Today's Writing Prompt: Fortune

You're about to open a fortune cookie. What do you hope it says?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Namine

You will have many things to laugh about in the coming days!

Congratulations on another win, Namine! I like the simple happiness of your fortune...and I hope it has come to pass!

Today's Writing Prompt: Medicine

Assuming "laughter" is not the answer...what's really the best medicine?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: D Gotlib

A fabulous, wonderful, incredible roll between the sheets with the person you love - if you are old enough for such wonderful things, and not so old that you can't still enjoy such a pleasure. If you fall on either side of that category, I'm going to say it would probably have to be a nice satisfying poop.

Congratulations on another win, D! Your response made me laugh.

Friday Fiction: Caught

Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "Caught."

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: N.Nelson

Susan wasn't sure what to do next. She held in her hands the evidence of her deed and wasn't sure where to go with it. But reality conspired to give her an answer. Her aunt Julia came into the kitchen just then as Susan was taking a bite out of the freshly baked piece of apple pie she held in her hand, while the rest of the pie, knocked to the floor during her hasty and guilty grabbing of one piece, lay there, a messy testimony to her misdeed.

Congratulations, N.Nelson! You managed to write a very short bit of fiction that was still witty and fun. Great job! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog, if you have one!

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Call Me Cate

Each week I choose one of the daily winners and feature it as the One-Minute Writing of the Week. This is for the week of 1/10-1/16.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Call Me Cate (Sunday's's winner)

Prompt: Distance. Distance learning is very popular. What do you wish you could do at a distance?

Most of my life is lived at a distance. My interactions with friends and family are mostly online or by phone. Most movies are watched at home. I've even taken online classes.

The challenge for me would be to live life close-up for a change.

Congratulations, Call Me Cate! You're welcome to put a One-Minute Writing of the Week Winner button on your blog, if you have one. Click here if you'd like to snag it.

Today's Writing Prompt: Apple

Apple has revolutionized technology with computers, phones, iPods, and now their tablet. What should they come up with next?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: PhotoPuddle

How about the iAmGoingToTurnOffTheseGadgetsAndReadAGoodBook ?
I am a wee bit obsessed with the computer (hence the blogging) but it's getting a little scary now that people are reading books, newspapers, playing board games etc all on the computer. For me anyway, some things are just meant to be done in their pure and orginal form. Nothing beats the feeling of a crisp new paperback to dive into.
Right, I'm off to check facebook........

Congratulations, PhotoPuddle! Great response, and of course I love that your product started with "i". Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Butternut Squash

Each week I choose one of the daily winners and feature it as the One-Minute Writing of the Week. This is for the week of 1/3-1/9.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Butternut Squash (Wednesday's's winner)

Prompt: Rediscovery. What would you like to rediscover?

Once I waited with my empty canvas and great expectations at the edge of time. Now I want to rediscover the empty canvas of youth for my children to paint. Alas, their canvas arrived colored rudely by the demands of modern culture. Who has stolen their free time?

Congratulations, Butternut Squash! You're welcome to put a One-Minute Writing of the Week Winner button on your blog, if you have one. Click here if you'd like to snag it.

Today's Writing Prompt: Perfect

You've been instructed to choose one area of your life in which you will suddenly achieve perfection...whether you like it or not! What area will you choose?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Sara_Ortiz

I would become perfect in jumping off a building and flying. I keep trying but usually end up in a dumpster or on the hood of a car. I just can’t get the whole wind resistance thing quite right. One time I did manage to catch an up draft and I thought, “Finally!” but then ended up on someone’s balcony. Their cat survived.

Congratulations, Sara! This made me giggle. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Spy

If you became a spy, what organization/group would you like to infiltrate? Why?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Lickety Splitter

I would spy on my ex-fiance who joined what I believe is a cult. I want to see if he found heaven on earth among those people he thought could do no wrong, those people he thought were all going to heaven, while the remaining 98% of people sitting on church pews elsewhere were going to hell. I want to spy on his mind. I want to see if there is any glimmer of the man I knew for so long left in him, or if "they" succeeded in mentally killed the man I once knew and loved.

