- 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.)
- The deadline for the contest will be the Thursday after next.
- The winners will receive a badge for their blog.
- 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.
- This is only for fun and to stretch your writing muscles--not necessarily to be taken too seriously. =)
The judge panel chooses these winners based on a point system. Keep in mind that the judges are not aware of which entry belongs to which participant until after the judging is complete.
walk.walk.keep your head down.don't draw attention.we can't afford to be found.not here.not yet.we'll be out of here.and then we'll be off.as fast as we can.we're out.the coast is clear.no, let's keep a normal pace.no one will notice.our coats are black.we'll blend in.whistle.whistle.no sudden moves.maybe they'll pass us by.they have no way to provethat we're behind this.they can't.not possible.we're two friends.wearing coats.the night is cold.they're gone.went right past.yes, maybe we shouldget off the road...oh. they're back.only turned around.run.run.don't get caught.not now.most definitely not.not after all we've been through.cross to the side.cross to the left.it's our only chance.the river.look here.we can jump.won't be so swiftas the other side.have you got the note?then 1-2-3.we're off.
My fingers clench around the stick of the mask I’m holding up to my face. The masquerade ball is full of colors and feathers and disguise, but I take in none of it.
This was meant to be the best day of my life, but as of yet, it has been the worst.
I whirl at the sound of carriage wheels, careful not to let the mask slip as I look out the window into darkness. The carriage door is opened, and a tall, handsome man comes into my sight. Cedric.
It’s him. He’s here. How did he find me?
Suddenly I feel like a bird with its wings clipped, unable to fly and escape. The ball room is a cage, and I am trapped.
But even captive birds may be able to find their freedom.
The knocker bangs loudly and I immediately rush off towards the door that leads outside, not caring to apologize to the people I brush aside; there is no time for apologizes.
The door swings open and I glance over my shoulder to see Cedric stepping into the room, his dark eyes searching. He’s looking for me.
The heel of my shoe catches on a lady’s skirt, and I tumble to the ground, my mask skittering across the floor. The music stops. I hurry to collect myself and scramble to my feet. He’s already coming my way.
“Selia?” He reaches out, but then draws back. “Are you alright?”
“No, thank you.” My eyes flash angrily as I glare up at him.
His brow furrows. “Selia …”
“I don’t want to talk to you.” I say primly, giving a mocking curtesy. “Good evening, Cedric.”
And with that, I run out of the ballroom and away into the night, my mask lying dejected on the ground.
Congratulations, Savannah P! Click here for your badge, and don't forget to claim your points here. =)
Thanks so much to everyone who participated!
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- Submit your response in the comments below, or post it on your blog via InLink (below).
- 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.
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Choose at least one:
Note: You can always combine the prompts into one entry.
- Write a passage using these items: bracelet, box, leaf (submitted by Savannah P.)
- Write a passage based on this picture (submitted by Maddie)
- Write a passage either incorporating this phrase OR based on this phrase:
"I told you we shouldn't have done that." (submitted by Mary B)
If you're posting your entry on your blog, please add your link below:
Submit your prompt idea!:
The prompts that are used for Monday's Minute Challenge are submitted by the participants.
Here's how this works:
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.
- You must only submit prompt ideas if you have participated in this week's contest. Otherwise, your prompts will not be considered.
Item Prompt: baseball cap, ring, and a knife.
ReplyDeletePicture Prompt: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89649848810575467/
Sentence Prompt: I had the dream again.
ReplyDeleteSilver bracelet. Four o'clock. Woman. Green coat.
Corrie smiled as she pulled on a black overcoat with a little padded hump. She flexed her fingers and tugged on her gloves. Shaking the little bottle, she then sprayed it's contents into her eyes watching her blue eyes turn hazel. Grey lining in her eyebrows, wrinkles on her forehead, and a grey wig perfected the costume. She picked up her cane and headed for the door. The fall air was brisk and the air hung densely with the autumn scents of ripe apples and wet leaves. The girl checked her watch, it was 3:15, plenty of time. Corrie hobbled over to the bus stop and sat heavily on the bench. A young woman sat beside her, who didn’t even seem notice her. An older man was on her other side and was fiddling with something. Finally, the bus had arrived. She managed to grab the money she needed from the man's pocket, as she came aboard. Not too out of practice, then. 3:26, wonderful. Once there, Corrie sat down on a bench to wait. There were few people milling about. A woman with a little girl, presumably her daughter. A young boy on the swings. The woman struck her as odd, though she couldn't decide why. Something she should know…
“Oh no.” she muttered getting up quicker than she meant to. That coat. That green coat. The woman was early. She'd been found out. The girl hobbled to the bus as fast as she could. She tripped. Out came the box for the bracelet from her pocket. Over came the woman. Only a matter of seconds now. The woman was at her side. She gasped. She helped her up roughly.
“Nice try.” she said, before returning to the child.
Here is my entry! I used the item prompt and it came out to 260 words.
ReplyDeleteI ignore the stares of his bunkmates as I start to empty his chest of belongings. The black wood box contains only some clothes and books… surely that can’t be all he had. I check under the bed. After all, that’s where I stash my stuff. All I find is a small box. Inside are two other boxes. I select the black silk box, and inside I find a small steel ring with a flat back stone in the center. It’s a man’s ring, that much is clear. The question is, why haven’t I ever seen Jace wearing it? I close it and put it back, selecting the next box. It’s pristine white, not a speck of dirt. Inside is a bracelet - it’s a tarnished gold chain with a gold leaf the size of my pinky. Next to the leaf hangs a small, clear blue, glass orb. A slip of paper flutters from the box when I open it.
-For Johanssen - don’t forget to give it to her at the dance.-
It’s mine - he got me this bracelet. And he meant to give it to me at the going away dance.
I take the bracelet in my hands, studying it before clasping it on my wrist. It’s a perfect fit. My heart seems to sieze up. I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve his friendship - he trusted me and I failed him. He trusted me and he died.
I unclasp the bracelet and place it back in the box. I don’t need this to remind me of what I’ve done.
-----
Here are my prompt entries:
Items: Pillow, wings, mourning dove
Sentence: My friend stands, grabbing my arm and dragging me back a little.
Picture: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/356628864222852947/
Thanks!
Hello! Here is my entry! I used the prompt bracelet, leaf, and box. It came to almost 300 words.
ReplyDelete"It's all here, Elzie," Charles said with fake strength. She knew how hard it was for him to say those words. Gently, as if bearing the most precious burden in the world, he placed the old chest on the bed. It was more of a box really, nothing special to a normal eye. But to Elzie and Charles it held the memories of a golden childhood, that after recent events seemed almost like a dream too good to be true.
"Do you mind if I open it Charlie?" Elzie didn't want to inflict more pain on her or her cousin, but she felt she had to see. She had to remember that time.
"No, I don't mind," Charles said. His voice betrayed him.
With trembling hands Elzie cracked open the lid. It squeaked on its old hinges and dust scattered into the beams of light. She took a deep breath and forced herself to look down. Resting on a stack of letters was a trio of braided bracelets made of grasses. Elzie grabbed one with her thumb and finger and held it up for Charles to see.
"Do you remember when she made these? That day we—"
"Went to the pond for a picnic! I remember it. Very well," Charles' voice cracked and faded, and Elzie looked away. Next she noticed the collection of dried leaves, still showing the ruddy colors of autumn. She tried to smile, and looked to Charles to see if he remembered. His face was buried in his hands, and his shoulders heaved. Elzie could be strong no longer, and the tears streamed freely down her cheeks.
How could she do this to us? Elzie felt like screaming. Instead she glared out the window at the fog, and wondered where Jane was at.