What’s your story?

Storytelling – the art form we celebrate at yeah write – is not a spectator sport. A tale must be heard to have meaning and impact, which makes the art of storytelling much different from keeping a journal. Both have important roles, but it is story that provides the communal experience. As the author Christina Baldwin writes in her book Storycatcher, “In the act of telling story, we create a world we invite others into.” As writers, one of our bravest acts is to move beyond the journal page. To speak our truths out loud. And to trust that they will be received with respect.

We welcome, then, all the storytellers who joined us this week, especially the eight new writers (virgins!) on the challenge grid. You are now part of the best writers’ community on the web.

Crowd favorite

“The Patience I Don’t Have” by Jenn Berney at Goodnight Already

Hannah Arendt wrote that “storytelling reveals meaning without committing the error of defining it.” It’s an elegant way to phrase the old “show don’t tell” saw that writing teachers are so fond of jotting in margins. This week’s crowd favorite, “The Patience I Don’t Have” by Jenn Berney, is an illustration of that practice. The author merges two stories, moving easily from past to present. We see how her experiences as the younger sister inform her present reactions to her son. She never talks about patience per se, rather she shows us people who, by their actions and words, are being either patient or impatient. At no point in the post does she digress and tell us what she’s learned. She imparts that lesson through more story: “[T]he mere memory of her patience has bought my son three more minutes of ice-stirring.” 

Congratulations, Jenn! Grab your crowd favorite badge over in the sidebar to display on your blog. 

Congrats also to schadenfreudett and Janelle for rounding out the top row three. You’ll find your top row badges in the sidebar, too.

Weekend moonshine grid opens today at 6 p.m. eastern time and we have PRIZES!

It’s the weekend, and Natalie D is setting up her moonshine grid and bathtub gin just for you. The moonshine grid is the flip side of our weekly challenges: a no-stress link-up where we accept anything except commercial or sponsored posts. You can catch up with Natalie starting at 6 p.m. eastern time today. Closing time is midnight on Monday.

Win-win