Congratulations on another win, Lickety Splitter! I appreciated the personal element of your response.

Today's Writing Prompt: Collage

You are making a collage that represents your life. Describe the collage.

One-Minute Writing of the Day
Writer: Rabbit

My life, in the living, has become a delicious dervish of a collage. With the new year I took out my proverbial scissors. I cut away the bad bits. I framed out the glories. A little glue. A little glitter. I step back, looking at the creation unfold and can't wait to see what comes next to fill in the blank spaces. It's a good year for growth. It's a good year for creating. And in the end, I will have a masterpiece.

Congratulations, Rabbit! This is beautiful, and I love the direction you took with the prompt. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Project

Write about a project you've worked on recently.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Wrier: rae

Nearly 50lbs of dirty laundry await me in the back room. Another 20lbs of clean languish, unfolded, on the spare room bed.

This morning, I woke up. I made coffee. I got to work.

I had a date with laundry destiny.

Congratulations on another win, rae! I really like when someone can take a mundane topic (and what's more mundane than laundry?!) and make it entertaining!

Today's Writing Prompt: Volunteer

Write about a time you volunteered for something, and found it to be a meaningful experience.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Janet

I was asked to be the leader of the teenage girls from ages 12 to 18 at church. As a mom of three boys under 12, I wondered if I remembered being a teenage girl enough to be of any use at all, and where would I find the time? All my hesitations faded away quickly as they embraced me with excitement and enthusiasm. Being involved in the lives of these young women has surely done more for me than it has for them. As we complete service projects, learn practical skills, and enjoy deep discussions, we enrich each other's lives. I have reconnected with my girlier side and can't possibly continue to grow old with their constantly infusing me with life. It's been one of the best yeses I've ever said.

Congratulations on another win, Janet! I really appreciate your enthusiasm for your volunteer experience!

Friday Fiction: Space

Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "space."

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: Call Me Cate

I knew it was back there but I just couldn't seem to find it. As I crawled around, feeling my way blindly in the dark, I stubbed my toe and swore under my breath.

That space in the far corner of the closet had always been perfect for hiding treasures. As a child, it had been my stash of Halloween candy. Then my diary. Eventually love letters from the boyfriends my parents didn't approve of.

Oh, there it was! As I had suspected, a new treasure had indeed been hidden in that space. An entire pile of stolen socks, stashed for later by Bob the dog. Looks like my hiding place was now a shared secret.

Congratulations on another win, Cate! Not only is this a fun story, but it also solves the ever-present problem of missing socks.

Today's Writing Prompt: Comfort

What is the best way someone can comfort you when you are grieving?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Seed

Comfort me in the seat next to me. Be there. Fill the hole that is vacant. I know it's not the same but it's better than empty. Like the dirt that fills the hole in the ground, we know it is not of the same composition and not a perfect fit; yet it helps fill the void and covers the ground just the same.

Congratulations, Seed! This is a lovely sentiment. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Car

What one feature do you wish your car had? Be imaginative--outlandishness is welcome!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: words, wine, coffee, art

In need of a coffee, I'd press a button.
My car would (somehow) prepare the perfect cappuccino.
A beep would signal when it was ready.
I'd pull over, and savour its aroma, taste and creamy frothiness.
Dreams!

Congratulations on another win; words, wine, coffee, art! Not only is it a fantastic invention, but you'd pull over to savour it? That makes you a better driver than I!

Today's Writing Prompt: Discipline

In what area of your life are you the most disciplined?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: BBB

I am disciplined in all areas of my life to the point of being anal retentive about it. I am very predictable in my schedule and routines and rarely 'let my hair down'. I am a stickler for keeping my finances in order, the house in order, my life in order. I'm a pain in the butt! :)

Congratulations, BBB! I appreciate your ability to laugh at yourself, and I wish I had a little more of your discipline! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Parent

If you are a parent, how did you feel when you first found out you'd become one?

