Today's Writing Prompt: Paper bag

Before my daughter's first day of school, the teacher gave each student a small, brown, paper lunch bag. They were each instructed to come to school the first day with one special item in the bag--something they wanted to show the rest of their class.

If you had to bring something special in a paper lunch bag to show to a new group of peers tomorrow, what would it be?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

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

I would take a mini quilt that I made not long ago which has a picture of Emily Dickinson, one of her short poems and is made of fabric selvages; thus showing others my love of literature, especially women's writing, my love quilting and my inherent frugality.

Congratulations on another win, June! I love what the quilt says about you. 

Today's Writing Prompt: Fix-it

Write about a time you fixed something.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Janet 


When I was in high school, our refrigerator quit. Buying a new one was not an option, so it had to be fixed. My dad was away and my mom did not want to pay for a repairman. We drove around town and located a motor that would fit our fridge. We didn't really know exactly what we were doing, but we pulled out the old motor and replaced it with a new one. The feeling we had when we plugged that fridge back in and heard it hum to life is one I will never forget. I learned two things that day: that I am capable of more than I might think I am, and that I might as well attempt to fix things, because if I fail, I can always call that repairman later.

Congratulations on another win, Janet! I've had that type of experience too. (With us, it was a dryer.) I gained a lot of confidence just like you did!

Today's Writing Prompt: Sense

Which of the five senses evokes the strongest memories in you?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Jayadhara

Whenever I hear the sound of a goods train at night, it reminds me of when I was a little girl. I would be lying in bed in the dead of night and thinking of the years to come. Would I get married ? What would my husband be like ? Would I get to travel? How many children would I bring into the world ? And in the distance the train would be chugging along the tracks, blowing its whistle softly as it came through the country town crossing.

Congratulations on another win, Jayadhara! I love your description of the train's sounds, and of your reaction to them.

Today's Writing Prompt: Re-read

Write about a book you've read that you would like to read again.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Crafty Green Poet

I have two shelves of books that I've enjoyed enough to want to re-read. I think top of the list though would be The Book Thief by Marcus Zuszak, such a wonderfully moving novel.

Congratulations on another win, CGP! Your response intrigued me enough that I looked up the novel on Amazon! 

Weekly Mister Linky: 8/28-9/3

If you respond to a prompt on your own website/blog this week, feel free to link here! And you're also welcome to use this week's Mister Linky if you write a blog post about The One-Minute Writer.

How to use Mister Linky:

1. Enter your name, and let us know which day's prompt you're responding to (e.g., "Beth Monday").
2. If your prompt contains adult language or content, please put an "M" after your name and the day (e.g., "Beth Monday M").
3. Enter the URL of the actual post that you want people to visit--not your blog or website's home page! ("http://cbethblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/one-minute-writer-response.html" would be correct; "http://cbethblog.blogspot.com" would not.)
4. You may link multiple times throughout the week if you respond to multiple prompts.
5. No need to leave a comment after linking (despite what the widget says!)
   

Has your link been deleted? This tool is not for sharing links to your blog unless your blog post is related to today's prompt, or you've blogged about The One-Minute Writer. I want the links to stay on-topic. Thanks for understanding!

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Tish

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 8/7-8/13.

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

Prompt: Self-serve. Write about something that is "self-serve" and how you feel about it.

Volunteerism is self-serving. Of course, we don't see it that way when we give our gifts to someone else or some organization. It's only later, in our quiet moments that we realize the benefit was totally to us!

Congratulations, Tish! 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: 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!

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

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

Spent the day watching for Irene.


Congratulations on another win, Cate! I'm glad Irene's visit to you wasn't too bad.

Friday Fiction: Pepper

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

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 don't generally take the length of the post into account when I name a Friday winner.

Click on the "Friday Fiction" tag beneath the post to see more examples of Friday Fiction writings.
If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Gingerlily

Eldridge put pepper, salt and butter on his grits, not sugar and milk. “Damn Yankees” used sugar, sissifying grits into something akin to rice pudding. Eldridge’s grits stood up proud like Bald Mountain with a buttery lava core and flecked like a coon hound with zesty black pepper. On Saturdays, he would arise as usual at dawn but added to the sunny side up eggs sizzled in sausage grease, grits and Jimmy Dean’s a toast, splashing vodka into his morning orange juice from his stash under the front seat of the silver blue, ’62 Chevy impala.

