Today's Writing Prompt: Message in a Bottle

Write a message you'd like to put in a bottle, to be thrown in the ocean.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: pddavis

Cast adrift
by your sudden decision
I scribble a message
and stuff it into
an empty gin bottle.
"I love you."
I toss it overboard
just like you
tossed me aside.
Hopefully someday
someone will find it
and come looking for me
alone
lost at sea.

Congratulations on the win, pddavis! I enjoyed your poetic response. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Attractive

Think about the most attractive person you know. What is it that makes them so attractive to you?

Today's Writing Prompt: Carnival

Think about the games, rides, and attractions at a carnival. Which one best represents your life?

Today's Writing Prompt: Celebrity

Why do celebrity deaths deeply affect so many people?

Friday Fiction: Loss

Write a brief, fictional piece about the loss of something, or someone.

Friday Fiction is your opportunity to write a short (short, short, short) story. Many participants use more than one minute for Friday Fiction prompts, and I open up the One-Minute Writing of the Day contest to entries of various lengths.

Today's Writing Prompt: Friend

What makes you a good friend?

Today's Writing Prompt: Work

Write about the hardest work you've ever done.

Today's Writing Prompt: Mountain

Recall a memory involving a mountain.

I apologize for the late post today. Blogger has been having some issues with scheduled posts not publishing.

Today's Writing Prompt: Bed

Linda Evangelista said she wouldn't get out of bed for less than $10,000.

What makes you get out of bed each morning?

Thanks, Siobhan, for submitting today's prompt! Visit Siobhan's blog, 100 Words from Dublin.

Today's Writing Prompt: Father

Write about someone besides your father who has played a fatherly role in your life.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: christine

My dad worked at two jobs when I was young, so was often not around, leaving poor mum to do most of the things that needed doing.
Thanks to her I've considered it normal for me to wield an electic drill or saw, wallpaper and paint rooms, construct furniture as well as make curtains, cover chairs, make clothing, knit jumpers, as well and cook and clean.
Thanks mum

Congratulations on the win, christine! Your description of your mom made me smile. 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. We do Six Word Saturdays once a month at The One-Minute Writer, but feel free to participate on your own every week--click the button below for more info! Have fun!



One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Scott

Foiled time and again... by me.

Congratulations on the win, Scott! It may only be six words, but it helped me to get to know you better. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Friday Fiction: Story

Think of a true story a relative or friend has told you, and write a brief, fictional story based on it.

Friday Fiction is your opportunity to write a short (short, short, short) story. Many participants use more than one minute for Friday Fiction prompts, and I open up the One-Minute Writing of the Day contest to entries of various lengths.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Jessica GC

Stage Fright

The bright lights hit his face. It burns. A warm, steady burn so familiar it feels like an old friend. His leg is twitching. He can’t seem to stop it. Nerves, he tells himself. He’s done this a thousand times before, but never like this. Never with her.

She always said she would come, but never did. This time is different. This time she promised. Not just any promise; the cross-my-heart-and-hope-to-die, stick-a-needle-in-my-eye kind of promise that children believe in. And he wanted to believe it.

The anticipation builds. His heart sinks into his stomach. The curtain opens. He scans the crowd.

Congratulations on the win, Jessica! This is a beautifully-told little story. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Hindsight

Complete this thought:

Since "hindsight is 20/20," I now know that....

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Just Me

When chasing after boys and men, you miss out on knowing you.

Congratulations on another win, Just Me! I love the deep insight in your short response.

Today's Writing Prompt: Discipline

Write about an area in which you used to be disciplined, but no longer are. Would you like to pick up that habit again or not?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Stephanie

I used to remember to breathe. To appreciate the air as it coursed through my lungs, filling my body with energy necessary for basic survival and strength to complete tasks, face fears, and calm stresses.

I miss those deep breaths. I need them back.

Congratulations on the win, Stephanie! What a great description--I hope you can get your deep breaths back. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Mail

Tomorrow you get the mail, and in it you find the best letter you can imagine. What does it say?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: davidseven

My blessed child,

I've been thinking about it, and have decided that you've had enough confusion and consternation in your life.

