Monday's Minute Challenge: Writing Prompt Contest for Teens & Up

A quick writing challenge (and contest) to help get your creative juices flowing for the new week.

1. The entry must be between 150 - 300 words. Otherwise, your entry will not be accepted. (In order to see how many words your entry is, write it in Microsoft Word, or you can copy and paste it here.)
2. The deadline for the contest will be the following Friday. 
3. You do not have to be a teen to enter the contest.
4. The same person cannot win first place two weeks in a row. (Some exceptions may apply.)
5. If there is at least 5 entries, the panel of judges will select a 2nd and 1st place. If there is at least 10 entries, the judges will select a 3rd, 2nd, and 1st place. However, if there is under 5 entries, the panel of judges will only select one winner.
6. If there are at least 10 entries, there will be a few Honorable Recognitions, which are the next highest winners. They will receive a badge, as well as 3 points.
7. The winners will receive a badge for their blog, as well as extra points (see the point system below).
8. The winner will be chosen based on the judges's preferences, as well as the following questions: Does this entry capture my attention immediately? Does it make me want to continue reading? Is the writing clear? They will also take into consideration the writer's voice and style--not necessarily technical issues, such as grammar, punctuation, etc. 
9. If you have entered at least 3 contests and have yet to place, send me an email and I will be happy to give you a critique of your last entry, which will include tips and suggestions.
10. This is only for fun and to stretch your writing muscles--not necessarily to be taken too seriously. =)

Prizes:
More prizes to come!

• 30 points: You will be able to create your own prompt that will be used in Monday's Minute Challenge!
• 40 points: You will receive a critique based on your current week's entry.
• 50 points: You will receive a free blog critique and helpful suggestions.
• 70 points: You will receive an 700 word critique on your novel, short story, article, etc.
• 80 points: You can help judge one of the contests!
• 90 points: You will receive two weeks free in my Write Now Mentoring Program!
• 100 points: You will receive a free ebook of PURPLE MOON. =)
• 150 points: You will receive a personalized handmade notepad. 

Earning Points:

• 20 points: If you sign up for a month of my Write Now Mentoring Program!
• 5 points: If you post a review of Purple Moon on Amazon and/or Goodreads. (Let me know in the comments if you do!)
• 5 points: If you join the Purple Moon Publicity Group on Facebook. (You will have the chance to participate in monthly giveaways!)
• 3 points: If you cast your vote! (See the end of this post.)
• 3 points: If you post your entry on your blog, linking back to this post
• 2 points: If you post a tweet about Monday's Minute Challenge, with hashtag #MondaysMinute (You may tweet more than once in a week, however the points will only count for one tweet.)
• 2 points: If you follow this blog via Google Friend Connect. (Let me know in the comments if you do!)
• 2 points: If you "like" my Facebook page. (Let me know in the comments if you do!)
• 2 points: If you follow my Twitter account. (Let me know in the comments if you do!)
• 2 points: Become a "fan" of me on Goodreads. (Let me know in the comments if you do!)
• 2 points: Follow me on Pinterest. (Let me know in the comments if you do!)
• 10 points: If you win 1st place in the writing prompt contest.
• 7 points: If you win 2nd place in the writing prompt contest.
• 5 points: If you win 3rd place in the writing prompt contest.
• 3 points: You receive an Honorable Recognition. 

Points Tracker:

• TW Wright: 110
• Mary B: 77
• Elisabeth: 59
• Angela: 13
• Funto: 9
• Benj. Evans: 37
• S. Brightly: 29
• Jacqueline: 59
• Rebekah B: 47
• Anna: 32
• His Princess: 58
• Tara T: 61
• Evan: 10
• Rcubed: 66
• Sarah: 91
• Jillian: 10
• Brooke: 12
• Kaley: 2
• Karina: 23
• Kaira Anne: 59
• Katheline: 16
• Kendra: 15
• Russian Pianist: 5
• Lottie Le: 6
• CeCe: 10
• Katie: 16
• Marsh: 20

*Points are updated every Monday.

*When you request to use your points for a prize, the points you use will be taken away from your total. In other words, when you reach 30 points, you can claim the prize for 30 points--but it will cost you all of your points. Or you can continue to try and earn points so you can claim a bigger prize.

