Here, lizard, lizard…
Some phrases just stick with you. That headline? That’s from an ad that you had to be in sort of a specific age at a specific time to remember. But if I say it out loud, my whole cohort will join in. Those are the kind of lines we love to write, aren’t they? Whether it’s “fly, you fools” or “hold the door” you want your words to follow your readers around, to engage them and invade their minds at odd times of the day. But if you try to make every line memorable, what you’ll end up doing is crushing your story with words. It’s ok to save your darlings if you want, but make sure they really are better than the writing around them (if they’re not, rescue them and put them in a different story: good phrases don’t have a use-by date). And make sure they’re sparse and scattered so that they get their time in the spotlight. Otherwise your readers might not notice that soylent green is people.
~Rowan
This Week’s Writing Prompt is:
A broken watch.
We’re playing with the object prompt a little bit this week by adding an adjective. What does “broken” mean? Well, that’s up to you. It might mean smashed. It might mean that the watch doesn’t tell time, or perform some other function properly (for example, if your Apple watch keeps telling you that you haven’t met your stand goal for the day. LOOKING AT YOU, APPLE WATCH). And “watch” is up for grabs, too, isn’t it? Does it mean wristwatch? Pocket watch? That’s a choice you’ll have to make to engage with this prompt.
Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to incorporate this object into your story or essay. Want some pointers on how to do this? We’ve gone into detail in this month’s Technique Toolbox on Navigating Prompts.
There are no word limits. You can write fiction or nonfiction; you may interpret the prompt any way you like. Share your response in the Coffeehouse on Facebook (or in its new location on Discord), by linking your blog post, Google Doc, or other file. Check out your fellow YeahWriters’ responses, and don’t forget to leave them some love in the comments!
Looking for our weekly grids? After nearly ten years, they’ve been retired. Read more about the latest changes to YeahWrite in the #500 Weekly Writing Challenge Kickoff Post.
The Schedule
We will release a new prompt on our blog every Friday at 12pm Eastern.
Then it’s up to you! Write your response to the prompt on your own blog or website and share the link in the Coffeehouse, located both on Facebook or Discord. If you prefer to keep your work under wraps (and away from the eyes of potential publishers), you can still ask for beta readers and share your work privately!
Every Monday, we’ll check in to see how you’re doing and what your writing goals are for the week.
Wednesdays are “Work-in-Progress Wednesdays.” Share a few sentences or even a paragraph or two in the Coffeehouse (no more than 250 words, please). Even if you’re not done writing, this could be the boost you need to stay motivated.
Did you publish a book? Do you have a story in a magazine? The First Friday of every month is for self-promotion, where you can share commercial links to your work for purchase. (You can always share the news that you’ve been accepted for publication, though!)
And of course, the entire community is here 24-7 to share your victories and setbacks, challenges and accomplishments. So come on in, pull up a chair, and say hello. We’re all writers here.
Upcoming and Ongoing
Sign up for our email blast so you don’t miss out on any upcoming classes, workshops, or competitions.
Ongoing: Navigating Prompts
Each month, we’ll talk you through how to analyze and respond to a specific prompt style. We’ll coordinate the weekly prompts with the monthly post so you’ll have a chance to practice, compare notes with other writers in the Coffeehouse, located both on Facebook or Discord, and get advice from beta readers and YeahWrite editors. You’ll get to hone your skills when you’re not in crisis mode, trying to meet that fast-approaching deadline. And who knows—maybe you’ll end up with a new story or two in your back pocket!
This month, we’ll be taking a hard look at the ubiquitous—and deceptively difficult—”object” prompt. How do you incorporate a particular object into your story to maximum effect? How can you center the object in your story while maintaining your own unique perspective? January’s post will walk you through it. Check it out!
Super Challenge #19
Registration for Super Challenge #19 is now open! This one’s for the personal essayists and creative nonfictioneers out there—or for anyone looking to stretch their writing skills. Make sure you also sign up for our email blast so you don’t miss out on any Super Challenge announcements.
About the author:
Rowan submitted exactly one piece of microfiction to YeahWrite before being consumed by the editorial darkside. She spent some time working hard as our Submissions Editor before becoming YeahWrite’s Managing Editor in 2016. She was a BlogHer Voice of the Year in 2017 for her work on intersectional feminism, but she suggests you find and follow WOC instead. In real life she’s been at various times an attorney, aerialist, professional knitter, artist, graphic designer (yes, they’re different things), editor, secretary, tailor, and martial artist. It bothers her vaguely that the preceding list isn’t alphabetized, but the Oxford comma makes up for it. She lives in Portlandia with a menagerie which includes at least one other human. She tells lies at textwall and uncomfortable truths at CrossKnit.
