Today's Writing Prompt: Sign

What traffic sign best reflects your life right now?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Vicki

I am a forty plus year old woman and the first road sign that comes to mind when I think of one to describe my life, is warning curves ahead. Not only are we talking about my body which has taken on a new shape since my 20s, due to age the slowing of metabolism and having given birth to 2 children, but also the changes in mood that come with changes of hormone levels in a woman’s age.

Congratulations on the win, Vicki, and thank you for the entertaining response! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Meal

Write about the who, what, and where of your ideal meal.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: radhika92

the who- all by myself! where-right at home. on my rooftop in the evening, with the stars. the foood, hmm.. lebanese food, and maybe some sushi if i felt like it.
with no music, just the sounds of the birds in the distance and a few candles, and discreet and silent waiters. :D heaven!

Congratulations on another win, radhika92! Your ideal dinner sounds wonderful and unique.

Today's Writing Prompt: Role

Think about the various roles you play in your life. If you had to give up all but one, which one would you keep?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: glnroz

For one I should keep would be the role of "Dad" for I hold fear that I have not perfected it.

Congratulations on another win, glnroz! I appreciated the unique explanation you had for wanting to keep your role of Dad.

Today's Writing Prompt: Tie

What feud, contest, or debate should be proclaimed a tie?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Hank

Charlene was insistent. "It's a cravat!"

"No, it's an ascot," said her brother.

"Mom!" They yelled simultaneously. Showing her the picture, Eric asked, "What is this called?"

Their mother looked at the picture and at each face expecting to be right.

"It's a tie," she said.

Congratulations on another win, Hank. I loved your response!

Today's Writing Prompt: School

Write about your first day of kindergarten (or a memorable first day from another school year.)

Thanks to Theresa Rose for today's prompt!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Graciegreen

Oh, this will date me...I started school in 1956 at the Nordaloose school near Holland, Michigan. The school was then a hundred years old! One room housed two teachers and all students K thru 8th grade. We had a cloak room and I remember being enthralled by the drinking fountain. I told my Mom chocolate milk came out of it! (I was only 5). My teacher's name was Miss Bachelor...

Congratulations on another win, Graciegreen! what a charming story. I think my daughter would be fond of a chocolate milk drinking fountain!

Today's Writing Prompt: Doctor

Write about the best or worst doctor who has treated you.

Note: I've caught up on naming winners through the end of August! The most recent ones I've named are in the left sidebar, but you can see all of August's posts/winners here.

And remember, if you follow The One-Minute Writer on Twitter or Facebook, that's a great way to stay up-to-date on who's won the daily and weekly awards!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Sharon

My worst experience wasn't a doctor, it was a nurse! I had moved during the 3rd trimester of my third child and didn't have time to research hospitals. Unfortunately, the hospital I picked was VERY conservative and wouldn't let me walk through my contractions and made me stay in bed. Needless to say, I was having difficulty handling the pain and required some medication. During a contraction I complained, "Why am I having such a hard time dealing with the contractions this time around?!" The nurse answered, "Well, your not getting any younger." Not a wise thing to say to a woman in labor!

Congratulations, Sharon! I agree; that nurse needs some sensitivity training! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: FromTheHills

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 8/22-8/28.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: FromTheHills (Thursday's winner)

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

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, FromTheWind! 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.

Friday Fiction: Dinosaur

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

Friday Fiction (Sunday Fiction this week!) 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

»Do you know, what you are? I'll tell you! A dinosaur.«
»There is no need to get loud.«
»Why not? I just tell the truth! You and your ancient attitudes. They're just like dinosaurs, an extinguished species.«
She really loved Corrine, but sometimes she couldn't believe that they were sisters. Nobody, who sees them, could have ever imagined, that two girls, twins, looking totally similar on the outside, could be so different in the inside.
»Come on, Corrine! What's the problem? It's just a picture.«
»Just a picture? You're almost naked! I don't want anybody to see me on that cover.«
»First, it's a wonderful bikini and second, it's not you, it's me!«
»Carolyn, come on please...«

When Dr. Corban made his late evening check through the station, he paused on her door, took a quick look into the room and sighted. Obviously the new medications hadn't had any effect. That poor girl was standing in front of the window discussing with her own reflection.