If you're not a parent, how do you think you'd feel if you got that news?

Thanks to Tom for submitting today's prompt! Visit Tom's blogs, Wood Butcher at Large and Band of Brothers.

If you'd like to submit prompt suggestions, email me at cbethblog@gmail.com.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: John

"You probably had a bad taco last night," I said to my wife as she was doubled over and depositing last night's taco into the toilet. "I kind of have bubble guts myself, so I'm sure that's what it is, just a little food poisoning." I heard the tearing of cardboard and the crinkling of plastic wrap. She's in there peeing on a stick, I thought to myself but not really giving it too much thought. "John!!!" she yelled in a hybrid tone of jubilation and horror. It was an amazing, terrifying, world altering feeling that a parent to be never forgets.

Congratulations on another win, John! I really loved your description--awesome.

Today's Writing Prompt: Rest

Do you have a weekly day of rest? Write a bit about this concept.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: the eternal worrier

I try to rest as much as possible.

Monday – Friday, 9 – 5.

There’s nothing like enjoying a rest and being paid for it.

Congratulations on another win, the eternal worrier! I appreciated your funny response.

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 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: Sanctum's Muse

I gave birth and it hurt.

Congratulations on another win, Sanctum's Muse--on the win and the baby! I love the understated truth of this.

Friday Fiction: Ten

Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "ten."

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.

Oh, and speaking of "ten"...HAPPY 10TH ANNIVERSARY to my wonderful husband!

One-Minute Writing of the Day;
Writer: Gabrielle

She had ten children.

There were two pairs of twins, three were adopted, two were single birth babies and one she can’t really recall giving birth to.

Four were delivered by caesarian, the rest by the usual way, well except for that one she could not recall… She had three caesarians; both times one of the twins was delivered by caesarian although their sibling was delivered the usual way. One of the single birth babies was also delivered the usual way, and all natural, to boot!

Six fathers (or perhaps only five well, you know...) were in attendance for the births of her children, the same man fathered both sets of twins. Two of the adopted children were biological siblings.

All the babies weighed over ten pounds at birth.

The mailbox had ten surnames written on it, because she had kept her maiden name and rented out rooms to three tenants

One day, the census taker came to the door. After eight or nine minutes there, he required a ten month stress leave.

Seven of the children eventually grew up to have four, five, six, seven, eight, nine and ten children each, respectively. Ten of them were born by caesarian section and eleven were adopted, whereas twelve of them were…oh never mind…

What matters is, all of them loved chocolate cupcakes – the grand children included. She wished she could have told that to the census taker, before he left.

Congratulations, Gabrielle! Thanks for making me smile. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Odds

In what way have you beat the odds?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Lickety Splitter

I cheated death when I was a mere first grader. I suffered from asthma and pneumonia, and nearly died. I remember panicking because I could not breathe, the coldness of the hospital floor, being placed in a clear oxygen tent, receiving lots of letters from my classmates, and at some point, seeing doctors, nurses and myself from above. I survived, and outgrew the asthma!

Congratulations, Lickety Splitter! I liked the way you described what you felt, and your memories. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Encourage

Write about someone who encouraged you when you were a child.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: D Gotlib

Her name was Mozella Gearheart and she believed in me. She taught third and fourth grade combined. She saw that I could paint and draw. I finished my work early. She let me make art. She asked my parents if she could teach me privately at her home. She was the first person to say I could be an artist. And I am.

Congratulations on another win, D Gotlib! This is a wonderful, satisfying story--I'm glad Ms. Gearheart was your teacher! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Pairs

What should (but doesn't necessarily) come in pairs?

