Formula:
1. Inspiration “dip” (find a phrase, word, image or audio clip arbitrarily in a source of our choosing). 2. Set the timer to five minutes. 3. Write (without editing). 4. Share.
History:
We are Julia and Sasha. We started writing together in April 2010, inspired by Natalie Goldberg (we bow down to you, Natalie). Meeting in coffee shops with various inspirational sources and doing timed writing exercises, we started off with six, or four, or twelve minutes. We began to love the short ones because there was something magical that happened in such a snippet of time. It was fast and dirty, and we got to the heart of what we wanted to say without wasting any time. With that, “these five minutes” was born. After sharing these writes solely with one another for a year and a half, we decided it was time to share these pocket-sized stories with you. What better way to launch this project than with a challenge: using the same “dip” we each write a five minute piece per day. It’s just the way we like it. Short writes. Short reads.
Want to get in touch? Email! thesefiveminutes@gmail.com
Hi, so I was on a bus and I found your notebook don’t know if it was a advertising thing but if I wasn’t its pretty much full to the last page. Since there was a way to contact you through here I thought I would say hi and it was a nice read and I can hold onto the book for you if you like or pass it on. Well either way you might want to concider leaving more journals around they promote interaction in the city which is cool.
Hi Richard. This is Julia. I cannot even begin to thank you for finding my notebook, but more so because you were kind enough to reach us through here. It actually wasn’t a promotional act, but we will certainly consider your incredible suggestion. Thanks for taking the time to check out our project and contact us here. You have truly reminded me of the humanity in this city. I’d love the chance to meet you.
Eternally grateful,
Julia
I love these short reads. I write myself also. I was wondering if there was anyway to submitt some of my written stuff. I have been through a lot and I thought it would be a good way the connect with people going through the same things. Thanks
I am genuinely moved by everything I have read on this website. Thank you.
The idea of five minute unedited stories is brilliant! You’ve inspired me to try something like this too 😀
I really enjoy this ‘5 Minute’ idea. Short stories and essays can be a beating to read sometimes, but ya’ll seem to have found the perfect length of prose to keep anyone and everyone’s attention. These little vignettes into your lives are beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
Thank YOU for reading! xo t5m
Love this idea!
This is a really good idea !!
Thanks, Randall!
[…] is just a piece of the excellent content produced by Julia and Sasha at thesefiveminutes. “He Was a Spy” is awesome for merely five minutes of unedited […]
I love these little stories, they read so well! I’m so happy I stumbled onto this site.
Thanks for visiting us, Carol!
You are so cool! I don’t believe I have read through
something like this before. So wonderful to find another person with some
original thoughts on this topic. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up.
This site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a bit
of originality!
Thanks for visiting, handyman! We love originality and creativity, too. Cheers! t5m
Great blog! Do you have any tips for aspiring writers?
I’m hoping to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost
on everything. Would you propose starting
with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are
so many options out there that I’m totally confused ..
Any ideas? Thanks!
Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I’ve truly enjoyed browsing your
weblog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing in your feed and I’m hoping
you write once more soon!
Hey Maximilian! Do you mean how to get started writing? Give our recipe a try – choose a dip in a book you love, set the timer for five minutes and write! Good luck. xo t5m
I’ve nominated you for a liebster award. http://bdhesse.wordpress.com/2014/08/22/liebster-award/
I love the 5 minute stories and poems 🙂 This will definitely be a poetry prompt 🙂 Nice job 🙂
Thank you! We love when readers write with us!
Right on; write on 🙂
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