[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As the first super challenge judge with my scores turned in, I’m entitled to be smug, right?
Of course, being first isn’t always a good thing. Sometimes it means you didn’t take the time to look at your work again. Other times it’s exactly right – you had exactly enough time to say the thing you needed to say, and if you touch it again you’ll screw it up. It’s a delicate balance.
Let’s look at how that balance played out this week in the popular vote. But it’s not all about the popular vote, folks. Every week our editors comb through your submissions looking for writing that really stood out to award an editorial staff pick. Picks are based on writing quality, how successful the author is in conveying information, and just plain style. If we don’t give out a staff pick on a grid one week, it means nothing really stood out for us. Maybe the best stories had a bunch of typos or the grammatically perfect ones didn’t have much there there. You’ve really got to nail both elements – structure and storytelling – to earn a staff pick.
If there isn’t a staff pick one week, check out Rowan’s Roundup (even for the sake of alliteration, it’s rough saying my own name out loud, ok?). Probably there’s a clue in there why that post you liked didn’t make the cut. Then keep scrolling down to check out who won the popular vote on all three grids. If you earned the highest number of votes in either challenge, you are this week’s crowd favorite! If you came in first, second or third, you get “top three” honors. Grab your badge from our sidebar!
Looking for your badge? Our challenges share the same winner, staff pick, and top three badges. It doesn’t clutter up our sidebar, and they’ll still look pretty on yours![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Rowan’s roundup: yeah write weekly writing challenge #274
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nonfiction
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Ti-i-i-ime… is on my side. Yes it is.
Sorry about the earworm. But is time on your side? Moving between scenes in an essay or story can be tricky. Even Al in Quantum Leap knew: it’s important to signal your reader that a jump is taking place and re-anchor them on the other side. There are a number of ways to do this, from inserting asterisks like Meg did this week to opening the paragraph with a short sentence including the year, to …. well, you come up with a way. Give it a shot![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”29344″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]
fiction|poetry
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The “so what” isn’t just for nonfiction, you know. There’s a point at which a story or poem can become too coy, the twist or hook can be set too far down the line, and before you know it, you’ve lost the reader’s interest and you haven’t even gotten to the clever part yet!
A good rule of thumb is that you have five sentences (or three lines of a poem) to pique the reader’s interest and set the tone for the rest of your work. You can do this with a pithy sentence (it was the best of times, it was the worst of times), a great line (listen to the tawny thief), or a clear and present image that sinks its teeth into the reader and won’t let go. Whatever you choose, make sure there’s enough good stuff at the beginning that the reader has a reason to stick with your piece to the end![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”29345″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]If you’re lost in the middle of the grid and wondering how you can get a little more feedback on your posts, check out our membership perks!
Everybody: before you go, please take some time to leave your favorites a little love in the comments, and don’t forget, our weekend grid opens tonight at 6pm Eastern US Time![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Congratulations to the crowd favorites at yeah write #274
The thumbnails are now sorted in order of most votes to fewest. Ties in the overall number of votes are broken by number of editor votes.
Congratulations if you’re at or near the top! Writing well is hard work, and we’re honored you’ve chosen us this week to showcase your entry.
If you’re at or near the bottom, don’t be discouraged. You’re in the right community for learning and growing as a writer, and we are always available with resources for those who ask nicely.
To our readers and voters: thank you! See you next week.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]
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