 

If you have entered at least 3 contests and have yet to win, please send me an email and I will be happy to give you a critique of your last entry and offer suggestions.

The judge panel chooses these winners based on a point system (not to be confused with the point system mentioned above!) 

Thanks so much to everyone who voted! It helps the judge panel tremendously.

We were very impressed this week at how far all of you have come since the beginning. All of the entries were incredible, and it was very hard to judge! So please don't discouraged if you have yet to place (or haven't in a few weeks). The competition has become very tough, but the judges still think every one of your entries are impressive. So keep it up! =)

Since there were two entries that had the same amount of points for 2nd place, we have decided that they both deserved to place. 

(Keep in mind that the judges are not aware of which entry belongs to which participant until after the judging is complete.)

The entries that the judges thought was the most intriguing (based on rule #4) is ... 

Third place winner: 

She caressed the hand in her lap, running her fingers up and down each of the blue, wizened veins. The hand was as worn as her own, but the way it hung limp stretched them apart like a rubber band. Each day, as his blue eyes wandered, vacant, and her eyes begged a coherent response, the gap grew. 
When she had woken up the first time, she had wriggled her hand under the blankets in bed to find his—it was gone. It was only then that she had remembered. She didn’t cry; she never did, even when she was young. Still, a sharp little scalpel dug into her heart until she worried that it might poke out on the other side. She set the table for two before remembering. Sometimes she talked as if he was there. Habit, she supposed. Or maybe she didn’t want to let go. 
When will it break? Perhaps it already had. Perhaps the moment when he had stared at her, rubbing his eyes, and asked “Who are you?” was the breaking point. Ever since the diagnosis, she always knew this day would come. *I just didn’t expect for it to get here so soon.*
Her cell phone rang. She reached into the correct pocket of her sweater at first try. Too many phone calls recently—the caregivers, the doctors, the kids…the adoption agency? She frowned at the caller ID. Since his move, she hadn’t returned any of their calls. She didn’t want to. Guilt prickled inside her chest. One lost sheep. How many sermons had he preached on that parable? The concept had always fascinated him, but particularly as of late. *“We’re not that old, Katherine.”* Her index finger hovered over the red icon, hesitated, then pushed the green one instead. 

Congratulations, Russian Pianist! Click here for your badge. =)

Second place winner (tie): 

The church bells rang in time with the dull thudding of my heart. I took a deep breath and pasted a smile on my face. It was time. I always knew this day would come- I just didn't expect for it to get here so soon. 

The sweet strums of the guitar serenaded me as I walked softly to the door, tapping on it gently. "Are you ready, Jess? It's starting."

No answer.

I frowned and looked at the clock hanging on the wall. Quarter to five. My sister would be expected to be walking down the aisle in a little over two minutes. "Jess?" I didn't wait this time but pushed the door open, stepping into the bright room. To my surprise, she was sitting in a chair with her back toward me, her shoulders slumped as she stared out the window. She made no move to turn her head as I came in.

A warning whistle sounded dimly in my mind, but I ignored it. I had never been very close to Jess, but knew her well enough to know she didn't second-guess her decisions. She thought them through too carefully beforehand to do that. I made my voice cheerful. "Your prince is waiting, sister. Time to go."

"I can't." Her voice was thick with tears, and she turned toward me a face that scarcely had more color than her white dress. "Mira-"

I drew to her side, putting my hand on her shoulder in what I hoped was a comforting way. "Jess, you've thought this through. You love him."

She shook her head desperately. "Mira, there's something you need to know. Something I haven't told you-" A sharp grimace lined her face as she fell forward, her eyes closing as she crumpled to the ground.

