Today's Writing Prompt: Family

Write about someone you know/knew who was not related to you, but was like a family member.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Graciegreen

Granny Annie as my kids and grandkids call her has been my friend for over 40 years. My family has eaten dinner on Christmas day with her family every one of those years. She is my youngest daughter's godmother. During college when money was tight for us she sent my girls spending money unbeknownst to me. Our daughters are lifelong friends and we are now loving each other's grandchildren. Annie is family.

Congratulations on another win, Graciegreen! This is a touching tribute to Granny Annie.

Today's Writing Prompt: Forget

What would you like to forget?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: China

I would like to forget the year that I was fourteen. The worst year in the development process, my self-confidence would be mightily boosted for life if I could forget that year of obvious and embarrassing crushes, garish attempts at getting makeup to enhance my awkward beauty, bad 80's fashion choices, and attention-grabbing behaviors that did nothing to enhance my allure. If only that year of insane adolescence could be forgotten!

Congratulations on another win, China! I think a lot of us relate to your reasons for wanting to forget that year.

Today's Writing Prompt: Wedding/funeral

Write about a memorable wedding, funeral, or memorial service you've attended.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: davidseven

I hate weddings. Really I do.

They are a nightmare for single people.

Because just when you start to feel convicted about being the only person in the room over the age of 12 who doesn't have a life partner, they prove that things can always get worse.

They stop the music, line us up against the wall, and shoot us with dead flowers and used underwear.

Good times. Good times.

Huh????

Contratulations, davidseven! What a funny perspective on weddings--love it!

Today's Writing Prompt: Food

Write about a food that gives you a specific emotional response.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: The Writer

Hashbrowns remind of the summers I would spend a week with my grandparents all by myself and just about every morning my grandfather would make me hashbrowns.

Even when the family got together he'd make me those hasbrowns and no one was allowed to have any until I had mine, or if I got lucky he'd make me a separate small pan just for me.

I haven't had homemade hasbrowns like that in yeas and sadly will never have them like he made them again. I'll always have that memory though.

Congratulations, The Writer! I think I'd like to try those hashbrowns too! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Friday Fiction: Texture

Write a brief bit of fiction that involves a description of at least one texture.

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: Nofretiri

With silent reverence she looked at the old master's painting. It was so breathtaking wonderful. Slowly she moved one step forward, stopped right in front of the picture and took a closer look. She raised her hand carefully, but didn't dare to touch the surface. She could see the structure on the surface, the little hills and valleys the oil paint had left. When she took a deep breath she could still catch a tiny whiff of the paint within the stronger smell of old paper and wood. Standing so close, the fine and vivid strokes of the brush seemed to make a whole different painting ... and still, she was impressed. It was better to step back again, before some security guy would call on her, and admire the beauty of the painting from the distance.

Congratulations on another win, Nofretiri! This was such a beautiful description of a painting--I could picture the texture in my mind.

Today's Writing Prompt: Wind

You are the wind's interpreter. What is it saying?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: FromTheHills

I am languishing upon your hill today. Nowhere I have to be anytime soon. You’ll have to look closely to know I’m even here, just rustling the top bit of the hickory and a few leaves on that sycamore. You might mistake me for a squirrel or a bird flitting. Another day I'll be back, with an entrance and an exit you'll not forget. But today, I whisper. I watch. And move quietly, slowly on.

Congratulations, FromTheHills! This is a lovely bit of writing. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Glass houses

Make up a new ending for this saying:

"People who live in glass houses shouldn't..."

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

People in glass houses should make sure they sin daily, because he who is without sin will cast the first stone.

Congratulations on another win, Mulled Vine! I appreciated your witty response.

Today's Writing Prompt: Pet

Describe an everyday scene from the point of view of a pet.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Multi-Ainjo

What was that? This seems to happen every single day. If I yell at it, I'm going to get yelled at. Thrown outside. As if that is a punishment. I do yell. And I am thrown outside and I have much more interesting things to yell at now.

They just don't get it. There was something on the wall. I saw it, it moved like a sphector of sun, but it wasn't the sun. I keep hearing them disparage my intelligence.

