Today's Writing Prompt: Time off

What is the worst part of getting time off work or school?

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

All that is missed, and realizing you weren't.

Congratulations on another win, Just Me! Your response was short yet meaningful--very poignant.

Today's Writing Prompt: Do-it-yourself

Write about a time you tried to do something yourself...and really should have hired an expert.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Charmaine

I tried to find love on the internet. Match.com to be specific.

I should have hired a Yenta.

I was so smart. Poof, he was there. "Told ya, I know what I'm doing," I said.

Now I'm heart broken and crouched in the corner by the door.

Ouch ouch ouch. Tears tears tears.

Congratulations on another win, Charmaine! Your self-deprecating humor won me over on this response.

Today's Writing Prompt: Internet

If the Internet had been popular when you were a kid, how do you think you would have used it? (If you did use it as a kid, how did you use it?)

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Kate

The internet was JUST becoming popular when I was a kid... and considering we didn't even have cable until 5 years ago, we obviously were unconnected. But I remember spending hours at friends' houses on the honey nut cheerio's web site. For whatever reason, I loved playing cereal related games :)

Congratulations on another win, Kate! I had to chuckle--Honey Nut Cheerios? I'm sure General Mills is proud!

Friday Fiction: Up and down

Write a brief bit of fiction using the words "Up," "Down," or both.

Thanks to Call Me Cate for suggesting today's prompt! If you enjoy the daily writing prompts here, be sure to check out Cate's blog, Seven Days Seven Answers, my favorite new blog. Her writing cues are so much fun, and she names winners too!

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: Marc

She called me her little roller coaster.

"Baby, life is sure good when you're on the way up," she would say with a half smile, "but then it gets real, real scary when you're on the way down."

I'd smile or shrug or laugh, maybe even apologize, because she only ever said things like that when times were good and it was safe for her to do so. She knew better than to mock me when the booze stood swaying at the controls of my thoughts and actions, like a foul-mouthed sailor at the helm of his ship. Well, she didn't know before, but she only needed to make that mistake once.

I was her little roller coaster and I didn't know how to stop to let her off the ride.

Congratulations on another win, Marc. This is a powerful story--you said a lot in such a short space.

Today's Writing Prompt: Alphabet thanks

If you're the first to comment below, write about something starting with an "A" that you're thankful for. If you're the second, write about something starting with a "B"...and so on.

I'm thankful for all of you who read this blog, and who take a minute to write...whether name starts with A, Z, or something in between.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Kendra

Ice cream.
There is nothing that satisfies quite like a scoop of creamy chocolate or a fresh waffle cone topped with fresh french vanilla. Something about licking an ice cream cone makes your problems seem pretty trivial. You can't help but laugh at yourself, attacking the scoop and chasing creamy drops as they slip down the increasingly soggy cone, headed for your shirt front or the grass below.

Congratulations, Kendra! You had me at "waffle cone." Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog, if you have one!

Today's Writing Prompt: Shout

What would you like to shout from a rooftop?

Thanks to Nettie for suggesting today's prompt! You can check out her blog here: Nettie Thomson, and you can follow her on Twitter @NettieThomson.

Note: I'm headed out of town today, and there may be a delay in announcing this week's winners. Thanks for your patience, and have fun writing!


One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Jessica Eiden Smedley

"I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world"

- W. Whitman

I think that's what it would be. One large, cathartic, yawp.

Congratulations on another win, Jessica! The Whitman quote was perfect, and I'd like to hear what a "yawp" sounds like! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Time

Compare your present phase of life to a particular time of day.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Scriptor Senex

It's nine thirty in the evening but I'm hoping to stay up late!

Congratulations on another win, Scriptor Senex! What a great way to look at life and aging.

Today's Writing Prompt: Travel

What is the furthest you traveled from home as a child? Describe the experience.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Heather

When I was 13, I flew to Australia with a group of children my age. It was my first time on a plane, and the length of the flight alone left me shaking with nerves. But Australia itself was not that different from home; with the exception of the kangaroos, and the terrifying giant spiders. I thought they would eat my face as I slept.

