Monday, June 9, 2014

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: 38
  • Armina: 7
  • Benj. Evans: 37
  • Brittney: 3
  • Brooke: 12
  • CeCe: 10
  • Elisabeth: 62
  • Emily F: 16
  • Evan: 10
  • Funto: 9
  • His Princess: 74
  • Jacqueline: 59
  • Jillian: 10
  • Kaira Anne: 25
  • Kaley: 2
  • Karina: 23
  • Katheline: 16
  • Katie: 46
  • Kendra: 24
  • Lottie Le: 6
  • Maddie J: 5
  • Mary B: 88
  • Marsh: 20
  • Rcubed: 69
  • Rebekah B: 47
  • Russian Pianist: 23
  • Sarah: 97
  • S. Brightly: 38
  • Tara T: 61
  • TW Wright: 124
*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 has become very tough, but the judges still think every one of your entries are impressive. So keep it up! =)

(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: 


Corrie checked the scribbled directions on her notepad and kept walking, the white skirt of her sundress swishing around her legs. This was the right town. A tiny, insignificant, cell service deprived speck on the map. Two hundred four residents and none would talk to her about the Charles’ boy murder. It was only ten years ago. Someone still had to be around who knew about it. 
She walked down the lonely street and stopped when she came to an address she’d read in the old reports. The house was boarded up and locked, with signs warning off trespassers. 
Corrie circled it, looking for a way in, but when none presented itself, she turned to the shed in the backyard. It was a small, squat building. Faded and weather worn, the yard grown up around it.
The door swung open easily and she stepped in, taking a moment to adjust to the dim lighting. A gasp caught in her throat. Small shelves full of odd items. A rock, seashell, a baseball trophy. A metal whistle hung from a nail. Drawings and signs that read “Clubhouse. Keep out” hung on the walls, curled from age and water leakage. A single light bulb hung from the ceiling, but nothing happened when she pulled the chain.
A little notebook lay on a chair with a child’s magic wand, turned to a written on page. Corrie stepped toward it, sending a pencil rolling across the floor when her shoe bumped it. She picked up the notepad and tried to read the childish writing. 
She slid the chair toward the open door where the light streamed in and read the wobbly, poorly spelled words. 
"They told me not to come. That made me really want to. I didn’t want anyone to die." 
Congratulations, Maddie Jay! Click here for your badge. =)


Second place winner: 

Amira awoke to find herself unable to move. Surrounding her was pitch-black; she could not even see the cot she felt underneath her. She tried to remember what had happened but her brain was all muddled and confused. Amira strained against whatever held her but soon realized it was hopeless, she wouldn’t be escaping that way. Her feet and hands were starting to lose circulation and she had no way of stopping it. ‘How am I to get out of here? And how did I get here in the first place?’ Her mind was full of questions that she had no way of answering.
After groping around with her hands for what felt hours in the blackness, but she knew must have only been minutes, she finally found a lantern resting beside her. Breathing a sigh of relief, Amira turned it on and looked around. She found herself in a cell, and the reason she couldn’t move was that a thick chain enveloped itself all around her body.
Amira leaned back against the wall, trying to think of how to escape. She began her usual habit of drumming her fingers but stopped once she heard the soft rustle of paper. She immediately began positioning herself so she was able to see it; and once she had settled herself she saw that it was a letter in her fiancés handwriting. ‘How could this have gotten here?’ Amira pondered. She began to read-
-Amira, help is on the way. We will…
The faint tap of footsteps interrupted her. Amira quickly hid the message when she heard the rattle of keys and the distinct click of a lock. A door swung open cascading a stream of light into the small cell and a commanding soldier stepped in. 
“You are to come with me.” 
Congratulations, ArminaClick here for your badge. =)


First place winner: 