Well, maybe they should be more concerned about their own safety.

Congratulations, Multi-Ainjo! I think you may have met MY dog before you wrote this.... Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Travel

Write about the most important item you like to carry with you for a long day of traveling.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: June Calender

A long day or traveling by plane, train or bus demands a good meal of brain food: first course magazine, entree, good book, dessert, crossword puzzles. If by car, whether driving or not, CDs of classical music faves. Otherwise it's looking out the window -- love to watch the world out there and all it's wonders, natural of man made.

Congratulations on another win, June Calender! I liked your "brain food" analogy, complete with three courses. Sounds like a satisfying meal!

Today's Writing Prompt: City

You are in charge of designing a new city. Describe your design.

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

Iamgine any large metropolitan area, anywhere in the world. Now, imagine the opposite of that. There you go.

Congratulations on another win, Ron! You said a lot with just a few words (and as usual I appreciate your wit!)

Today's Writing Prompt: Uniform

Describe the uniform you wear for your job, or what a uniform for your profession should look like.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Graciegreen

One day I went to work wearing a very stylish polka dot top with a smaller polka dot patterned pair of slacks. My students were special needs teens who were always interested in what I was wearing to school. One of my favorite students came up to me with all sincerity and said," Oh, Mrs. N, I love it when you wear your clown suit to school." I now try to stick with a uniform of khaki slacks and a white blowse...

Congratulations on another win, Graciegreen! This made me laugh out loud!

Friday Fiction: Ocean

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

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: Joanna

She could smell it before she could see it. They drove through one podunk town into the next until there were no more boutiques or antique shops, nothing but marshes dotted with snowy cranes standing on one thin leg.
She could relate. The last few months had been a delicate balancing act. They had shoved file after file at her to sign and notarize. And now, as the taxi neared the airport, she realized everything about her life was about to change. Everything she had ever longed for lay on the other side of that silvery expanse. She clutched her carry-on and ran her fingers over the boarding pass, stopping on the words, "TransAtlantic Flight".
Just then, one of the cranes lifted off of the ground, with wide, easy sweeps of its wings. She took a deep breath.
"Here we go."


This is autobiographical - prophecy : ) . We just got our adoption referral this week - One year old twins from Russia! Can't wait to cross the ocean to meet my children for the first time!

Congratulations on another win, Joanna! And congratulations on the TWO children--I am so excited for you!

Today's Writing Prompt: Forward/backward

What is holding you back or pushing you forward?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Cathaber

What is pushing me forward is the knowledge that I only started writing seriously in my 60th year. Who knows how long I will have? So I write every day now and the pleasure I get from it and the acknowledgement I get from those who read my work drives me on.

Congratulations, Cathaber! Your response was inspirational! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Overindulgence

In what way is 21st century society the most overindulgent?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: June Calender

Are we talking about the so-called "developed world" only? If so, yes, it is grossly overindulgent. Really no other answer is possible if we think of the other parts of the world where people do not have enough food, health care is minimal and education sadly inadequate. Those who are overindulgent are NOT the majority but they consumer the vast majority of the world's resources and are busy polluting same resources as well as using the resources of those parts of the world that have so little.

We are finally overindulgent is our blindered emphasis on only our own society. Media brings the world to us but most choose only to look next door.

Congratulations on another win, June Calender! Your response made me rethink my question, which I appreciated. Thank you for your thoughtful writing!

Today's Writing Prompt: Shower

Baby showers and bridal showers are common in America. What other event do you think should be celebrated with a gift-filled "shower"?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Graciegreen

Retirement shower!!! Not a shower of gifts like babies and brides get but a shower of ideas!!! Good books to read, good walks to go on, movies to see, places to go...

Congratulations on another win, Graciegreen! I think this is a fantastic idea...like a retirement party but with long-lasting gifts.

Today's Writing Prompt: Sale

Write the text of an ad you'd love to see for something on sale.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Nofretiri

Do you feel that there is too much crime and violence in this world? Here is the chance everyone can afford, for just one penny/cent: Humanity!