So from today, I shall be answering all your questions directly, and audibly, and using small words so you can understand me.

Signed,

GOD

Congratulations on the win, davidseven! Great letter (and one I'd definitely like to get in my mailbox.) Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Rock star

Imagine you are a rock star. Create a stage name, and describe your costume.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Chase

Who's Imagining?

And who says all Rock Stars stand on a stage?

I don't imagine. I am.

Congratulations on the win, Chase! Your response struck just the right arrogant-yet-funny tone for a rock star. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Roast

Think of someone you'd like to roast, and write one of the jokes you'd tell as part of your speech.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Leslie Jackson

Hello everyone and thank you for coming today. We are roasting my Dad! Although I'm pretty sure he's spoiled meat by now.... we still need to find a REALLY good recipe!

Congratulations on the win, Leslie! I bet your dad would enjoy good-natured age jokes like this one. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Hill

Right now is your life more uphill or downhill (or are you on a plateau)?

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

When you've got a great job even though there is no advancement/increased earning opportunities, you're dating a great guy who swears he'll never marry, and your kids are of the age where they don't want to hang out with you, you know you're on a plateau. And you're kind of looking for the next hill to climb, but not as hard as you used to. Because you're kind of tired and could use the rest of level ground.

Congratulations on the win, Cyndie! I really liked your explanation of where your life is right now. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Friday Fiction: Storm

Write a brief, fictional piece involving a storm.

Friday Fiction is your opportunity to write a short (short, short, short) story. Many participants use more than one minute for Friday Fiction prompts, and I open up the One-Minute Writing of the Day contest to entries of various lengths.

Thanks to my mom, Cathy, for today's prompt!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Roderckdhu

Frightened by the thunder that rolled across the plains he lay crying in the night. His father, tired from the day, sat upon the edge of the bed and told him to imagine the rolling thunder as the little men of the mountains playing 10 pins on the roof. Simple words that transformed the wild things of the night into wild things of delight, a lesson he never forgot.

Congratulations, Roderckdhu--your second win this week! Your story was enchanting. Feel free to put another One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Relative

If you were to invite one relative to live with you permanently, who would it be?

One-Minute Writing of the Day;
Writer: glnroz

Relative to live with you:

Gray haired and only slightly stooped. Ninty (90) years of age and will not let his children drive for him. Insists that I drive when I am with the crowd Sharp as a tack. Taught me about GOOGLE. (We gave him web-tv for gift). Southern gentleman but stern in his stance. Look in the dictionary under "role model father-in law", you should see his picture

Congratulations on the win, glnroz! With just these few words, I feel I know your father-in-law--and I can see why you'd want him to live with you. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Signal

Think of the biggest goal or dream you have. Is life giving you a red, yellow, or green light?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: rae

"Detour!" with a very forceful arrow is sitting in place of the signal right now. I'm young, healthy, and so is hubs, but we've experienced a million and one incredible setbacks in trying to begin a family.

This intersection (the one we counted on) isn't in working order, but we're confident that if we keep moving we'll find a green light.

Congratulations, rae, on another win! I loved your combination of honesty and creativity. Feel free to put another One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Graduation

What one piece of advice would you give to someone graduating from a college or university?

Thank you, Barga, for this prompt! Visit Barga's blog, Whalertly, where diverse opinions and debates are encouraged.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Stu Pidasso

As soon as you start working, start saving by paying yourself first. When you are old, gray and unable to work.....it will be no one else's responsibilty to provide for you but yours.

Congratulations, Stu Pidasso! I have to wonder--if a high percentage of people take your advice, could we avert another financial crisis? Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog or website, if you have one!

Today's Writing Prompt:Movie

Write a one-minute synopsis of a movie you'd like to see, or like to make.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Roderckdhu

The protagonist leaves her cell phone at the grocery store, where it is stolen by the next customer, and the film follows the cell phone in an interconnected series of vignettes as it passes through the hands (and lives) of variety of people, ultimately travelling full circle and landing back in the hands of the protagonist. At the end of the film, the protagonist looks at the list of numbers from calls made from the phone and begins to call the first one...

