Today's Writing Prompt: Research

If you could research one thing for a living, what would it be?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Melissa Morgan

I would research leisure. How many ways and forms leisure can be obtained. Which act of leisure is the most of effective, which act is the most leisurely of leisures. Be it laying in the sun, reading, walking down the shore with sand beneath your feet and salt water washing atop them or inhaling deeply the sweet smell of pine trees after fall's first rain. I would dedicate my life to find these answers and work hard doing it. ;)

Congratulations on another win, Melissa! Wow, it amazes me the dedication you would have for such a torturous line of work!

Today's Writing Prompt: Grown up

Write about one experience that made you feel like a "grown up."

(And if you don't feel like a grown up yet, what experience would make you feel like one?)

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: JenM

The hand that once helped me across the street needed mine to help balance and stand. The mouth that used to kiss me good-night needed me to wipe the reminder of dinner away. The man I once watched command a room with his smile and his grace, now lay crumpled on a bed, and I, his baby girl, was there to take care of him. More grown-up than I ever wanted to be.

Congratulations on another win, JenM! Your writing is so beautiful as you describe such a difficult situation.

Friday Fiction: Epiphany

Write a brief, fictional piece about a character experiencing an epiphany (sudden, often life-changing, realization.)

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: jblack designs

Matty put his cereal bowl in the sink and glanced toward the dining room door. He could hear Mother chatting upstairs. Soon she'd call out to see if he'd brushed his teeth. Then they'd be off to school.

It was now or never.

The coffee pot bubbled with enticements of grownups and scones and long talks at cafes with beautiful women. Matty wanted to be ready for that life.

But he was scared. What if it were too hot? What if he didn't like it? What if he were, as his mother said, still just her little boy?

He grabbed a cup and poured the magic brew almost to the top, then added a splash of half-n-half, just as Father did.

He took a sip. Then another. "You know," he thought, "this doesn't suck."

As his mother called to him to get ready for school, he wondered if she'd notice the change. He was a coffee drinker now. There was no turning back.

Soon he'd be a man.

Congratulations, Jennifer! I loved your funny contribution to this week's Friday Fiction!

Today's Writing Prompt: Excuse

Forget "The dog ate my homework." Come up with a new excuse for today's schoolchildren to use when they don't get their homework done.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: SusieB

I wrote a haiku
That wasn't the assignment?
Better luck next time.

Congratulations, SusieB! I am a total sucker for fun haiku, and this was a great response to the prompt. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Aging

Reflect on the best thing about aging, and the worst.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: mamalikey

Aging

The best part: Perspective. It's not life and death, until it is life and death.

The worst part: Weird hair growth.

Congratulations, jblack designs! Your response was profound and funny! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Perspective

Write about an event in your life--but write in first person, from the point of view of someone else who was there.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Just Me

She sat there crying overwhelmed with feelings of shame and humiliation. All of her had been violated.

"What time did it happen?" The policeman asked.

"It must have been about 2:00am" she replied.

"Did you see his face?" He asked.

"No, I begged him not to kill me, I didn't want to see his face. He had a knife. He cut the phone line. I put a pillow over my head so I wouldn't see him."

What a foolish thing to do the policeman thought. Now we have no way of ID'ing him.

Congratulations on another win, Just Me! If this indeed happened to you...I am so sorry. The way you wrote it is powerful, giving insight into the mind of a victim and also into the sometimes callous reactions of those who want justice.

Today's Writing Prompt: Memorial

Write a thank you note or tribute to someone who lost his/her life in an heroic way.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Jeff D'Antonio

To my hero: You know what you did for me. If not for your love and dedication and sacrifice, I would not be here today. If I could turn back the clock and give you back all the time you gave up for me, I would do it in a heartbeat. But I can't. So instead I'm doing the best I can to live the life you gave me the chance to have. Thank you. A million and one times. Thank you.

How to save a life

Congratulations, Jeff! I loved the link in your post, and would encourage all TOWM readers to click on it. Your story is a powerful and beautiful one. Thank you for sharing it. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Update

Someone you haven't seen in ten years has contacted you. Spend just a minute updating that person on your life and its changes over the last ten years.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: jblack designs

Same job. Same town. 3 houses. 2 cars. Mother of a teen. Mother of a college student. Mother of a graduate student. Mother of a soon to be medical student. No money. Lots of love.