Congratulations on another win, Nofretiri! That would indeed be a good bargain.

Today's Writing Prompt: Airplane

Write about a memorable airplane flight you've taken. (If you've never flown, write about that.)

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Raejean

I have trouble choosing between the time there was a fire on the plane, but not near the passengers and the time we were on a cargo plane and my 2 year old brother shoved an earplug up his nose. I still wonder if this was a fairly common thing since my step-mom had a pair of six-inch tweezers in her purse!

Congratulations on another win, Raejean! I laughed out loud at your story. My daughter went through a phase of sticking things in her nose. I can't imagine it happening on a plane! Thank goodness for your prepared stepmother!

Today's Writing Prompt: Heart

If there were words written on your heart, what would they say?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Helen

Property of Jesus Christ: on loan to those who will handle with care.

Congratulations on another win, Helen! This is a touching and creative way to express your faith in Christ.

Friday Fiction: Mountain

Write a brief bit of fiction that takes place at the top of a mountain.

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

For many years, John had loved her..... and only her. He thought of her as his lover and was always faithful to her. She had taught him patience and how to survive with whatever Mother Nature and God provided. But today, they were failing him and he knew that this would be his last battle. Propping himself up on his elbow, John looked out his window to see her one last time.

The white crown glinted brightly in the sun; the purple and blue cloak fell gracefully down the length of her body; her green and yellow skirt peeked from beneath the cloak. She stood majestic and confident as always. Finding great peace in her solidity, John laid himself down and took a last rattling breath, releasing his soul into his love's care. The great mountain sighed at his immortal embrace.

Congratulations on another win, Heather! This is a beautiful bit of fiction.

Today's Writing Prompt: Key

Complete this thought:

I would like to find the key to...

Please note--I've turned on comment moderation. You may forward your notes of gratitude to all the spammers that are trying to take over my comments on both my blogs! Sigh.... I'm hoping this will be temporary! It may take awhile for comments to show up, depending how often I'm at the computer moderating them.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: radhika92

that weird little room on that landing, that is apparently a "storage room", but we're not so sure which house it belongs to... i dont think its been opened for years! i've always wondered what my grandfather's father left locked up in there. :)

Congratulations on another win, radhika92! You have got my curiosity raised. I hope you find that key, and I must insist that you come back and report what you find...even if it's just old gardening tools!

Today's Writing Prompt: Law

Write about a law that you think is ridiculous or unreasonable.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Hank

I dunno, the law of gravity always gets me down.

Congratulations on another win, Hank! I'm always a fan of a good pun (or even a bad pun!)

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Jessica

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 7/25-7/31.

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

Prompt: Carefree. Describe a time that you felt carefree.

The summer of 1997: my first solo trip abroad. I made my way to Istanbul and was horrified by the hostel I was supposed to stay at. Someone told me about another place and I'm so glad I listened - I ended up staying a few weeks in a family-run hotel of TREE HOUSES.

I'll never forget waking up each morning, looking over the ledge, smelling breakfast and knowing that I could do whatever I wanted.

Congratulations, Jessica! 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: Books

If the books on your shelves could talk, what would they say?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Strange Mamma

"No! No! Don't eat me!"
"Poor Runaway Rabbit, he's still getting night terrors."
"How's your spine Spot?"
"It's feeling better, Mamma used the good tape. But I don't know, if that kid throws me again."
"Don't go down that road, he's been doing much better lately."

Congratulations on another win, Strange Mamma! There were so many fantastic responses to this prompt! I chose yours because it made me laugh out loud. (It definitely strikes close to home!)

Today's Writing Prompt: Initials

Write down your initials. Come up with words that describe you that start with each of your initials.

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

Just
Great!

Or if I use my pen name, Butternut Squash, BS kind of explains itself.

Peace.

Congratulations on another win, Butternut Squash! I love the tone of this response--both responses, in fact!

Today's Writing Prompt: Train

Write about a competition you've trained for, or would like to train for.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Flora

I recently trained for and ran a 5K race. For the seven weeks prior, I did long runs, speed work, and tempo work. At race day, I was nervous. I felt like I was running too slow, but I finished, with good time. I ran a 5k in 31:10 minutes - glad I trained for it.

