Young Writers Society

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What will you find here? Tons of interesting news about YWS, including but not limited to: articles about writing, art, and the world of humanities; interviews with YWS members; shameless plugs; link round-ups; and opinionated columns.

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Well, that’s all I have for now. So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy!

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1. FEATURED MEMBER INTERVIEW
2. NAPO INTERVIEW
3. POEMS, SHORTS, AND STORYBOOKS
4. STORYBOOK COVERAGE
5. WORD OF THE WEEK
6. POETRY POPPER
7. TWO CENTS
8. THIS WEEK'S ROUND UP
9. SHAMELESS PLUGS
10. SUBSCRIBERS

FM INTERVIEW: PRINCESSINKwritten by Lumi < PM: >


Welcome to a wholesome Featured Member interview, where I, your typewriter-wielding host, will dig deep into the cogs and gears of what makes our newest addition to the YWS Hall of Fame tick! This time, we're following @PrincessInk as she attempts to enter a quaint Denny's (not a sponsor.) At the table, I got to sit down with her and get a heart-to-heart!

PrincessInk: You successfully caught me at Denny's, so I'll be answering your questions!


PI: The Knight inside of my hummingbird feathers is honored, but I’m the “Yay” kind of happy—and definitely surprised. You will be surprised if you woke up one morning, logged onto YWS while you still weren’t fully “fresh”, and discovered you were Featured Member. By the way, what are Grand Slams?


PI:I honestly have no idea (and about who is Bacon either). I suppose it’s because I review regularly, enough to be one of the Top Reviewers Weekly panel and am generally active. I’m joining a bunch of Storybooks as well. For the last question, I have mixed opinions. I like Mickey Mouse and pancakes; but if Mickey Mouse’s face is on a pancake, it’s a bit cruel to eat it...? I ever ate such fancy waffles (with ice cream) for a dessert once in a Chinese restaurant. I’ll choose elaborately decorated waffles after all then.


PI:Definitely reviewing—especially if it’s helpful—is important here! I’ve seen a few Featured Members here and they’ve all been reviewing a lot when they became Featured Member (such as @ GoldenQuill). And participating in a few Storybooks wouldn’t be a bad idea either. People will be more familiar with you! To sum up: be active, but there’s no need to be hyper. But don't forget the fancy waffles!



PrincessInk has done 17 reviews this month as of the writing of this article and participated well in the Storybook forum. So we wonder, YWSers: Could You be the next Featured Member?

NAPOWRIMO INTERVIEW WITH NIKAYLAwritten by Aley < PM: >

This week I spoke with the one, the only, @Nikayla or Kaos or Yams or Atsumi or … well, we won't go there. Yes, this is a member that has had a lot of usernames in a very short time here on YWS. As she has only been here a year, to have had five different usernames is quite the achievement! That being said, I sat down with Nikayla about her progress this year in NaPo.

She is one of the only people to have already finished NaPo's requirements of 30 poems in one month and is working towards a grand total of 60+ as she aims to receive all of the badges for this year. Here's our interview.



Nikayla: I'm free, go right ahead!



N: Before NaPo started I hadn't been writing that month and the whole month of NaPo for me has been quite experimental so far in that I'm able to write so much and I'm able to put a main focus on experimenting around in poetry, so I guess that's my motivation towards it.



N: A lot more regarding specific structures such as Ghazals and Sestinas and I think even just over the course of NaPo so far, my writing's developed from since the month started



N: I've been trying to focus on developing and branching out from the point of view or perspective I write in, more poems with different themes and different styles played with throughout them and not just one certain tone or mood throughout the month.



N: My big piece of encouragement, at least if it's regarding the quantity of poems I've been putting out: Don't aspire to write a large amount of poems if that means your quality is going down due to it. I've felt moments of burnout from this and I don't think I'm the exact role model for how someone should approach NaPo. There are so many different ways to, even if it's just a casual activity! It's meant to be a self-challenge and it's meant to be fun for you!



N: I first got into NaPo, from, well, being a poet. Last year I got into it from hearing talk about it around and I decided to join but never officially finished it.



N: My new goal is to get all of the badges for NaPo as well as trying to win April Madness , but I'm not very ambitious about the second one since there are so many great poets in the competition!



N: Editing. Editing. Editing. And being incredibly indecisive.



N: Reading and catching up on NaPo threads as well as running jams and workshops! Even casual jams seem to get the creative juices going, and they're a lot of fun to host.



N: Yeah, maybe 'Why are laser pointers so addicting?' would have been a good one.



N: Dunno, Aleyhooper, that's one of the secrets of the universe that no one will ever know.



N: None, we're in the center of the universe, silly goose.



N: No problem, Aleyhooper!

Nikayla's forum is open for comments if you want to drop by and check out a bucolic meadow she would happily give you a tour! Most of her activity has come from running and participating in different Jams, which are pop up poetry events.

To give you an idea of what you would be experiencing, here's is a poem from Nikayla's thread.






