Today's Writing Prompt: Dance

Write about a memory you have that involves dancing.

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

The July night was warm but a breeze touched the trees beyond the big stone terrace of the Student Union where a square dance was being held. Keith was a dance friend, not a boyfriend. When the caller took a break someone put on a record of a polka. We were the only ones who danced, whirling under the quarter moon like passionate Poles in a frenzy of twenty-year old delight. I whirled straight into an adrenaline high; ecstasy that lasted like an aura for two days and is still a sparkling memory fifty years later.

Congratulations on another win, June! What a great memory!

Today's Writing Prompt: Teach

Write about a time someone asked you to teach them something.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Divenita

somebody asked me how to make others smile.
It was a hilarious situation for me.
I did not know what to teach them though.
But yes, i said "Ask such innocent qs, people will defnitely smile"

Congratulations on another win, Divenita! That's such a charming story!

Today's Writing Prompt: Can't

We often hear, "You can do anything if you just try hard enough." But I think we all know it's not really true. (My short, 33-year-old self would never play basketball in the WNBA, even if I tried really hard.) What's one thing you can't do...even if you try?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Sophie

Here's a double negative for you: I can't not dance. It doesn't matter how simple or silly the music is. If it's playing, I won't be standing or sitting still, because I can't. I have to move. It's almost like some kind of compulsive disorder... one that makes me look like an nut at the grocery store...

Congratulations on another win, Sophie! I like the thought of you dancing through the grocery store.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Janet

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 2/27-3/5.

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

Prompt: Worth. Write about something that was more trouble than it was worth.

I love summer and the fresh grown tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers, and herbs that I get to harvest out of my garden. A couple of years ago I thought it was time to try something new and chose broccoli, because I knew the kids would eat it.
I picked out the healthiest little broccoli plants I could find, planted them, and lovingly cared for them. We were all so excited as we watched it grow. Until something ate it. Some aphid, or caterpillar, or chipmunk, or rabbit. Whatever it was, it was a demon-varmint from hell and it ravaged the broccoli.
I could have just bought some dang broccoli for $1.99.

Congratulations, Janet! 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: Based on...

If someone were to write a book or movie "based on the true story" of your life, http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifwhat details do you hope they'd change?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Graciegreen

If someone were to write a movie based on the true story of my life, that writer would have to change the fact that my personal courage does not extend to adventuring of any kind. I do not jump out of planes, ride camels or repel! Please add a little excitement to my story...

Congratulations on another win, Graciegreen! Now...get out there and ride a camel.

Today's Writing Prompt: Trend

Write about a trend from the past that you hope will recur.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Melinda

I would love to see the big hair from the late 80's and early 90's come back. We really didn't do enough during that time to completely obliterate the ozone and I think we best take another whack at that.

Also, I would like to see sarcasm come into style...then I could be stylish for once in my life.

Congratulations on another win, Melinda! I find your sarcasm to be quite stylish!

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!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

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

Spring was here - now it isn't.

Call Me Cate, you are the brains behind Six Word Saturday, and I'm happy to give you today's award! I think many of us can relate to this prompt this time of year.

Friday Fiction: Tea

Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "Tea."http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

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

Misplaced Infusiasm

Tea drinkers are a diverse lot:
Jigglers, danglers and ceramic pots.
Some love to stew
Their herbal brew
While others would definitely not.

Some opt for China cups with class,
While others sip it from a glass.
There’s a profusion
Of different infusions,
The majority tasting like grass.

The purveyors of the dried leaf
Instil in their followers a belief
That the polyphenolics
Will make the tea-oholic’s
Stay on this planet quite long, not brief.

Thus buoyed with herbal enthusiasm
For their drug’s medicinal infusiasm
They look rather silly
As they gild the lily
And just add to the dietary confusiasm.

With a certainty that usually rankles
We are told, tea when drunk by the tank’ll,
Cure all known ills,
The pox and the chills,
And the spots that appear on your ankles.

Tea drinking has many who employ it
And, as a ritual, I’ve no wish to destroy it.
There’s a reason, I agree,
For partaking in tea:
You do it because you enjoy it.

Congratulations on another win, J Cosmo! You once again won me over with your witty poetry!