Congratulations, S. Brightly! Click here for your badge. =)

Second place winner (tie): 

There under the spreading maple tree
So wide as hands in a pillory
Yet much more free
Grew a bunch of bluet flowers
Nestling in a group of thirty-three

A titmouse blew his beak-mouthed whistle
To call a friend who sat in barbed brown thistle
Far off in a tower of white another sound was heard
Not quite a mile from the young blue bird
Faint the peal, soft the seal, another hour on the bell clock

Not so faint, and much more harsh wast the knell
To a group of lads in a nearby room
Their music interrupted by the sound of the bell
For a time they stopped and waited
Once, twice, a pause, then thrice until at last it abated

Then once again they struck a tune
On fiddle, mandolin, and banjo
Wafting upon the wind and out the window 
Across the street and down the walk
Through an open door where walked a man

The man though tall, kept himself exact
His manner fluid and his gait intact
Around his back was strapped a case
A plastic box of a classy taste
He went up the street to the sound’s home

Up the blocky stairs he bounded
Into the room where the music resounded
Deftly quick, he opened the lid
He slid the steel bar
And pulled out a strung guitar

Though the birds may whistle
And the bell will peal
I don’t know a sweeter sound, near or far
Than the deep smooth chords
Of a well-played guitar

Congratulations, Benj. Evans! Click here for your badge. =)

First place winner: 

I always knew this day would come—I just didn't expect for it to get here so soon.
His stare focused on my forehead like a target, even though the blindfold blocked everything but a muted sliver of light.

“What did you do to her?” the little hitch in his voice gave away his grief. I suppose family love is something I'll never understand. It's a weakness though. I can use it.

The icy blade touched my throat, I didn't know whether it bled or not.

“I did nothing to her.” I replied, trying to keep my head up, like a real princess would; not like the imposter I am. “I don't even know what they did to her.”

“They. Who is they?” the prince moved in closer, hanging on my every word, the blade pushed further.

“Why should I tell you?” I asked, “Your sister does not matter to me.”

I can't see anything, but the blade shakes against my skin.
“If you don't tell me I'll kill you.” He tries to sound threatening.

I keep my voice measured and cold, “You won't kill me.”

“What makes you think I won't? My sister is gone, and you, you pretended to be her.”

He's got morals, he's good. He won't kill me unless there's no other way—or unless he knew who killed his sister. I know how revenge can make people do terrible things.

I wriggled my hands free of the ropes and clutched my hidden knife.

“Your sister's gone.” I whispered, as I thrust the knife into his heart. “And so will you.”

Congratulations, Kaira! Click here for your badge. =)

Honorable Recognitions: 

These winners will receive a badge, as well as 3 extra points:

1. Katie
2. Kendra
3. Sarah

Congratulations! Click here for your badge. =)

Thanks so much to everyone who participated!

• Submit your response in the comments below. 
• Your response should range between 150 - 300 words. 
• The deadline for the contest will be this Friday. 
• Let me know which prompt you have chosen.
• If you'd rather not submit your post in the comments, you may email it to me instead.

Remember:

1) Your response should range between 150 - 300 words, otherwise it will not be accepted. (Copy and paste your entry here to count the words, or you could write it on Microsoft Word.)

2) The deadline for the contest is this Friday.

Choose at least one:

Note: You can always combine the prompts into one entry.

• (Optional) Write a passage continuing your entry from last week week (or whichever week you'd prefer). If you can, try to continue it using one of the following prompts.
• Write a passage using these items: cereal box, handcuffs, and camera. 
• Write a passage based on this picture. 
• Write a passage using this phrase: What (s)he said next could have the power to change my life forever. 

Cast Your Vote!

We're going to try something new at Monday's Minute Challenge.

Since choosing the winners is such a time-consuming process for the judges, and since you already read each others responses, we have decided to give you the opportunity to take part in the judging process. =)

Here's how it works:

• You can vote for 3 entries per week, but you may not vote for yourself.
• You can only click "submit" once per week, so be sure to wait until you have selected your top 3 entries before casting your vote.
• Please do not vote until at least 7 entries have been submitted. (If you do before then, your vote will not count.)
• Only the participants of Monday's Minute Challenge may vote.
• Voting will only take place from Monday - Thursday.
• We will choose the 3 people with the highest amount of votes, then select another 3 or 4 that we think deserve to win as well.
• From those 6 or 7 entries, we will then select the winners (including the Honorable Recognitions.)

You will also receive 3 points for voting. So when you are done, please post a comment below saying that you have casted your vote.  

To vote, please enter the names of the 1 - 3 writers you are voting for below (or click here instead):

Current Judge Panel:

• Sarah Holman
• Tessa Emily Hall (me)
• Kate Petty