Migration
Spring is in the air, and change is coming. The hummingbirds will arrive back in Massachusetts shortly, followed by the orioles. I’ll be putting out feeders for both, bird nerd that I am. Change can be hard, but it also often signals a rebirth, small or large, like the slipping of one season into another, and for me embracing a second chapter I neither expected or wanted. That said, I’m happy now. Happier, even. Sometimes when one door closes, an even better one opens. These are the times that inspire the best writing. Chase it, if you can.
~Stacie
This Week’s Writing Prompt is:
A birdwatcher who has seen a new bird for the first time
Your job, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story or essay using this character. Think about what information is included (or implied) in the prompt. 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 through May 5! Our twentieth (!!) Super Challenge is a flash fiction competition, and we hope you will join us when the contest kicks off on May 7. Want to be notified for all Super Challenge updates? Make sure you sign up for our email blast.
About the author:
Stacie joined YeahWrite as its Fiction Editor in early 2013 and served as YeahWrite’s Executive Editor from 2016 – 2020. 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.
