I wrote a big intro last night about how much fun I had at the circus and then I woke up this morning and it felt completely inappropriate to post it in light of the events in New Zealand. So I’m going to ask you to bear with me for a moment as I give you something completely different.
After a mass shooting – after a terrorist attack – it’s hard to know what to do. Especially if you’re geographically distant from the attack. After the Pulse nightclub shooting here in the US, there was a rush to donate blood. Because being able to do something, anything, is an empathetic human need in the face of terror. So today I’m going to ask you to do something. And because you’re a writer, I’m going to ask you to do it with words, which you may not think are as satisfying as deeds but which I assure you matter.
I’m going to ask you – especially if you’re white – to read the words the shooter posted online. And then I want you to ask who you know that uses words and phrases like these. And call that out. Explain why it’s wrong. They may not listen, but I promise you that other people are reading what you write as well as what they write.
I’m going to ask you to take a critical look at the words you and those around you use, and look at how words lead to action or inaction. Are you writing about “thoughts and prayers” without ever saying what you’re thinking or praying for? At the very least, be explicit. Use your words to take a stand.
I’m going to ask you to look at who uses which words, and then when you select your own words, see which camp you’ve sorted yourself into.
I’m going to ask you not to tolerate intolerant words and phrases. And that’s going to sound a bit like censorship to you, but it’s not. For one thing, you’re not the government: you can’t actually censor anyone. For another, why would you tolerate the use of words or phrases showing your acquaintances’ racism, sexism, homophobia, or whatever other violent prejudice they may have in your space any more than you would tolerate them wandering into your home and smashing your dishes? While you’re at it, consider not having racist, sexist, or homophobic friends, you know? But if you really want to keep them, make a commitment to consistently try to change them into the good people you want to believe they are.
I’m going to ask you to read YeahWrite’s standards for submission: Our editorial standards respect the diversity and dignity of our audience. YeahWrite does not accept submissions which insult or demean any person based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or other traits.
I’m going to ask you to carry those standards forward into writing you don’t do for YeahWrite. I’m going to ask you to hold other writers to those standards, whether it’s in your crit group or on your Facebook wall.
And I’m going to ask you to use the critical reading skills you’ve developed through weeks, months, and sometimes years of writing for and reading our grids to analyze the news and the way news outlets frame events. The subtle (and not so subtle) word choices that influence perception. Think about which words you’re sharing, and if you’re accidentally just amplifying and republishing hateful words by presenting them with no commentary or framing.
Here in the US, it’s still Friday. Where I live, it’s not even time for Fajr. And I have the luxury of being more sad and angry than afraid. I also have a job to do, which is to give you the results of this week’s popular vote, so I’m going to splash some cold water on my face and blow my nose and do that.
We also have editorial staff picks to hand out this week. While there’s a popular vote winner every week, we don’t always give out a staff pick. Our editors comb the grids to find, not just the best writing on our 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.
If you got a staff pick this week, grab your badge from the sidebar and wear it with pride. But don’t just skip reading the blurb if it’s not about your post; you’ll pick up some handy pointers about what makes good writing great that you can apply to your own work. For more of that critical feedback, keep an eye on our Roundup for a quick rundown of the trends we’re seeing. We try to highlight the good stuff and point out problems that more than one writer is struggling with.
Once you’re done reading through the Editorial Staff Picks and Roundup (and congratulating the winners in the comments), 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 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!
YeahWrite #413 Weekly Writing Challenge Staff Picks:
Fiction|Poetry
One of the things you may have picked up about me is that I’m an avid birdwatcher. But that’s not why I loved Jen’s piece – except it sort of is. Buried in the clever noir stylings and fully developed plot was enough birdy research to keep me happy. From the names (taken from literary or scientific references) to the behavioral standards of the characters, the story rang true. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t need to do at least a little casual research before writing a short story: someone out there just like me will notice if you do (or, more often, that you didn’t). Research alone wouldn’t have landed this story a staff pick, but it’s what tipped it over the edge for me from “oh that’s a nice enjoyable story” to “I’d really like to give this a fancy badge to wear.”
Rowan’s Roundup: YeahWrite Weekly Writing Challenge #413
When we write personal essays, we’re often talking about something we care about. Maybe even care deeply about. But it’s important to remember that our readers don’t start off caring about that thing – or even knowing what we’re talking about. You have three – maybe five if your reader is generous – sentences to weave in a clue about where you’re going and why the reader should care if they get there. That’s why in fiction writing a common piece of advice is “start in the middle of the action.” You can carry that forward to your nonfiction as well. But do something so that your reader’s not left asking, “so what?”
This week’s prompt – the predator of ducks – pushed some preposterous prose onto the grids. It also provoked some participle phrases that were, um… You know what, I’m out of “p” words so I’m just going to tell it to you straight. When you try to be artful with your descriptions, sometimes you end up linking action to the wrong nouns. For a complete rundown of how to shape (and not shape) these phrases, check out the Purdue OWL. Or if you’re into a chirpy education, hit up Grammar Girl. But here’s a quick example: Hiking the trail, the birds chirped loudly. Are the birds hiking or are you? This week it might have been the birds, true, but it’s more likely you meant to write Hiking the trail, I heard the birds chirping loudly. Keep a sharp eye on who’s doing what to whom or you’ll end up with self-drinking coffee and ties with eyes.
Congratulations to the Crowd Favorites at YeahWrite #413
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
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