I’ve got a new favorite website: One Word. Each day, the site offers you one word, and you’ve got sixty seconds to write about it. Free word association in 60 seconds. As soon as you click “GO,” the word is introduced and the timer begins. Obviously, you’d write the first things that would come to mind. You’d also write in a form that is immediately comfortable for you — a poem, a haiku, an essay, etc. Whatever you’ve got to share, you only have 60 seconds to write about it.
When your time is up, you hear a chime. That means you just have to finish that sentence you’re typing out. And voila, a warm-up writing exercise in 60 seconds.
I love One Word because it declutters your mind before you start on what you have to write.
I love it because I get to see what I and other people immediately associate with a word. You get to read what others did too if they opt to share what they wrote. For example, the word a few days ago was “dial.” Here’s what I churned out:
She knew it was a mistake as soon as she pressed the buttons.
Inebriated. With his number still in her phone.
She knew he didn’t want to get together.
But it was worth asking wasn’t it?
Never mind if she wouldn’t remember a single thing in the morning.
Things always get more complicated once the fog clears, but right then and there, it didn’t matter at all.
Ooookay, I immediately associated drunk-dialing with the word “dial”. Haha. I wonder why. *crickets* Anyway, today’s word is “intuition.” In 60 seconds, I wrote:
Listen. Can you hear it talking? Can you hear it nudging you this particular way?
It is whispering something. Listen closely. It is almost always right.
What? You don’t want to follow it? Suit yourself. It’s just like a little angel on your shoulder, telling you what feels is the best thing for you. You don’t have to follow it, no you don’t.
The choice is yours. Always yours.
But it never hurts to listen to it. Intuition. Not even one bit.
I like One Word because in one word and 60 seconds, you can surprise yourself with what comes out.
Why don’t you give it a whirl? And do share what you write given that one word and 60 seconds. 
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
witsandnuts
October 26, 2009 at 8:37 pm (15 years ago)Cool, Toni! I would try this. Thanks for spreading the good link. =)
haze
October 27, 2009 at 10:31 am (15 years ago)oh wow! this is a fun site! you always come up with the coolest sites!
i’ll give this a try when i get “bored” here in the office. haha!
.-= haze´s last blog ..a certified GLEEK =-.
Ruthie
October 27, 2009 at 5:55 pm (15 years ago)This what i wrote in 60 seconds:
In dutch….
vandaag is leuk dag maar vindt ik te nauw en kou soms vindt ik te saai alles valt naar beneden ja dat is het de bladen veel kleur en mooi toch kom het regen
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Today a nice day but i feel cramped and cold sometimes i feel boring everything fell down yes those are the leaves a lots of color and beautiful yeah.. the rain comes
I wrote about our weather in europe as the 4 seasons changed i mean “the spring” one word is not enough in 60 seconds for me..lol i log my coffee brain. as a pinay in europe we always think 60 seconds and one word is worth a euro in our pocket.
would you mind if i link u? this is my 10 second question .have a great day!
.-= Ruthie´s last blog ..fear of swine flu =-.
blue rose
October 28, 2009 at 7:46 am (15 years ago)uhmmm…this is cool! gusto ko rin magtry.
thanks for the link toni.
.-= blue rose´s last blog ..happiness… =-.
BabyPink
November 1, 2009 at 4:59 am (14 years ago)Mukhang maganda nga ito.
.-= BabyPink´s last blog ..Nostalgic much? =-.
renin
November 14, 2009 at 4:52 pm (14 years ago)I tried this upon reading you plurk. Though, it is similar to Vox’s qotd,the time frame (60 sec) made One Word more stimulating and exciting.
Thanks for the link, Ms. Toni!
.-= renin´s last blog ..White bengal clock vine =-.