Congratulations on the win, Gingerlilly! I love this charming response!  

Today's Writing Prompt: Forgot

Write about something you forgot.

My entry: I forgot to set up today's writing prompt yesterday--and just now realized it!

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Michelle @ The True Book Addict 

I forgot to turn the water off while filling up the tub. Pretty soon there was water everywhere. We had to row out in a canoe!

True or False?

Congratulations on another win, Michelle! Unfortunately I've flooded the bathroom in this way twice! No canoes required though.... 

Today's Writing Prompt: Book/Movie

Reflect on a book you've read and a movie that was based on it.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Staci 

I remember reading The Dead Zone by Stephen King. I really got into it.
I remembered reading a particularly descriptive part when someone came along and tapped me on the shoulder. I let out a scream that scared the dickens out of both of us. Then the movie came along...It didn't scare me or give me the tingles. I was utterly disappointed.

Congratulations on another win, Staci! I like your description of being so deliciously frightened while reading the book. Too bad the movie didn't match up.

Today's Writing Prompt: Like

What is something you're a little ashamed to admit that you like?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: HH

I like to take a stick of Kit Kat, bite both the ends off, and then suck coffee through it like a straw until the whole thing starts to melt. Then I eat it before it all falls into my coffee and ruins everything.

Nothing to be ashamed of I guess, except I particularly like doing it in cafés because it makes my husband uncomfortable (another of my guilty pleasures). At 46 you'd think I would know better, eh? :-)

Congratulations on the win, HH! What a great idea--I may need to try that tomorrow! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: First day

Today's prompt is a personal one. It's my daughter's first day of kindergarten. What is the best piece of advice you could give me or her?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

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

1) If you're going to eat fresh raw veggies, make sure they're well washed first.
2) Never say anything bad about another person unless you would say it to their face. They will hear about what you said.
3) Don't be an idiot.

Congratulations on another win, Ron.! I'd say that's good advice for me and my daughter.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Roderick

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 7/31-8/6.

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

Prompt: Rivalry. Write about sibling rivalry you have experienced or observed.

I was a middle child and I fiendishly learned to navigate through sibling rivalries by deftly pitting my siblings against each other. That learned art of strategic misdirection is, with typing, one of the two crucial skills I learned in my youth

Congratulations, Roderick! 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: Twice

What makes you think twice?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Crafty Green Poet

good poetry makes me think twice. or rather makes me read twice and then think twice. there is so much more to discover beneath the surface of good poetry (or literature of any kind really!)

Congratulations on another win, CGP! Your love for good writing really comes through in this response.

Weekly Mister Linky: 8/21-8/27

If you respond to a prompt on your own website/blog this week, feel free to link here! And you're also welcome to use this week's Mister Linky if you write a blog post about The One-Minute Writer.

How to use Mister Linky:

1. Enter your name, and let us know which day's prompt you're responding to (e.g., "Beth Monday").
2. If your prompt contains adult language or content, please put an "M" after your name and the day (e.g., "Beth Monday M").
3. Enter the URL of the actual post that you want people to visit--not your blog or website's home page! ("http://cbethblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/one-minute-writer-response.html" would be correct; "http://cbethblog.blogspot.com" would not.)
4. You may link multiple times throughout the week if you respond to multiple prompts.
5. No need to leave a comment after linking (despite what the widget says!)
   

Has your link been deleted? This tool is not for sharing links to your blog unless your blog post is related to today's prompt, or you've blogged about The One-Minute Writer. I want the links to stay on-topic. Thanks for understanding!

Today's Writing Prompt: Antidote

Think of a poisonous problem you observe in the world. What is the antidote?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!  

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Staci


Antidote to early debt- credit card companies should not make it so easy for college students without jobs to get a card. Young people should be taught how to manage their money, what FICO and credit scores are etc early in life.

Congratulations on another win, Staci! I love your practical antidote!

Friday Fiction: Rows

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

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 don't generally take the length of the post into account when I name a Friday winner.

Click on the "Friday Fiction" tag beneath the post to see more examples of Friday Fiction writings.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Staci

Stefanie scanned the rows of people bustling about in Mc Arthur Airport. She hadn't seen her twin sister, Stefania since she moved to Los Angeles two years ago. Stefanie was anxious about their impending meeting.

"Stefanie! I'm here!"

