This week’s challenge is not one of subject, theme, or other detail — the challenge is simply one of length. Because normally? You get 1000 words. Today? You get only 100. (I think this is technically called a “drabble.” You can call it “Bobo” for all I like.)
So:
Go to your online space.
Post 100 words (no more!) of fiction.
Link back here so we can all see it.
Due by next Friday, 3/27.
That’s it.
I double dog dare you to do it.
(edit: I also double dog my friend, Erin Lynn Jeffreys Hodges, to try it, too.)
persimmonromance says:
Excellent timing! I just wrote one in honor of St. Patrick’s day! And I’m usually terrible with timing. I posted it a couple of places, but here’s a link to it on GR… https://www.goodreads.com/story/show/395245-treason
March 20, 2015 — 1:07 PM
upickdandelions says:
🙂
March 20, 2015 — 2:45 PM
persimmonromance says:
Thanks.
March 20, 2015 — 9:12 PM
Sheriff Dan (@MWhipple4) says:
Beautiful.
March 20, 2015 — 7:46 PM
persimmonromance says:
Thank you.
March 20, 2015 — 9:11 PM
l.wilder says:
Bravo!
March 21, 2015 — 3:09 AM
persimmonromance says:
Thank you!
March 22, 2015 — 8:11 PM
ShadowCub says:
Oh! Very good. Very good indeed.
March 27, 2015 — 3:21 AM
persimmonromance says:
Thank you!
March 27, 2015 — 10:10 AM
addy says:
that is powerful.
well done
March 31, 2015 — 11:06 AM
persimmonromance says:
Thank you!
March 31, 2015 — 5:00 PM
Deanmcsmith says:
Here you go ‘Oh Jeremy’ wp.me/p5Nnxd-D
March 20, 2015 — 1:09 PM
upickdandelions says:
*chuckles*
March 20, 2015 — 2:47 PM
Doug Daniel says:
As usual, I have failed–
https://douglasdanieldotcom.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=3836&action=edit&message=6&postpost=v2
March 20, 2015 — 1:18 PM
john freeter says:
Indeed
March 20, 2015 — 4:14 PM
Doug Daniel says:
Yes, please see below– first I supply the wrong link, then ten hours later I find a missing word in a sentence that makes me look like an English-challenged Yak herder. And that may be an insult to Yak-herders….
March 21, 2015 — 12:01 AM
deb says:
The sign read “The MONKEY BITES”. Ace sat with his back to the room tearing out single pages from a small bible and eating them, chewing slowly while looking up at the ceiling of his cage as if he was memorizing the passages. Billy, the bar’s owner and bartender, said he only ate one or two pages a day – it was not as if he was hungry. Billy fed Ace every time he fed himself. In fact, he fed the monkey first since he was worried about being poisoned, a fair concern because he treated the cook like dirt.
March 20, 2015 — 1:27 PM
Windy Mama says:
Oh! I want more!
March 21, 2015 — 3:07 PM
deb says:
What more could I ask? Thanks. As it spews from the pipe, the working title is “The Monkeytown Murders”.
March 23, 2015 — 10:30 AM
jacki214 says:
Lol!
March 22, 2015 — 10:50 PM
Kitten says:
https://threemagic8balls.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/its-not-for-you-a-terrible-minds-challenge/
March 20, 2015 — 1:35 PM
upickdandelions says:
Thank you for this. I think you are writing about my character, but is “he” her husband or someone else?
March 20, 2015 — 2:56 PM
Cari Hislop says:
Your short story has a strange sweetness. It would make a very powerful start to a novel. I now want to know who this couple is and why they’re in the situation they are and what happens next. It could be positive or negative… Great writing!
March 20, 2015 — 5:06 PM
ElctrcRngr says:
This sums up the relationships of so many I have known. Very insightful.
March 20, 2015 — 9:40 PM
cleefrost says:
Oh, to be in my 20s again…or not. Vivid portrait, and very relatable! 🙂
March 22, 2015 — 8:31 PM
K.Gman says:
Beautifully done. I tried to find my own words, but cleefrost said it so well with “vivid portrait, and very relatable,” so I will second that and applaud your work.
March 24, 2015 — 1:47 PM
Doug Daniel says:
Hmm– let’s try a link that works–
https://douglasdanieldotcom.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/birth/
March 20, 2015 — 1:47 PM
upickdandelions says:
AI = artificial intelligence or artificial insemination? I wonder what babies would tell us in their first moments if they could speak.
March 20, 2015 — 2:52 PM
Doug Daniel says:
Well, I kinda thought the phrase “AI CPU” would clarify the situation….
I think most human babies’ first words would be, “Geez, what a tight squeeze!…Where’s breakfast?”
March 20, 2015 — 3:12 PM
Andrew T says:
Or, “BRR! Dammit, doctor, shove me back in, it’s warm in there!”
March 20, 2015 — 4:25 PM
spoonfedbyaliens says:
Really enjoyed this!! Good work.
