Oh, that’s why
I think we’ve all had that moment where we question ourselves. Where we ask why. Why am I even writing when nobody’s reading this? Why am I driving 1500 miles when it’s exhausting and expensive? Why am I still in school when it’s just a bunch of hoop-jumping and grinding? Why did I get out of bed today when I’m not less tired? Why am I doing the dishes when I’m just going to get them dirty again? The list goes on and on. But then you have the “oh” moment. That’s why. There’s a comment on your work that shows someone needed to hear what you were saying or see themself in a story. There’s family at the end of the drive waiting with a cup of tea. There’s a flash of insight where it all comes together and your teacher says “I’ve been waiting for someone to get that for years” or “I never even thought of that.” There’s someone who needed to see your smile, or you help someone up stairs or through a door. You have unexpected company and the kitchen is clean enough to cook together. And you get your “that’s why.”
I got a healthy helping of that’s why this week- both good and bad. Yes, this shared joy is why we do things in community. Yes, that person having to stay home today is why we all agreed to test every morning before embarking on this shared project (and the masking protocols meant no-one else had to stay home and the project could continue). Yes, this insight is why we study history and inhabit different ideas. Yes, the moment where you realize your tablet isn’t where you left it is why we don’t just set our devices down and wander off, child… (It’s found, a kind stranger turned it in to lost and found.)
How about you? Why do you keep doing the things that you do? What are some moments you’ve had that affirmed your that’s why among all the other exhausting ones? Let us know in the Coffeehouse or on Discord!!
~Rowan
This Week’s Writing Prompt is:
To understand how the cat got there, you need to know three things about [character name]:
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: Scarlet Quill Society (Free Workshop w/ Optional Paid Benefits)
Welcome to the secret back room where the Scarlet Quill Society meets. In this year-long workshop, the YeahWrite editors will help you hone your own editing skills so that you can feel confident that the work you are submitting is at its absolute best. We’re experimenting a little with our workshop format in 2022, and offering a couple add-ons to our always-free posts that we think you’ll find exciting and worth a few bucks a month: The Scarlet Quill Society will have actual face-to-face (okay, virtual) monthly meetings to delve into the topics and answer your questions, and an editorial backroom on Discord!
This month we’re taking a turn into the known. That’s right: the known, not the unknown! We’re talking about how to edit nonfiction, what the special challenges of creative nonfiction are, and how not to lose your mind (and voice) in academic writing. Check out our September post, where we’re doing all this and more, and then tune in (and ask questions) (like why are there so many parentheticals here) to the live talk!
This month’s meeting will be Sunday, September 11 at 2pu US Eastern time. Sign up for a membership today to join the Scarlet Quill Society and automatically receive the Zoom link and password for every meeting. One-off monthly meeting tickets can also be purchased on Kofi.
At YeahWrite we believe information wants to be shared. If you can’t afford to join us for society meetings, we post the recording about a week later, and you’re welcome to leave the tip you can afford (even if that’s just a nice thank you comment). Check out our YouTube channel for more.
Super Challenge #25 - Microfiction
Our summer microfiction challenge is officially underway! Congratulations to all of our participants who made the shortlist. Winners and honorable mentions will be announced on September 16. Did you miss out on registration? Sign up for our email blast today so you don’t miss any important 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 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]
Spontaneous Writing Challenges
Looking for a bit of inspiration? Missing the grids? Then join the Coffeehouse on Discord (where the stories are made up and the points don’t matter) and head to the #spontaneous-challenge channel. Each day, anyone can post a micro writing challenge (but just one per day!). Share your responses within the thread and earn XP within the server. We hope to see you there!
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.
