I’m Sure I’m Not the Only One
I think it’s fair to say that most of us get envious of others from time to time. What I think happens often though, and we don’t talk about it, is that feeling of envy for things othes have achieved when we are not willing to put in the effort to get there ourselves. For example, maybe someone lands a great byline and you’re all, “Why not me?” But, did you pitch? Did you write? Or another writer you know gets a publishing deal and you’re happy for them but also a little sad because it (again) wasn’t you, meanwhile your manuscript is still sitting in a bin, untouched for longer than you care to admit.
It doesn’t matter what it is we want. For most of us, we’re going to have to work for it. Things may come more easily to some than others for a variety of reasons, but the vast majority of us are going to have to actually do the work. It’s the eve of my 44th birthday. As I reflect on where I wanted to be today, I can honestly say I’m not there because I didn’t do the work. It sucks to admit, but it’s true.
So today I offer you a cheesy thing I saw on a meme: Day one or one day? You decide.
I’ve made my decision. What’s yours?
– Michelle
[Ed’s note: Happy Birthday, boss! For your present, I got you everyone’s reminder that having to prioritize other things doesn’t mean you’re lazy, it means you had to prioritize other things. Of course, that won’t get you where you wanted to be in your writing, but it might get you fed and keep a roof over your head. When we read stories about people who “just did it” and got up 2 hours early to write while the baby was asleep and then worked a full day and then a second shift and then slept three hours and did it again? we’re reading them because those people are genuinely exceptional. That’s what makes them newsworthy. The vast majority of published work didn’t happen that way, it happened because someone had the support from their family and friends to be able to make the time for the big projects. We talked about time last year, remember? Sometimes you have to adjust your goals. I mean, I’d like to be a billionaire but it turns out my parents didn’t leave me hundreds of millions of dollars or buy me several companies full of workers to exploit. If you set goals that are achievable with the resources you have access to? That’s when you should start expecting yourself to meet them. -RBG]
Welcome to Week 476
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 have a story or essay to work on, tag in: May’s challenge is to rewrite your story from a different point of view. That might mean changing narrators, becoming your own narrator, or a shift in focus. Whatever you choose, it’s time to see how your narrative POV affects the information you can give your readers.
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. Last week, one of our editors lived on energy drinks and spanakopita. This week, we want to hear about sleep. Is it a deal? (or, of course, you can treat this optional prompt as optional, so long as you write an essay, poem, or mostly-true story with a strong so-what.)
Fiction|Poetry Mandatory Prompt
April showers bring May…writing prompts!
This month we’re transforming flowering plants into characters. Give the qualities of plants to a realistic person or give plants human qualities. For example, how would a red rose behave as a human being? Why is the weeping-willow man so sad sitting near that river? Either way, just make sure to give them a plot.
Okay. Now for the prompts:
- Write a story with a character who is based on the calla lily. The calla lily represents “magnificence” and “beauty” in the language of flowers. They are trumpet-shaped and rather tall. Interpret that how you wish, but help the editors out by drawing clear interpretations so that we can tell which character you’ve ascribed the qualities to. Your story may include other flowers, but the calla lily should be easily identifiable and integral.
- Mention a garden hose in your story. It doesn’t need to be integral to the plot.
Poets: For May, we’re playing with repetition to build poetic structure. Check out our technique-based slam then explore that technique to write a poem of your own. Or write a different style of poem incorporating at least one of the prompts above. Or both? You might be able to do both.
Poetry Slam - Echo Chambers
In 2020, we’re turning from “how to write a poem” to “what is a poem?” with technique-based slams. For May, we’re looking at not one poem but several to explore the different ways that repetition can be used to build structure and interest in your work. Check it out.
A QUICK NOTE REGARDING OUR GRIDS: Inlinkz, which supports our grid format, is currently STILL 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 seriously, we promise, 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 #16 is officially underway! Good luck to all our Round 1 contestants as they anxiously await the results. Miss out on registration? 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.
