Today's Writing Prompt: Halloween

Write a short poem about Halloween.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Em

For some this is simply
all about the candy
For others it is the evening
to remember our dead

Someone is celebrating their
favourite holiday
in ghouls or ghosts clothes

someone is getting married
someone is whispering
"I remember you &
you are still loved"

Congratulations, Em! This poem is lovely, and I love the reminder of the "softer" side of Halloween. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Friday Fiction: Jealousy

Write a brief, fictional piece using the word "jealousy" as your inspiration.

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.

Click on the "Friday Fiction" tag beneath the post to see more examples of Friday Fiction writings.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Gina

"Of course I believe you, darling. I know you'd never lie to me."

The words sounded right, but something in her eyes was just a little bit off. He hadn't lied to her ... exactly. It was just a drink with a friend. The fact that the friend happened to be a woman, well, he couldn't help that, could he? She had no reason to be jealous. It was just a drink.

He looked into her eyes once more. No, there was nothing there. It must have been his own over-active imagination. He took his coffee to the living room to watch the evening news.

When he returned the coffee cup to the kitchen sink an hour later, it was just in time to hear the garage door close and watch her car back slowly out of the driveway. When the truth finally hit him, he hung his head in utter shame.

It wasn't about jealousy at all. It was about trust ... and he deserved everything he was about to get.

Congratulations on another win, Gina! Who can resist a good, juicy story of a woman scorned?

Today's Writing Prompt: Free speech

Should there be any limits on free speech?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: JenM

"Yes, your butt does look big in those jeans."
"No, I do not like this dinner you spent three hours preparing just for me!"
"Your breath could drop a fly from the sky."
Sure, maybe we ought to limit some of the things we say... :)

Congratulations on another win, JenM! I love your humor in this response!

Today's Writing Prompt: Alien

An alien visitor has been watching Earth for one year, and now must send back a short report to its home planet. What does the report say?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Nick

They have the maturity of the youngest beings on our planet. They need strict discipline if they ever hope to survive. These things behave like the most immature of our offspring. And they're so uncivilized. They wear no clothing and have a fetish for these bouncy, furry, yellow balls. They also love the cream that comes from peanuts. And they're so hairy. I can only describe they sound they make as "woof woof."

Congratulations, Nick! I liked the surprise element of your "report." Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Law of Nature

What law of nature would you like to bypass for a time (or permanently)?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Jeff D'Antonio

To travel faster than the speed of light, of course - it's the Holy Grail of physics. Einstein's relativity theory says it's impossible, but his theory also implies that some pretty amazing things would happen if we could somehow find a way around it.

If anybody figures out a way, let me know - I want in.

Congratulations on another win, Jeff! Can I come with you on your faster-than-light journey? Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Bad parents

Write about a time as a kid that you thought you had bad parents/guardians. Looking back on it now do you agree with your former view of the situation?

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

I can't think of a time when I thought I had bad parents. But I do remember one day when I was in Second Grade wanting to run away from home. My mom said "Okay, but let's make sure we pack you everything you need. We will miss you a lot but if its what you need to do, I support your decision". I remember packing up a little suitcase that I could barely life and walking out the front door. I sat on the porch for what seemed like forever, then turned around and went back home.

I guess they weren't so bad after all!

Congratulations on another win, Just Me! I can just picture this little scene!

Today's Writing Prompt: Name

Write the story of why you were given your name. (If you don't know, write about how you feel about your name.)

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Call Me Cate

My delivery was a complicated one, full of surprises. I'm not sure if my parent's hadn't chosen a name ahead of time or if they were just stressed after the "event". While still in the hospital and prior to my name being decided, my mother was reading the newspaper and came across an obituary for a four-year-old girl who had drowned the day I was born. And so they gave me her name.

CREEEPY.

Congratulations on another win, Call Me Cate! You are right, that is really creepy. It does, however, make a good story, and you told it really well!

Today's Writing Prompt: Weekend

Describe a truly great weekend you've experienced.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Tom

I finally figuered out what weekends are for. They are for doing the things you thoght about doing all week long while you were at work.

Well, being retired I have to do all week long things I wanted to do on the weekends, because the kids, and grand kids have things they want me to help them with on the weekends.

