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

A quick writing prompt challenge (and contest) for teens to get their creative juices flowing for the new week. A new prompt is posted, and winners are announced, every other Monday.

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.
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. =)

 

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.

Wow!! You all made it extremely hard to judge this week's entries. Since there were 7 entries, there will only be one honorable recognition. 

Great job to all of you, and thanks for participating! =) 

I smooth the sheets on the mistress’ bed and snatch a pillow from the corner, putting it carefully in place. One mistake and I could be whipped. My mistress has a vile temper. 
The sound of wings catches my ear, and I turn to see a mourning dove perched on the windowsill. My footsteps are silent as I walk towards it. You had to know how to go unnoticed to survive here. 
The dove doesn’t seem scared by my approach, so I reach slowly out and stroke its silky wings. 
“What are you doing here, pretty bird?” I quietly ask. “This terrible haunt is no place for you.” 
It just coos calmly, cocking its head. If only I could be so carefree. 
And then I hear footsteps in the hall. Sharp, jabbing footsteps, like someone was trying to stamp through the floor. The mistress. 
“Fly!” I whisper urgently, “Fly away, quick!” 
The dove only coos, so I gently brush it off the sill and watch it fly up into the pale blue sky. If only I could be as free as he. 
A piercing voice makes me start, and I turn around to face the mistress. 
Her clear eyes glace around the room. “You haven’t done a very good job, have you?” Her voice is like sharp ice. 
I hang my head. “No, ma’am.” 
“Laziness is not tolerated here.” A cruel smile comes over her face. “Laziness is only punished. Follow me.” 
She whirls out of the room and I follow without a word. If only I had wings like the dove, then I could fly away too. Fly far and fast and never come back. 
But I don’t even have the hope of escape; the mistress is far too pleased about having a princess as her slave for that.

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

A man donned in a grey cloak, his brow drawn, stared down upon a boy dressed in a black hood.  His old eyes studied the young eyes of a boy.  The youth's expression; however, was unreadable.

“Pray tell,” said the elder, “What makes you think you are the one that was called for?”

The boy’s expression never changed.  “My mother told me.”

The man’s wrinkled, solemn demeanor gave way to a slight chortle “Ah, but it is every mother’s dream that her son be the one to change the tide and break the curse.”  The mockery in his tone gave way to that of despondency.  “Go on home, boy,” he sighed, “A mother’s dream can’t end the war.”

“I am he.”  The boy insisted.  “And I can prove this to you.”  He slowly lifted his right hand forward, spreading his fingers apart. A single spark kindled from the center of his palm.

The elder’s dark eyes opened wide.  The corners of his mouth lifted and he shook grey head in awe.  “You are the one—you are the one who is to save us!” 

The fire died and the boy bowed his head.  “I am he.”  He tilted his head up; his stoic expression began to change.  A strange sort of expression twisted his young features, causing the elder to feel unsettled in a way he could not describe.  “I am he.”  The boy continued “My mother—she died of agony in this knowledge.”  He stood up straighter, all at once not seeming the innocent boy he was, but so much more than that.  He grinned, his green eyes peering down upon the man.  “And so shall you.”

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

I thrash in my covers screaming. My sweat glues them to my bare arms, and the sound of my wails is muffled by thick, black smoke. The already hot air grows hotter as the fire draws closer. I’m paralyzed, trapped in my own body. The flames eat at the floor, the walls, the rug, anything they can consume.

Invisible hands shake me. I cry out in the pain they add to my body besides my aching lungs and boiling blood. The flames are licking my hand, but it doesn’t hurt. I look closer. The flames are coming from my hand. I open my mouth to scream…

“Kiera!”

My eyes snap open. I’m in my room, but there is no fire. No smoke. No pain. That is, except for the soreness of my raw throat.

I shriek and attempt to wriggle out of the hands that clutch me. My already racing heart goes sprinting. I can’t be caught. The fire almost got me, I won’t the hands grab me.

“Kiera, it’s me! Stop it!” Kaleb’s calloused hand strokes my forehead. His grey eyes bore into mine. “What’s wrong, Kiera? It’s okay. I’m here.”

I stop thrashing and choke back my sobs. My brother won’t hurt me.

“I had the dream again,” I hiccup. I prop my elbows on my pillow.

Kaleb’s brow pinches. “Again? The same one?”

I nod. Suddenly, a mourning dove in the open window catches my gaze as it flutters its perfectly formed wings. I’m transfixed. It looks so peaceful, unlike me. A war rages in me, never ceasing. There is no rest. No peace.

The ringing of bells breaks the silence, shattering it like a vase. The dove disappears into the night.

And then my hand bursts into flames.

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

Honorable Recognitions: 

1. Esther

Thanks so much to everyone who participated!

Pin this!

• 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.

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: radio, scarf, snowflake (submitted by Micaiah)
• Write a passage based on this picture OR this picture (submitted by Shelby, Maddie & Natalie)
• Write a passage either incorporating this phrase OR based on this phrase:  
  
  

  "I told you I'd be back." (submitted by Maddie)

Post your entry on your blog!:

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:

• 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.