Congratulations, jblack designs! You told so much in such a short bit of writing. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Six Word Saturday

Describe your life in six words.

Six Word Saturdays is a weekly series over at Call Me Cate's very funny blog, Show My Face. Click the button below for more info.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Hank

Sandaled tan lines on my toes.

Congratulations on another win, Hank! This is a great image, and I want to know more--were you on vacation? Or just mowing the lawn in sandals? It's fun when a response makes me wonder about the back story. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog. Please leave a comment here or e-mail me if you don't mind your response being used in a possible future podcast.

Friday Fiction: Steal

Write a brief bit of fiction, including in it the word "steal" (or some version of that word.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: JenM

My feet pounded the pavement as I ran. Sweat tickled my brow, the sun beating on my bare shoulders. My pace was quick, my mind was clear. Clarity, now that was something I'd been missing. So long, living in the fog of my relationship. I let him steal my soul. Thank god I took it back. I am running toward my new tomorrow. Never looking back- only scanning the horizon for the beauty of the dawn that awaits me.

Congratulations, JenM, on another win! Your use of language in this prompt was fantastic!

Today's Writing Prompt: Reuse

Think of a creative way to reuse something that is normally thrown away.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Em

We've been through this, she thought. Through it and through it, until it seemed as though there was no other place to go, not an inch of soil she hadn't already trod over, hoping to find one unfamiliar place. The sweetness when it happened, she wouldn't trade that, but sooner, this time, please. Sooner, not later.

The blank page stared back, both in invitation and defiance. She gathered the alphabet to her, ready to use it once more, and began.

Congratulations, Em! What a beautifully-written, creative take on the prompt. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog, if you have a blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Today's Writing Prompt: Proud

What has been the proudest moment of your life thus far? Describe the moment in vivid detail.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: holly

The proudest moment of my life was getting to see my nephew born and not passing out. It was amazing and terrifying. It's definately an experience that I'll never forget and it's the reason why I still haven't had a kid of my own.

Congratulations, holly! I love the detail in your response. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog, if you have a blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Today's Writing Prompt: Touch up

What in your life needs a touch up?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Ryan Ashley Scott

I'd like to slap some touch up paint on the ol' motivation wagon. It's back bumper was scraped last week by a mac guilt truck. Yesterday, the hood was dented by a nasty banana allergy. My husband can't even open the passenger door to get in anymore with all the to-dos piling up past the window. Even my driver's seat is stuck in the recline position, so all I can really do is nap. My motivation wagon has turned into a slug bug.

Congratulations, Ryan Ashley Scott! What a creative, fun metaphor! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog, if you have a blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Today's Writing Prompt: Playground

Most kids love to to play on playgrounds. If you could design a playground for adults, what would it look like?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Dan Felstead

My playground would provide tinfoil hats and jamming towers to block cell signals, tweets, and wi-fi. A playground isn't a playground if life gets in the way!

Dan

Congratulations, Dan, on another win! I like your concept, particularly the tinfoil hats--both useful and tres chic!

Today's Writing Prompt: Internet

Reflect on how the Internet has changed relationships, and whether the net effect is positive or negative.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Dawn Treader

Nine years ago, an accident turned my life upside down. Not only did I have to stop working, I also had to make a lot of changes in my private social life. Since I can no longer "keep the same pace" or do the same things as many of my old friends, I have lost contact with a lot of them. But through the internet, I have found new friends, new interests, and new and different ways to keep up my some of my old interests, too. One good thing about the internet is that one does not necessarily need to be online at the same time to be able to have a meaningful discussion. In forums and blogs, you can "take your time" and still feel you are communicating with other people.

Congratulations, Dawn Treader! I enjoyed your personal story. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog, if you have a blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Today's Writing Prompt: Family & Friends

Reflect on a particular relative. Would you be friends with that person if (s)he wasn't family?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Kate

I think the beauty of family is that you get to know people who aren't like you. My cousin Dave and I wouldn't be friends if we weren't cousins, but I love having a friend like him in my life. Not to mention that despite our differences, I can count on him to hold me accountable and help me out, and he counts on me the same way.