Congratulations, Heather! I was amused by the "spider eating your face" bit. (Of course, I wouldn't have been amused if it had really happened!) Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Granny Sue

Thanks to Tom's suggestion, I'm now naming weekly winners! Each week I'll choose one of the daily winners and feature it as the One-Minute Writing of the Week.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Granny Sue (Wednesday's winner)

Prompt: Fall. This autumn, what do you wish would fall?

Peace. To fall and blanket the earth, quieting guns and politicians, allowing children to play in its soft fabric, for mothers and fathers to welcome home their soldier sons and daughters, and everywhere, the joy of trust and belief in the future to reign. That's what I wish.

Congratulations, Granny Sue, on being the first One-Minute Writing of the Week winner! There's a brand new button for weekly winners that you're welcome to put on your blog. Click here if you'd like to snag it.

Today's Writing Prompt: Bottle

What would you like to bottle and sell? Be creative. (Feasibility is optional.)

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Mragendra Singh

I will say 'a good life' is something which I think should be bottled and sold. Life is like wine, it taste better as it ages as well.

Cheers

Congratulations, Mragendra Singh! Your comparison of life to wine is very nice. I hope I'm "aging well" even without a bottle of "good life" to drink from! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Manual

If you were to write a manual, giving information on how something works or how to do something, what would the topic be?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Hank

How To Raise A Child - The Easy 15,983,728 Steps To Success

Congratulations on another win, Hank! I'm actually looking forward to your manual. See, I think I've been making this thing too complicated. My success plan has involved 16,000,000 steps. I'm anxious to read your tips so I can find out what 16,272 unnecessary steps I've been taking.

Friday Fiction: Robot

Write a brief bit of fiction, using the prompt "Robot."

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: Bri

The sound was coming from the basement. A click clank, click clank. I thought it was the furnace but my husband wasn't home to check it. The baby was sound asleep and I was afraid the noise would wake her and I thought maybe there was something I could do to quiet it. I walked down the stairs cautiously as I did not like strange noises, they scared me. The furnace seemed to be in working order but a strange light emitted from behind it. As I peered around the source of the noise & light became evident. My son's toy robot had been accidentally turned on by the cat. I breathed a sigh of relief for more reasons than one.

Congratulations, Bri! I liked the suspense you built. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Love

Think of a time you watched someone do something they truly love to do. Describe what you saw.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Brenda Susan

It may sound strange but I love watching my husband work on his beloved motorcycles! It's a whole new experience for him these last few years, brought on by my own personal victory over my fear of them. I joyfully released him to buy them & refused to let my old fear rob us of this new adventure.
My love released him, God's love released me & it's my joy to watch his journey of becoming a home mechanic for our bikes. Plus, I get to ride with him every weekend!

Congratulations, Brenda Susan! That really is a beautiful love story about you, your husband, and your "third and fourth wheels"! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Fall

This autumn, what do you wish would fall?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Granny Sue

Peace. To fall and blanket the earth, quieting guns and politicians, allowing children to play in its soft fabric, for mothers and fathers to welcome home their soldier sons and daughters, and everywhere, the joy of trust and belief in the future to reign. That's what I wish.

Congratulations, Granny Sue! This is a wonderful sentiment, and so beautifully written. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Input

I'd like your input! What one thing do you think would most improve The One-Minute Writer blog?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Mulled Vine

I love the site as you know, but what would be nice would be to have links to award winners and their websites. A hall of fame as it were.

Thank you to everyone who responded with input, and thank you all for the encouraging remarks! Congratulations, Mulled Vine. This is fantastic idea and one I hope to implement.

Today' Writing Prompt: Monday

What is the best thing about Mondays?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Boo

Mondays are supposedly connected to the great, wise moon...Monday is meant to be a creative, contemplative sort of a day, a day to ponder the great mysteries, and as such, the best thing about Mondays is feeling no shame what-so-ever in dreaming and drifting the day away...It's practically law :-)

Congratulations, Boo! A day for dreaming and drifting? Sounds good to me! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: On a whim

Write about a time you purchased something "on a whim." How did you feel about it later?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Tom

Went to a car lot, and was looking at pickup trucks. Traded in my "already paid for car" for the pickup. I rejoined the world of car payment people.

At first I was unhappy that I had gotten talked into buying the truck, but it has paid for itself many times over, and I still have it, a 1994 Mitsubushi Mighty Max. It's family now.

