Mycelium
I used to think mushrooms were whole plants. Now when I see them on my walks in the woods I know what they are: fruiting bodies of a much bigger system. See, the mushroom is more like an apple than a tree. That’s how they can pop up so quickly: there’s a huge network of threads of mycelium (it looks like mold, because mold is one kind of mycelium) beneath where that mushroom emerges. The mycelium is the actual plant, and even if it looks gross, it’s amazing. Mycelium grows by releasing enzymes that digest its surroundings and then absorbing the nutrients. The cells at the tips of the mycelium that release the enzymes will eventually branch and continue to branch as it grows to build a vast, filamentous mycelial network. And it’s useful: scientists think that we may eventually be able to replace a lot of the petroleum products we use today with products made from fast-growing, renewable mycelium. Isn’t that neat?
But what’s it got to do with writing?
Well, in case you’re unfamiliar with metaphors, your story or essay or poem is the mushroom, and your web of ideas and everyday experiences is the mycelium here. It seems like stories are written quickly, but they’re actually written over your whole lifetime–they just emerge relatively quickly. Spread that network of interests, experiences and ideas wide. Digest the information around you and draw it inside yourself, and stories will start popping up all over!
–Stacie
Welcome to Week 498
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.
Get into character—or into your story—in a different way in October by exploring the scenes you set and the people in them via… poetry? That’s right. This month, we’re turning prose into poems. Get ready to dive deep into the emotional impact of your story or essay and explore some ways to make a reader care.
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 mushrooms. Or just one mushroom. Many mushrooms? Do you like mushrooms? Do you hate them (to take a cue from Rowan’s roundup last week)? Tell us! Have fun!
Fiction|Poetry Mandatory Prompt
It’s October and time to get out your Halloween decorations, enjoy a little pumpkin spice, and brace yourself for the changing season. Whether the days are getting shorter and cooler where you are, or longer and warmer, we’ve got two new mandatory prompts to get you through.
The first prompt is a first line. The given line must be used without any changes as the first line in your story. You may not change tense, number or sentence structure, and you may not add or subtract words. You may, however, add quotes around the text if you’re putting it in dialogue. This is a good opportunity to practice writing in a different voice or style to match the line we give you.
The second prompt is a photograph. You may use the photograph as the setting or main character for your story, or you may want to work the image into your story in some other way. However you choose to use the image, it must be easy for your reader to locate and must be integral to the plot. Remember to credit the image if you use it in your blog post.
This week’s two prompts are:
first line: As he flicked through the mail, a small handwritten envelope caught his attention.
Special rule: you can replace the first “he” with a name if you need to. To up the challenge for yourself, stick with the sentence as written.
photograph: You can click here, or on the image itself, to download a copy to use in your post.
Image description: A colourful hot air balloon aloft against a cloudy sunset, above a lake. The reflection of the balloon and sky shows against the disturbed waters of the lake. To the left of the balloon, in the distance, is a flock of birds.
Because it’s October:
You may be thinking about writing horror stories. That’s great! (Rowan will be so excited.) However. Not everyone loves a horror story. [Ed’s note: Or you could be me. I love horror but I hate werewolves. /RBG] This is your reminder to include an appropriate content warning if your work merits one. And don’t fall back on lazy writing and tired tropes that can turn off your readers. You’re not going to shock us. We really have read it all. (That’s not a challenge. We’ve read that response too.) Put as much thought and care into crafting a horror story as you would any other kind of writing: don’t be racist, don’t include things that don’t advance the plot, and remember there are other character motivations than sexual assault. It’ll pay off.
Poets:
In October, we’re taking a word-level look at our poetry by examining and deliberately recycling words with more than one meaning or spelling. (Check it out here). Write poem using these words, or use one of the above prompts (oooh, an image prompt!) in a poem of your choice.
Poetry Slam - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
In 2020, we’re turning from “how to write a poem” to “what is a poem?” with technique-based slams.
No matter whether you’re a spelling bee champ or can’t remember which witch is which, October’s technique is going to be interesting (and, we hope, fun). We’re talking about words that are the same—or almost the same—and how to re-use them in your poetry in different ways. Plus we’ll learn what the different pairs of words are called! You don’t have to memorize these, but it’s nice to be able to name what’s going on in a poem. It makes you sound smart, but more importantly, it ensures that you’re on the same page. Paging all editors: this goes for you, too. If you can’t tell the writer what they’ve done, you’re going to have a hard time helping them do it better. 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 #18 (our very first MICROfiction competition) is now open for registration! Registration caps at 40 so get in while it’s hot! 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.
