Monday's Minute Challenge {+Giveaway winner!}

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: 34
• Benj. Evans: 40
• Brittney: 3
• Brooke: 15
• CeCe: 28
• Elisabeth: 72
• Emily F: 25
• Evan: 10
• FlyGirl: 24
• Funto: 9
• His Princess: 100
• Jacqueline: 59
• Jillian: 10
• Kaira Anne: 45
• Kaley: 2
• Karina: 23
• Katheline: 16
• Kaity: 3
• Katie: 67
• Kendra: 53
• Lottie Le: 29
• Maddie J: 5
• Mary B: 115
• Marsh: 20
• Rcubed: 72
• Rebekah B: 53
• Russian Pianist: 38
• Sarah: 111
• S. Brightly: 97
• Sofia Marie: 11
• Tara T: 98
• TW Wright: 160

*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: 

Devin walked through the woods, careful not to make a sound. He had always been afraid of dark, cramped, spaces because he always felt like someone was watching him from the shadows. Now he could think of nowhere else that would give him more anxiety than this place. Devin was in a forest in the middle of the night. He could hear night creatures all around him, wolves howling in the distance, owls hunting their prey, and a badger snuffling in the underbrush. But what made the chills run up his spine was the fact that this particular forest was a common place for criminals to hide, and a murder had recently been committed in a village nearby.Now it was Devin’s job to find out if this assassin had chosen to use this forest as his hiding spot, and if he had any accomplices. Devin could think of a whole list of people who would be better suited for his job, but he had been chosen. ‘Why did I accept?’ Devin wondered. ‘I could’ve said no!’ But something inside him told Devin that if he could go back in time he would still accept the offer. There was an annoying curiosity that bubbled up inside of him whenever the smallest mystery or adventure occurred.A branch cracked behind him. He whirled around but there was nothing there. Or was there? Devin caught a glimpse of something moving in the shadows. He turned in that direction, but before he could examine the area; something hit the back of his head and he knew no more. 

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

Second place winner: 

He glanced at the water, which served as a mirror as it darkly reflected his face. It was growing light out and it would be impossible to hide his identity forever.

But, first, he had to get to the regiment, unless Ansel had already been killed. That would be nice. Convenient. But it wouldn’t be right. Certainly, Ansel had to be killed one way or another. He wouldn’t complain how it was done. But if he could choose, he’d do it himself. He should be the one.

That whole year, he had been waiting for the moment. It didn’t feel like it was really happening. It was surreal. It was too good to be true. It was too easy. He was so, so close to his goal. His cousin, dead or alive, was somewhere within a mile from him.

He must have overlooked something. There must be a catch. But the only thing he could think of was the crowd of soldiers between them.

He took a deep breath. There was no use waiting any longer. Sound or not, it was the best plan he had and he didn’t want to get trapped here.

He drew the key out of his pocket and turned the lock. The little door opened easily.

He squeezed through the entrance and stared. Ten soldiers stared back at him.

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

First place winner: 

A branch cracked behind me. I whirled around but there was nothing there. I frowned, it would have to be something big to make such a loud crack-a rabbit or squirrel wasn't big enough. A bear was too big. It could've been a wolf. Or a human. A hand shot out of the bushes and grabbed me by the arm, twisting it painfully. Definitely a human then. I cried out in pain and heard a dry laugh that sent shivers down my spine, not one of genuine amusement. I bit my lip to keep from crying out again. A wave of nausea made my knees buckle and the last thing I knew was a thud as fell, facedown in the earth.

I woke with a throbbing headache. My eyes felt dry and sandy and I tried to rub them a futile action since my arms and legs were tied. It was dark out and the men were sleeping-all with warm blankets to wrap themselves in, I thought bitterly. The ropes were tight enough to completely cut off circulation and I certainly couldn't get free of my bonds, I looked up and saw one of the faerie folk. She didn't say anything, just loosened my bonds and dropped a silver key into my lap. I nodded my thanks and opened my mouth to thank her, but she put her finger to her lips and disappeared in a flash. The key caught the light and I saw that there was an engraving on it. "Key of Hope" I turned it over, "Key of Death" the next words made me gasp in horror, "Hail Queen Ivory Moonstone, Mirror of destruction." my own name, Queen Ivory Moonstone. With a small cry I ran to the forest, unfallen tears blinding me.

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

Honorable Recognitions: 

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

1. Rcubed
2. Flygirl
3. Sofia

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.

Important Update
{+Giveaway Winner!}

I am so sorry to say this, but due to my schedule this summer, I am having to change the schedule of Monday's Minute Challenge to every other week. But as a thank you, I held a giveaway two weeks ago for the participants of Monday's Minute Challenge. 

Pin this!

The winner of this giveaway will receive:

• A signed copy of my YA novel, Purple Moon
• Girl Talk by Nicole O'Dell
• A writing craft book, Firsts in Fiction by Aaron Gansky 

And the winner is . . . 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations, Armina! =)
Thanks to everyone who entered!

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: satchel, boots, rock (submitted by S. Brightly)
• Write a passage based on this picture (submitted by Kendra)
• Write a passage incorporating this phrase: He knew if he looked back it would only make it worse, but he couldn't help himself. He looked back. (submitted by Armina)

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:

• Tessa Emily Hall (me)
• Kate Petty