She planted her feet, pressing them into the cracking pavement to ground herself. “You insist on such formal terms. Call me Vika—all my friends do.” 
“Alright…Vika.” He stepped closer; his hand was at her cheek. Where had it come from? The urge to run tingled inside her stomach. Resisting it, she hugged her arms to her body to prevent herself from recoiling from the nearness of his touch. The smile vanished; the features, though insipid, were drawn tight over the bone. “Enough games. What are you doing behind this building?” 
She blinked. Keep the world in focus. “Waiting for my father.”
“In an alley?” The slate eyes didn’t flinch. 
She clutched at her power of reasoning, but it melted like ice in a warm hand. “There are too many automobiles on the street. It’s safer back here.” 
“Safer?” he smirked, glancing down the alley. Her eyes trailed to the fraying cuffs of her coat sleeves. She didn’t have to look to see the tramps with bloodshot eyes, the gutters with wadded up newspapers, ink mottled into illegible smears by the fetid waters, or the vodka bottles drunk and thrown and crushed into the dirt.
“That’s why you’re here—to protect me.”
“Then why am I confronting you instead of some drunk?” he spat out. “Speak!” Jerking back, she knocked her head against the brick building. The rough mortar snagged her skin as she ran her hand along the wall. The breath came fast and shallow. Anything but intimidation. Outwit her. But “physical means of persuasion”—she knew what that meant. They all did. He shoved her into the brick. “Your last name—tell me.” He squeezed her thin shoulders until she writhed under his grip. 
The forbidden letters slid off her lips. “Dubrovskaya.”
Congratulations, The Russian Pianist! Click here for your badge. =)


Honorable Recognitions

These winners will receive a badge, as well as 3 extra points:
  1. S. Brightly
  2. Emily F.
  3. Brittney J.
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: map, rose, basket (submitted by Mary B)
  • Write a passage based on this picture. (submitted by S. Brightly)
  • Write a passage incorporating this phrase: Everyone told me not to blame myself but I knew, deep down, that I could have prevented it. (submitted by Kendra)

*NEW* Submit your prompt idea!

From now on, the prompts that are used for Monday's Minute Challenge will be submitted by the participants. Here's how this will work:
  • 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:

post signature

62 comments:

  1. Congratulations to all this week’s winners!

    Here are my prompt ideas: Objects: a flute, a cloak, and a shooting star. Sentence: I opened the door which would later be the worst decision of my life. Picture: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/196610339956068475/

    Here’s my story! I used the sentence prompt. Its 285 words

    It was my fault.
    Everyone told me not to blame myself but I knew, deep down, that I could have prevented it. Her scream still rang in my ears. I could hear her telling me that it wasn’t my fault just before she died.
    It was my fault.
    As I traced my fingers on the grave stone I could still hear the first thing she ever said to me. ‘My name is Sammy, we should be friends.’
    It was my fault.
    If only I had warned Sammy sooner she might not be dead today, if only I had gone into the road after the ball instead of her then my best friend might still be alive.
    It was my fault.
    I was the only person left in the graveyard, was I the only one who cared? The tears flowed freely now. Sammy had been my only friend and my best friend.
    It was my fault.
    I could still hear the car horn honking; I could still hear myself screaming ‘Sammy move.’ I could still hear Sammy’s scream and the thud of the car hitting her body.
    It was my fault.
    I collapsed in the mound of fresh dirt as I sobbed. Why couldn’t I have died instead of Sammy?
    I felt the hands of a young man rubbing my back. I quickly sat up.
    “Child, I know it’s hard to lose someone you love, but it’s not your fault.”
    I looked up at the man, but he was gone. How had he known that I had been blaming myself? I got up and with one last look at the grave stone I walked home, but nothing could ever change my mind, it was my fault.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So tragic! It made me tear up as I read it! How did you come up with this so fast? I love you as an author, but hate you as a reader. You know what I mean.
      -Armina-

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    2. This is so awesome. Seriously. I love it. Best one yet.
      - Katie

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  2. I can't believe it-2nd place! Thanks for showing me this Emily! I love the phrase for this week, I think I'll use it.
    -Armina-

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  3. Congrats to all the winners! Here's the link to my entry
    http://annasamazinglife.weebly.com/writing--artwork/mmc-6914

    Hope you enjoy!