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

Seriously, oven mitts. It seems that something as ordinary as a glove should come packaged as a pair. What seems to have become fashionable: to market a state of the art, silicone, super grip mitt for $20. So, a pair of those babies will cost me $40 - what's the rub? Gosh forbid you get one as a gift and have a tendency to want to coordinate colors. Good luck with your red and yellow mitts. Are you directing traffic or picking up a hot pot? Gets me steamed.

Congratulations on another win, Enri! You make a good point throughout your response, but the last three words are priceless.

Today's Writing Prompt: Cold

Parts of America have been experiencing record-breaking low temperatures. Think of a product you could invent to help people stay warm.

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

My invention is a shoe called "The Hot Foot." This is how it works. As your body gets colder, the shoe gets hotter. "The Hot Foot" can be yours for just three easy payments of $49.99.

And if you order within the next twenty minutes we'll even throw in "The Cold Cap." - the hat that keeps you cool during the summer months. These products are not available in any store so order now.

Congratulations on another win, Mike! I appreciate you making an effort to actually sell me your products. Maybe you have a future in the "As Seen on TV" business?

Today's Writing Prompt: Distance

Distance learning is very popular. What do you wish you could do at a distance?

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

Most of my life is lived at a distance. My interactions with friends and family are mostly online or by phone. Most movies are watched at home. I've even taken online classes.

The challenge for me would be to live life close-up for a change.

Congratulations, Call Me Cate, on another win! I appreciate your honesty, and your response is beautifully-written too.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Barga

Each week I choose one of the daily winners and feature it as the One-Minute Writing of the Week. This is for the week of 12/20-1/2.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Barga (Tueday's winner)

Prompt: Carpe diem. How would you like to "seize the day" in 2010?

WEll, you see, the day is a crafty beast. It is so crafty, that sometimes you must hide from it, stalking it, before you can finally seize it.

My method of seizing the day would be to create some sort of trap. I would convince it that it was properly stored in a month, and then I would mess with the month. Then, when the 28th day of February was confused on if it was the last day or not, I would seize it.

That, my friends, is how I seize days.

Congratulations, Barga! You're welcome to put a One-Minute Writing of the Week Winner button on your blog, if you have one. Click here if you'd like to snag it.

Today's Writing Prompt: Accomplished

We have completed the first 8 days of 2010. Write about something you accomplished in that time.

Kathleen A. Ryan posted some free writing contests on her blog--click here. Enter if any of them fit you--and let me know if you win! Thanks, Kathleen!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Raejean

So far this decade, I have finished an article for a website I write for. I have also started a new project, writing the stories that go with all the ornaments and Christmas decorations we've collected over the years. I finished taking pictures of everything yesterday.

Congratulations, Raejean! I love your idea of writing stories for ornaments. It sounds like you're coming along on your goal! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Friday Fiction: Fable

Write an original fable.

According to Wikipedia, "A fable is a succinct story, in prose or verse, that features animals, plants, inanimate objects, or forces of nature which are anthropomorphized (given human qualities), and that illustrates a moral lesson (a "moral"), which may at the end be expressed explicitly in a pithy maxim."

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: Mike Trippiedi

There once was a germ that lived in a rug
But unlike his brothers, he wasn't a thug.
He didn't like sickness or spreading disease
And he hated the sound of a cough or a wheeze.

So one day he decided to go off on his own
And to find a new world where germs could not clone.
So he jumped on the leg of the dog known as Jack
And he left the rug world and their evil germ pack.

And there he discovered among the fleas and the dirt
That not every germ is here to cause hurt.
Like humans he found there is bad and there's good
And some germs have purpose, which he now understood.

So he went back to the rug that he always called home
And there he found good germs among the Bacteria foam.
Now the next time his brothers disturb healthy peace
He's now on the side of the Fungus Police.

Congratulations on another win, Mike! Fable poetry--I like it!

Today's Writing Prompt: Peer pressure

Write about an instance of positive peer pressure you have experienced or observed.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Seed

We walked through Marienplatz one night in Munich shortly after the war with Afghanistan began. In the middle of the square a large almost silent crowd was gathered with candles in the shape of a peace sign. Their silent words captivated us and drew us in. Rather than heading to the bar that night, we spent time luminated by international peace.

