and in online reading programs. In February 2014, he found his way back to creative writing and began submitting to YeahWrite. Soon after, he became an editor of the Fiction|Poetry challenge. You can read his work at northwest journals, a blog that has been recognized by WordPress Discover, Five Star Mix-tape, Genealogy á la Carte, The Drabble, and BlogHer’s Voice of the Year. He lives in Chicago with his partner and a mini-Bengal tiger.
