The pencil icon (to create) is available in two areas of Yapster. Look to the top right corner of the screen in the:

Clicking the pencil icon on the Yaps tab will allow you to create a:

Here's the full guide on how to start a yap.

Clicking the pencil icon on the news tab will allow you to add a newsfeed post to the timeline. Here's the full guide on how to post to the newsfeed.

Why can't I see the pencil icon?

Access to create yaps and post to the newsfeed is permission based. If you do not appear to have the pencil icon but believe your role should have this access please contact your administrator.