Last week, our community lost one of its most steadfast members, Margaret Shafer. Margaret first started posting her essays on the YeahWrite weekly grids in December of 2016, and she hardly missed a single week since then. She was an active participant in the Coffeehouse on Facebook and a frequent competitor in the Super Challenge, where she placed in the top three twice.
Margaret really caught my notice in September of 2017. She wrote an essay about her father’s death for our weekly nonfiction challenge titled Mourning—which was almost what I called my own piece that same week about my mother’s passing. To top it off, her blog name (Unfolding from the Fog) was almost the same as mine (Trudging Through Fog). Who is this person? I remember grumbling to a friend. How dare she?
But Margaret dared. Over the years we watched Margaret gain confidence in her own writing, moving outside her comfort zone—personal essays—into fiction, microprose, and even poetry. And Margaret watched everyone else. She always—always—had a kind word to say about other writers’ work, even when she was delivering a critique. She was often the first to congratulate the winners, and was always happy on behalf of others, even if it meant she didn’t place. In many ways, Margaret embodied everything this writing community is about: growth, support, friendship, and a commitment to making words that matter.
When she was diagnosed with ALS, Margaret turned to what she loved—writing—to share the news. If you are comfortable with the subject matter, please take a moment to read her final essay, That Day. It’s a raw, honest glimpse into facing a terminal illness, but it’s also a gentle farewell. And if you are so inclined, her family has asked that in lieu of other remembrance, you make a donation to the ALS Association in her memory.
We’ll miss you, Margaret.
—Christine & the YeahWrite team
This Week’s Writing Prompt is:
Inspired by our interview with Margaret and the things she loved, we invite you to consider including a traveling teacher in your next story, poem, or essay.
Think about what information is included (or implied) in the prompt, and where you might go with it. 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, located both on Facebook or 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 in the Coffeehouse 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 - Character Prompts (Free Workshop)
In our monthly Navigating Prompts series, 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!
Everyone knows that characters are at the heart of every story. So how do you learn to relate to a character somebody else gives you—and make your readers relate to them, too?
In April, we’ll be taking the first of two looks at character prompts. We’ll go over the various elements of a character prompt, including personal and physical attributes, internal and emotional attributes, and lifestyle choices and situations. You’ll also get tips on how to keep your character, well, in character—and how to avoid some of the most common mistakes when writing to a character prompt. Check it out!
Super Challenge #20
Registration for Super Challenge #20 is now open for early-bird registration! Take advantage of this discounted rate through April 15. Our twentieth (!!) Super Challenge is a flash fiction competition, and we hope you will join us. Want to be notified for all Super Challenge updates? Make sure you sign up for our email blast.
YeahWrite's 10th Birthday Party
We’re throwing a party for YeahWrite’s birthday, and you’re invited! Let’s celebrate ten years of making words together.
You’ve got two opportunities to meet the editors and your fellow YeahWriters on Zoom. Attend one party or both!
- Friday, April 16, 6:00 PM US Pacific Time (1:00 AM GMT)
- Saturday, April 17, 10:00 AM US Pacific Time (5 PM GMT)
RSVP by April 15.
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.