Congratulations, Kate! You made me see this prompt in a different way, and that's something I enjoy and appreciate. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog, if you have a blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Friday Fiction: Water

Write a brief bit of fiction that involves water in some way.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Melissa Morgan

"No. he regretted it as soon as his lips pursed to make the "o" sound. Her eyes welled with tears instantly. He hated her cries, subtle, heart felt not like other girls' cries surrounded in drama. He watched as one mascara tinged tear ran down the inside of her cheek and off the ridge of her upper lip. He reached his calloused hand out to catch it .

Congratulations, Melissa Morgan! I could picture this scene and love the emotion in it. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog, if you have a blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Today's Writing Prompt: Q & A

Either ask a question (serious or silly), or answer a question written by a previous responder.

One-Minute Writings of the Day:

Writers: 2cats & tatagonianpruthfish

2cats asked, "What happens to the white when the snow melts, and what happens to the green when the trees turn color?"

tatagonianpruthfish responded, "The white returns to the clouds. The green gets soaked up into old sailors tattoos."

Congratulations, 2cats and tatagonianpruthfish (who just possibly, maybe, could be related to our old friend patatoniantruthfish.) The creativity in both the question and the response makes me smile. Thanks for having fun with this prompt!

Today's Writing Prompt: Earth

The environment suffers due to humanity's actions. Would Earth be better off had humans never appeared?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: C. Montgomery Burns

Oooh, so Mother Nature needs a favor?! Well maybe she should have thought of that when she was besetting us with droughts and floods and poison monkeys! Nature started the fight for survival, and now she wants to quit because she's losing. Well I say, hard cheese.

Congratulations, C. Montgomery Burns! I liked your take on this topic--funny, but also thought-provoking. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog, if you have a blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Note: My Simpsons knowledge is not comprehensive, but I've been schooled by those of you who recognized that C. Montgomery Burns is Mr. Burns from The Simpsons; and that the writing is a direct quote from that show. I've written more about this in the Comments section; you'll have to scroll down quite a ways to the comment by C. Beth. I generally would not name a winner who used only a quote written by someone else, but after a winner is named, I hesitate to change it.

Today's Writing Prompt: Belief

Write about something you believed as a child, that you no longer believe.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Juliet Colors

I used to think the former mayor of NY was two people: Mary and Barry (Marion Barry). It seemed everyone was always talking about the antics of Mary and Barry. Once I started reading the news, I realized my mistake. But I don't necessarily understand politics any better now.

Congratulations, Juliet Colors! What a great story. It's like when I used to think the 20-second time out (in basketball games) was the 22nd time out. That seemed like a lot of time outs.... Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Today's Writing Prompt: Apprentice

You are given the opportunity to be an apprentice for one year. Under whom will you apprentice?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: corax

A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to apprentice under a master? My heart is torn; my left brain thinks of Tom Renshaw, tattoo master extraordinaire in rendering realistic black and gray nature scenes. My right brain squeals its disapproval, prefering Yann Black, creative genius. Maybe he could finally teach me to draw a straight line.

Congratulations, corax, on another win! I'll be honest--this was not my most interesting prompt. You found a way to make your reply creative! Please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Today's Writing Prompt: Summer

Write about a memorable summer activity you enjoyed as a child.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Hekela Lee

My grandmother tried to teach me to swim at the age of 5 years old. Here was this vivacious woman with her long grey hair, jumping into the pool with me and showing me some of her swimming techniques.

That was the last summer I was able to enjoy swimming with my grandmother in the pool. I miss her.

Congratulations, Hekela Lee! I could picture the story you told--it was beautifully described. Thank you for sharing it. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Today's Writing Prompt: Joy

Write about someone you know who spreads joy.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Dani

His smile is bright and he shows it to everyone. His eyes twinkle with excitement whenever he tells a joke. His hands are big and warm when he holds yours. His scent is crisp and happy. He is my dad.

Congratulations, Dani! I thought your description of your dad was just beautiful, and it's an awesome tribute to him. Great job!