A tall, curvy, red haired woman waved enthusiastically at her. Stefanie turned around, puzzled.

"It's me! What's wrong with you?"
Stefania smiled. "Just a little plastic surgery...you like?

"Let's get your bags and we'll talk about it."

Congratulations on another win, Staci! I'd be pretty freaked out if my twin sister altered her entire appearance!

Rules of Civility: The Words Will Woo You

I recently read a delicious new novel called Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. If you enjoy the beauty of language, this is your type of book. I'll be honored if you read my review (for BlogHer Book Club), linked below. As always, comments are welcome!

Rules of Civility: The Words Will Woo You

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book, plus a small stipend for writing an honest review.

Today's Writing Prompt: Surprise

What types of surprises do you like, or dislike?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

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

I generally don't like surprises but, occasionally, at work, soemthing goes right. I like that.

Congratulations on another win, Ron.! Hope you're having a surprising week at work.

Today's Writing Prompt: Special

Write about a special object you like to use (for instance, a special coffee cup.)

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Curly-T

I get very easily attached to objects. For over 8 years, my husband and I have been using one non-stick skillet from Walmart, even though I was given a complete set of All-Clad cookware for a wedding gift. But this skillet - we bought it while we were dating, for us to cook on when we fixed meals together in his dorm room.... The sad thing is, he wants to replace it now for a new non-stick with a lid to better cook his over-easy eggs in the morning. I think this old skillet I love will have to become part of a "vintage kitchen" art display I want to put on my wall.

Congratulations on another win, Curly-T! I love the sentiment of wanting to keep using that skillet!

Today's Writing Prompt: Priorities

Write about one way in which your priorities have changed in the last five years.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Divenita

5 years ago (i was 19):
My priority:
1. Friends
2. Social Work
3. Job and other passions
4. Family

Now:
1. Job and other passions
2. Family
3. Social Work
4. Friends

Its weird how priorities change. Ask me 5 years down the line, it would be rearranged.

Congratulations on another win, Divenita! I found your list intriguing, and I too would be interested to see what the list looks like in five years!

Today's Writing Prompt: Let go

When (if ever) do you really "let go"?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Sara_Ortiz

It's really hard for me to let go. I have so many unfinished things that I'm constantly looking for that-thing-I-didn't-finish. But when I'm outside and there's clouds in the sky I can look up at them and imagine that this is all I need in the world. For a split second, I'm floating on that cloud...

And then my unfinished things drag me back to Earth.

Congratulations on the win, Sara! I love the way you put this. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Today's Writing Prompt: Review

Write a one-minute review of the most recent book you read.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Danielle

I recently read "Before I Go To Sleep" by SJ Watson. It's about this amnesiac who forgets everything about the day when she falls asleep at night, and in the morning she has to be told again by her husband who she is and why she can't remember anything. She starts keeping a journal, and reads it every day and starts remembering more and more. It's a lot more complex than that, has more twists than a winding road, but I don't want to give too much away if you decide to read it for yourself. I absolutely loved the novel!

Congratulations on the win, Danielle! Your review made me interested in reading this book. Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Weekly Mister Linky: 8/14-8/20

If you respond to a prompt on your own website/blog this week, feel free to link here! And you're also welcome to use this week's Mister Linky if you write a blog post about The One-Minute Writer.

How to use Mister Linky:

1. Enter your name, and let us know which day's prompt you're responding to (e.g., "Beth Monday").
2. If your prompt contains adult language or content, please put an "M" after your name and the day (e.g., "Beth Monday M").
3. Enter the URL of the actual post that you want people to visit--not your blog or website's home page! ("http://cbethblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/one-minute-writer-response.html" would be correct; "http://cbethblog.blogspot.com" would not.)
4. You may link multiple times throughout the week if you respond to multiple prompts.
5. No need to leave a comment after linking (despite what the widget says!)
   

Has your link been deleted? This tool is not for sharing links to your blog unless your blog post is related to today's prompt, or you've blogged about The One-Minute Writer. I want the links to stay on-topic. Thanks for understanding!

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Melinda

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 7/24-7/30.

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

Prompt: From. Where are you from? (Extra points if you answer this with something other than a simple location.)

I grew up in Hockeytown,
to the sounds of a goal horn.

I was raise in Motown;
where the dance floors are all worn.

I am part of the Motor City
and automobiles the city has born.

I moved out of the Big D
and now live among rows of corn.