Congratulations on another win, Tom! I like the surprise element of your response--I'm glad you purchase ended up being such a good one!

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!



While you're at it, check out Call Me Cate's new blog, Seven Days Seven Answers. It's a writing prompt blog with daily winners, and each day of the week has its own theme. I'm having a blast with it!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Kat

It's not what it looks like.

Congratulations, Kat! You've definitely piqued my curiosity with your witty response. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Friday Fiction: Accident

Write a brief bit of fiction, using the prompt "Accident."

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: Taylorvillegirl

I was snuggled up on the couch watching tv when he came home. I already knew that I was guilty. I was just hoping that it would take him a couple days to figure out what I was guilty of and by then, I would've hidden the evidence.
But no such luck. He went for the freezer right away.
"Ummm, baby?"
I had no choice to respond. I was busted and I knew it. "Yes?"
"What happened to the box of ice cream bars we just bought yesterday?"
Oh God. Here we go. Try to lie first. "I don't know, they aren't in there?"
"No."
Lies have failed. "Ohhhhh. You mean the low fat klondike bar rip offs? I made a small sundae with some of then."
"Baby, there were 6 bars in the box. You're telling me you ate all 6 bars in one sitting?"
For crying out loud, now he's judging me. "You see, it's not what it looks like."
"Really? Because it looks like you ate an entire box of ice cream bars."
Oh boy. "Well, yeah. That's what it looks like, but it was an accident."
"You mean, somehow an entire box of ice cream bars accidentally found themselves inside your stomach? How exactly does that happen?"
I have to think a minute on this one. It was a pretty stressful day, but he probably won't buy that, being non-female and all. "Well. Here's what happened: I sampled one of the bars and it was really good."
"Uh huh."
"So, I thought how delicious would these be smushed up with some chocolate syrup on top, like a little sundae. Sounds good, right?"
"Uh huh."
"So, I tried that and as expected, it was delicious. So, somehow after I had the first one, I must've forgotten I already had it and made another one."
"With the entire box."
"Yep. See, it was all an accident. And it really isn't my fault anyway."
"Uh huh."
"It's really my coworker's fault. She was sick today and I had to pick up all of her patients and it doubled my grocery store run, causing us to be super late and tie up 3 lanes in the checkout and all the shoppers gave us dirty looks and it was awful."
"Uh huh. You work with the mentally ill. Your job is never predictable."
"I know, but it's still stressful and I need some release."
"Uh huh."
"If it makes you feel any better, I don't think you would've liked them at all."
"Well, we'll never know. Because you have no self control."
Ouch. But completely true. "Well, because sometimes accidents happen. Like how we accidentally met and then fell deeply in love."
"Nice."
"I thought so."
"You are forgiven."

Congratulations, Taylorvillegirl! Maybe I shouldn't admit this, but I have certainly had similar conversations with my husband.... Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Police

Write about an encounter you've had with a police officer, or have seen someone else have.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Kathleen A. Ryan

I was a cop for twenty-one years. One Fourth of July, a fellow officer responded to a fireworks complaint in someone’s backyard. There were no fireworks, but a man was barbecuing in the buff. When the officer turned to leave, she said, “Don’t burn your meat on the barbecue.”

Congratulations, Kathleen! This is a great story--even better since it's true! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Towel

When is the last time you wanted to "throw in the towel"? Did you?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Mike Trippiedi

Taking care of a sick mother, you always feel like throwing in the towel, but she never threw in the towel raising me and I gave her many opportunities. That towel will always be within reaching distance, but it will never be touched.

Congratulations, Mike Trippiedi! Your story is touching, and I like the image of a towel in reach that won't be touched. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Fairy tale

Fairy tales have many common character-types: princes, princesses, witches, fairies, ogres, giants, etc. What character would you like to be?

One-Minute Writing of the Day
Writer: Cain

For a certifiable chemistry nut, there's only one possible role - that of the cauldron-stirring, potion-brewing wicked witch. Permanganate by moonlight, dichromate in the morning - oh, and perhaps just a sprinkling of cyanide. Sniff, anyone?

Congratulations on another win, Cain! I love your description but I think I'll avoid sniffing your potion! Feel free to put another One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Skywriter

Imagine you have hired a skywriter. What message will the plane "write" on the sky, and where will it fly?

