Slowing Down
A few weeks ago, I started intensive immunotherapy for my bee and wasp allergy. I sailed through the first two weeks, but as the doses of poison increased, my body had other ideas, so I’ve had to slow way down. My default way to be tends towards “go go go,” so it’s hard for me to take a step back when that means the whole process will take longer. Somehow I feel as if I’m missing something even though fastest isn’t always best, something about smelling the roses I guess, or in this case about being kinder to my poor arm, which is inflamed and itcy. I’d rather smell the roses.
I remember back in the olden days (2012) when I first joined YeahWrite as a participant, I would push myself to participate in both grids every week. That was a lot of self-inflicted pressure, but I didn’t want to miss out. Some weeks went well, and others not so much. Eventually, I learned that it’s ok not to do it all. If the bandwidth is missing, it’s best to focus on one thing and do it well or just let it go altogether. Tomorrow is another day.
This week, how about adjusting your writing expectations? Be thankful for what you do accomplish, even if it’s just an idea or draft. And if you are focused enough to complete a story, that’s what we’re here for. The grids are waiting.
–Stacie
Welcome to Week 490
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.
*Note that our microprose grid now opens on Saturday at 12 midnight and closes on Sunday at 11:59pm ET. You’ve got a whole 48 hours to get your submissions in! Voting will open with the rest of the grids on Wednesday.
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 something that happened during a road trip—whether that was a cross-country adventure or your latest trip to the hardware store. Have fun!
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: storm manipulation (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: trail mix (Not sure what trail mix is? Click the link! You may use any combination of fruits, nuts, granola, chocolate or seeds in your trail mix.)
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 final round of Super Challenge #17 (nonfiction) is officially underway! Good luck to all our participants as they furiously finish their essays! 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:
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.
