Today's Writing Prompt: Room

You're building a custom home (and money is no object.) Describe a room or area you'll have in your home that isn't found in most houses.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Breeoxd

oooo a treehouse room! ( since we can have anything...) one with a tree right inside, with a couple of hammocks, lots of twinkling lights, and a mini garden filled with gorgeous flowers. Smooth wooden boards for the walls and a moss carpet. Maybe even a family of frogs and a colony of fireflies to set the mood. And of course it would have internet and access to and endless supply of coke and skittles :)

Congratulations, Breeoxd! Your answer is so creative. Can I come visit? Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Whine

As kids most of us are masters at whining. When we grow up, many of us lose that skill. I bet we could regain it if we really try.

So think of something that bugs you, and go ahead--whiiiiiiiine about it!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: April

Sprinkles on a toilet seat! OMG!! Can people not take two seconds to wipe the seat off?! Do THEY enjoy sitting on a wet seat? Do they think just because it is a public bathroom, they can leave their nasty sprinkles for someone else to clean--or worse, sit in? Were they raised IN THE WOODS?!!! Some people need to grow some manners!

Congratulations on another win, April! That's definitely whine-worthy...and ew-worthy!

Today's Writing Prompt: Endorsement

Think of a commonly-used product, and choose a celebrity you think should endorse that product. Write about why you'd make that choice.

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

I believe Verizon should hire Zack Morris to promote their latest and greatest cellphones. He can compare them to his old brick phone and highlight new features that would make it easier to skip class, cheat on exams, and get the girl.

Congratulations, Call Me Cate! I love the idea of Zack Morris (from Saved by the Bell) as a Verizon spokesman. Although, admit it--he made the old brick phone pretty darn cool.

Today's Writing Prompt: 3-D

So many movies are being made in 3-D these days. What movie (a real one, or one not yet made) should absolutely not be 3-D?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: porcelaine

I’m very skeptical about the suggestions that the Lord of the Rings trilogy should be made in 3-D. The action scenes are great and the storyline is wonderful, but I don’t believe 3-D will add anything to the film. It’s my opinion that the tone and pace warrant its current state instead.

Congratulations, porcelaine! Whether or not others agree with you, I appreciate the way you supported your opinion! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Good day

Write about three things that need to happen for you to have a good day.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: East Coast Gal

That would be today (sorry I'm late):

1) Sunday

2) A sunny Sunday

3) A sunny Sunday spent sipping Starbuck's French Roast.

Congratulations, East Coast Gal! I enjoyed your alliteration! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Friday Fiction: Bad day

Write a brief bit of fiction that ends with the line,

"I [or He, or She] realized it was going to be a very bad day."

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: Heather

As I lay on my cot, wondering what had become of my fellow travelers, I heard the beating of drums in the distance. I closed my eyes. The first person had walked with the captors calmly. She hadn’t tried to struggle at all, assuming she was being brought in front of the leader of the tribe to explain our sudden appearance. The next few people went timidly, looking back over their shoulders, a tell-tale fear in their eyes. The last two had struggled. Kicking, shouting, screaming, and being beat down until they were unconscious and unceremoniously dragged toward the sound of the drums.

The drumming became more intense. Low chanting had begun to float through the heavy jungle vines and find their way to my ears. It wouldn’t be long before they reached a fevered pitch and three strong men from the tribe would come to escort me to the drums, like all the others had been. The chants would end and I would walk silently to the solitary beat of a drum, one that would mark time in seconds. Step. Step. Step. It would demand.

The voices were ascending. I swallowed although my mouth was dry. The leaves outside of the hut rustled. I stood straight, emphasizing my height, in the middle of the little hut. I could hear the unmistakable sound of the wooden end of the spears scraping against the ground. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the stale breath of the room. The door slid open and a masked person peered inside, its clawed hand summoning me forward. I realized it was going to be a very bad day.

Congratulations on another win, Heather! Yes, I'd agree--that is a bad day!

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Today's Writing Prompt: Ice cream truck

Kids get so excited when the ice cream truck comes into the neighborhood. What kind of delivery truck would make adults line up in excitement?

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Heather

A beer truck. Or a money truck. Or a money truck next to a beer truck. The beer truck could blast Irish drinking songs and the money truck could play "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems," to remind us that lining up and collecting our share won't really make us happy for that long. (We'll probably spend it all on beer anyway.)

Congratulations on another win, Heather! Thanks for the giggle-worthy response.