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

It would fly over Houston and tell my kids I loved them ("I love you Vana and Miles!").

Congratulations on another win, Stu Pidasso! I love the pure "Aww" factor of your response.

Today's Writing Prompt: Prize

If I could give a real prize to every One-Minute Writing of the Day winner, what would be an appropriate one? (Be as extravagant as you'd like! I have unlimited imaginary money!)

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: christine

Unlimitied money? I'd love a book contract for every winner - it's the only way most of us will get one!!!

But I love the badge :)

Congratulations on another win, christine! I think a book deal is a perfect prize. And so...book deals to all the winners! Of course, they are imaginary book deals, given by my imaginary major publishing company. But they also come with huge imaginary royalties--hooray!

Today's Writing Prompt: Art

Describe a work of art you would like to create, if you had unlimited time, talent, and resources.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: J Cosmo Newberry

Children are the greatest works of art. However Mrs Newbery has set strict limits of my creative work.

Congratulations on another win, J Cosmo--and thanks for the weekend chuckle!

Friday Fiction: Farm

Write a brief bit of fiction, set on a farm.

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: Mulled Vine

It is very weird finding yourself in the middle of a hay stack. I suppose it could have been worse: the middle of a mountain, or perhaps mid air, hundreds of feet above the ground, but I had deliberately picked a very stable location in geophysical terms.

But what I had not counted on was the season, and the high likelihood that at harvest time I might land in something other than open air.

If only I had booked a shorter time travel trip. This could get very dull.

Congratulations, Mulled Vine! I really enjoyed this entry. (I'd like to hear more of the story!) Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Wanted

You see a "WANTED" poster with your name on it. What does it say you are wanted for?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Namine

In line with Halloween I am wanted for stealing all the chocolate, the reward is an aero bar.

this writing prompt, prompted me to make a poster of it too. It's on my blog

Congratulations on another win, Namine! I have to give you props for the cool WANTED poster and encourage other One-Minute Writer readers to check it out here.

Today's Writing Prompt: Video

Most major news events in 2009 are filmed by someone (or many people.) What historical event do you wish you could watch on video?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Charmaine

Sacagawea leading Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Ocean while pregnant.

They were starving.

Who should appear on the horizon but her brother, the chief of a Shoshone tribe. He fed them and sent them on their way.

American History leaves things out.

Congratulations on another win, Charmaine! I'd like to see that video too.

Today's Writing Prompt: Nervous

What nervous habit(s) do you have?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Trill

I chew. No, I don't mean that I'm a typical, nail-biting nervous person, though my nails do sometimes suffer if I get upset. I go for paper products, particularly napkins and cardboard. If I get really worked up, my good friends can always tell because I will get ahold of a styrofoam cup from work and tear it systematically to bits. I've never met a problem that three or fewer cups couldn't at least calm me down from. They tried taking the cups away once....they thought of it as a success until they saw the bite marks on my knuckles the next day.

Congratulations, Trill, on another win! Your response was very entertaining. Keep on writing...and chewing!

Today's Writing Prompt: Sports

Write about a memory you have of playing sports as a child.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: John

High School football, by far the fondest memory of those days. The moment that sticks out the most was not one of glory or maybe it was. I hit a guy who was twice my size, I hit him with every fiber of strength in my body only to be steam rolled flat on my back. I managed to make the tackle and upon rising to our feet he says to me, "Don't you ever do that to me again." I couldn't feel my left shoulder but I didn't let on that I was stunned. He didn't come anywhere near me for the rest of the game. I'm not 100% sure who won that battle but it's always a fun story to tell.

Congratulations, John! It was a fun story to read, too. Also, I discovered when I visited your blog that today (11/4) is your birthday! Hope it's a great one! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Treat

What was your favorite sugary treat as a kid? Do you have a specific memory attached to it?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Hank

Fresh from the deep fryer, homemade donuts rolled in sugar. We kids stood ready like runners at the start, leaning into the kitchen but not quite crossing the line. Impatiently waiting for the signal and chased back at every false start, we raced to grab a handful of warm, sugary O's only to be the ravenous instruments of their demise.

Congratulations on another win, Hank! I think it's a good sign when I read a response like this and my mouth starts watering!