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: 44
• Armina: 10
• Benj. Evans: 40
• Brittney: 3
• Brooke: 15
• CeCe: 19
• Elisabeth: 72
• Emily F: 22
• Evan: 10
• FlyGirl: 9
• Funto: 9
• His Princess: 81
• Jacqueline: 59
• Jillian: 10
• Kaira Anne: 35
• Kaley: 2
• Karina: 23
• Katheline: 16
• Katie: 52
• Kendra: 37
• Lottie Le: 23
• Maddie J: 5
• Mary B: 97
• Marsh: 20
• Rcubed: 69
• Rebekah B: 53
• Russian Pianist: 28
• Sarah: 103
• S. Brightly: 60
• Sofia Marie: 5
• Tara T: 61
• TW Wright: 133

*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: 

The boat moved quickly with the strong breeze. She stared down the deadly cliff that nobody dared to go down, the shock of what had happened still coursing through her veins, his last words still whispering in her ear. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she remembered him calling her name as they carried him away. She knew what was going to happen now. 

They would kill him. And she would never see him again. 

She walked to the edge of the cliff and looked at the raging waters below. She contemplated whether what she was going to do next would be the right thing. Taking a deep breath, she ignored the nagging voice in her head telling her not to do it. She pushed it away, telling herself, "If he's not going to be here, I don't want to be here either." 

She closed her eyes, whispered the goodbye that would never be heard, and jumped. 

Congratulations, Lottie Le! Click here for your badge. =)

Second place winner: 

Trypta had vowed never to trust anyone. Now, as she watched them leave, she realized she had broken that vow. She’d crumbled her walls for someone she hardly knew and he had used her, tossing her aside when she had served her purpose. She’d thought it was love… but no. It could never be. No one could love her.

I am unwanted

It seemed like her heartbeat that was the only thing she would feel again. The pain left a dull ache inside.

I am weak

Sitting on the rocky shore, she wondered what people must think of her. It didn’t matter. She thought worse of herself than they did. If only she’d never been born; she was no use to anyone.

I am useless

She stood up and made her way back… where? Where could she go? She didn’t belong. As she wandered aimlessly, she noticed something glint in the dim sunlight. The shining blade suggested something that should’ve made her cringe; instead, she held it and decided it was for the best.

I am leaving

While she readied herself for her last breath, she glanced around. Would anybody notice her absence? Would they care?

She knew the simple, pitiless answer and it only glanced off her heart.

Her hand jerked when she drove the knife towards her heart and she dropped it. Cursing under her breath, she picked it up only to have it fall from her grasp. She picked it up once more, only to have it forced from her hand. She backed away, frightened. What was going on? Who would care enough to stop her?

"You are mine,” it whispered. "You were made for a purpose; I made you for a purpose.”

She dropped to the ground with tears streaming down her face.

I am loved

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

First place winner: 

The waves crashing against the dejected coastline matched her heart. For a century she'd waited, standing against invisible bonds, waiting. Waiting for her inevitable punishment. She saw the ship sailing through the dismal water, as the sun struggled to escape the clouds and touch her rock. Sometimes the sun would dance beseechingly in the far off mountains, and she would strain against her bonds, but it was useless. The clouds were her captors as much as the ship sailing towards her.

She tried to tell herself she did not fear death, but deep down she knew that was a lie. Oh what would she do to feel the sun once more against her skin. To run through golden fields, to speak to another human.

She didn't notice the ship docking. She didn't notice the man creeping towards her, his hand drawn back to throw the dagger. All she saw was the sun, triumphantly breaking through the clouds and bathing the ocean with golden light.

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

Honorable Recognitions: 

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

1. Armina
2. FlyGirl
3. Brooke

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: lock, fire, doll (submitted by Mary B)
• Write a passage based on this picture (submitted by Kendra)
• Write a passage incorporating this phrase: I looked back, realizing this may be the last time I ever see my home or my family again. (submitted by FlyGirl)

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