Congratulations, Tom! I like your unique approach to the concept of a weekend. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Friday Fiction: Autumn

Write a brief, fictional piece using the word "autumn" as your inspiration.

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.

Click on the "Friday Fiction" tag beneath the post to see more examples of Friday Fiction writings.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Kate

Congratulations on another win, Kate! I want to read the rest of this story....

Today's Writing Prompt: Angry

When is the last time someone was angry with you? How did you handle it?

One-Minute Writings of the Day:
Writers: Geeta & Gina (I chose two winners today.)

Geeta wrote:
I apologized.

Granted, they were angry with me for being somewhat of a b----. It wasn't intentional, it was just one of those days.

There was a time when I'd shrug my shoulders and think "oh well, that's their problem." I was to stubborn to admit maybe I had been in the wrong.

Well, I guess it's a sign I'm growing up - or at the very least, gaining a bit of maturity.

It may take a little while, but if I realize someone is upset with me and it's potentially my fault, I know that I should and can apologize - and the anger will dissipate like fog beneath bright sunshine.

Gina wrote:
My answer was different until I read Geeta's. I have the opposite problem. Having spent my entire life apologizing for everything as if all the world's ills were my fault, I'm learning to say, "that's your issue". No more do I say an automatic "I'm sorry". Now it's "I'm sorry you feel that way but I didn't make you feel this way".

Which, of course, means that most arguments I have now are about oppression ... mine. It's hard to get people to realize that you are taking back your independence when you've let them think you don't want it.

Congratulations, Geeta & Gina! I really admire how you've both changed, and how you both expressed yourselves. Feel free to put One-Minute Writer WINNER! buttons on your blogs!

Today's Writing Prompt: Magazine

Imagine you are starting a new magazine. What will the subject matter and title be?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Lee

Could be "Forbidden Flesh", a vegetarian magazine, or "Flashing Weekly", a plumber's almanac...

Congratulations, Lee! Let's face it; this wasn't my most inspirational writing prompt. So I really appreciate you making me smile with your response! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog(s)!

Today's Writing Prompt: Obsession

Have you ever been a little obsessed with a celebrity (even as a kid)? If so, write about it. If not, why do you think you've escaped celebrity obsessions?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Hank

She was my first crush. Dark-haired and beautiful, I was swept away when I first laid eyes on her. I was a young boy and she seemed to be about my age.

She was always being pursued by that spurious member of the He-Man Woman Haters Club, Alfalfa. But I never thought of him as a rival. I simply had a crush on Darla.

I later learned Darla was actually much older, and that helped me get over the fact I'd never meet her. But for a short time I was smitten and it felt wonderful.


Congratulations on another win, Hank! What a sweet description. I love the innocence this portrays, and I bet Darla would have been flattered--even though she was an "older woman"! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Trade

Describe a responsibility you'd like to pass along to someone else. What responsibility of theirs would you willingly take on in return?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: teacherwriter

Hmm... Janet Evanovich's job. Yep, let me be saddled with the cumbersome task of having to write successful novels and answer all those thousands of emails from fans. Sounds like a good swap. She can take on MY labored chore of querying agent after agent, publisher after publisher to get a book looked at and eventually sold. That would be sweet. Of course, this could turn evil somehow and be like a Stephen King novel with all that could go wrong (Halloween mood haunting me now)..., but I'd take my chances!

Congratulations on another win, teacherwriter! I think many writers can relate to you, and I hope you find luck in your quest!

Today's Writing Prompt: T-shirt

If your daily uniform was a t-shirt with a slogan that perfectly represented you, what would it say?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Ryan Ashley Scott

All I get when I put my foot down around here is Cheerios between my toes.

Congratulations on another win, Ryan Ashley Scott! This is a hilarious T-shirt, and if you get it printed up, I want one too!

Today's Writing Prompt: Circus

Imagine you're a circus performer. What is your role? Why?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Emma

In my dreams I'm the girl in the spangled tights, balancing on the tightrope, or swinging from the trapeze with grace and style, as the crowd below gasp in astonishment.

Given that I have the natural grace of an elephant, I'd more likely be out the back, mucking one out!

Congratulations, Emma! I definitely relate to your elephantine natural grace! Hey, at least we can joke about it...and dream of being coordinated. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Friday Fiction: Superhero

Write a brief bit of fiction about a superhero.