Today's Writing Prompt: Model

Fill in the blank (and explain): I'm a model _______.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Kelly

Inside of this
4'11" inch frame
is an amazon ,
a model
visage of beauty
, bearer of fashion .
I toss my locks ,
walk with purpose
and show
glimpses of me ,
between
flashes of
lights and
teeth.

Congratulations, Kelly! What a great little poem! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Tny8

I choose one of the daily winning response from each week and feature it as the One-Minute Writing of the Week. This is for the week of 3/7-3/13.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Tny8 (Saturday's's winner)

Prompt: Awkward. Complete this simile: "As awkward as___________."

As awkward as an extra long hug from a cousin you've just met.

Congratulations, Tny8! You're welcome to put a One-Minute Writing of the Week Winner button on your blog. Click here if you'd like to snag it.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Ron.

I choose one of the daily winning response from each week and feature it as the One-Minute Writing of the Week. This is for the week of 2/28-3/6.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Ron. (Sunday's's winner)

Prompt: Old friend. Write about an old friend you've lost touch with and would like to talk to again.

Hard To Reach You Now

That phone number
11 digits long &
takes forever to dial,
all nines and sixes,
sevens and nines;
in the end, a double zero. Impossible.

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

Today's Writing Prompt: Catch up, ketchup

Write about a way you need to catch up in your life.

Or, if you prefer...write about ketchup.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Lillibeth

Ketchup

It seemed our Indonesian exchange student loved ketchup; she smothered everything with it.
Turns out she hated it only a little less than she hated the taste of everything else.Ketchup just drowned out the strange foreign tastes of our food.

Congratulations, Lillibeth! This is such a funny response! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Disappointment

Write about a time you disappointed someone, and how that situation changed you.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: amdenman

In high school, I lied to my parents and snuck out with a boy. They caught me and grounded me. My lesson learned didn't come from losing car and phone privileges. It came from letting one of the worst people I've ever met into my life.

Congratulations, amdenman! Your response is short but still tells a complicated story...at least the beginning of one! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Age

Think of your real age...then think about how old you feel. Write about why the age you feel is older, younger, or the same as your real age.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Rachel Cotterill

I feel, as I've always felt, "Rachel-aged"... with no other context, I can only assume that this, today, is what 27 feels like. Whether or not this is how others experience this age, this is my life, and it works for me!

Congratulations on another win, Rachel! Your confidence is wonderful and I like the concept of "Rachel-aged."

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 fantastic 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: April

Baby thinks Daddy's kisses are sweet.

Congratulations on another win, April! Your six words tell a story, and create a really lovely picture in my mind.

Friday Fiction: Shopping bag

Write a brief bit of fiction that involves or mentions a shopping bag.

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.


Note: The One-Minute Writer has a Facebook page! Become a fan by clicking the button below.


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

If I lived in the south
they'd call me a sack.
Followed by the phrase
"Ya all come back."

If I came from a lab,
well that's a no-brainer.
The scientist would call me
their little container.

If I boarded an airplane
for some that is scarier.
But for me I'd be known
as that on flight carrier.

But I'm different from them
and I don't mean to brag.
I have a little more class.
I'm a shopping bag.

Congratulations on another win, Mike! You know I'm a sucker for poems, and this one is fun and smart.

Today's Writing Prompt: Home

What is the most important element for a home to have (besides love)?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: 笑双子

Space, big or small, as long as it is personal.
Bed, big or small, as long as it is comfortable.
Home is a place to unwind and relax.

Congratulations, 笑双子! What a lovely poem--short, warm, and true. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog, if you have one!

Today's Writing Prompt: Introduction

Fill in the blanks, and expound on this sentence:
"My life was changed when I was introduced to _______ (person, place, thing, or idea) because _______."

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Jorgen Carlsen

"My life was changed when I was introduced to Val Garfield, an American psychologist who came to Denmark to teach Transactional Analysis, because I came to understand my responsibility for my thoughts, feelings and actions and that other people can't "make me feel ..."

Congratulations, Jorgen! I find it interesting and inspiring that a scholar could change your life. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Education

Describe, in a minute, the ideal education for children in 2010.

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

So many skills cannot be taught but I'd love to see lessons that work to grow the traits of self-confidence. Pride in their work. Common sense. Self-sufficiency. Basic cooking, cleaning, finances.

And the ability to make a really great grilled cheese sandwich - because that can go a long way in placating the soul after a hard day.

Congratulations on another win, Call Me Cate! This is both wise and witty.