Congratulations, Roderckdhu, on another win! It sounds like a film I'd like to see. Feel free to put another One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Lobby

Imagine you are becoming a lobbyist for the national legislature (such as the U.S. Congress.) What issue will you be fighting for?

(If your country does not have a national legislature, what issue would you like to present to your country's leaders?)

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: OutOfStock

In the lobby is where I feel
Probably most ashamed
I pick at my lapel
I notice my sneakers
I don’t want to deliver
What I deliver.

Congratulations, OutOfStock! You talked about a different type of lobbying, and I loved your creativity. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog, if you have one.

Today's Writing Prompt: Trust

Who do you trust?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: patagoniantruthfish

I trust Newton (things fall down), Bernoulli (things fall up), and Young (wings don't fall off within stress limits of airframe). I'm also inclined to trust pilots who place their trust in turn in the Emergency Procedures Checklists.

Congratulations, patagoniantruthfish, on another win! I appreciate you continuing to come back and respond so frequently to prompts, and often--including this time--with such creativity! Feel free to put another One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Friday Fiction: Breakfast

Write a brief fictional piece that involves breakfast.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Enri Zoltz

She had seen it before. The quick pour of the coffee, the fumbling of the morning paper. It was so obvious to her and yet she couldn't seem to bring herself to say anything. If this was what "working late" had come to mean, then "separation" and "divorce" would soon follow. Uncomfortable silences. Thin lips and eyebrow raises. What was her name? Was it the secretary? The corner office gal? Who could it be? Finally, some courage broke from the surface and, like a little bubble or cartoon cloud, a muffled word made its way to her lips.
"Breakfast?"

Congratulations, Enri Zoltz, on another win! Your story was captivating. Feel free to put another One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Illness

Recall a time you were sick as a child.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Anonymous

Both my parents worked during the school year so ehen I was sick I have very sweet memories of being taken care of by my grandma. She had the ugliest orange flowered couch. Would make sure I had a blanket, and ginger ale which to her cured everything, we'd visit together and always remember watching The Price is Right with her, she loved Bob Barker.

Congratulations, Anonymous! (Care to de-anonymousify yourself?) The memories in this writing were fantastic--I could picture it.

Today's Writing Prompt: Clothing

Write about an article of clothing you have worn that reflected your identity.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Dan Felstead

Boy, I am pulling out the cobwebs on this one...
I was in college from '68 to '72 at the height of the Vietnam war. It was the thing then to tie dye your jeans like a flag! The problem was to get the white stripes...you had to bleach them in...after about a week they would literally fall apart due to the dye. I wasn't to smart during those days.

Congratulations on another win, Dan! I can picture your dyed jeans--and I appreciate your the self-deprecating humor!

Today's Writing Prompt: Lottery

How much money would you have to win in the lottery for your life to really be changed? How would your life be affected if you won that much?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Kay

I don't have a number for what we need, money wise. What I have is a picture in my head... a picture of having some month left over at the end of the money, instead of running out of money before turning the page on the calendar. I just want security. To know that I don't have to forgo the electric bill to make the mortgage, or stretching a week's grocery budget to last two. Just enough for the 1-800 numbers to stop calling me daily, asking for money I don't have.

Congratulations on the win, Kay! Your honesty and way of expressing yourself touched me. Your experience is so common in our current economic environment. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Nature

Write about an encounter you had with nature that left you awed, inspired, or overwhelmed.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: patagoniantruthfish

On more than one occasion, when clearing overgrown grass and weeds from a backyard, I have been moved by the power of the natural world to overcome our puny attempts to kerb and trim and clear a path. When we are gone it will take common grasses and vines mere months to obliterate all but a trace of our existence.

Congratulations on another win, patagoniantruthfish! I enjoyed your take on the prompt--your focus on the power of nature. It's time to add another "AGAIN" to your One-Minute Writer WINNER! badge on your blog!