Today's Writing Prompt: Filming

What television show's filming would you like to watch? (While we're imagining, I'll throw in a tour of the set!)

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

For me it would have to be "Mad Men." Taking place in the early 1960's, I was around the same age as the daughter of the leading character and from what I remember of that time period, the creators of that show have recaptured that era perfectly.

It's not always pretty to watch, but it's smart, which is more than you can say about a lot of television these days.

Congratulations on another win, Mike! Sounds like a fun way to take a trip back in time.

Today's Writing Prompt: Over

"I just want it to be over."

What makes you feel this way, right now?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Cathaber

One word - war.

Congratulations on another win, Cathaber. Sometimes it just takes a few words to say what's really important.

Today's Writing Prompt: Second chance

Write about someone or something that you've given a second chance.http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Sophie

Perhaps you've been abandoned, or maybe you never really had a home. But you want to be loved, and you follow me, calling to me in dulcet tones. If only I could take you in! But the least I can do is find someone who will. You don't deserve to sleep under our house, sweet little black cat, or to dig through our trash can; you deserve a family, and a second chance.

(Praying that someone will take care of the poor guy after we take him in to the local no-kill shelter this weekend!)

Congratulations on another win, Sophie. What a sweet response! I hope someone rescued the poor kitty.

Today's Writing Prompt: Spring

Yesterday was the official first day of spring (in the northern hemisphere!) Write a brief letter to Spring.

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

Hey, come-on, Spring, stop the flirting and teasing. Be a big girl, a few spitting snow flakes aren't putting a damper on my ardor for you. I've seen your promise of crocuses and a few fat buds on the rhodies. This is not time for coyness. I'm ready to strip off my coat an sweather and maybe more for you, my shoes and socks, certainly, let me tickle my toes in your green grasses. Come-on, Love, let me embrace you in all your natural glory.

Congraulations on another win, June! I hope spring has responded to your wonderful letter.

Today's Writing Prompt: Self Portrait

You are going to draw, paint, or sculpt a self portrait. What will you be doinghttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif in the portrait? It should be an action that represents who you are.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Heather

She watched as the man took in the figure of the woman. The sculpted dress hung to her ankles, movement evident in the words that flowed around the hem. Looking closely, he recognized the quotes from some well-known and some obscure books. He followed the words up the seem to the nape of her bent neck,the line of her neck to her jaw, and then her eyes. The lids were half closed, her eyes focused on the locket in her raised hands. Inside the locket were a small boy and girl.

Congratulations on another win, Heather! I love the idea of words flowing in your dress.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Ms. B

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 2/20-2/26.

One-Minute Writing of the Week:
Writer: Ms. B (Saturday's winner)

Prompt: Profession. What would you want your profession to be if you lived in the 1800s?

I'd have been a long hunter called Grizzly Smith. I'd have cut a road west before DAniel Boone. I'd have paddled the rivers of the NW before Lewis and Clark. Grand Canyon would have been my discovery. And when they laid me to rest, the undertaker would have taken a surprised look, scratched his head and said, "By damn, he's a woman."

Congratulations, Ms. B! 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: Revise

Revision is important for writers, but sometimes we wish we could revise real life. Thing of something that you did recently and how you'd like to revise it.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: beverleym

Revise the moment I told my mom I couldn't eat the cake she'd made me with love and joy in her heart.

Revision: "Thank you, Mom! My favorite! What an awesome thought." Then take the cake to school for the students to enjoy, me staying true to my diet and my mom feeling the joy of giving me something.

Congratulations on another win, beverleym! I think your hindsight shows your sensitivity. I'm sure your mom appreciates that!

Friday Fiction: Country

Write a brief bit of fiction using the prompt "Country."
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
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: Sophie

Silence.

Milo had never really understood what that meant. Silence in Portisburg was only as close as one could get to white noise. Now, it was as real and as stifling as the heat that beat down relentlessly from the cloudless blue. She had abandoned the air-conditioned cab of the disabled moving van for a look around, but it almost wasn't worth it. Ahead and behind, a single dirt road stretched to the horizon. In all directions, the land spread out flat, as if crushed by the weight of summer. Not a single blade of grass wavered in the stagnant air. Worst of all, as far as she could see, this entire country was devoid of life...