Congratulations, Flora! That's a wonderful accomplishment! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Six Word Saturday

Describe your life in six words.

Six Word Saturdays is a weekly series over at Call Me Cate's 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: CityGirl

That "runner's high" thing is real...

Congratulations, CityGirl! I love getting a "runner's high"! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Sheep

Instead of counting sheep, what's something more useful or interesting that an insomniac could count?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: April

The sleepless person should count ceiling tiles. The problem with that is most ceilings are no longer tiled. Maybe putting tiles on the ceiling would tire out the insomniac so he or she would fall straight asleep.

Congratulations on another win, April. Very funny response!

Today's Writing Prompt: Change

What kind of change is scary to you? What kind of change is exciting?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Tin Kettle Inn

I love to change my hair color; I'm afraid to change my introverted mannerisms.

Congratulations on another win, Tin Kettle Inn! I appreciate your simple honesty.

Today's Writing Prompt: Learning

Write about something you decided to learn, that was more difficult than you expected.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: pipsqeek

I enjoy running my business however learning the ins and outs was a complete pain. I thought it would be easy but it has been difficult.

However there was a light at the end of the tunnel. I learnt that you can't do it all yourself. So now I hire a bookkeeper, a mentor, and so on. I learnt the hard way that you can't do it all yourself.

Congratulations on another win, pipsqeek! I appreciate your story of how you were able to overcome the difficulties of running a business.

Today's Writing Prompt: Buffet

All-you-can-eat buffets are popular. Write about a non-food-related "buffet" you'd like to experience...an "all-you-can-_______ buffet."

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: ~willow~

The library is the best all-you-can-read buffet in town. It's free. It's air-conditioned in the summer, heated in the winter. It has multiple levels, each with its own flavor of books for your consumption.

Congratulations, ~willow~! I love the all-you-can-read buffet at a big library! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Motive

Imagine you have the ability to discern one person's true motive for one action he or she has done. What person/action will you choose?

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

Believe it or not, the eintire War in Vietnam (and the the war in Afghanistan, so far) were fought because politicians wear their underwear too tightly. The should take a lesson from the hippies, who wore no undies then, still wear none, even to this very day.

Congratulations on another win, Ron.! Your insight into motivation is nothing short of astounding.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Melissa Remark

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 7/18-7/14.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Melissa Remark (Friday's winner)

Prompt: Friday Fiction: Bright. Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "Bright."

A screeching congregation of tropical birds on the balcony woke me first. Suffocating heat kept me awake. Droplets of sweat beaded along my body, in crevices, on my face, and I racked my memory. Where am I again? Lifting my heavy body off the thin wet mattress on the floor, I shuffled over to the sliding door and pulled back the drapes. Sun blasted into the room with supernatural strength. The brightness pulsed through my skull, ramping up my temperature and triggering the painful sensation I recognized as a hangover headache. A flash of glittery images sped behind my eyes. Oh yeah, I thought, It’s New Year’s Day in Rio.

Congratulations, Melissa Remark! 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.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Indrani

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 7/11-7/17.

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

Prompt: Frame. If you could frame a moment of your life, and experience it again every time you saw it, what moment would you choose?

Given a chance I would like to frame the moment when I saw my first child rise up on her tiny feet and took the first step forward. She did not falter one bit and a prayer slipped out of my mind, may she always be able to take confident steps throughout her life.

Congratulations, Indrani! 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: Pilgrimage

For many years, people have taken pilgrimages to places with great spiritual significance. What place would be significant enough to you (spiritual or otherwise) for you to take a pilgrimage there?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Joanne Sher

This is probably what many people will say, but I would LOVE to take a pilgrimage to Israel. With my Jewish background, and my current relationship in Christ, it would be so meaningful and powerful, I'm sure to see the land of my forefathers -and Christ.

Congratulations on another win, Joanne! I agree; Israel would be a meaningful place for many people to visit, but it would be extra-meaningful for you with your unique background. I hope you get to take your pilgrimage some day!