Writing Super Short Fiction

In a recent post I spoke about the six-word-memoir. The six-word-memoir wasn’t my idea, but when I heard about it I was instantly enthralled and delighted. I couldn’t get enough of those one sentence spots of humanity.

Then an idea occurred to me. What about a 50 word story. Had anyone thought of that? According to my research there are various forms of fiction. They include:

Flash fiction—This is fiction with extreme brevity and is 1000 words or less. It can also be called, Sudden Fiction, Microfiction and Postcard Fiction. It is believed that this type of fiction began with Aesop, the famed slave and story-teller who lived from 620-560 BC in Ancient Greece. His name has become synonymous with the popular Aesop’s Fables, which include classic tales like, The Tortoise and the Hare, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and The Fox and the Grapes.

Short-short—Fiction between 1001 words and 2500 words.

Traditional short story—Work between 2501-7500 words.

Novelette—Fiction that runs 7501-17,500 words.

And

55 Fiction-- This fiction is a form of microfiction and the work is limited to 55 words or less. Bingo. Almost my idea, or should I say it is the other way around.

So, before I knew about 55 Fiction, I sat down to write some 50-word ditties. I found that it is harder than you think. My idea didn't have too many rules, but I discovered that 55 Fiction does.

For your work to be considered a 55 Fiction piece, it must contain the following criteria:

1. Must be 55 words or less
2. Should have a setting
3. Must have one or more characters
4. Should have some conflict
5. Should have a resolution

Like I mentioned, I can’t say mine are exactly right. Mine most likely are more vignette-like than story, but I still had fun trying to master the craft. My offerings, as well as my mother's are below. My mother is a freelance children's writer who has been published in many magazines including Highlights for Children and Ranger Rick. She also has a book entitled, Leaf Bird Days & Firefly Nights. When I first offered her this 50 word challenge she seemed a little shy about it, but I kept encouraging her, and I think you will be as intrigued as I was when you read her piece.

I hope you too will try this tiny story format. If you do, please feel free to add them below or send them to me. Perhaps we could start a new movement in creativity. We could call it Blink Fiction.

Son Shine

This student looks like my man’s son almost thirty years ago. Dark hair, round body, adorable smile. His face crinkles in the same fashion when he’s deciding what to do next, and he even swaggers like him.

Does my man see from heaven’s horizon the boy who looks like him?

Celebrity

The couple dances. Exotic, elegant, locked together, their red and black cloth twirling about the floor.

They smile at each other; their hearts look full to burst. A brilliant diamond on her left hand shakes silver dust on their feet.

Katherine and Spence. Even their names are glamorous.

White Light

A shimmer passed the woman twice. He had died and never said goodbye. A milky sheen fell across her forehead. She breathed twice, then stopped. I shook her arm and shouted her name, but she was gone. Gone to a place where lovers start the night.

Now What?

A handful of pickles. A sweaty palm. Three minutes, two, one minute to go before the stick is read. He takes it from her hand, and grabs his stomach when he sees a plus sign.

What will they do, now that they are both 50 years old?

Cowboy

I wave at the dark-haired cowboy. What a charmer I think. His eyes are the color of granite, his lips curve in a delicious smile. I know I have but once chance to rope him. He has taken my sister’s arm, and she never lets anyone go.

Presents

All day today there were presents; little pink sweaters, bouncy seats, bibs, binkies, tiny blue jeans, sippy cups, blue blankets and a crib.

We didn’t know what sex he was until he arrived and never cried. All day there were presents. Presents to return.

Trapped

The carnival passed just once with him; elephants, clowns, stallions, small people. It was all so different from the closed doors and covered windows.

I am free now. Long gone are the kidnapping nightmares. All I remember is that the happy music and colored lights kept me sane inside.

Love Garden

"I love our garden. My husband just planted marigolds and Meghan hung a new bird house."

Behind me, nurse Bonnie is whispering to someone, "She thinks she's at home with her husband and daughter, but they were killed in an accident years ago."

I close my mind to the words.