Nikayla's poetry usually deals with something ethereal or mundane and draws it towards a new understanding. In this one, it could be talking about the apocalypse, or just an abandoned city before a hurricane or when the night is old, but it engages the reader to consider what will become of it. In this way, Nikayla can make things engaging that usually wouldn't be, and it's a joy to read her work.

Keep it up Nikayla! It's not the 30th yet!

POEMS, SHORTS, AND STORYBOOKSwritten by OreosAreLife < PM: >

Poem , Shorts and Storybooks that's what's happening!
I'm gonna let y'all in on a little secret.... There are great poems, shorts, and storybooks out there by some pretty great writers. And here you shall find just a few! So go ahead and read. After you finish, you'll want to go check them out.

Poems:
Summertime Memories by Remembrance
This is a beautiful full of imagination. The detail really gives you a clear image as to what is happening as you read. The writer does a great job of bringing you in and keeping you there throughout the poem. The description is so vivid you can just see what the writer wrote as uou read! It is like you are actually there in the poem itself. Here are some lines to the amazing poem Summertime Memories.













A quick word from @Remembrance:







You by Mockingjay78 -
This poem has great emotion to it. It really tells how the writer is feeling and it makes you feel it to at points in it. The description and imagination are spot on like you can see it in your head. The format it is in also really goes with it. Like its clipped as if the author is talking and can't get the words out. Here are some lines from You.











A quick word from @Mockingjay78:







Shorts:
Missing by AmeliaGryffin
Phenomenal is what this short is! It has amazing detail and keeps you in suspense the entire time. The writer does a marvelous job with the emotion and description all throughout the story. The plot was interesting and it stayed on one course It also did not jump from place to place or character to character. The ending makes the reader begging for more. It was awesome. Here are some parts to make you want to read all of it!













Here is a quick word from the @AmeliGryffin:





Dead Inside by Nerrvany
This is one of them shorts that you can relate to on some level. It has the raw emotion of a that sucks you in and keeps you in the story as it unfolds. And there is a surprise that is just waiting for you in this story
Here is a little preview to get your curiosity spiking.











Storybooks:
The Eclipse Circle by KiraThePotatoChip
This sounds like an interesting and exciting storybook full of mischief and fun. Check just what it is about, who knows you might just end up liking it! Also the storybook is accepting!













A word from the creator @KiraThePotatoChip:







Ashfall 2.0 by Craz -
In this thrilling storybook you have to survive after a volcanic explosion shakes everyone and everything. Test your character skills and your survivsl instincts. You can have as many characters as you can handle. This storybook is accepting people so come join now!












A word from the creator @Craz:







These are all for this week. But there is always next week! Who knows you just might get featured? Until then, keep writing and I hope to read more of your guys' work!

STORYBOOK COVERAGE written by Princess Ink < PM: >

The monthly Storybook poll hosted by @AstralHunter is asking you which genres of storybooks you want to join next month. So far, there are 47 votes. The most popular choice is the beloved Fantasy with 26%, while Adventure and Sci-Fi are vying for second place with 15%.

On to the storybooks:

A New Unpopulated Storybook

-Land of Darkness by @Remembrance

The child of the Queen of the Fae and the leader of the humans was one day stolen from his/her bed. The goal here: to journey through the Land of Darkness to get back the child safely. However, the Land of Darkness is very perilous and the political situation is quite fragile. One wrong move could lead to war. It's quite promising, so be sure to try checking it out!

New Popular Storybooks

-The Time Games by @Sheyren

Leonardo da Vinci has created a time machine. Because of his success, he is hosting a contest in 2017 and inviting highly intelligent and renowned figures from the past. How will they compete in the games and experience the modern world?

-The Sky of the Aether by @Feltrix

This showcases the corruption and corporations vying for power in the city Kryn of Archora. Sky pirates can choose to take sides as well. Magic is channeled through the element Aether. It’s already quite populated with eager participants!

A Closed Storybook:

-Pokebook VI: World Tour by @Lumi

This SB is about a World Tournament among Pokemon lovers, set in Kyoto, Japan. A group of them have met online and this is the first time they will meet! One quirky rule: there must be plenty of food here, because it’s a Pokebook!

A Sneak Peek into Roleplay Realm

-The Stranded Hotel by @Mage

The setting of the roleplay is inside quaint hotel that is rumored to be haunted. One Friday, a storm completely separates it from the entire world, and till Monday rolls along, nobody in the hotel can find a way out. And perhaps the ghosts are waking up because of the storm…It’s a definitely fascinating roleplay so try taking a look at it!

If you’re interested in any of the accepting Storybooks or the roleplay here, take a look at the Storybooks area—I’m quite sure you’ll find something that suits you. Happy Storybooking!

THE WORD OF THE WEEK: Promulgatewritten by megsug < PM: >
Pronunciation: prom-muhl-geyt

Part of Language: Verb

Definition: to make known formally; to set forth publicly

Used in a Sentence: They refuse to promulgate their plans of world domination though they insist it is a serious endeavor.