Today's Writing Prompt: On hold

What's been put on hold in your life? Why?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Bridget Furey

Romance. Life hit the pause button in the romance movie of my life. Partly because I am a full-time student trying to graduate in 2 months, and partly because my knight in shining armor turned out to be a little less shiny than I had hoped. It's time to hit the play button & bring on the roses & love letters!

Congratulations on another win, Bridget! I like the image of your "less shiny than expected" knight.

Today's Writing Prompt: Family

In what way do you not fit in with the family you grew up with?

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

My parents took one look at me and sold me to gypsies and I had to work as a tinker's assistant all my childhood, chained to a wagon with wobbly wheels and a smell of cheap wine.

Well, OK, not strictly true. They paid the gypsies to take me.

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

Today's Writing Prompt: Awkward

Complete this simile: "As awkward as___________."

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Tny8

As awkward as an extra long hug from a cousin you've just met.

Congratulations, Tny8! I could just feel the awkwardness of this situation! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Friday Fiction: To Half and to Hold

Write a brief bit of fiction using the words "half" and/or "hold."

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.


Note: The One-Minute Writer has a brand new Facebook page! Become a fan by clicking the button below.


One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Heather

Alzheimer's was like that. A progressive disease that would devastate those around her and leave her standing in a thick fog, but otherwise unharmed. She could feel it moving in, the dampness settling into the deep recesses of her brain, slowing her thoughts and obscuring some memories completely. She worked diligently to hold on to what she could, bargaining with God to let her keep the most important ones: her children's names; the joys and frustrations they brought over the years; her own name and an identity she could recognize as hers. In return, she would sacrifice her body and the other half of her mind. Just let me keep these few things, she prayed. It was a prayer she fervently wanted and ultimately knew would go unanswered.

Congratulations on another win, Heather! This is a beautiful and sad piece.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: radhika92

I choose one of the daily winning response from each week and feature it as the One-Minute Writing of the Week. This is for the week of 2/21-2/27.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: radhika92 (Tuesday's's winner)

Prompt: Grandparents. Write about a childhood memory you have of your grandparent(s), or another member of your extended family.

the best memory i have with my grandparents, is playing hide and seek with them when i was little. my grandmother wears a traditional Indian sari everyday, and my favorite hiding place would be under the 'palla' of her sari (the length of cloth that hangs loose behind you). i would clamber onto her tummy, and she would pull her 'palla' over me so that she looked almost as if she were going to have quadruplets, and it always delighted me that my grandfather never realized that that giggling wobbly mass of cloth was me!
=)

Congratulations, radhika92! You're welcome to put a One-Minute Writing of the Week Winner button on your blog. Click here if you'd like to snag it.

Today's Writing Prompt: High school

Do you think high school is easier or harder today, than it was 50 years ago? Why?

Thank you so much to Jaime for submitting today's prompt! Visit Jaime's blog, Sick Individual, or follow Rochambeaux on Twitter. You can always suggest writing prompts to me by emailing me at cbethblog@gmail.com.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: JoAnna

Academically, I believe high school was much harder when I was a kid, but the demands placed on students today to pass test after test has it's own stresses. I suppose every generation is difficult in its own way, but I imagine one thing will never change: Finding a date to the prom will always be the hardest thing about high school.

Congratulations, JoAnna! I agree--the social aspect of high school is usually harder than the academic part! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog, if you have one!

Today's Writing Prompt: Winner

Write about a time you won something.

Note: The One-Minute Writer has a brand new Facebook page! Become a fan by clicking the button below. Thanks for participating as a One-Minute Writer!



One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Leatherdykeuk

I thought I had what it takes to be a winner, but what I didn't realise was the writing isn't a race. There's no mad dash for the finish line just a long, hard slog. But the prize? The prize is to see a book on the shelf of the bookshop and say "I wrote that."

Congratulations on another win, Leatherdykeuk! your response is inspiring, and I know a lot of the readers here want to publish books. I hope many of them one day know the feeling you describe.

Today's Writing Prompt: Hour

When does an hour seem longest to you? When does it seem shortest? (We're talking awake time, not asleep time!)

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Janet

Like everything else to do with being a mom, I'm torn between the two. My longest hour and my shortest hour are usually one in the same. It is spent playing Legos, listening to a Super Mario game play by play, or discussing the finer points of giant robots. I look to when it's over, but miss it when it's done.

Congratulations on another win, Janet! This is a great description of parenting small children--I definitely relate!

