Monday, January 20, 2014

Monday's Minute Challenge

What is Monday's Minute Challenge?

A quick writing challenge (and contest) to help get your creative juices flowing for the new week.

Rules & Prizes:
  1. Only the writing prompt entries--not the journal prompts--will be entered into the contest.
  2. If there are over 5 entries, the panel of judges will select a 2nd and 1st place. However, if there is under 5 entries, the panel of judges will select only one winner.
  3. The 2nd place winner will receive a badge for their blog, and the 1st place winner will receive a badge, as well as a free ebook of my YA novel, PURPLE MOON.
  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. The same person cannot win first place two weeks in a row. 
  6. If the winner has already read PURPLE MOON, the ebook will be rewarded to the second place winner.
  7. This is only for fun and to stretch your writing muscles--not necessarily to be taken too seriously. =)


Last Week's Winner(s)...

Since there were only 3 entries for the writing prompt category, there will only be one winner (see the rules above). The entry that the judges thought was the most intriguing (based on rule #4) is ... 
I could not believe who the new kid at school was. He slid his hood off and his familiar green eyes scanned the cafeteria. As he noticed me, his lips curled into a smirk. I couldn't believe this was happening. The boy that had stalked me all summer was here. The boy that I'd thought I'd finally gotten rid of.

My feet seemed to freeze in the cafeteria; I tried to break free, but I couldn't move. I frowned and averted my eyes from him. Pinching my lower arm, I hoped this was all a dream. But as the boy started walking toward me, my stomach churned and my vision turned black. 
Congratulations, Jillian! Please leave your email address in the comments (or email me) and I will be sure to have your prizes sent to you ASAP. =)

Thanks so much to everyone who participated!




How to Submit:

You may submit your challenge response in the comments section below. (If you would like to make it even more challenging, set a timer for 60 seconds and see how much writing you can get done in that amount of time.) Your response should range between 1 - 3 paragraphs.

You can also post your challenge response on your blog, and then create your own challenge for your readers! However, make sure that you link back to this post and use the image above. If you are participating on your blog, be sure to submit your link in the comments and I will add it to the list of participants at the end of this post.



Today's Challenge Is...

Choose at least one:
  • Write about this quote and what your interpretation of it is: “The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.” ~Author unknown
  • Finish this: "I never thought I would find you here."


Participants: 

Are you participating on your blog? If so, make sure that you have linked to this blog, and included the above picture. Submit your post's link and I will be sure to add it to this list!

11 comments:

  1. Congrats Jillian! Your going to love Purple Moon!

    HP

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  2. This prompt was lots of fun to write, Tessa, thanks! :)

    http://indonesiaaroundme.blogspot.com/2014/01/mondays-minutes.html

    TW Wright
    ravensandwriting.blogspot.com

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  3. Woot! I am trying this for the first time, thanks to TW.
    Here is my link. http://mary.burroughstribe.com/2014/01/21/mondays-minute-challenge/
    This was really fun!

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  4. "I never thought I'd find you here." I said, trying to catch my breath. The trek to the top of Enchanted Rock had brought me face to face with the woman I had been searching for since I was seventeen, my biological mom. I had gone on this little escapade to relieve the stress of the last few weeks and get some fresh Texas air, but I never expected that I'd find the answer to my prayers too. She fit the description perfectly and she had the same dark hazel eyes as mine. Her hair flew into her face as she dropped her pack to look at me. "I'm sorry, I...don't know you." she said, seemingly confused.

    "Mom," I began, tears welling up in my eyes and a lump growing in my throat. "Nineteen years ago, you were going to abort me. But you made a sacrifice for me and I could never, ever thank you enough!" Wiping my eyes on my scarf, I searched her face for the recognition I hoped was there and waited for her reply. "You're...Sofia!? Oh, my baby girl." her voice broke and tears came to her eyes as she stepped toward me and placed her hands on my shoulders. "I never imagined...my beautiful baby!" She finished by wrapping me in a warm embrace. Everything was going to be okay now.

    Suddenly, a gust of wind blew over the top of the rock and thunder rumbled on the horizon. "Oh! We'd better head back down soon." she said, and releasing her embrace, she motioned to a tall, muscular man who was just walking over. "I want you to meet my friend, uh, my...boyfriend, Tristan." As soon as I saw him I wished I could sink into the ground. It may have just been the cold-front blowing in, but the chill that ran through my bones was enough to spark a wave of disappointment mixed with fear that nearly overwhelmed me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Is this where I was supposed to post it?

      Delete
    2. Yep! You can also post it on your blog if you'd like, as long as you include the picture and link back here. =)

      Thanks for participating!

      Delete
  5. Very nice! It was intriguing and made me want to read more!

    ReplyDelete
  6. “I never thought I’d find you here.”
    “Well, sir, that makes two of us.” Isaac snorts at my curt reply and sits down beside the prison gate. Through the bars, I can almost trace Lord Velnias’ insignia embroidered on the back his tunic. “Why are you down here?” I ask, “Velnias denies visitors for every prisoner.”
    “My lord’s rule applies to murderers, thieves, and debtors. I recall you are neither these nor their alternative.” Isaac reaches into his pocket and pulls out a loaf of bread. He breaks it in half and shares it with me. I finger the flaking crust and breathe its heavenly scent before carefully tearing off a large chunk. “If my suspicions are correct on where you acquired this bread, you might be my neighbor in this rotting hell.” Isaac ignores my quip and continues to eat his piece in silence. I do the same and try to block the clang of steel against steel. Velnias’ soldiers have been sparring and preforming drills all afternoon. “Will you watch the battle like everyone else?” I ask Isaac. He turns and looks me in the eye, “Yes, but I’m bringing a…friend.” I turn towards the small cell window and bring my knees to my chest. Guilt builds like a sandstorm and starts to bury my insides. I’ll never be able to undo what I already told Velnias. I’m a traitor. I’m a traitor. I’m a- The obnoxious squeal of rusting iron drowns out my remorse. I feel something land at my feet and look towards the front of my cell. Isaac is fastening a burlap cloak and positioning its hood so his face is obscured. A key dangles from the rope around his waist. “Put yours on quickly and follow me,” he says, “We have to leave before Chef Bastian realizes Lord Velnias do not chill his best wine in a cellar, off the prison.”

    Hi Ms. Hall, I do not have a blog and copied my story here. Is that okay?
    Sincerely, Angela Beatrice (author of submitted paragraphs: There is a one small paragraph and one LARGE one) =)

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  7. Hi, I just submitted my story thinking it was Monday: Can it still count? Even though it's Tuesday? My internal clock isn't running well today because we had off from school yesterday and I'm all mixed up.

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  8. I'm not sure when the deadline is for posting, but I'll go ahead and do one in case I can still join. ^^ Thanks for the fun challenge!

    "I never thought I would find you here."
    I whipped around at his voice, keeping my hands hidden behind my back, fingers gripping desperately to the coiled rope. A sharp wind tugged at my long braid and lace skirts.
    "I thought you were afraid of heights?" he stated knowingly, stepping closer. In response I retreated back, flinching when I bumped into the cold metal rail. It was the only thing between me and the twelve-story drop from the tower to the foggy tangle of branches below. I tried to smooth my breath, begged my shaking legs to steady. I was terrified of heights. My whole being rebelled against where I was, what I was planning to do.
    But sometimes you have to face a fear in order to escape something even more dangerous….

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