Back to business

We took two weeks off from moderation of our challenge grid, but now that the dust has settled from our amazing birthday bash, we need to get back to business. Wait, wait! Don’t run off. Let’s talk about the moderated grid for a minute. Our hope is that you’ll recognize the value in it and appreciate what it can do for you.

Our goal here has always been to provide a space where writers who blog and bloggers who write can showcase their very best work. We recognize that we have an eclectic group here made up of writers of all levels. Whether you are just starting out, starting to get comfortable, or starting your third wildly successful novel, the moderated grid helps you make sure you’re bringing your A-game to the competition. We feel it keeps the integrity of the grid strong and pushes you to really give your all every time you submit.

If your work is not accepted on to the grid, please don’t be discouraged. Really. Nearly all of the editors and many of our regular submitters have received a “love letter” or two in the past. Our hope is that you can take something useful from the note and improve your piece. Of course, you’re always free to leave your piece as is and submit to the moonshine grid on Friday. Or you can revamp your work and submit again the following week. We love that can-do spirit around here!

How to avoid a love letter

I know what you’re thinking. You don’t want a love letter. We understand completely, and so each week we like to offer up some writing advice to help you get through moderation. Some of you have heard these tips before and some of you newer folks may not have. We try to cover a broad enough range of topics to help writers of all experience levels. And, if I may be so bold, even writers who have been at this for years can sometimes use reminders of what makes a great submission.

In case you don’t want to wait, let me point your attention to a few links that we think are very helpful when crafting your post. Our FAQ and guide to writing a yeah write post are a great place to start. Both of these pages can give you a clearer idea of what the editors are looking for.

Finally, consider becoming a supporting subscriber. Eligible supporters can have their intended submission reviewed by a yeah write editor in advance of the challenge. Doing so will give you insights into what’s working and what’s not, with some ideas as to how your post can be strengthened.

But I want practical tips NOW!

This weekend, I was cleaning up my email inbox. I have a terrible habit of emailing myself links to articles I want to read when I have the time and somehow, when I wasn’t looking, my inbox hit over a thousand emails late last year. As I began reading, I started compiling a mass of things I knew would be perfect to share with you. 

This piece entitled 5 Writing Lessons I Learned From Being an Editor offers up a really nice starting point for your yeah write submission. As I read the tips, I found myself nodding in agreement on each and every note. It’s geared toward writing a longer piece, but if you take the fundamental message, it truly applies to writing of all lengths and genres. I strongly urge you to read it; you will be tested on the material. (I’m kidding. There’s no test. But if you adopt these principles, you’re more likely to get an A when we’re thinking about the jury prize.)

What’s next? Family-free month at yeah write

Next week, we are beginning a four-week series of family free grids. We love your families, honestly we do. But we want to see you stretch your writing muscles. For four weeks, we’re going to ask you not to write about anyone related to you by blood, marriage, ritual, or communal living. Anyone you consider family is off limits. We did this two years ago, and it was a fun success. You can browse the archives here, ignoring and forgiving all the old formatting.

Last week we encouraged you to try a little mind-mapping, a really cool form of brainstorming introduced to yeah write during our 2013 summer series by Rosanna R. If you didn’t try it out, set aside a little time this week to give it a go. We’re certain you’ll find it to be a useful tool.

Kevin, Comment Bob, and the invitational grid.

Kevin stands out in a crowd with his fuchsia scarf effortlessly tossed across his shoulder and his top hat jauntily perched upon his head. Are you a kiwi? Will your post stand out in the crowd? Each week we’re under 30 posts on the grid, a randomly selected editor, will choose her favorite post and award that post the week’s kiwi badge.

If we hit 30 entries, the invitational grid, which is exactly what it sounds like, will be unlocked. Editors will select the posts they feel most represent the yeah write way and move them to a special grid where they will compete for the jury prize. This honor has it’s own badge, too, so there’s always a chance for bling.

Bob loves the yeah write community spirit, and cheers on anyone who shows it on each post published to the challenge grid. Do you love to leave comments? Bob says go for it. Are you better at hitting the social media share buttons than you are at leaving comments? Bob says that’s awesome. Go for it. On voting day, do you campaign fairly for the best posts on the grid, feeling inspired by (instead of threatened by) your competition? Bob loves you so much, and will likely visit your blog’s sidebar, pom poms waving. Comment, share, like, vote fairly. Win your own Bob.

Scaled voting in the house

Regardless of the number of entries, we will host a popular vote where you’ll be able to select your favorites from the grid. The number of votes allotted is determined by the number of submissions on the grid:

• 01-10 submissions: one vote
• 11-20 submissions: two votes
• 21-30 submissions: three votes
• 31-40 submissions: four votes
• 41-50 submissions: five votes

The more submissions, the more votes. Write a blurb beside your yeah write challenge button inviting your friends to join us. Send a personal email. Talk us up in your writing circles. Stumble over a blog post you think would be perfect for the challenge grid? Email us the link, and if it’s a good fit, we’ll add it ourselves.

Odds, ends, reminders

• The badge you will need to add to your planned submission is over in the sidebar
• This immediate past Sunday is the earliest your submission can be dated
• Your post can be no longer than 600 words
• Personal essays or traditional blog anecdotes only
• There are no weekly prompts; the topic is yours. Be compelling
• The grid is open from Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. to Wednesday at 11:59 p.m.
• There is voting. Voting will take place Thursday from midnight to 10:00 p.m. US eastern
• The challenge grid is limited to 50 bloggers
• The winners’ post will be published by noon on Friday
• No self-promotional posts are allowed on the yeah write grid, including those containing links to other blog events and Internet contests

Yeah write #157 is open…

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