Congratulations on the win, Sophie! Your response is so sad and beautiful. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Skywriter

You have an airplane that can do skywriting. What message will it write across the sky today?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Divenita

"Forget the mistakes of yesterday
and do a new one today"

Congratulations on the win, Divenita! This gave me a smile! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Letter

You have one minute to write a letter to an author you admire. What does your letter say?

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

Dear Dr Seuss:

I think your books are really hot.
I read your books an awful lot.
The ink is black on pages white.
I think your books are out of sight.
I keep them all here on a shelf. At night I read them to myself.
I do not read them in the dark.
I do not read them on an Ark.
I read them once, then read them twice.
I think your books are really nice.
They're really nice! They're really nice!
They're really, really, really nice.

Your Pal,
Ron.

For witty Ron., another win!
For readers here, another grin!

Today's Writing Prompt: Water

Write about a childhood memory you have that involves water.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: beverleym

The ocean crashes onto the shore. Waves tumbling and roaring....but beyond the crashing waves I bob in the swells. The water, up to my chin, gently rocking me. Softly my toes touch the sandy bottom...bounce, bounce as the seaweed swishes around me. Gently bounce.

Congratulations on the win, beverleym! Your response was so peaceful that I sighed contentedly when I finished reading it. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Share

Write about one thing you like to share and one thing you don't like to share.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Cathaber

I like to share my stories. I don't like to share my bad habits (so of course I can't tell you what they are).

Congratulations on another win, Cathaber! I like it when you share your stories too.

Today's Writing Prompt: Spring forward

Many of us had to "spring forward" overnight when Daylight Savings Time stahttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifrted. What would you like to "spring forward" into?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Neurotic Workaholic

I'd like to spring forward to the day when I know whether or not the date I went on yesterday will turn into anything more.

Congratulations on the win, Neurotic Workaholic! I like responses like this, that have a story behind them. It makes me want to hear more. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Genre

A movie is being made of your life. What genre is it?http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Nofretiri

It's going to be a Masala Movie. Masala originally means 'a mixture of spices', but it's also used for Bollywood movies. Every typical Indian movie is a mixture some drama, love, action, lost, family ... just like my life.

Congratulations on another win, Nofretiri! I like this idea of a "Masala movie."

Friday Fiction: Spotlight

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

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: Stretching My Imagination

He squinted, watching the glare off the computer in the otherwise dark room. There was nothing to do, couldn't be avoided. The outline had been sent in, plans accepted. The figurative "camera" had started, the spotlight was on. Time to get going. In front of hundreds and in front of no one at the same time. Odd thing this project. Glancing at his notes, he began welcoming all the unknowns out there. Introduce the topic, hope that some of them were actually listening, actually had their pre-distributed course materials in front of them, and were watching their screens rather than muting the whole thing out and surfing the web. Maybe they felt "interactive," but it seemed the least interactive form of teaching he'd ever done - worse than one of the lecture classes in the echoing halls that were dreaded by teacher and student alike. While there may have been good reasons to start these types of classes, he couldn't come up with a single one at this moment.

The welcome was over, and he started the material, talking to himself like a dolt and trying to reach out into the ether beyond. Maybe some of the unknowns would actually participate with questions and discussion as he went on. But somehow he doubted it.

Congratulationa on another win, Stretching My Imagination! What an interesting view of online education.

Today's Writing Prompt: Talent trade

Imagine you can immediately develop a new talent...but you have to give up a talent you currently have. What talent will you get, and what will you give up?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Toulcool

Would someone trade his talent in singing or drawing with my unique talent to sweat on my bald forefront in any delicate situation?

Congratulations on the win, Toulcool! What an offer. I'm waiting to see if you get any takers.... Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Learn

Write about something you've learned in the last week.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: davidseven

Never fry bacon in the nude.

'nuff said.

Ouch, davidseven. (And congrats.)

Today's Writing Prompt: Fail

Write about a funny failure you've experienced.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Deanna Z

My very cute little niece came over and wanted a snack. I ended up making her cinnamon toast. I proudly put it in front of her causing her to excitedly pick up the first piece and take a large bite. She spit it out immediately. In trying to prove to her it was fine, I took a bite. Yuck! Paprika should not be substituted for cinnamon.

