10 min writing April 2026

Concept is simple. Set a timer for 10 minutes and write based on the following prompt.

An old map / book

My fingers drum across the ancient paper, the rough, calloused hands in contrast to the smooth paper and neat words. I stare down at them, trying to decipher their meaning as the ship rocks from pirate cannonfire.

“How’s it going down there?” the first mate yells, barely able to constrain the panic in his voice.

“I can’t tell a seahorse from the poop deck with this thing. Did old Jim not have anything more recent?”

“If he did, it’s 5,000 leagues under the sea along with him. What you see is what you get.”

I curse under my breath and rotate the book, praying a new angle will show me a hidden cove. A ciger rolls out. I open the book further, and ten more, along with a sack of coins, fall out from the hollowed space. My eyes widen. My fingers tap the pages as I contemplate. I grab the cigars and rush up to the deck. At least we can get one last smoke in before the pirates blow us to smithereens.

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