Congratulations on another win, Nofretiri! I'm a sucker for surprise endings, and I enjoyed this one!

Today's Writing Prompt: Feel

What do you do, even when you don't feel like it?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Anita

Chose to live everyday with hope and purpose, some days are definitely harder than others. I once heard a preacher say it's easier to "act" yourself into a feeling than to "feel" yourself into an action. Words I try to live by.

Congratulations on another win, Anita! I chose your response because I love the wisdom in your pastor's words. Thanks for sharing them.

Today's Writing Prompt: Better

Complete this thought:

"Someone really needs to design a better..."

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: LeAnn

We, not someone, but we (to delegate this task will result in an outcome less than optimal) need to design a better way for valuing.

Do we value star athletes more, or teachers? Do we value a conglomerate of possessions or time with our friends and family? And, looking deep for those answers, why do we value what we do?

Are we living by our values?

Congratulations on another win, LeAnn! I don't know how to achieve a better way of valuing...but I agree with you that we need it. Thanks for the thought-provoking response.

Today's Writing Prompt: Forget

Complete this thought: "I usually forget...."

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Namine

I usually forgot

how important it is to keep in touch until I am lonely. I need to learn to keep in touch even when things are going great so that my friends know that I really do care about them.

Congratulations on another win, Namine! I chose this response because it's something I think many of us forget (especially when we spend so much time socializing online.) This is a good reminder not to forget!

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Raejean

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 8/15-8/21.

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

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

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, Raejean! 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: Book

Write about a book you're currently reading.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Hank

The cover is unforgiving with uncomfortable sharp corners and the spine is strong and unyielding. The penciled yard sale price on the flyleaf misleads many into thinking its origins are humble. Finger-stained foreedges and dog-eared corners tell of many readers and the underlined passages, their thoughts.

There's more than just a story here.

Congratulations on another win, Hank! I agree--seeing what others have written in books is such an intriguing way to "eavesdrop." Of course, now I'm curious to know what book it is....

Today's Writing Prompt: Alien

Tomorrow morning you wake up to find a visitor from another planet, on your doorstep. What do you say to it?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Graciegreen

"Come in, Come in...I've been waiting for you!!" Finally, someone who has not seen all the pictures of my extraordinary grandchildren. "Oh, and yes, I do have video, too."

Congratulations on another win, Graciegreen! You'll have to let me know what the aliens' response is after a few hours of photos and video.

Today's Writing Prompt: Time

Write about an experience you had when you lost track of time.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Kelsey

On a day trip to Paris, we got lost in the Tuileries - and lost in a baguette. In my experience, time flies when you're eating bread.

Congratulations on the win, Kelsey! This is so witty, and I have to agree. Good bread can elevate me to another level entirely! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Friday Fiction: Swing

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

Friday Fiction (Sunday Fiction this week!) 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

Only Squirrel noticed that she had arrived with less joy than previous years. He sat silently among the cheerful woodland creatures, listening to their incessant chatter while observing her. Spring wandered slowly, examining the brown sticks and hard clumps of Earth that sat humiliated in their nudity where every one could see. She would touch them gently, whispering consoling words, and promise deep robes of green with jeweled flowers as decoration. Her prophets helped spread her promise from the tops of the trees in little chirps and tweets and whistles. But she didn't twirl. Her hair was limp, it's bright golden color hidden behind a veil of sadness.

Quietly, he left and scampered up an old arthritic tree. "Dearest Spring!" he called. Nerves caused him to dart between branches and the old tree shook them, annoyed to have the extra weight of Squirrel for fear his branches would snap. "Miss Spring!" Squirrel called again.

She turned and came over, stroking the old tree, relaxing his tired joints. He relaxed and the Squirrel stood still. "My dear Spring," Squirrel began and then hesitated at the stormy grey of her eyes. He was accustomed to eyes of brilliant blue with flecks of white in this young maiden. "I beg your pardon, miss, but what keeps you from your twirling dance and babbling laughter?"

Her eyes darkened. A dangerous light flashed across them for such a brief time that Squirrel thought perhaps he was dreaming this encounter. She looked at him intently. "A woman aught to be entitled to a mood swing now and then!" she stormed and her tear drops soaked Squirrel and the Earth as she turned away and left with a great wind at her heels.

Congratulations on another win, Heather! It's beautiful pieces of writing like this that make me glad to have this blog. Thank you for sharing!

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Heather

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 8/8-8/14.

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

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


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, Heather! 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: Gift

Write about an unexpected gift you've received.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Melinda

The most unexpected gift of my life was getting pregnant and giving birth to my son, Ian. After years of battling infertility we pretty much gave up trying to get pregnant. We were in a holding pattern waiting to afford either more extensive fertility treatments or adoption, when suddenly I got pregnant just before Christmas 2007. Ian arrived just days before my birthday in August 2008. Ian is the most amazing gift that keeps on giving everyday that he is part of my life.

Congratulations on another win, Melinda! This story is so touching!

Today's Writing Prompt: Slang

Create a slang word and define it.

Thanks to Mike Trippiedi for today's prompt!

Note: I'm getting caught up on naming daily and weekly winners. Be sure to check the upper left sidebar to see if you won!

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Carrie

"Ning-nut" a foolish, ignorant action, usually in grocery store parking lots. Example: Ignoring the up and down arrows on the pavement, backing in and out to insert car in opposite facing space due to extreme laziness.

Congratulations, Carrie! This is a great new term--very evocative of the definition you gave! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: April

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 8/1-8/7.

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

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

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, April! 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: Weak

In what way are you weak?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: radhika92

food with unpronounceable complicated names. every time i see something fascinating on a menu that i can't pronounce/understand, i've just got to try it!

Congratulations on another win, radhika92! I think that's a fantastic weakness. (Can I come eat dinner with you?)

Today's Writing Prompt: Monday

Rename Monday.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Anonymous

Monday is officially All The King's Men day at my house--the day to try to put it all back together again after kids, husband, dog, cat, friends (large and small) have inhabited, improved, put to good use and partially deconstructed the house and our collective soul.

Congratulations, Mr. or Ms. Anonymous! That sounds like a good new name to me. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Strong

In what way are you strong?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Jang-Chub Ozer

Everything is strong in it's own way; just as Superman has his weakness. The Taoists tell us that water is the softest, weakest thing. Yet it breaks down stone. I'm certainly weak as water. I'm also coarse as dirt. So not only am I strong, I'm elemental!

Congratulations, Jang-chub! This is a beautiful piece of writing, and it's witty too! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Ticket

Write about a time you've gotten a ticket from a police officer (or sheriff, etc.) If you've never gotten a ticket, write about how you've avoided it.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Janet

I was two weeks from the due date with my second child, enormously pregnant, and on my way to an ultrasound. My anxiety had me driving with a heavy foot and I was pulled over for going ten over the speed limit.
My hormones and nerves brought on the tears, and the addition of my 2 year old crying and asking, "who is this strange man, mommy?!" had that poor officer scrambling to get rid of us. He couldn't have been kinder to me, and I hope he's never had to suffer through something like that again!

Congratulations on another win, Janet! It sounds like your experience was less traumatic than the officer's!

Today's Writing Prompt: Extracurricular

Write about an extracurricular activity you did when you were growing up, and how it affects (or doesn't affect) your life now. If you didn't do any extracurricular activities, write about what you would have liked to do.

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

I was never the extracurricular type when I was in school. My idea of extracurricular activity was skipping school (especially during my senior year of high school.)

They threatened to deny me a diploma, but when they learned that I spent my skipped days in the public library (reading the classics) and the used bookstore (contemporary), and then I showed up and aced my finals anyway, they had to fork it over.

Congratulations on another win, Ron.! I love your method of "skipping" school.

Today's Writing Prompt: Campaign

Imagine you are running for public office. What will be your primary campaign promise?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Amanda

My campaign promise would be that because I hate "politics" and am just like the average voter, I will listen to the voices in the community to acomplish what really needs to get done. Too many polititians who say that they are for the people are really only out for the money.

Congratulations, Amanda! I like your unique perspective. You just might get my vote! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Memory

Write the earliest memory you can recall.

Thanks to Mike Trippiedi for today's prompt!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Abbey

the earliest memory i have is my grandmother putting me in my carseat and saying "whoopsy daisy!"..she died before i was 18 months old. i always thought i had made it up in my head til i told my mom about it one day adn she said yes that was MY mom! amazing!

Congratulations, Abbey! I found this story charming--and how wonderful to have a memory of your grandmother! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Conspiracy

Create a conspiracy theory to explain an historical event.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Cee Martinez

Was discussing 11:11 today. I figure the Illuminati might favor 1/1/11 to attack. Seeing as they like it. Was noted to me though that they also like 33. So 11/11/11is also a possibility. Next year should be really fun.

Congratulations, Cee Martinez! I'll try to watch my back next January...and next November! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Question

What do you think is the most important question in life?

Thanks to Nofretiri for suggesting today's prompt!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writers: davidseven and Hedgie

davidseven: What time is lunch?

Hedgie: Will there be dessert?

Congratulations, davidseven and Hedgie! I chose two winners because I loved how these consecutive responses worked together. And because I'm hungry.

Sunday Fiction: Salt

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

Friday Fiction (Sunday Fiction this week!) 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: June Calender

The elderly couple, clearly tourists by their shapeless jeans and polyester shirts, came to the small midtown deli for breakfast. They sat at a table outside on the sidewalk; they opened packets of salt and pepper and dumped them on their cantaloupe. Passers-by stopped to watch as they tasted their fruit. "Sure ain't as tasty as our homegrown mushmelon," said the woman.

A curious young man at the next table asked, "What's a mushmelon?"

"Looks like this but it's got a real homey taste," said the man.

"This tastes like a styrofoam cup," said the woman. "Salt'n'pepper don't help much."

A waitress came out with their scrambled eggs and sausage. The man went inside for more packets of salt and pepper. They covered the eggs until more black and white was visible than yellow. A woman eating near by said, "How can you taste your food under all that?"

"These eggs got no taste anyway," said the woman.

"They taste different where you live?" asked the woman.

"Ever'thing tastes different --" said the woman.

The man overlapped, "Better."

"So you don't need salt and pepper when you're home?" the woman asked.

"Oh, sure we do. Salt and pepper's the best part of eating," the man said.

Congratulations on another win, June Calender! The characters in this piece are really enjoyable to read about!

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!



Thanks to everyone who participated in yesterday's prompt (in which I begged for prompt ideas!) It was silver star's idea to do Six Word Saturday, and when I looked it up, I realized it's been about a month, so we're due for 6WS! I also realized I once again forgot to do a Friday Fiction prompt yesterday, so be on the lookout for a fiction prompt tomorrow. And I plan to use some of the other fun ideas that were posted yesterday. You can always send me prompt ideas at cbethblog@gmail.com.

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

First Day, Senior Year- I'm Invisible

Congratulations on another win, For blue skies.! And congratulations on your senior year. I hope you don't still feel invisible!

Today's Writing Prompt: Prompt

What should tomorrow's Writing Prompt be?

By writing it here, you're giving me permission to use it tomorrow or on a future day if I want to. Thanks for the input!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Well, anyone who responded to this one is a winner in my book! But to name an official winner, I'll pick a witty one:
Writer: Hank

Tomorrow's writing prompt should ask what tomorrow's writing prompt should be.

Oh, wait.

Tomorrow's writing prompt should be about an example of recursion.

Congratulations on another win, Hank! This made me smile...once I'd Googled "recursion," that is!

Today's Writing Prompt: Transportation

Write about the type of transportation you hope people are using most in 50 years.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: JenM

Feet. I would like to think we are learning from the gross atrocities we are doing to the earth and to our own health. We need to move our bodies- we need to clean up our atmosphere... Let's strap on some sneakers and walk forward!

Congratulations on another win, JenM! I hope we are indeed using our feet more in 50 years.

Today's Writing Prompt: Necessity

Think about something you enjoy that is not a necessity. How much would you miss it if it were no longer available to you?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: pipsqeek

My ability to perform live music. If this was taken away from me, I'd probably become a vegetable.

Congratulations on another win, pipsqeek! Your passion for your music is inspirational!