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.

Click on the "Friday Fiction" tag beneath the post to see more examples of Friday Fiction writings.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Autumn

A feeling of quiet desperation came over her then. She hung her head wondering if anyone even really appreciated her anymore. When she was first given her powers she had dreamt of what it would be like. Feeling rather foolish for expecting glitz and glam and an almost worship-like awe from those she rescued. And it wasn’t like this was paying any bills; she was behind on most of them at this point. What was the point of saving lives or rescuing people from their own stupidity if she couldn’t even afford the kind of life she thought she deserved? Angry now she tossed the plaque the mayor had given her at the wall. As it crumbled and fell to the ground a plan began to form in the dark corners of her mind. She was tired of trying to lead a double life. She didn’t even have time for friends anymore. The few occasions where she had reached out and tried to make a friend she’d wound up having to cut social events short to go save another idiot from throwing themselves in the line of danger. It was time to do something she’d thought about doing for a long time now. The world had too many fools it could do with less of them. She convinced herself of this as she zipped through the morning air just before the sun pierced the darkened sky. She saw the figure of a man on a rooftop and quietly landed nearby to observe his actions. She watched as he mumbled to himself and walked to the edge of the building. Before he realized what was happening she had him in a death grip, his feet dangling hundreds of feet above the black pavement below. “You want to jump?” she asked between gritted teeth. “Here let me help you jump” and she tossed his sorry ass of the rooftop to his death below. Before he could even gasp for air and realize he was indeed falling she was off to ‘save’ another fool.

Congratulations, Autumn! This is a fun, dark villain piece. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Nursery Rhyme

Rewrite a nursery rhyme. (Have fun with it!)

(Here's a link to a bunch of them, if you need to refresh your memory!)

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Christine

Baa baa black sheep,
How's it make you feel,
Knowing that you're there to be somebody's meal?

Congratulations on another win, Christine! Clever and dark.... I like it.

Today's Writing Prompt: Respect

What must someone do to gain your respect?

Wondering where all the One-Minute Writing of the Day winners are? Check out the updated Community Notes.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Butternut Squash

My respect for others is a given, when it is reciprocated it remains intact.

Congratulations on another win, Butternut Squash! I loved your response the minute I read it; it's the one that stuck in my head. Simple and wise.

Today's Writing Prompt: Too much

What good thing could you have too much of?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: that girl

Candy corn.

Congratulations, that girl! I love your simplicity and humor. And I agree--candy corn is awesome, but I know from experience (year after year) it is possible to eat too much of the yummy stuff. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: F word

Type a four-letter F word (no, not that one!) and then see where that word takes you as you write for a minute.

Thank you to Mari McCarthy for today's writing prompt! Visit Mary's blog, Create Write Now! for more writing and journaling suggestions!

I'm always happy to receive prompt suggestions at cbethblog@gmail.com.


One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Janet

Firm.
I like it in my mattress, in my faith, and in the way I stand. It's great for decision making, child rearing, and general life living. Firm is solid and unmoving, and may seem to some a bit harsh and unrelenting, but to me it means peace of mind and safety in an ever-uncertain world.

Congratulations on another win, Janet! I like the flow of your thoughts--from mattress to child rearing, it makes sense.

Today's Writing Prompt: Scream

What makes you want to scream?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: For blue skies.

People who live their lives like they are under water. They dont realize how many chances they miss, how much of a difference they could make. All that potential. Goes to waste. And they are too far from the surface to hear me calling out.

People with little patience. I like to remember the details of my life. Sometimes that means I go in slow motion. I simply dont like to be rushed.

Congratulations, For blue skies! Your description in the first paragraph is beautifully evocative. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Peace Prize

Give away your own Peace Prize--to one person, living or dead. What would you say when presenting it?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: kerrycharacters

The peace prize should go to the person who nips wars in the bud rather than finally gets around to stopping them. The person who says, "Now was that fair what you did? Say you're sorry and lets go and have some milk and cookies". If people listened to mothers more there would be no need for peace treaties. Listen to your mother, be good to other people. If everyone did that there would be no war. Play fair. The Peace Prize is for all the mothers out there who mediate all day long and avert any number of wars.

