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
• 3 points: If your writing prompt is selected for Monday's Minute Challenge.
• 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:

• Angela: 13
• Anna: 41
• Armina: 7
• Benj. Evans: 40
• Brittney: 3
• Brooke: 12
• CeCe: 19
• Elisabeth: 62
• Emily F: 22
• Evan: 10
• Funto: 9
• His Princess: 81
• Jacqueline: 59
• Jillian: 10
• Kaira Anne: 25
• Kaley: 2
• Karina: 23
• Katheline: 16
• Katie: 49
• Kendra: 24
• Lottie Le: 18
• Maddie J: 5
• Mary B: 91
• Marsh: 20
• Rcubed: 69
• Rebekah B: 50
• Russian Pianist: 28
• Sarah: 103
• S. Brightly: 60
• Sofia Marie: 5
• Tara T: 61
• TW Wright: 127

*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.

Please don't discouraged if you have yet to place (or haven't in a few weeks). The competition becomes more and more tough each week, but the judges still think every one of your entries are impressive. 

Remember: The more times you enter, the more chances you have of winning. So keep it up!

Also: A blog post will soon be posted on how to strengthen your writing and increase your chances of winning. =)

(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: 

An inarticulate thought teased Peter’s mind. Maxim’s resonant voice and Katerina’s bell-like laughter melded into a confusing wash of sound as remembrance slapped him. Elena. How could he have forgetten? Arms folded across his chest, he leaned against the fence. His dark eyes swept over Katerina, who basked in Maxim’s attention. That’s how.
Grabbing his jacket off the fence post, he gritted his teeth to stifle the curse that festered to the surface when the collar snagged on a protruding nail. Not bothering to excuse himself, he broke into a run. They wouldn’t notice anyway. Elena. The word knocked against his ribcage, imprisoned and unable to break free, as he sprinted through the partially harvested fields. She could’ve hidden anywhere. If Evgeny…he smothered the disturbing thought. Turning an abrupt corner, he skidded to a halt at the sight of two figures. 
Elena, yes. But a rasp snagged in his throat when he caught the profile of the second figure. The fine chin line. Parted lips. Protruding cheekbones. He should’ve known. His chest tightened, as if he wanted to be angry with Anna Khalikova. “What are you doing with Elena?” He made no attempt to swallow the demand that marched off his lips. 
The chin tilted upward and the eyes met his. Placid eyes. As if she knew that the brusque voice was just a mask for shame. “What were your doing without her, Peter Dmitrievich?” No jest in the voice, nor chiding. Just truth. And a stream of gentle light that poured from the green eyes. “I saw her running away, and I ran after her.” 
Was that spindly body still capable of running? He stuffed his hands deep in his pockets and refused to look at Anna. Those clear, unblinking, truthful eyes bored too deep. 

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

Second place winner: 

The sharp wind blew strong making the trees creak above me as I pushed my way through the crowd. I stopped near the front of the assembly and pulled my dark hood further down over my head. I was in just the spot I wanted to be; close enough to the front to see but far enough back to not be seen myself. I peered out from under my hood to watch them bring him up onto the platform. His face was steady and unmoving like always.

The executioner seemed to move in slow motion as he slipped the small bag over my cousin’s head, masking the face I would never see again. That’s all those bags were anyway, a mask to hide the grotesque look of death on the prisoner’s face. The noose came next, slipping over his head with ease and then tightening around his neck. I wondered if my cousin’s ever-steady face had changed yet.

The executioner grasped the lever that would launch my cousin into eternity. I turned away. I didn’t want to watch an innocent man die. Everyone told me not to blame myself but I knew, deep down, that I could have prevented it. Only I hadn’t tried to. I had been there that night, he hadn’t. I knew what happened, he didn’t. It should be me up there being tried and hung for murder, not him. I had kept quiet to save my own neck and it was a decision that would haunt me the rest of my life. I heard the lever pulled and the trap door opening. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd behind me.

It was over.

Congratulations, His Princess! Click here for your badge. =)

First place winner: 

It was chilly, the ground damp with dewdrops. Not a sound could be heard, for not even the birds dared to sing this morning. Only the echoes of footsteps sounded on the flattened grass as we ran; she to escape, I to catch her.

"Sandra!" The fog swirling around the fringes of the cornfields seemed to swallow up my breathless cry. Though younger than me by four years, Sandra was always the faster runner. I tried to make my legs fly over the ground as fast as hers, but the distance between us still widened. "Stop!"

I saw her bare feet slip on the slick grass, though surer than mine, which were encased warmly in shoes. I cringed to think of the cuts she was sure to receive on the sharp, overgrown blades of grass and hidden rocks. Still she didn't stop. 

"Sandra, please!" The words scarcely squeezed through my swollen throat. I prayed to God above that He would make her listen, make her stop. If she left my sight.... There was no telling what could happen. 

In the quickest answer to prayer I'd ever received, Sandra suddenly tumbled forward, falling to the earth with a small shriek. Forcing my burning legs onward, I covered the distance between us quickly. She made an effort to rise, but collapsed, chest heaving. 

I dropped beside her, grasping her shoulders. Unable to force any words through my labored breathing, I contented myself with embracing her tightly. 

She pushed me away forcefully, whimpering. Her blue eyes met mine, seemingly accidentally. I'd never seen such a look on my baby sister's face before. Tears, desperation, sorrow, and fear mixed into one heartbreaking expression. She whispered the words past trembling lips. "It doesn't matter what you say, Lisette. I know I killed him."

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

Honorable Recognitions: 

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

1. Benj. Evans
2. Emily F.
3. Sofia Marie

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: rope, matches, bicycle (submitted by S. Brightly)
• Write a passage based on this picture (submitted by Lottie Le)
• Write a passage incorporating this phrase: I opened the door, which would later be the worst decision of my life. (submitted by Emily F.)

Submit your prompt idea!:

The prompts that are used for Monday's Minute Challenge are submitted by the participants. Here's how this works:

• You will be able to submit 3 prompts each week in the same format as above: three objects, one picture, and a piece of dialogue or phrase.
• On Mondays, I will choose 3 prompts that have been submitted by 3 different people.
• If your prompt is selected, you will receive 3 points!
• You may submit in the comments below, Monday through Sunday.

Cast Your Vote!

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