But my heart remains with Detroit,
the city so many scorn.

Congratulations, Melinda! 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: Cereal

In past decades, cereal boxes had toys inside like Magic Decoder Rings. What special "extra" should 21st century cereal boxes include?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

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

I think every box of cereal, and every "Happy Meal," and every package of fresh veggies, etc etc should contain a "chill pill," that would incline those who ingest it toward World Peace.

Congratulations on another win, Ron.! That chill pill sounds great.

Friday Fiction: A.S.R.

Write a brief bit of fiction using the abbreviation "A.S.R." You decide what the letters stand for!

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 don't generally take the length of the post into account when I name a Friday winner.

Click on the "Friday Fiction" tag beneath the post to see more examples of Friday Fiction writings.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

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

Jack quickly opened the email from Penny. All caps, it said, "YOU HAVE ONLY TO ASR, PENNY" He stared at it a several minutes. What did she mean? What was ASR? Answer? But he didn't ask a question. Jack had hint at his question to her yesterday when they spent the afternoon talking. He wanted to ask her to marry him but they had known each other only a month, was it too soon? What were her feelings? He had been rejected more than once in his life, he couldn't bear another rejection just now. She had been sweet, but a little baffled, he thought. And now she baffled him with ASR. Finally he could stand it no longer, he replied, "What is ASR?" Eventually she answered, "ASR is a typo. I meant ASK. So ASK, JACK, ASK ME" He didn't type a reply, he phoned and asked and she said yes.

Congratulations on another win, June! This is a sweet story.

Today's Writing Prompt: Food

What food perfectly represents who you are?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Graciegreen

Coconut cake,homemade, not from a mix. Frosted with buttercream, sprinkled with hand shaved coconut. Yes, this food represents me perfectly. I am a homespun homebody who is getting fluffier as the years go by...or as my grandkids say "Granny, You are so fluffery!"

Congratulations on another win, Graciegreen! Now...are you sharing that coconut cake?

Today's Writing Prompt: Phrase

What is a phrase you find yourself saying repeatedly?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: jayadhara

Oh for pity's sake!! That's my catchphrase at work. I work in a very congested work space where swearing is a no-no so whenever anyone hears me saying this, they know I'm really cheesed off :-) it's got to the point where if something bad happens my friend at the next work space says to me: I think I can hear a pity's sake coming on.

Congratulations on another win, jayadhara! I smile thinking about your coworkers predicting your "pity's sake!"

Today's Writing Prompt: Future

An old song said, "The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades."http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Rewrite the lyrics, filling in the blanks:
"The future's so _________, I gotta __________."

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Graciegreen

"The future's so far away, I gotta just love today."

Congratulations on another win, Graciegreen! I like the sentiment--and you get extra points for rhyming!

Today's Writing Prompt: Organize

What do you need to organize?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Anita

I need to organize my thoughts. As a work toward a freelance career, (writing and providing administrative support) I find my mind wandering on all the "if's", "and's", and "but's". The "To-Do" piles in my head are starting to scatter and jumble.

Congratulations on another win, Anita! I think when our thoughts are organized, the rest of our lives (at least somewhat) follows suit.

Weekly Mister Linky: 8/7-8/13

If you respond to a prompt on your own website/blog this week, feel free to link here! And you're also welcome to use this week's Mister Linky if you write a blog post about The One-Minute Writer.

How to use Mister Linky:

1. Enter your name, and let us know which day's prompt you're responding to (e.g., "Beth Monday").
2. If your prompt contains adult language or content, please put an "M" after your name and the day (e.g., "Beth Monday M").
3. Enter the URL of the actual post that you want people to visit--not your blog or website's home page! ("http://cbethblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/one-minute-writer-response.html" would be correct; "http://cbethblog.blogspot.com" would not.)
4. You may link multiple times throughout the week if you respond to multiple prompts.
5. No need to leave a comment after linking (despite what the widget says!)
   

Has your link been deleted? This tool is not for sharing links to your blog unless your blog post is related to today's prompt, or you've blogged about The One-Minute Writer. I want the links to stay on-topic. Thanks for understanding!

Today's Writing Prompt: Self-serve

Write about something that is "self-serve" and how you feel about it.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Tish

Volunteerism is self-serving. Of course, we don't see it that way when we give our gifts to someone else or some organization. It's only later, in our quiet moments that we realize the benefit was totally to us!