Origin: Promulgate comes from the Latin promulgatus though an archaic synonym was promulge.

Related words: promulgation, promulgator, nonpromulgation (n.); repromulgate, repromulgated, repromulgating (v.); repromulgation (n.)

Poetry Popper: Night Sky With Exit Wounds written by Nikayla < PM: >


Hello everyone and welcome to a Poetry Popper! Since poetry can be sometimes hard to find, especially in anthologies, I'll be giving a recommendation, as well as explaining why you should all read it, or at least check it out.

Background

This week we're going to be covering Night Sky With Exit Wounds, a poetry anthology by Ocean Vuong. The book is a winner of the Whitling Award for exceptional writing and came out only last year.

Ocean Vuong is a 28 year old poet born in Saigon and is known for his themes of loss, desire, and other ideas and concepts similar. Another reoccuring aspect of his life that plays into the book is his heritage, being Vietnamese-American. Other books of his are Burnings and No released in 2011 and 2013 respectively.

Giving you a fair warning, though, this is not appropriate for all ages and can get quite mature with aspects of certain poems having sexual themes or violence, so pick it up knowing that I warned you so you aren't caught off-guard if by chance you do decide to pick the book up!

Poems By: Ocean Vuong

Aubade with Burning City
Telemachus
Someday I'll Love Ocean Vuong
Homewrecker
Trojan

The poem I'd like to introduce to you, though, is Telemachus, the second poem in the book Night Sky with Exit Wounds since I think it gives the reader a good taste of his writing style.

Telemachus

Like any good son, I pull my father out
of the water, drag him by his hair

through sand, his knuckles carving a trail
the waves rush in to erase. Because the city

beyond the shore is no longer
where he left it. Because the bombed

cathedral is now a cathedral of trees.
I kneel beside him to see how far

I might sink. Do you know who I am,
ba? But the answer never comes. The answer

is the bullet hole in his back, brimming
with seawater. He is so still I think

he could be anyone’s father, found
the way a green bottle might appear

at a boy’s feet containing a year
he has never touched. I touch

his ears. No use. The neck’s
bruising. I turn him over. To face

it. The cathedral in his sea-black eyes.
The face not mine but one I will wear

to kiss all my lovers goodnight:
the way I seal my father’s lips

with my own and begin
the faithful work of drowning

Conclusion

I picked this anthology for it's beautiful imagery and the ache it leaves after reading it. I recommend it if you think you can handle the maturity and if you're in for a read that will leave you broken by the end of it. If you want to check out more of Ocean Vuong, here are some more of his poems if you wish to research more before buying the book!

Until next time!

TWO CENTS: EDITING NOVELS written by Aley < PM: >

I don't share this on YWS very frequently, but I'm actually working on a novel series with my mother and we're publishing it on Kindle after having it published for a while on Fiction Press. As it stands now we're editing Book 4, and we're getting to the point of editing where we basically rip apart the beginning of the book and re-write it, so I thought I'd talk about why.

The first draft of books leads you towards an awkward need for brevity, but also a need to explain, to put in all of the facts, and often that becomes something passive, something where the characters aren't doing anything as you're working through the past that you know so well with them, especially in a multi-book series. In this case, descriptions are one of the worst culprits.

Take a few seconds, open up a pad, and describe your favorite main character as they would appear in the beginning of a book. Let's say you want to open the book with a chase scene.






Naturally this is somewhat necessary to set up the scene at the beginning of a book. We need to know what we're looking at, but it can be done in a much more active manner, and that's one of the first things I like to edit in novels.






If you change descriptions from passive to active like this, you get a better result with the momentum of the scene, and your descriptions matter to what is going on rather than just being there to show what things look like. You can even do this with a room or scenery by having people bump into things, avoid different pieces of furniture, or novicely run into them. It adds flavor to the story, and description, but it also adds character to your people as you make them do normal people things like stub their toes, or touch surfaces.

No matter whether you're describing a storm or a stairway, active is better!

This Week’s Link Round Up 4/16 written by megsug < PM: >

Introducing a new section of the forums on This Week’s Round Up


@Castor started a conversation about Beauty Queens, introducing it as they were introduced to it:







Described as a feminist book with lots of laughs, it’s definitely added to my Goodreads list!


NaPo is in full swing, and the poets are writing away. @Sonder has written some great poems even though she says she’s pretty rusty. One I think is particularly beautiful is number eight:







Her other poems have the same wistful tone a deliberate word choice. Check out her thread today!


@ReisePiecey wants to start the dreaded conversation. That’s right. She wants to talk about our past works. However, sometimes reflection on where you’ve come from is a good thing. As ReisePiecey says:







This even has its own hashtag: #writeitagain , so share your origin story with the world (or at least all of YWS).


There’s a new forum called YWS Trading Post. It’s exactly what it sounds like. If you need points, open a thread exchanging wall posts, book recommendations, or storybook posts. If you have points to burn, see what people are offering! @Rydia offers flexible guidelines:







You’ll want to read Rules and Regulations and How to Make a Listing before you dive into bartering.

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