Friday Fiction: Sound

Write a brief bit of fiction. Focus especially on the sense of sound, trying to help the reader "hear" what your character(s) hear.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Cyndie Todd

The soft "ping" of the elevator arriving cathces my attention; the doors swoosh open and her voice carries down the hall and around the corner. That is my cue to minimize the Facebook window.

Congratulations, Cyndie Todd! I love your humor--this was hilarious! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Today's Writing Prompt: Twice, half

Fill in the blanks: "In my life, I'd like twice as much _____, and half as much _____, as I currently have."

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Margaret Pangert

In my life, I'd like twice as much fairy dust and half as much ordinary dust as I currently have. I would then be able to greet the world with sparkle and razzle-dazzle. My house would be cleaner, too!

Congratulations, Margaret Pangert! I enjoyed your witty, whimsical response. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Today's Writing Prompt: Door

What door would you unhesitatingly walk through, if it opened?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Call Me Cate

It was hazy as I walked down a long hallway. There were doors on both sides, each with a label.

I passed by "hot body", "bottomless bank account", "dream job", and "supportive family" though each tempted me.

Finally I found the door labeled "contentment with what you are and what you have". (Yes, it was a long label) And that's the one I chose to walk through.

Congratulations on another win, Call Me Cate! I like your door...long title and all. If you don't mind your winning posts being used for a possible future TOMW podcast, please let me know.

Today's Writing Prompt: Talk show

If you were to host a radio talk show, what would the title and subject matter be?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Roderckdhu

I would have a show featuring unknown authors reading short selections of their work and then engaging in a round-robin style discussion about the creative process with the host, other guests, and callers. I would call it "Soft Muses" and air it in the middle of the night for all those muse driven insomniacs.

Congratulations on another win, Roderckdhu! I really love this idea--I think it would be a great way for writers to get insight into what works, and for some of them to find an audience for their work. Good thought!

Today's Writing Prompt: Positive

Think about someone who annoys you, and write something positive about them.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Bobbi

I think the person that annoys me the most would be my ex-husband and his mother, so it is going to be very hard to say something positive, but here goes.

They are both very supportive of my oldest daughter, who is getting married in just over 6 weeks. From wedding plans to bridal showers, they have stepped up to the plate.

Okay, I'm biting my tongue not to add a ... but ...

Congratulations, Bobbi! I thought you did a fantastic job with this prompt--finding something truly positive. Congratulations on your daughter's upcoming marriage! Feel free to put another One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog(s).

Today's Writing Prompt: Break

What responsibility do you have that you'd really like a break from?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Carmen Gamble

I'd like a break from taking care of the yard. First of all, just because I'm Dutch doesn't mean I'm a gardener, just like I don't wear wooden shoes. How I got delegated this job is a puzzle to me, because my thumb is every shade but green! Give me a break!

Congratulations, Carmen Gamble! I love the wooden shoes line (and I share your un-green thumb!) Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Today's Writing Prompt: Habit

What habit do you find particularly annoying in others?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Misssy M

There's a Scottish word for what I am and it's a "fouter". A "fouter" is someone who worries away at something, who can't sit still, who sees a loose end and pulls it and pulls it until the jumper is wholly unraveled, who picks at the hangnail until her whole finger is shredded. I try to stop being a fouter, and I fail time and again. It's my bad habit. But worse I've passed the habit onto my daughter and now I understand what it is about foutering that is so annoying for others.

Congratulations, Misssy M! "Fouter"--I like that! Great description of a habit that annoys me too (in others and in myself!) Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog! Also, please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.

Friday Fiction: Flying

Write a brief bit of fiction about flying.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Roderckhu

The flights had been arranged at the last minute in the peak of the holiday season. Somehow the agent had booked him on a series of six connecting flights that wound him across America, across the Atlantic, across France, into Italy and from Italy to Greece. Thirty-two hours of cramped seats and recycled air and pre-packaged food. On the very last plane he had taken his seat, near exhaustion, when a slender hand entered his field of vision holding an orange. He looked up. He looked into the eyes of his great unrequited grade-school crush. She smiled. "Fancy meeting you here."

Congratulations, Roderckhu, on another win! I really enjoyed your story--the vivid descriptions and the sweet plotline. Please either comment here or e-mail me at cbethblog (at) gmail (dot) com if you don't mind me using your response in a possible future podcast.