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  4. Here's mine! I hope it's alright that I changed the phrase to third person, I am much more comfortable with it. I used the sentence prompt. Here's my story!
    “Where is Drathien?” Rylan asked softly. Amira sat still, seething with hatred towards Rylan. She would never tell him; she would never betray her brother. “Let me ask again; where is Drathien!!” Rylan said, spitting out Drathien’s name in disgust.
    “I’ll never tell you! And you can’t harm me unless my God permits it!”
    “Oh that’s right; your ‘god’ will protect you. I think he’ll let me; you deserve it,” Rylan alleged mockingly.
    Just then, the tent flap flew open and Drathien burst into the room; tying Rylan’s hands behind his back before he could react.
    “Drathien you’re here!” Amira exclaimed.
    “No time for that now; we have to get you out of here,” Drathien responded, shoving her out the door. “I know I should’ve waited until he left, but I couldn’t take it anymore; hearing him talk to you and of God that way. Are you all right?”
    “I’m fine; how are y-“ but she was interrupted by the shouting of Rylan’s army.
    “Hurry! Our campsite is just behind that hill; we’re almost there!” Drathien shouted above the angry cries of the advancing kyery soldiers.
    They raced up the hill, stopping only once when a soldier attacked Drathien. Rylan and one of his men were ahead of the rest and had now caught up with them. The spearman threw his spear with amazing speed and accuracy at Drathien, and before she had time to react, it had pierced Drathien right through his heart.
    “Drathien!!” Amira cried out as she watched her brother crumple to the ground. “No, no,” she wept, cradling him in her lap.
    The army that Drathien had assembled heard the commotion and surrounded Amira, fighting away the kyeries. Everyone told her not to blame herself but she knew, deep down, that she could have prevented it.
    -Armina-

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    Replies
    1. I love it SO much!!!!!!

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    2. This is very, very good. Sad but good. :)

      HP

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  5. Here's my entry! Shorter this week, only 166 words. I have a feeling that this week there'll be a theme of sadness. *Sniff*
    My Entry: http://cousinsinchrist.blogspot.com/p/monday-minute-challenges.html
    My Picture Prompt: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/531143349775196834/
    Object Prompt: Candle, dragon, crackers
    Sentence Prompt: I knew what I needed to do; it was just a matter of doing it.

    Congrats to all the fantastic entries and winners!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love the picture, Katie! It reminds me of Robin Hood. :)

      HP

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    2. So Sad. :'(
      It seems like everyone is writing about one sister losing another sister...or a best friend.

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    3. So sad :( But I LOVE it!!!!!

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  6. Hi! I'm new here and pretty excited! I did the sentence prompt. Nice one, Kendra! I hope you don't mind that I changed it to present tense. The entry's 298 words.

    Everyone tells me not to blame myself but I know, deep down, that I could have prevented it. I had Mom video tape the game and now I can recite every wrong move, every wrong turn I made. I needed to pass to Kelley, not Anna. I needed to turn right, not left. I needed to hit that ball with my head instead of waiting for it to reach my thigh. If I only could throw my life in reverse and go and change all that. We would have won those finals. But now all we have is this – driving home with the team in silence. Complete silence. For all forty five minutes of the way. I glance around at the faces I love. Kelley, the swift and energetic forward turning to the window so we won’t see the tears. Anna, the strategy-loving midfielder with the most beautiful smile which she tries to muster. Andria, the always watchful goalie with her head bent somewhat. I know she’s also reciting to herself what she did wrong. But that’s just the thing. Everyone did just what was needed with the right passes and the quick moves. If only I had been…. And to think I was the team captain. The captain that let them all down. “I’m sorry” I whisper into the silence. I close my eyes and can feel the tears rolling down. And then I hear it. “We all make mistakes, girl. It’ll be OK.” I know it’s my coach and he’s talking about the game, but I have a feeling that this could apply to all my life, to all those times I’m beating myself up for not being perfect. And maybe Someone else wants me to hear that too. I wipe my tears and slowly nod.

    Btw, I "liked" your facebook page, Tessa. Thanks for the contest!

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    Replies
    1. Ooh!! Sofia, I absolutely LOVE your entry. I'm BIG on soccer (play it as often as possible!) and can totes relate to the girls. =)

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    2. Thanks! Isn't it like the greatest game ever? :)

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  7. Congrats winners! Great entries!!
    Here's mine for this week! Hope ya'll like it
    http://indonesiaaroundme.blogspot.com/2014/06/mondays-minutes-challenge_10.html

    Picture Prompt: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/492862752943295170/

    Object Prompt: paper, fire, firemen

    Quote Prompt: "Please don't treat me different when you find out my secrets."

