A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss
If you’ve been around here for a bit, you know that two years ago I moved from NJ to CA. I knew we weren’t going to stay in this apartment forever but I put off moving again for a whole host of reasons, not the least of which is that it would mean I’d have to move again. Moving is painful. But, the pandemic made it clear our apartment isn’t designed for any amount of quarantined life, so the movers will be here 3 weeks from the date this is published.
Here’s the thing: Sure, you can sit in your comfort zone and hope for something better, or you can go make some changes that are difficult, scary, and uncomfortable in the hopes of something better. I don’t care if it’s your writing, your career, your health, your mindset, your relationships… Nothing changes if you don’t change so get on it. Figure out what you want, figure out the next logical step to get there, and start moving.
–Michelle
Welcome to Week 488
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: August’s challenge is to tell your story. No, to tell it, not write it. Intrigued?
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’s prompt is to write about finding something that doesn’t (or didn’t) belong to you. Could be a wallet, a kitten, or … who knows? Or for a structural challenge, check out last week’s nonfiction roundup on the winners’ post!
Fiction|Poetry Mandatory Prompt
It’s August and we’re powering ahead to take a chomp out of the second half of the year with two new mandatory prompts. The first prompt is a superpower, and the second prompt is a food. Each week this month we’ll give you a specific superpower and a specific food to include in your story. Both prompts must be integral to the plot.
This week’s superpower prompt is: aquatic breathing (click the link to find out more about what this superpower is and how it manifests. You may use any or all of the applications of this superpower in your story).
This week’s food prompt: zucchini (also known as courgette). You may use either word; zucchini or courgette. Use this unassuming vegetable in its squash – not flower, seed or vine – form in your story. And remember: it’s not a cucumber, so leave your cat alone.
Have fun, try something new, and come join us on the grids.
Poets: For August, we’re focusing on words and the sounds they make as ways to play with the form of your poem. 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 - Pros & Consonance
In 2020, we’re turning from “how to write a poem” to “what is a poem?” with technique-based slams. In August, we’re falling in love with words again. Explore consonance, rather than rhyme or alliteration, as a way to add sonic structure to your poem and entrance your reader. 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
The initial round of Super Challenge #17 (nonfiction) is officially underway! Good luck to all our participants 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.
