Monday, March 30, 2015

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. (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. 

But don't worry! You can still receive a prize from the points that you have earned up to this point. Click here for more info

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



Prizes:

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 entries this week were very impressive! It was difficult to select the winners, so congratulations to everyone who entered. =)

Also, I have a question: Do you like the contest aspect of this challenge? Or would you be more interested in entering the challenge if a contest was not held? I would love to hear your thoughts and any ideas you may have!

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.

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



Third place winner: 



I was so eager for adventure. So ready for a change. I didn't regret what I'd done, I was just scared of what would happen next.
"What have I done to deserve this?" My voice echoed through the valley. Here I was. A fifteen-year-old me, lost in the mountains of North Carolina. I had no food, no phone, and most importantly, no boat.
I glanced at the shattered remains of the canoe strewn over the rocks jutting out of the river. It was beyond repair. I had saved up my money so long for that craft. But now it was gone. I had ran away. Ran away from everything I once knew. But I couldn't go back. There were too many memories.
We were going to make this trip together, my dad and me. It was going to be a survival trip, like the shows you watched on Tv and longed to be a part of. But now it was a mission. The mission- I don't know. But it was a mission nonetheless.
I slung my backpack over my shoulder, filled with everything I owned. A change of clothing, a notepad and pencil, my mother's Bible, and most importantly, my father's rifle. I had to keep moving, I couldn't afford to stop. Or could I? I wasn't going anywhere in particular, just away. But I had to keep moving. If I didn't, the memories would come back. I checked to make sure that my knife and hatchet were still securely hooked to my belt, and kept walking.
Congratulations, Joanna! Click here for your badgeand don't forget to claim your points here. =) 

Second place winner: 

The key dangled before my eyes, swinging gently. They were trying to get some fun out of me. I wouldn’t give it to them, no matter how bad I wanted what they were tempting me with. My freedom. Basically my life. I wouldn’t bring myself lower by begging.
“If you can grab it, it’s yours. It’s right here. You can get it.” The leader wheedled while the rest of the gang cackled and waited for me to make a move. Why did it have to be so tempting? They’re lying to you. Even if you did touch it, they wouldn’t give it to you. They would never give it to you.
    The key came closer. Maybe…
    Don’t do it! They’re trying to break you down, make you look like a fool! If you value the only worthwhile thing you have left, don’t throw away your dignity!
    My head instantaneously jerked forward and bumped my scrap of metal. The roars of laughter that exploded from my captors caused me to duck my head away to hide my fury from their eyes. If they knew, they would only mock me more. After a few moments with no more response from me than they would get from a dead man, they wandered away to settle down for the night. The moon rose in the sky, but it wasn’t so bright as to stop the stars from shining. Jade green light could be seen as if through a window into another universe.
    A tear slid down my cheek.
"What have I done to deserve this?" 
You were born.
That lie caused him more pain than it ever would have before. 
Congratulations, ElisabethClick here for your badge, and don't forget to claim your points here. =)



First place winner: 

The moonlight slips in and all is still. Even the squirrels pause to turn, the leaves crunching and catching their attention. I shush them. Now is not the time to listen! Now is not the time to respond! Life is worth so much more than is given, so much more than is received.
Even as I draw closer, I know that tonight is the night. Tonight is the night that it shall come true, that the purposes shall be revealed. It draws me in, the enchanting light of sunlight hiding intentions, hiding darkness. Everything must wait for me, everything must honour my decision.
Even the birds know to steal away from the light, know to steal away from all that is happening. They know more than we think, the ancient secrets long gone resonating in their every bone. Stopping, listening. Fear is there, the deep scent a treat to my nostrils. Yes, you are right to be afraid. Right to understand the true meaning of what this is.
I move on, every muscle slinking with ease. Now is the time to be silent, now is the time to understand. Not tomorrow, not later. Now.
The well’s light in growing, a testament to the rising power within. Enough power. Enough power for us to rise. The light seems to be beckoning but warning. The messenger with intent. I hope that you know the power you hold.

Even as I lean in and call to the pack I know what power I hold. Exactly what power.
Congratulations, Samantha! 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. Maddie
  2. Anna
  3. Lace

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: dress, scissors, light bulb (submitted by Lace)
  • Write a passage based on this picture (submitted by Sofia)
  • Write a passage incorporating this phrase:  
    I slammed the door of my car. What was I doing here? (submitted by His Princess)
*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.

Current Judge Panel:

  • Tessa Emily Hall
  • Kate Petty
  • Caroline George
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