The 60-Minute Story Challenge

Have you ever wondered whether you're actually a fast drafter who over-edits, or a careful planner who barely needs to revise? This challenge is one of the best ways I know to find out, and it's simpler than it sounds - which is exactly why it's harder than it sounds.

The rules

Get yourself a random prompt with a few criteria it has to meet, set a 60-minute timer, and write with pen and paper only - no devices. Beyond that, you decide how to split the hour between planning, writing, and editing.

The golden rule

Don't fix anything while you're writing. No going back, no rewriting the last sentence you just wrote - just keep moving forward no matter how rough it feels in the moment. Editing is a separate phase, and when it comes, it's total. That's the only time you're allowed to fix everything.

What it actually teaches you

The point was never to produce a perfect story in an hour. It's to discover your own workflow. Do you need five minutes to plan, or twenty? Do you write fast and edit for a long time after, or the other way around? Run this a few times and you'll know your own rhythm without having to guess at it anymore.

Sample prompts to try

• A lighthouse keeper receives a letter addressed to someone who died a hundred years ago. Must include a storm and end with a decision.
• Every clock in town stops at the same moment. Must include two characters who disagree.
• A traveler is offered a door that can only be opened once. Must include a surprise in the last paragraph.