    TW Wright
    ravensandwriting.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How scary! Those poor girls. :)

      HP

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    2. Thanks you guys!! HP, I felt like this while I was writing it: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/492862752943329312/ ;)

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  8. I'm back, but not quite in the flesh seeing as this is the computer. ;P Anyways, here is my entry. :)

    Mia tried to listen to the droning man. Science wasn't her thing. She looked out over the prairie, golden with the sun of autumn. She shifted uncomfortably. She didn't want to be here, too many memories. Then a gentle breeze took her back.
    Dicken and her running down the lane. They hadn't seen the snake. Everyone told her not to blame herself but she knew, deep down, that she could have prevented it. But she had panicked, just like she always did. When someone finally got there it had been too late. Why didn't she drag her to the road? Why didn't she use her brain?
    Tears streamed down Mia's face. Her camp leader rubbed her back. "Do you want to go back to camp?" she whispered.
    Mia nodded. Because she had to run again. Could she ever face anything?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Good job everyone! Thank you for posting my dialog prompt

    Here are my prompts:

    Dialog prompt: The only thing that I wanted to say was 'yes', but that was the craziest thing I could say

    Picture: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/ac/02/04/ac02045db38e773d13e87bd1dbc96a02.jpg

    Object prompt: Yarn, fossil and needle.


    I used the picture and diolouge prompt.

    I ran through the field-the same field that I had run through hundreds of times before. I was a little girl again, reaching out my hand for my sister's, laughing as we ran. For a minute I felt happy, really happy. And then I remembered what came next. Everyone told me not to blame myself but I knew, deep down, that I could have prevented it. In my mind's eye I saw the snake rise up out of the grass again. And then I saw it bite my sister. Her cry, the sound of the rock I'd thrown-just minutes too late-hitting the snake's head, my fearful sob as I ran forward. "Don't die!" I'd screamed, "I'll go get help" tears streamed down my cheeks. This wasn't real, it couldn't be! Help was far away and I couldn't leave my sister lying in the field. We were only half-way home when she died. "Thank you Kenzie." she said, softly so I had to lean in to hear her, "Thank you." my eyes filled with tears, "Lettie" I whispered.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice job! This week is full of sad stories of people dying, they are all so sad.
      -Armina-

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    2. So sad :( Made me tear up :(

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    3. SO SAD, but it's really good, Kendra!! =(

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  10. Congrats everyone! That was so much fun!!
    When I'm done working with my college for the day I'll have to come back and play around with the prompts.

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    Replies
    1. So glad you're doing the prompts here now too Maddie! :)

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  11. Here is my entry: http://mary.burroughstribe.com/2014/06/10/mondays-minutes-12/

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  12. Here's my entry:
    http://www.foreverchanged13.blogspot.com/2014/06/monday-minutes-challenge.html
    In Christ,
    Sarah

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AHH! This is SO good! I really, really, really want to know what happens! What do they not know? Super nice job :)
      - Katie

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  13. http://rebekah.burroughstribe.com/2014/06/10/mmc-11/

    ReplyDelete
  14. Here is my entry. I used the sentence prompt and it is 278 words.

    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.


    HP

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    Replies
    1. OH HP, it's so sad!! But I love it!! It's very good!! I really want to know more... =)

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. *Sobs* Super sad, but super good :)
      - Katie

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    4. Wow. This is my favorite out of all your entries. That was awesome HP. :)

      Delete
  15. 3 object prompt 193 words

    I shifted the handle as it fell across my sanguine forearm. The pressure of the basket wasn’t extreme, but it certainly wasn’t comfortable. Neither was the pace of my heart, for why was I laden so? I had a gift to bring to someone I hadn’t seen in months. The sun was rising in the southeast, over the copse where the stream ran. The grass wove along the road. Looking downwards, I could see dust the color of the aging map of pre-war Europe that hung in my dark basement bedroom. I had almost reached my destination, when I looked for my notes, among the roses piled on top. Sifting through flowers to find words would have seemed of poetic importance if I wasn’t so preoccupied with my musings of preparation. Hesitantly, I approached the entrance, wondering if it wasn’t too late to turn back. They are never easy, apologies. They often feel unnecessary until done. How could I have misplaced them? They were essential to making the encounter bearable. But of course! Was I forgetting Someone more important? I offered a quick prayer as I lifted the cast iron knocker. Thud. Thud.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've tagged you for the Sunflower Award! http://entreads.blogspot.com/2014/06/sunflower-award.html

    ReplyDelete
  17. Here are my writing prompts!

    Write a passage based off of these three objects: Kite, Tree, Ladder

    Write a passage incorporating this phrase: Why did I trust the man who had lied to me my whole life?