Congratulations, kerrycharacters! I found your answer creative...and of course, as a mom, I'm happy to accept the Peace Prize! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Friday Fiction: Wedding

Write a brief bit of fiction, with a wedding as the setting.

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.

Click on the "Friday Fiction" tag beneath the post to see more examples of Friday Fiction writings.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Christine

I eally didn't want to be a page boy, not even for my lovely sister. Then I found out I had to wear a skirt. Calling it a kilt doesn't stop it from being a skirt. You can imagine the fun that gave my mates at school.

Now everyone's here, in this cold marquee, smiling and drinking champagne, while I have an iced cola - great.

They all look so happy, but then they don't have a breeze blowing where no breeze should blow, and bare legs under a pleated skirt. The velvet jacket and tartan bow tie just add insult to injury.

Now they want me to smile for the camera! Who do they think they're kidding?

I think I'll use this dirk to carve my name in one of the trees outside. Yes, that'll make the day go better. Maybe I could force just one smile for them...

Congratulations on another win, Christine! One thing I really enjoyed about your response was that it was set at a wedding, but wasn't about the bride and groom. And it definitely made me smile.

Today's Writing Prompt: Cheater

Under what circumstances would you--or wouldn't you--tell someone that their significant other is cheating on them?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Roderckdhu

If I find out about it, I would tell. I refuse to carry someone else's deception for them. I won't even carry my deception's, so why would I carry their's?

Congratulations on another win, Rod! This is an interesting question, and it's hard for me to know if there's one "right" answer. But I thought you did a fantastic, succinct job of defending your response.

Today's Writing Prompt: Slogan

Write a slogan or jingle that advertises you as a potential friend.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Maria

A friend to the end and an end to pretend. The real thing - friendship. :)

Congratulations, Maria! Your jingle not only tells me a lot about you, but it rhymes--fantastic! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Kids

If you don't have kids, what's the biggest thing that annoys you about some people with kids?

If you have kids, what's the biggest thing that annoys you about some people without kids?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Hedgie

"what's the biggest thing that annoys you about some people with kids?"

That they were allowed to reproduce at all.

At the very least, there should be a written test, just as there is for a driver's license.

Congratulations on another win, Hedgie! Your response was succinct, and thought-provoking.

Today's Writing Prompt: Sick

What makes you feel comforted when you are sick?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Emily

I do a Twitter search for my ailment to see how many other people are suffering from it. Misery (& mono) love company, I suppose.

Congratulations, Emily! I like the modern nature of your response. If you did have mono, I hope you're feeling better! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Cartoon

Describe what a cartoon version of you might look like and act like. (Think of it as a caricature, overemphasizing certain qualities.)

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

Well, lately age has started shifting things and every time I look in the mirror while I am sitting down, I see the image of Yoda. the face a little fuller, the wrinkles more pronounced. But the belly, oh the belly. I was once an hourglass and now its more a pear. A very healthy pear. But as luck would have it I was blessed with a healthy chest so if I stand up really really tall then the hourglass comes back and you can see some semblance of a waist.

As long as I don't sit, or slouch, YODA disappears. So its usually only my husband that has to contend with the look of YODA. At least I can laugh about it as I write this post. Laugh out Loud, really loud!!

Congratulations, Just Me! I didn't know Yoda could write so well! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

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 monthly(ish) 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: Blair

Cows rock but I eat burgers.

Congratulations, Blair! I love your sense of humor. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Friday Fiction: Fire & Ice

Write a brief bit of fiction involving fire and/or ice.

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.

Click on the "Friday Fiction" tag beneath the post to see more examples of Friday Fiction writings.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Gina

It started with dessert ... pie a la mode. The luscious combination of steaming apples and crystalline french vanilla ice cream melting together over my tongue ... I admit it. I closed my eyes in ecstasy. I did.

Now he's watching me from across the room, swirling his drink. I can hear the ice cubes clinking together inside the cut crystal highball. He sees me staring at his glass, and he smiles. I melt.

Congratulations, Gina, on another win! This piece is sensual and beautiful. Fantastic!

Today's Writing Prompt: Mess

Is there any part of your life that's a mess? Describe it.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Kate

Besides my closet and my books and my hair and my family and my schoolwork and my nails and my journal and my thoughts? No, nothings really a mess.

Congratulations on another win, Kate! I liked your concise, humorous way of responding to the prompt.