Monday's Minute Challenge {+Giveaway!}

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: 26
• Benj. Evans: 40
• Brittney: 3
• Brooke: 15
• CeCe: 28
• Elisabeth: 72
• Emily F: 25
• Evan: 10
• FlyGirl: 21
• Funto: 9
• His Princess: 100
• Jacqueline: 59
• Jillian: 10
• Kaira Anne: 45
• Kaley: 2
• Karina: 23
• Katheline: 16
• Kaity: 3
• Katie: 67
• Kendra: 40
• Lottie Le: 29
• Maddie J: 5
• Mary B: 112
• Marsh: 20
• Rcubed: 69
• Rebekah B: 53
• Russian Pianist: 38
• Sarah: 111
• S. Brightly: 94
• Sofia Marie: 8
• Tara T: 88
• TW Wright: 157

*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 second I look forward, my heart nearly stops. It had only been two, three… maybe five minutes at the most since I’d left. I couldn’t see the flames from this far away then. Now it burns above the trees, spreading uncontrollably It seems impossible for the fire to spread that fast.

But it had. And it was my fault.

“Diamond!” a voice broke through my thoughts. I want to look up at her, but I can’t take my eyes off what I’ve done, the mistake I made. “Diamond!”

I have to. In a moment, I turn to see Dephi, running towards me. Her torn dress flies in the wind. A spot of dry blood sticks to her pale cheek. Words come in my mouth, but they refuse to leave it. Something’s wrong. Worse than the fire.

She stops in front of me to catch her breath. Her chest moves up and down. “Adam… saw the fire,” she spits out, grasping her knees. “H-he thought you were in there so he ran to go get you.” Dread creeps up me, ready to pounce. No. “He hasn’t come back, Diamond.”

Before I can stop myself, I rip the crown of flowers out of my hair. I hear a faint scream and deicide that it must be my own. Not Adam. He went in there. For me. Why?

I want to collapse in grief. It would be in vain. He would die, suffocate, burn up. Adam. So strong and loving. He didn’t deserve such a horrible death.

I can’t leave him to die. Especially since I caused it. I am sure of one thing now. I don’t want to die knowing I hadn’t tried to save him.

Blocking out Dephi’s cries, I run towards the fire. Already, I feel the heat.

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

Second place winner: 

"Run, Alanna!"

His words dripped desperation, tinged with anger, as he pushed me forward. I stumbled into a tree, my mouth dropped open in horror, my heart beating a wild mix between numbness and fear. It had been fluttering like a crazed bird since the instant I'd laid eyes on the fiery inferno, my sight confirming what I'd already heard and smelled: Flames hungrily devouring the forest so near to our home. 

What had he done? Surely my brother wasn't capable of this arsony. Surely not. But here he was. Did he hope to die in this mess he'd created?

Kyle stepped forward, his eyes empty and cold. When had they grown to be so? When did I miss it? I couldn't breathe. The heat from the flames bore down on me, tinging my skin. 

"Get out. of. here!" Something in his eyes flickered as he gripped my arms, trying to propel me away from the fire, the glowing embers now swirling around us like some sick sort of rain. When he tried to let go, I held tight, searching his eyes for some shadow of the little brother I'd grown up with. 

He looked at me, and for just that split second, he was there. And then he was gone. His face hardened, and he pushed me away from him. 

The flames crackled in the tree above me, leaping so close I could feel their hot breath searing my face. The air between us was so thick with smoke I could hardly see him. Turning, I ran. Stumbling, coughing, choking, I pushed through the trees into the safety of the meadow below. I didn't stop until I'd nearly reached the other side. My dress was singed black, the flowers on my head withered. My heart? Mere ashes.

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

First place winner: 

The fire snapped and hissed before me as I stood there that day in late September, the breeze playing with my hair and sending shivers up my spine. Or was it the fire causing me to tremble?

Everything had been so perfect. The sky had been clear and the sun had peaked its head out from under its blankets of clouds just for Livy’s wedding but now all that was ruined. The sky was no longer clear and the sun had retreated behind the clouds again, except this time they were smoke clouds.

And I was to blame. I started the fire deliberately. Why? Because I was jealous. Jealous of Livy. Jealous that everything went perfectly for her all of the time and nothing ever went right for me. Jealous because I was only the bridesmaid and not the bride. All that bitter envy had started as a small ember inside my heart but I had nursed it and blown on it until it roared to life like the blaze in front of me.

I watched as the small village I had grown up in burned to the ground. It hadn’t been hard to start the fire; just a few pieces of straw lit from a lantern, tossed into the dead grass, and the inferno was born. And it all looked like an accident. A tragic accident that just happened to fall on Livy’s wedding day.

I pulled the wreath of roses from my head and flung it away, after all, I wasn’t going to be needing them. Glowing hot coals shot into the air like fiery arrows. A tinge of remorse touched me but it was too late now. I'd made my choice and taken the hard way. These were the consequences. 

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

Honorable Recognitions: 

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

1. Armina
2. FlyGirl
3. Angela

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!}

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. 

However, as a thank you to all who continue to participate in this contest, I have decided to host a giveaway!

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 

Anyone in the US may participate! The winner will be announced in two weeks.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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: mirror, key, light (submitted by TW Wright)
• Write a passage based on this picture (submitted by S. Brightly)
• Write a passage incorporating this phrase: A branch cracked behind me. I whirled around but there was nothing there. (submitted by Mary B)

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