Congratulations, Seed! This story is beautiful--thank you for sharing it! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Heather

Each week I choose one of the daily winners and feature it as the One-Minute Writing of the Week. This is for the week of 12/20-12/26.

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

Prompt: Ornament. Write about a Christmas tree ornament, or other holiday decoration, you remember from childhood.

I do remember always loving my Grandmother's Christmas Tree. It was covered in white porcelain ornaments. The old fashioned kind you can't buy anymore. When she died, her belongings were split among her children and I was disappointed not to receive any of the ornaments I treasured. I never told anyone.

A year later, I received a package in the mail at Thanksgiving. It held a dozen white porcelain snowflakes. Thank you to whomever sent it to me. I wish I knew who you were and how you knew.

Congratulations, Heather! You're welcome to put a One-Minute Writing of the Week Winner button on your blog, if you have one. Click here if you'd like to snag it.

Today's Writing Prompt: Rediscovery

What would you like to rediscover?
One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Butternut Squash

Once I waited with my empty canvas and great expectations at the edge of time. Now I want to rediscover the empty canvas of youth for my children to paint. Alas, their canvas arrived colored rudely by the demands of modern culture. Who has stolen their free time?

Congratulations on another win, Butternut Squash! This response is beautiful and thought-provoking.

Today's Writing Prompt: Shock

What would be the most shocking news you could receive right now?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Pamela

My daughter eating a meal other than fried chicken.

Congratulations, Pamela! This made me giggle--I hope you get your shock soon. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Date

Write about a day of the year that is important to you personally (not a holiday or birthday.)

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

July 22nd, 2004, otherwise known as "Cate Independence Day" in our house. CID is the day I finally spoke up to a bully. I gave this person a 30 day timeout while I searched inside to decide what I needed from the relationship. On July 22, I made my terms clear.

My relationship with my mother hasn't been all roses since that day but it was still a very important time because I finally dared to speak up for myself against her mental abuse.

Congratulations on another win, Call Me Cate! I've enjoyed reading about Cate Independence Day on your blog, and I think it's worth celebrating.

Today's Writing Prompt: Career

If you had to change your career every year, what would your 2010 career be?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Tom

I would go to Idaho or maybe Oregon, and get the guys and Gals from the reformatories and take them into those states and teach them how to replant the burnt areas.

Everyday of planting would knock five days off thier sentences, provided they planted atleast 200 trees per day.

At the end of the planting, the person with them most trees planted would be released, unless they were in jail for a Capital Crime.

Congratulations on another win, Tom! Your response is so creative and interesting.

Friday (well, Saturday) Fiction: New Year

Write a brief bit of fiction with the theme "new year."

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: the eternal worrier

New Year and I really must let Santa out of the cellar. Children all over the world received no presents last week. I’ve burnt his sleigh in my back garden and released the Reindeer back into the wild where they belong. The huge sack of gifts he carried has been given to the local charity shop.

Santa injured his leg when he fell from my roof but once it’s ok he’ll be doing some manual work around my farm... no more sitting around all year getting fat for Saint Nick this year. No more mince pies and brandy, a low fat diet will soon have him in shape.
Get used to it Santa... this is the real world.

Congratulations, the eternal worrier! I enjoyed your story, though it may have put you on the Big Guy's naughty list. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: 20 10

In 20 words, recap 2009.

In 10 words, write about your hopes for 2010.

In three words...Happy New Year!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Marc

2009

Got engaged.

Wrote my first novel.

Learned enough to know which of those two goes first on the recap list ;)

2010

Moving to the farm, getting married, maybe even get published.

Happy New Year!

Congratulations on another win, Marc! This was a great, funny way to recap your 2009. I hope your 2010 is all you want it to be (and more)!