Congratulations on another win, Tish! What a great attitude about volunteering!

Today's Writing Prompt: Younger/Older

Write about a way in which you seem younger than you really are, and a way in which you seem older.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Tish

Young me sleeps with a stuffed rabbit when I'm sad, blows the car horn going under an old bridge and can't resist walking through leaf piles.

Old me hangs my laundry on the line, takes naps and buys a daily newspaper.

How old am I? (54!)

Congratulations on the win, Tish! I think I like young you...and old you! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

Friday Fiction: Reptile

Write a brief bit of fiction involving a reptile.

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 don't generally take the length of the post into account when I name a Friday winner.

Click on the "Friday Fiction" tag beneath the post to see more examples of Friday Fiction writings.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

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

"Oh, my God, what IS that thing?" Lili was riding a long nosed boat along the River Kwai on the way to a resort. The "thing" looked like a dragon, bigger than any lizard she had ever seen, dark colored with a long sinew
us tail.

"A piece of wood," the woman sitting next to her said. "Nothing to be afraid of."

But it moved. It turned its head and tiny, half-hooded black eyes gazed at the boat.

"What IS it?" Lili screamed in the ear of the pilot who seemed to be deafened by the roar of the motor.

He glanced at it nonchalantly and said a word in Thai. No help at all but he seemed totally unconcerned, maybe it wasn't dangerous.

No one cold tell her what it was and she slept badly that night imagining it coming into the thatch roofed cabin and attacking her. For years she wouldn't even eat Thai food after that, maybe they cooked the thing.

Only years later did a biologist friend explain that it was called a water monitor, a kind of lizard, entirely harmless. Well, Lili thought, not harmless, it invaded my dreams, it still comes at me some nights. And I can never go to Thai restaurants with my friends.

Congratulations on another win, June! I saw a monitor at a pet store the other day. I can see why a tourist would be traumatized seeing one in the wild!

Today's Writing Prompt: Once

What should everyone do at least once?

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Seed

Say NO just once and mean it. Say it with confidence (even if none is felt) and gain independence from the oppressive. Free yourself.

Congratulations on the win, Seed! I love this advice! Feel free to put a One-Minute Writer WINNER! button on your blog.

One-Minute Writing of the Week: Monica Manning

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 7/17-7/23.

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

Prompt: Hospital. Write about a time you were in the hospital (as a patient or visitor.)

Experts say that we don’t remember much before the age of four, unless it was of particular significance. I was three years old when I had a double hernia operation. I have snippets of memories: eating scrambled eggs in the hospital bed; Auntie Rose and Uncle Moe bringing me a monkey toy; visiting the boy in the next room who’s casted leg was suspended from a ceiling crane; the nurse reading me a story. Oddly, the memories of any pain I may have had have evaporated.

Congratulations, Monica! 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: Laugh

Write about a time that others laughed at you.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Graciegreen

I attended a one room school house when I was in the elementary grades. Our cloak room was open to the classroom. It was winter and I wore a red plaid skirt over snow pants. While removing the snow pants my skirt came down with the pants! I was standing in front of grades 1-8 with my slip showing. I still remember my feelings of embarrassment (red face) as my classmates laughed at me...and this happened a long, very long, time ago!

Congratulations on another win, Graciegreen! It's amazing how much those early memories stick with us.

Today's Writing Prompt: Standing Ovation

Write about a time you participated in a standing ovation.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

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

Six nights a week and twice on Sundays.

But that's because my daughter is the star of the show.

I can't begin to describe what it feels like to watch an audience jump out of their seats and literally EXPLODE with applause when she comes out to take her bow.

And there are no words in any language for what it feels like to see my girl up there accepting the ovation with a smile that outshines the brightest spotlight. Especially after all she's been through.

Congratulations on another win, Jeff! I love the pride you have in your daughter.

Today's Writing Prompt: Rivalry

Write about sibling rivalry you have experienced or observed.

If you respond to this prompt on your blog or website, be sure to visit the Weekly Mister Linky so others can easily click on your link!

One-Minute Writing of the Day:
Writer: Roderick

I was a middle child and I fiendishly learned to navigate through sibling rivalries by deftly pitting my siblings against each other. That learned art of strategic misdirection is, with typing, one of the two crucial skills I learned in my youth.

Congratulations on another win, Roderick! I love the way you worded this.