My favorite things
For many people, it’s a gift-giving time of year, and what better way to celebrate the end of 2021 than with some new books and accessories for yourself or your friends? I can’t speak for the entire YeahWrite team, but here are five of my personal favorite things from this year.
- Fiction book: The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
This fantasy novel (well, novella) contains some of the most beautiful prose I’ve read in years, wrapped around an intricate story. An exiled queen in imperial China, a humble cleric, political intrigue, magic, honor, love and grief, and so many strong women struggling to be heard, to matter, in a society that would prefer to keep them silent. There are at least two more novellas in this cycle, and I can’t wait to read the rest. - Craft book: Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
I’m more of a pantser than a planner, so this book has given me a useful new perspective on organizing a story or book. It’s easy to read and follow, with concrete examples. While I haven’t tried actually plotting out a story ahead of time, it’s on my to-do list for 2022. - Author: K. B. Wagers
I’m a sucker for a good action-packed space opera story, and K. B. Wagers’ books never disappoint. She has two full series out now (the Indranan War and the Farian War books), and a third trilogy – my new favorite! – 2/3 complete (the Neo-G books – the Coast Guard in space!). Wagers’ characters are as diverse as they come, and it’s not just a nod to inclusivity. Each and every one is fully realized and wonderfully genuine. These books are some of my go-to re-reads. - Writing accessory: Roost Laptop Stand
Even pre-pandemic I couldn’t work without this great little accessory, which lifts my laptop up to eye level and has seriously mitigated the inevitable neck ache one gets after hours of staring at a screen on a table. Since I started working full time from home, though, and moving from room to room to accommodate my spouse and two kids doing classwork and homework in various locations throughout the house, it’s been a lifesaver. It does require a separate keyboard and mouse, but it’s totally worth it. - Comfort item: A super soft fleece blanket. I’m partial to this one, which is light enough to throw over my shoulders when I’m writing at my desk on a chilly morning, and big enough to curl up under on the couch with a good book. Plus, the stars glow in the dark! How could you go wrong?
Do you have recommendations for your fellow YeahWriters? What can’t you live without?
~Christine
PS – if you are looking for fun gift ideas for the writers in your life and want to support YeahWrite, check out our swag! Or you can always buy us a cup of coffee—we’re completely volunteer-run, and your support helps us keep the lights on.
[Ed’s note: yeahno I can’t leave this one alone. I’m calling it, book of the other: small in comparison by Truong Tran is my book of the year. It’s stunningly well constructed to balance narrative, poesy, and an unflinching interrogation of who we are—and who and what we are to each other. /rbg]
This Week’s Writing Prompt is:
“Where to?” the driver asked.
December’s Navigating Prompts article is an overview of all the topics we covered this past year, and so there’s no fixed prompt style for the month. This week, your job, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story or essay using the above sentence as the first line. Stuck? We’ve gone into detail about unraveling this sort of prompt style in this Technique Toolbox post on word or phrase prompts.
There are no word limits. You can write fiction or nonfiction; you may interpret the prompt any way you like, but you must use it exactly as written. 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 - Annual Roundup (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!
We’re wrapping up our 2021 writing help series with an overview of everything we covered this past year. Refresh your memory and sharpen that pencil – you’ll find everything you need to know about the most common prompt types all in one place. Check it out!
Super Challenge #22 - Flash Fiction
Super Challenge #22 is officially underway! Good luck to all our finalists as they furiously finish their Final Round stories. Miss out on registration? Sign up for our email blast so that you don’t miss out on any Super Challenge announcements.
WIP Write-Ins, AKA Co-Working Hours
Last summer, you all joined the YeahWrite editors (and writers like you) for a series of laid-back, low-key co-working sessions. We chatted, we brainstormed, we got to know one another, and arguably most importantly, we wrote actual words! Once summer ended, we weren’t ready for co-working to disappear like the hot weather, so starting in October, co-working is back!
Join Christine every Wednesday from 9:00am – 11:00am Pacific Time and Arden every other Friday from 12:00 – 2:00pm Pacific Time for regular WIP Write-ins. Other sessions will be scheduled in the future, so keep an eye on our calendar and we’ll be sure to post announcements of pop-up sessions in our Discord and Facebook groups. See you there!
[Ed’s note: if you add that calendar to your own Google calendar, it’ll change the times to match your time zone automagically. No more searching “what time is 9am Pacific in Warsaw?” You’re welcome. /RBG]
About the author:
Christine Hanolsy is a (primarily) science fiction and fantasy writer who simply cannot resist a love story. She joined the YeahWrite team in 2014 as the microstory editor and stepped into the role of Editor-In-Chief in 2020. Christine was a 2015 BlogHer Voices of the Year award recipient and Community Keynote speaker for her YeahWrite essay, “Rights and Privileges.” Her short fiction has been published in a number of anthologies and periodicals and her creative nonfiction at Dead Housekeeping and in the Timberline Review. Outside of YeahWrite, Christine’s past roles have included Russian language scholar, composer, interpreter, and general cat herder. Find her online at christinehanolsy.com.