Today's Writing Prompt: Acceptance Speech

You've just been given a Best Actor or Best Actress award. You know how short acceptance speeches need to be for these televised shows.... Take one minute to write your speech.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Ron.

I'd like to thank my 6th grade teacher, who told me that having even only a single opportunity to to say "Thank you for this honor" would be far better than having a lifetime of opportunities to ask, "You want fries with that?"

Congratulations on another win, Ron.! I'd love to hear this speech from the stage at the Academy Awards.

Today's Writing Prompt: Motivate me!

So, I (C. Beth) am running my first official 5K race today. What should I think to myself during that last half mile, so that I get to the finish line with pride, energy, and a smile?

Note: Yeah, I probably won't get to read many of these responses before my early race. But I can save them for next time!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: davidseven

What I usually think when I get to that point is "Why am I doing this again?" and "Never again?"

It's amazing how quickly that fades, and five minutes after you've crossed the line you're saying "I could do that again."

Good Luck

Congratulations on another win, davidseven! I think your response expresses something we tend to feel when confronting any challenging, yet rewarding, task. Thank you for the motivation!

Today's Writing Prompt: Dining

Write about a memorable dining experience you've had.

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

We had known each other only a month when prom night arrived. I was a bundle of nerves as I headed to dinner with my new boyfriend and 6 of his closest friends who were all strangers to me. Together, we shared a meal at the most expensive restaurant in town.

The thing with expensive restaurants is that their dainty over-priced portions don't do much for hungry teenage boys. So after our fancy dinner, we actually stopped for "second dinner" on the way to prom. Burger King drive-thru? Yes please!

Congratulations on another win, Call Me Cate! What a charming story--and I'm glad that after all these years, you are still enjoying gourmet food (and maybe the occasional drive-thru meal?) with that guy!

Friday Fiction: Dance

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

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: Christy

The wind played with her hair, tossing it to and fro. She pushed the strands away from her face as she looked up to watch a flock of geese flying in formation across a brilliant blue sky, loudly honking as if announcing their departure to her. She closed her eyes and felt the sun warming her shoulders. Letting herself breathe in the heady scent of the spent earth around her, she knew the wheat was ready for harvest without even having to look at it. Opening her eyes, she smiled at the sight of the feathery golden heads of grain dancing sprightly in syncopated waves across the field like a final hurrah before the harvesting begins. She laughed and then quietly, sighed before turning to leave. It was time.

Congratulations, Christy! This is beautiful, and I like the unexpected (yet still on-topic) subject. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Perfect fit

In your life, what's a perfect fit?

A note from C. Beth: Someone asked me the other day if I was still naming daily winners. How embarrassing--I've gotten so far behind that people aren't even sure if I'm doing it anymore! Yes, I do still name winners, but I'm not always prompt. Also, I don't want to name the winners sooner than a few days after the original prompt was posted, because I like people to have some time to respond.

So, to help you keep track of who's been winning, you can now check the top of the left hand sidebar. There you'll see recent winners, with links to the posts.

Thanks for writing for a minute--I really appreciate every one of you who participates!

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

Right now? My lips and my coffee mug.

Congratulations on another win, Jessica! Someitmes you don't even need 60 seconds for a perfect, witty response.

Today's Writing Prompt: Troublesome Goal

Write about a goal you've had trouble achieving.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Autumn

All right, so I want to be able to touch my toes. I've never been able to do it and I'm told that everyone has the potential to. It's a tiny goal and you would think it would be an easy one to achieve. But it's hard to remember to stretch down everyday, consistently. I do believe am getting more limber though, so there is hope!

Congratulations, Autumn! I love the simplicity of your goal--and I hope one day your fingertips can reach those toes! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!

Today's Writing Prompt: Diary

Write a diary entry, dated March 2, 2020.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: human being

March 2, 2020
dear diary

everything flashed by today... like other days... but the prompt on The One-Minute Writer today really made me think for a long time... we were asked if we could remember the prompt of this day ten years ago... i couldn't remember anything...

Congratulations on another win, human being! Very witty response--it made me smile.

Today's Writing Prompt: March

Fill in the blanks: "I'd like to march right up to ______ and say, '_____.'"

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: McMGrad89

I'd like to march right up to some my students' parents and say, "Check your child's agenda everyday. Help them with their homework. Ask them what they learned today. Practice their multiplication facts with them. Give them a bath everyday. Wash their clothes. They don't have to be new, just clean. Act like a parent. Act like you care."

Congratulations, McMGrad89! I think your response expresses what so many other teachers wish they could say. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog!