Today's Writing Prompt: Athlete

Write about how you felt as a kid when you participated in athletic activities.

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

I was a runner. They always caught me, though, and brought me back home, back to school, back to whatever I was running from.

Congratulations on another win, Ron.! This was a fun take on the prompt.

Today's Writing Prompt: Wall

Write about something hanging on your wall that is special to you.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Mary from the Prairie

Something hanging on my wall that is special to me? My teenage son. I keep him there when he gets particularly on my nerves. He's been hanging there for about six years now. Maybe around, oh, 2013 I'll let him off the hook.

Congratulations on the win, Mary from the Prairie! I'm not even sure how to respond to this...but I enjoyed it! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Friday Fiction: Rules

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

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: June Calender

When I was a young girl a rule said, "Nice girls don't make scenes." I heard it when I attacked my bothersome baby brother and when I threw tantrums that he was favored instead of me. But I learned the rule by the time I went to school. What a nice girl I was! I was 40 before I became a playwright. I worked hard and long to learn to "make scenes". It became not only permissible but absolutely necessary if I wanted to succeed. So I learned. But I had a late start, my succeed was limited. Still in every day life, I usually chose silence when others might make scenes. Once a nice girl, it's damned hard to become a demanding diva.

Congratulations on another win, June Calender! I appreciate your creative take on the prompt.

Today's Writing Prompt: Soap

You have magic soap. What does it wash/clean?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Gigi Sehgal

Nothing. It did nothing. Then when I was about ready to toss it, I noticed the little note that came along with it.
It said "This soap is a zen master, it does nothing. Its purpose is to teach you that, if you want to clean something, do it yourself. Or, learn to accept the dirt and see the beauty in it"

I then went to the store to buy some regular soap.

Congratulations on the win, Gigi Sehgal! I love the response (but I don't think I'll be buying any zen soap!) Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Overnight

Where would you be pleased to find yourself locked up overnight?

Let's keep it family-friendly, folks. :)

Thanks to Nofretiri for today's prompt!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Chantelle van Heerden

Not that I think I can get "locked up" in one, but I would certianly be pleased to find myself inside a pyramid.

Darkness, weird smells and quite a few dead Pharaohs.

Nothing strange about that...

Congratulations on the win, Chantelle! Your response was entertaining (and you're right--not at ALL strange....) Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Hank

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 9/26-10/2.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Hank (Monday's winner)

Prompt: Tie.

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

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.

Hank, that's two One-Minute Writing of the Week wins in a row! Big congrats to you!

Today's Writing Prompt: Wishing on a star

Finish this old rhyme with your own version of the last line:
Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight.
I wish I may, I wish I might...


Note: I thought this was such a fun prompt. And then as I was reading responses this morning, I realized it all sounded familiar. Sure enough...I did this same prompt on May 30, just five months ago. We'll call it an "oldie but goodie"!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: sue carrel
End this week with friendly FRIGHT!

Congratulations on the win, sue carrel! What a cute, appropriate response. I hope your Halloween was happy! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: PR

Athletes are often chasing their next "PR" (Personal Record--e.g., that athlete's fastest marathon time.) What PR would you like to chase (athletic or otherwise)?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Zhongming

My aim is to be able to complete 42km full marathon. The max i ever did is only 10km but then i'm sure i will be able to do it in near future!

Congratulations on another win, Zhongming! This is a great goal--and I just bet you can do it!

Today's Writing Prompt: Make it work

How do you "make it work" (whatever "it" is)?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Jeff D'Antonio

Duct tape and staples. And never ever giving up hope.

Congratulations on another win, Jeff! You sound like a cross between MacGyver and Zig Ziglar. Good advice!

Today's Writing Prompt: Ah-choo!

When someone sneezes, many people say, "Bless you!" or "Gesundheit!" Come up with an alternate response to sneezes.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Cathaber

May the force be with you!

Congratulations on another win, Cathaber! This made me giggle.

Friday Fiction: Chocolate

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

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: lifesmyjourney

He always looked for her at the bus stop. Without appearing to. He was struck by her from the very first time he spotted her but didn't like to show it. There she stood - erect, shiny dark hair, sunglasses and an easy smile. As always.

The bus will arrive in a few minutes, she'll board it and will be gone. His office was walking distance from the stop. He'd never developed the nerve to actually board the bus and attempt a conversation. Somehow, he felt, it would ruin the mystical, magical, magnetic hold this stranger had for him. She was the unachievable craving, he'd like to hold forever in his life.

The bus was late today. She was peering out and simultaneously attempting to check her watch, worried about reaching her destination on time. He was enjoying the additional few minutes of her presence.

He saw the bus too late. She had no chance. Struck and lying on the floor, liquid streaming out of her veins. He stood panic stricken for a moment. Then he roused himself out of his reverie and rushed over to where she lay. An ambulance siren was ringing. Someone must have called 911.
He peered closer at her. Face of an angel, unconscious, bleeding. Bleeding? Was that blood?
It was dark brown, thick and gave out a tantalizing aroma. Chocolate!

Shaking his head, he stared harder at her.

The alarm started to buzz loudly. He woke up, he was grasping the wrapper of his late night snack, from last night.

Congratulations on the win, lifesmyjourney! You built up nice tension in this story. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Clothes

What do the clothes you're wearing now say about you?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: pinkstring

My dirty jeans show that I was in a rush this morning and grabbed something off the floor. My hoodie and t-shirt show that I will not have time between a rugby game and skating practice to get completely changed and this is as close as I can get without wearing my skating clothes all day. And my dirty Converse show that I have been places.

Congratulations on the win, pinkstring! Your response makes me want to know about those places you've been.... Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Bird

If you could become a bird perched in a tree, where would the tree be? What would you want to observe?

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

Would be be a partidge in a pear tree outside Santa's North Pole toy workshop. People would sing my praises constantly. I would be as proud as a peacock.

Congratulations on another win, Ron.! Thanks to your entry, I may be singing that partridge's praises the rest of the day today.

Today's Writing Prompt: Ghostwriter

If you could be a ghostwriter (writing someone else's autobiography for them), for whom would you ghostwrite?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Manisha

Many famous names cross my mind, but then I think of the postman. He must have delivered lot of happiness and dreams to people's homes...seems like things of the past, snail mail being almost out of picture now. Yet, I would like to write about this guy...and also, about other such people who make our lives smooth...like a sweeper, a traffic policeman, medical workers etc.

Congratulations on another win, Manisha! I love htis concept of writing about the lives of "ordinary" public servants. I bet there would be some great stories there!

A note from C. Beth

Hi, One-Minute Writers! I'm not in the habit of writing non-prompt posts for this blog, but I've realized there are times I'd like to connect with you in a way I can't do with the daily prompts. So...hello! I'm C. Beth, and I'm the one behind The One-Minute Writer (TOMW.)

I'd like to start by thanking you for visiting TOMW, for submitting responses, and for sharing this site with others. I love the creativity here!

I'm hoping to make one big change here. I have let myself get so behind on naming daily and weekly winners. You may have noticed that I've been playing catch-up. (Be sure to check the left sidebar to see if your name is there, and browse through September's posts to see the most recent winners.) I know that some of you love the thrill of competition, and I don't want you to have to wait so long to see who wins! So I'm planning to be far more consistent in naming winners once I finish catching up this time.

Please do note that I don't name winners immediately. I want to give you several days to respond to each prompt. So even when I'm staying up-to-date, you'll still need to scroll down the homepage a bit to browse the most recent winners.

There are so many things I'd love to do with this blog...redesign the look, contact every winner individually, keep a database of past winners, etc. But I have many other priorities pulling at me! I have a husband and two kids (The Engineer, Chickie, and Zoodle, who I write about at C. Beth Blog), a new Etsy shop with crocheted hats (why yes, this is a shameless promo for C. Beth Crochet), and many other commitments and interests. So any changes I make around here will be gradual.

But there's one thing that won't change--I love hearing from you! Feel free to email me at cbethblog@gmail.com, or to leave comments on this blog post or any other post. Just make sure I have a way to contact you if you need a response.

Thanks again for participating here, and enjoy the rest of your week!

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Hank

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 9/19-9/25.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Hank (Monday's winner)

Prompt: Book. Write about a book you're currently reading.

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, Hank! 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: What's wrong?

Look around you right now. What's wrong with this picture?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:

Writer: Namine

It's dark outside, way to dark... and there's lots of tension in the air because my lovely neighbour came up to yell at me for wearing high heels so early in the morning. "aguh... high heels, every morning on our bedroom ceiling" which is funny because I haven't worn high heels in two weeks!

Congratulations on another win, Namine! I like this little snippet that sheds light on a relationship in your life.

Today's Writing Prompt: Ruler

If and when you become the Supreme Ruler of the World, who will be your top advisor?

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Designing in Surprise

My cat, who has an unerring eye for phonies and doesn't put up with backtalk from anyone.

Congratulations on the win, Designing in Surprise! I'm glad you've chosen such a wise advisor. 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: Graciegreen

Slowly I slough through hubby's recovery...

Congratulations on another win, Graciegreen! The word "slough" is so evocative. I hope your husband is recovering quickly! Playing the caregiver is a big job.

Friday Fiction: Castle

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

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: Nomadpenguin

I stare at my shoes, noticing for the first time the little string that had come loose. I could only vaguely hear the preacher babbling to itself in the background, for i had retreated into my mind, my castle that nothing could penetrate. My refuge, my home, because a home without you is not a home at all.


He gently sat down beside me. "i am truly sorry about your mother. i just want you to know that she was the most extraordinary person i have ever met" he said. I wanted to kill him. I had to defend my castle. I slapped him in the face, and walked away, confident in my castle's strength.

Congratulations on the win, Nomadpenguin! This story is compelling, and I particularly liked the shoestring detail in the first paragraph. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Lost

Write about a time you lost something.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Zhongming

It tends to happen when I buried myself in work and that I totally lost track of time. But I didn’t lose my soul because I did remember to go home at the end of the day.

Congratulations, Zhongming! I like the contrast between losing track of time and losing (or rather not losing!) your soul.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Kelsey

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 9/12-9/18.

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

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

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, Kelsey! 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 9/5-9/11.

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

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.

*****

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 One-Minute Writing of the Week award, Ron.!

Today's Writing Prompt: Animal

If you could have one skill that a particular animal has, what animal/skill would you choose?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Barb W

I would love to be able to forgive and forget. My beloved Buster is a loving friendly, forgiving guy. It doesn't matter how many times I scold him, he always comes back to me. Wouldn't my life be freeing if I learned how to let go of others' offenses.

Congratulations on the win, Barb! Buster sounds like a great little guy, and I think most of us could learn from him! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Compliment

How do you react when someone compliments you?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Graciegreen

I have in the last months changed my look completely! I have grown out my curly red hair and straightened it. I have a new asymetrical bob! I love it but have been feeling a little unsure about how a nearly 60 year old woman looks in a new mod hairdo...Well, in the grocery store yesterday a young girl I know said,"Your hair cut!!I love it!" I said" Thanks!!!!"

Congratulations on another win, Graciegreen! I really enjoyed the story you told. (And I bet your hair looks cute!)

Today's Writing Prompt: Discovery

Write about a good discovery you've made (big or small!)

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

The discovery that discoveries never need to cease, especially the small ones that make life sparkle and fill in the unrecognized pockets of ignorance. I live in an ecology that is new to me; I constantly discover new things, especially about the sea. But the most wonderful discovery is that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" is a hot of hooey -- I learn new thing on many levels constantly.

Congratulations on another win, June! Your response is beautiful.

Today's Writing Prompt: Lazy

What is your favorite lazy way to spend a day?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: pipsqeek

There's nothing I love more than not mowing my lawn and lazing on the coach with my guitar and some songs to play.

Congratulations on another win, pipsqeek! I have to agree with you, at last with the first part of your response. I make a point of not mowing my lawn every weekend.

Today's Writing Prompt: Who

Answer the owl's question. ("Who?")

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

Who am I going to eat tonight,
mouse or shrew?
Do you know tonight,
what you're going to do?
Who will she be,
or is it he?
Certainly it isn't me.

Congratulations on your second win this week, June Calender! I hope that owl stays away from me....

Friday Fiction: Secret

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

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: J Cosmo Newberry

The Secret

“Can I tell you a little secret?”
Oh, please don’t ask me that;
Am I expected to keep it a secret,
Safely beneath my hat?

A friend, let’s call her Maggie,
Relays secrets with great glee,
She says a secret stays a secret
If you tell no more than three.

She just loves to pass on secrets,
They’re a source of joy to her,
But she is far less understanding
If you spread some dirt on her.

Some people love the juicy gossip
Shared across a wall
But if you have some little secret
Please, don’t tell me at all.

Congratulations on another win, J Cosmo Newberry! This poem is entertaining and insightful.

Today's Writing Prompt: Lie

Write about a time someone told you a lie when you were growing up.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: davidseven

"This will only hurt a bit."

Congratulations on another win, davidseven! And...ouch.

Today's Writing Prompt: Purchase

Write about a purchase you made that was not worth the money.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Nofretiri

The range and variety of cat-toys is simply amazing. Each promises loads of entertainment and hours and hours of joyful play. I'm just a poor 'can-opener', easy to seduce, buying a lot of those magnificent products. And my cats? They gave them a little sniff, with some good luck a few minutes of interest ... and ignored them! Well, obviously they haven't read the advertisement! =^..^=

Congratulations on another win, Nofretiri! I have certainly made the same mistake with my dog. I've learned to give him old plastic food containers to chew on instead of buying him toys he won't use!

Today's Writing Prompt: Blind

Write about what type of "selective blindness" you'd like to have (an inability to see something in particular.)

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

An older friend told me some years ago -- she was in her mid-70s -- that she had literally become blind to her mirror image. She had been a lovely young woman, the aging process was not kind to her. I think of that often when I find I cannot be blind to the mirror, sometimes I wish I were, but most of the time I think it's good to have a firm grasp on what others see who only see the surface.

Congratulations on another win, June Calender! This is a thought-provoking response. Would I want to become blind to my mirror image?

Today's Writing Prompt: Campfire

Write about a memory you have related to a campfire. (If you don't have any such memories, write about any fire-related memory.)

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Angela Marie

Ahhh.... the smell of smoldering wood, the heat of the fire on my face, the stiff feel of cold buns turned away from the fire... I sat there hoping he'd make his way to my side of the circle. I'd saved an upturned log beside me - just in case! The flames leaping between us promised romance.

Congratulations on the win, Angela Marie! I read your response and wanted to know what happened next! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Antique

What item would you prefer to own as an antique, instead of new?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Christine

I have a white cotton smock top which I would love to trade for an antique one.

All that fantastic hand embroidery worked by someon's ancestors. Of course, I'd like to somehow be able to tap into their memories whenever I wore it, but I suppose that's just plain greedy:-)

Congratulations on another win, Christine! Your response made me smile.

Today's Writing Prompt: Saturday

Make up a story about how "Saturday" got its name.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Cathaber

Forget that Greek mythology stuff - it's straightforward. Saturdays are about lazing, sitting around. So one day, someone asked - "what did you do on that first day of the weekend?" and the person questioned replied: "I sat".

Congratulations on the win, Cathaber! Sounds like a good explanation to me! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: China

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 8/29-9/4.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: China (Monday's winner)

Prompt: Forget. What would you like to forget?

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, China! 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.

Friday Fiction: Interview

Write a brief bit of fiction about an interview, or write the transcript of a brief, fictional interview.

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

I stared into the flickering flame of the electric candle and watched the small light bounce off the fabric of the fake pink rose next to it. 'How did I get talked into this?' I wondered. I hated interviewing! Reaching up, I smoothed back a lock of hair that had fallen from my ponytail holder and smiled sarcastically at my friend down the way.

He sat down across from me. The table separating us was narrow and he kicked my leg while trying to settle himself. His apology was quick, but I found myself drawn in by the quicker blushing of his young face. His smooth skin, dark hair and deep eyes. His clean hands and prominent chest muscles.

Picking up the small clipboard, I checked the box "will see again" next to the name that matched his badge. Maybe speed dating wouldn't be so bad.

Congratulations on another win, Heather! Your response was a fun take on an interview.