Congratulations on another win, Deanna Z! This made me laugh out loud. Although if my sugar craving was bad enough, I MIGHT eat it....

Today's Writing Prompt: Passion

Write about something you used to have a passion for, but no longer do.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Graciegreen

When I was younger, before husband and children laundry and housework I painted. My pictures were of old people with character and of emaciated women, so popular in the 60's. I painted on canvas, wood, doors, metal with dark colors and passion...

Congratulations on another win, Graciegreen! I just love the phrase "with dark colors and passion." I'm glad you have other passions now--your children, your writing, etc. I hope one day you can also get back to painting!

Today's Writing Prompt: Half

When is half enough?

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: welsh

It doesn't matter when half is enough, because when half is enough, it becomes a whole.

Congratulations on the win, welsh! Your response really resonated with other readers. (See the comments below.) Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: quenntis

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 2/13-2/19.

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

Prompt: Crazy. What makes you crazy?
Going crazy makes me crazy because I give control over to that thing that makes me crazy in the first place and I hate losing control of myself unless it’s a good kind of crazy the kind of crazy my wife makes me or a good song makes me or an excellent movie or book or conversation makes me because I’m crazy about life in the best of senses and even in the worst of times and especially when my muse hits me over the head with her word-mallet until I see poems where stars are supposed to be.

Congratulations, ~quenntis~! 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: Ignorance

Complete this thought: I am ignorant regarding...

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Raejean

I'm ignorant when it comes to gardening. If I had to live off what I could grow, I'd loose a lot of weight!

Congratulations on another win, Raejean! I love this--I'd be starving right along with you if my sustenance depended on gardening. (Unless I could eat weeds....)

Friday Fiction: Explorer

Write a brief bit of fiction using the "Explorer."

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

Roderick wasn't the first to climb Chumolari but no one had done it since 1937. That guy, Chapman by name, had done it without oxygen -- because they didn't have tanked oxygen back then -- and with only one sherpa. Roderick had left his sherpas base camp at 20,000 feet. He would climb the next 7,000 alone. It would be easier because much of the glacier covering was melting. He was equipped with camera and phone and GPS. This was a new kind of mountaineering. He would report what the glacier had left behind.

The second day he left the tent so he could return to it and began up the moraine that had been glacier covered until recently. As he picked his way between the rocks he noticed a putrid smell. Some dead animal but he didn't see the vultures he would have expected. Then he came to a whitish furry mass. It reeked but all the flesh had been eaten away, He poked it into shape -- what was it? Not a blue sheep? Not a snow leopard, not a bear ... Suddenly he knew: a yeti! He photographed it, called base camp and reported the exact location. The wind blew putrid scents from further up. Within four hours he had discovered a yeti graveyard, dozens of the beasts. He would be famous.

Congratulations on another win, June! I had such a sense of anticipation reading this.

Today's Writing Prompt: Minority

Write about a belief or conviction you hold that puts you in the minority.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Hank Greer

Hmm...a conviction that puts me in the minority. Let me get one thing straight here. I was never convicted.

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

Today's Writing Prompt: Worth

Write about something that was more trouble than it was worth.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Janet

I love summer and the fresh grown tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers, and herbs that I get to harvest out of my garden. A couple of years ago I thought it was time to try something new and chose broccoli, because I knew the kids would eat it.
I picked out the healthiest little broccoli plants I could find, planted them, and lovingly cared for them. We were all so excited as we watched it grow. Until something ate it. Some aphid, or caterpillar, or chipmunk, or rabbit. Whatever it was, it was a demon-varmint from hell and it ravaged the broccoli.
I could have just bought some dang broccoli for $1.99.

Congratulations on another win, Janet! I had to laugh at your last line. Makes me glad I'm not a gardener!

Today's Writing Prompt: Humble

Write about someone you know/knew who is/was humble.

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Deanna Z

He is humble as he leaves every morning for a long day. His body aches and doesn't want to cooperate with what he has to do to support his family. He never leaves without a kiss, hug, and "I love you" to all of us. He says he smiles because no matter how rough his day might be, he gets to come home to us.

Congratulations on the win, Deanna Z! You've got a good guy there! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.