    Write a passage based off of this picture: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/513903007452454386/

    ReplyDelete
  18. I used the object prompt this week, and it's 292 words long. Enjoy!

    I smiled as I walked through the woods. I walked into a meadow and sat on a log. I heard a horse, looked up, and saw David. He got off his horse and tied it to a tree. He walked over and sat down on the log next to me.

    "Christy!" he said. "You're never going to believe this."

    "I'm never going to believe what?" I asked.

    "I'll tell you in a second," he said as he handed me a beatiful rose. I took it and smelled it. "Oh, thank you, David," I said as I put it in my basket.

    "You're welcome. Anyway, what you're never going to believe?" He smiled. "I've joined the army!"

    "You what??" I said. I could barely believe it.

    "I joined the army," he repeated. He took a map out of his pocket, unfolding it. He pointed to a place on the map. "We're going here on Friday."

    "Friday?" I nearly screamed. "But David, that's only in five days!"

    "I know! Isn't that wonderful?" he replied.

    "Not exactly," I answered, looking up at him earnestly. "How can you just leave me like this?"

    "Christy," he said, "the world's not going to end if I go." He took the map from me, folded it up, and put it back in his pocket. "Now how about we go for a ride?"

    "Okay," I answered very sadly. He helped me up onto his horse, which was a little difficult trying to make a normal saddle work as a side saddle. I looked up into the sky as he began leading his horse forward. I couldn't believe he was going, but I knew I had to enjoy this. This may be the last ride I ever had with him.


    Write a passage based off of these objects: Clock, book, arrow

    Write a passage incorporating this line of dialogue: "Actually, I can. And I know I have to."

    Write a passage based off of this picture: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/513903007452105209/

    ReplyDelete
  19. Here's mine, using the picture prompt (thanks for selecting that, by the way! I was excited!). 299 words.

    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."


    Write a passage based off of these three objects: Rope, matches, bicycle

    Write a passage incorporating this phrase: I knew the truth, despite what everyone around me kept saying.

    Write a passage based off of this picture: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/513903007452411056/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is seriously amazing. Wonderful job!
      - Katie

      Delete
  20. I sprinted down the driveway, lit up by headlights and lampposts. A large white van was parked at the end, the door open. Brent’s face emerged and I grabbed his hand. the door swung shut. “Drive. Drive!” I screamed, shouting at my friend, Carly. I paused and stared at her, then glared at Brent. “What?” he asked, “She wanted to drive. Besides, you know she is a great getaway driver.” I scoffed. By “great getaway driver”, he means “reckless woman who once took out a coffee shop on her driver’s test”. I still don’t know why Ms. Franklin passed her. My sister, Megan, poked her head out from the passenger seat. “Meg!” I screamed. The van lurched forward and the wheels squealed as we pulled out of the driveway. My sister smiled. “Hey. I came to help... and before you say anything, yes. Mom does know I am here.” I shook my head, knowing my mom would have only let her come if she was wearing a bullet proof vest. And that is when I saw the bullet proof vest with my sister’s name written on it strewn across the bed of the van. I pulled the pistol from the waist band of my jeans, loading it. Bullets ricochet off the back of the van. Carly swerved, throwing Brent and I across the back of the van. “Violet!” Brent yelled, as I accidentally elbowed him in his nose. “Sorry. Just... move!” I kicked open the back of the van, bullets tearing past my head. My sister screamed, and fell to the floor, a bullet in her arm.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Write a story using these object prompts: phonograph, curtains, rocking chair.

    Write a story using this sentence: I sat mutely trying to comprehend what I had just been told.

    Write a story using this picture: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/314689092683603028/

    HP

    ReplyDelete
  22. Uff. This was the hardest decision yet. It was super hard narrowing the entries down to three... But I did it.
    Voted!
    - Katie (Same Katie as before, different account that I'll be using from now on)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Replies
    1. By the way... the one that starts with "I sprinted down the Driveway" is by me, FlyGirl. :)

      Delete
  24. The Russian PianistJune 13, 2014 at 6:38 PM

    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.

    My entry is 297 words and uses the picture prompt.

    -The Russian Pianist

    ReplyDelete
  25. Prompt ideas:
    Picture prompt: http://www.pinterest.com/pin/544091198703200501/
    Item prompt: teapot, couch, yarn
    Sentence prompt: I basked in my victory...until I realized I'd been the villain all along.

    ReplyDelete

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