Monday's Minute Challenge: Writing prompt challenge for teens & up!

A quick writing prompt challenge (and contest) for teens to get their creative juices flowing for the new week.

1. The entry must be between 150 - 300 words. (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 Thursday after next. 
3. The winners will receive a badge for their blog, as well as extra points (see the point system below).
4. 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. 
5. This is only for fun and to stretch your writing muscles--not necessarily to be taken too seriously. =)

Since the point system has caused a bit of confusion recently, I have decided to take a different approach.
From now on, I will host a monthly giveaway, and one winner will be announced every four weeks.  Keep in mind that you are in charge of your points from now on. If you win a contest, the only way that you will receive your points is by clicking the entry below. 
Also, if you have already liked my Facebook page, followed me on Twitter, etc. then make sure to click those entries as well in order to receive your points. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

There will be one randomly-selected winner chosen from the above raffle each month. They will have the choice of receiving one of the following prizes:

• A critique on of one of their MMC entries
• A blog critique
• A 300 - 600 word critique on your novel, short story, blog post, etc
• The opportunity to judge one of the contests
• A free ebook of PURPLE MOON
• A special surprise sent to your mailbox (snail mail, not email)

 

The judge panel chooses these winners based on a point system (not to be confused with the point system mentioned above!).

Keep in mind that the judges are not aware of which entry belongs to which participant until after the judging is complete.

Due to the amount of entries, there will not be a third place. Thanks to everyone who participated, though!

The entries that the judges thought were the most intriguing (based on rule #4) are ... 

Princess Rosemary sat staring out the window, her face pale, the porcelain teacup sitting untouched upon the saucer she held. With a shaking hand, she placed the cup upon the table before her, and breathed in the clear night air. It didn’t calm her. 
No one else had done what she was about to do. No one else would dare. For what kind of princess was it that would abandon her kingdom on a whim? 
But of course, her whims tended to be more than a whim. They tended to be truth. 
The soft call of a nightingale broke her out of her silent reverie, and she lowered her gaze from the pockmarked moon to the satchel that lay near her. Slowly lifting her hands from the windowsill, she bent to pick it up. Her jeweled diadem toppled from her head to the ground in the process. Rosemary paused, staring as it rolled to a stop in the corner. With a jolt, she remembered once more that she could be leaving her whole life behind. 
Taking a deep breath, the princess rose shakily to her feet, her fingers clenching the satchel until her knuckles were white. Her slipper-clad feet padded silently on the glossy floor as she slipped out of her chamber. Down the shadowy corridors and out into the silvery moonlight she fled, breathless from fear and anxiety. Was she doing the right thing? 
Throwing a glance behind her, she realized the kingdom hung on the next steps she took. Her decision could bring them triumph or ruin. 
Closing her eyes from a brief moment, she whispered a prayer for protection, and started towards the forests of the north. 

Congratulations, Savannah P! Click here for your badge, and don't forget to claim your points here. =)

He was almost there.  He could feel it in his bones.  The rolling water and crashing waves no longer had any effect on him.  He leaned forward against the stern of the boat, his azure eyes straining to see through the dark and misty haze.
A little whimper from a small bundle next to him revealed that he was not alone.  “Mannie,” whispered a frail girl that shared the same blue eyes as him. “I’m c-cold.”
The young man turned around and held her tiny hand in his.  “It will be okay, little Jess.  We’re nearly there. You will be warm and well.”  But even as he said it, he worried that this little wisp of a child would not be able to withstand the last leg of the journey.  He leaned forward towards his little sister and stroked her tangled hair gently.  “Do you remember, little Jess, the One who commands the sea?”
The sorrow in her pale face was replaced with a peaceful expression.  “Jesus.”
He smiled.  “That’s right.  If he is so very mighty, would he want us to be afraid or untrusting?”
She shook her head.  “No.”  In a fit of coughing, she ducked her head down beneath the damp wool blanket.  
The brother patted his sister’s head once more before taking ore in hand and turning back towards the sea.  
Let the little one sleep while she can.
 The young man, through the coming waves ahead, beheld the future.  The horizon was growing dark and dismal, as if the sun had all but disappeared forever and night and mist were declaring their reign of terror.  
Before it happened, the young man clasped his trembling sister in his arms one last time.  Gently, softly, the killing wind tossed the boat over the edge and into Heaven’s embrace. 

Congratulations, Natalie! Click here for your badge, and don't forget to claim your points here. =)

Honorable Recognitions: 

These winners will receive a badge, as well as 2 extra points:

1. Micaiah
2. Maddie

Thanks so much to everyone who participated!

• Submit your response in the comments below, or post it on your blog via InLink (below -- you will receive 2 extra points!). 
• Your response should range between 150 - 300 words. 
• The deadline for the contest will be the Thursday after next. 
• If you'd rather not submit your post in the comments or on your blog, you may email it to me instead.

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: phonograph, hoodie, backpack (submitted by Shelby)
• Write a passage based on this picture (submitted by His Princess)
• Write a passage either incorporating this phrase OR based on this phrase:  
  
  

  Sometimes promises need to be broken. (submitted by Savannah P)

*If your prompt was selected, be sure to claim your points here. 

Post your entry on your blog!:

If you're posting your entry on your blog (+2 points), please add your link below rather than in the comments. And don't forget to claim your points here!

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 2 points!
• You may submit in the comments below.