Action-packed Blockbuster!
At least, I think that’s what this week has been. Between trying to put to bed a client project with thirty pages of footnotes (yes, thirty. yes, just the notes. yes, send ice cream) and three commissioned projects, I’ve barely found time to complain about the heat. I have, however, found time to polish up the handouts for Deconstructing Prompts, our August class, so if you haven’t signed up, what are you waiting for? It literally takes less time and costs less than most competitions, and you’ll come out of it with a workshopped story, as a better reader and writer, with a behind-the-scenes perspective on prompt design!
Understanding where prompts come from can give you some insight about where to go when you see one, which can catapult you to the top of that popular vote. Besides the popular vote, we also have the option of handing out an editorial staff pick to any post on our grids. Our editors comb the grids to find, not just the best writing on this grid this week, but what we think is pretty darn great writing anywhere anytime. Picks are based on writing quality, how successful the author is in conveying information, and just plain style. The great part is that we don’t have a finite number of picks to hand out. That means that if two, three, five, or even all the works on one grid are fantastic, we can give them all kudos- and we’d love to, so keep that great work coming!
On weeks when we don’t award a staff pick, keep an extra close eye on the Roundup. That’s our rundown of trends we see from week to week. We try to highlight the good stuff and point out problems that more than one writer is struggling with. There’s probably a handy tip in there for you right now, so check it out!
Once you’re done reading through the Roundup, keep scrolling down to check out who won the popular vote on both grids. If you earned the highest number of votes in any 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? Both grids have the same Winner, Editorial Staff Pick, and Top Three badges. It doesn’t clutter up our sidebar, and they’ll still look pretty on yours!
Rowan’s Roundup: YeahWrite Weekly Writing Challenge #380
I’ve talked a lot about using an object to anchor your essay, but did you know you can use a sensory detail, too? Whether it’s a scent, the prick of a thorn, or the discomfort of a sprained ankle, including something that your reader has in common with you can help draw them into your world.
Shameless plug for Deconstructing Prompts again. Yeah, I know, but there’s only a couple days left! We’re going to have so much fun!
Sometimes it feels like when I just want to write but I don’t want to put the effort in of developing plot or editing tight sentences or coming up with an idea, I’ll just bang out a poem. This is, in fact, what we in the business call “a lie.” Yes, people are uncomfortable judging poetry, but that doesn’t mean that my hasty poetry is better than a story written in the same amount of time. Good poetry takes at least as long to write as good fiction, with revisions and effort and frustration included. If you’ve been skating by on quick poems, why not challenge yourself? Write your poem, but don’t publish it the first day. Come back the next day and really dig into it. What were you trying to do? Do the images work? Be as ruthless critiquing yourself as you should be with others. And offer the same level of critique and support on everyone else’s poetry. I love poets, but poetry isn’t a magical substitute for effort.
That’s it for this week! 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! If you’re more the self-help type, remember to scroll through our writing help section for tips and tricks. Even if a post isn’t directed at your favorite grid, there’s probably a handy hint for you in there anyway!
Everybody: before you go, please take some time to leave your favorites a little love in the comments, and don’t forget, the Weekend Writing Showcase opens tonight at 6pm Eastern US Time!
Congratulations to the Crowd Favorites at YeahWrite #380
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.
Nonfiction Challenge
Loading InLinkz ...Fiction|Poetry Challenge
Loading InLinkz ...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.