March 22, 2015 — 5:32 PM
Shanan Winters says:
Here you go!!
https://shananwinters.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/terrible-minds-100-word-challenge/
March 20, 2015 — 1:59 PM
Mel says:
https://bardgirlstale.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/single-serve-flash-fiction-shorty-challenge/
My flash fiction always involves killing people. Hmm.
March 20, 2015 — 2:11 PM
upickdandelions says:
I think reading these snippits are as frustrating for me as they are for the writers. I wish I knew the backstory to this one. Its such a vivid scene.
March 20, 2015 — 3:02 PM
Mel says:
I debated on adding the backstory after the post itself- tell not enough, or tell too much? I can never tell. I’ll take vivid any day! Thanks for the read. 😀
March 20, 2015 — 6:12 PM
StarNinja says:
Holy crap! That one left an impression on me. So many questions! Anywhoo, good job with the writing and such.
March 21, 2015 — 1:38 PM
Kate Vanskike says:
She had an old, brown map of the world, framed and hanging over her TV. Stickpins with colored heads marked where she’d been and how many times. Lying on a twin bed in her nursing home room, she propped a leg over the other knee in the air; her memory as sharp as her body was nimble. She knew what she had paid for a Coke on an Alaskan cruise in the ‘60s, and why she returned to Australia twice. (Koalas.) Thirty years after her death, the search for that map—with its pins and memories—begins.
http://wordsncoffee.com/2015/03/20/100-words-a-contest/
March 20, 2015 — 2:22 PM
Steven Cowles says:
http://wp.me/p4Mxin-95
Mirrors, shadow hounds, and the lost post.
March 20, 2015 — 2:29 PM
upickdandelions says:
More! I hope you’ll spend more words on this story.
March 20, 2015 — 2:58 PM
writerchick says:
“That was decidedly bad luck” LOL, I loved that line.
March 20, 2015 — 7:38 PM
colinjkeats says:
Very nice.
March 21, 2015 — 6:22 PM
Kayla says:
Here’s mine! https://thekaylaallen.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/dead-ringer/
March 20, 2015 — 2:39 PM
Kate Copse says:
I liked this a lot 🙂 and I can see it working as a longer piece of fiction (I definitely would read more about the twins!)
March 23, 2015 — 4:41 PM
Diedra Black says:
Love it!
March 25, 2015 — 7:01 PM
upickdandelions says:
I’m going to keep writing about the characters I created last week. I’m not certain which piece of her story Dawneva should reveal at this point, mainly because I haven’t yet decided how dysfunctional, deviant or demented she is. Maybe she’ll tell me next week. https://redeemingquantity.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/the-truth/
March 20, 2015 — 2:43 PM
agincourtdb says:
This is sort of what I do, so here’s mine: Zombie Drabble #429 “Decay”
http://www.agincourtdb.com/2015/03/zombie-drabble-429.html
March 20, 2015 — 3:05 PM
Kaye P Hallows says:
This whole story (for mature audiences) is told in drabble chapters of 100 words. I’ve posted the prologue to my blog here: http://onceuponatemptation.blogspot.com/
March 20, 2015 — 3:06 PM
Kate Copse says:
What a great idea! I love the prologue (re-worked fairy tales are a definite love of mine), so I think I know what my next kindle purchase is going to be!
March 23, 2015 — 4:44 PM
Andrew T says:
I started writing just some random fiction. Not knowing where to take it, I deleted the first line I wrote. This challenge had me rewrite that line… and then finish what I didn’t know I knew until today would be where I was headed in the story.
https://whatrealityisthis.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/a-fork-in-the-road/
March 20, 2015 — 3:18 PM
sayitsultry says:
That story is forked up. Haha, sorry. Please don’t knife me.
March 27, 2015 — 2:43 PM
ronitjadhav777 says:
I have followed this blog for over a year now. I only recently shifted my blog from Blogger to WordPress. This is my first Flash Fiction on WordPress.
Hope you’ll like it.
https://darkwordsfromblackmind.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/the-unhappy-warlord/
March 20, 2015 — 3:33 PM
Kate Copse says:
I did like it. It’s gave an interesting perspective 🙂
March 23, 2015 — 4:39 PM
@BlackbyrdGyrl says:
My first new blog post in quite some time. http://theblackbyrdposts.tumblr.com
March 20, 2015 — 3:34 PM
bathoryssecret says:
Oh I love this one!
Here’s mine! Title’s “Hospital.”
https://bathoryssecret.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/chuck-made-me-do-it-again/
March 20, 2015 — 3:41 PM
Andrew T says:
Oh, yikes! Nicely done! Reminds me of one of the first scenes in Kill Bill.
March 20, 2015 — 3:50 PM
bathoryssecret says:
Thanks Andrew! Nice parallel, I can live with that 😉
March 20, 2015 — 7:21 PM
ronitjadhav777 says:
That was some creepy writing. I liked it 😀
March 22, 2015 — 1:00 PM
Andrew T says:
Oh, yikes! Nicely done! Reminds me of one of the first scenes in Kill Bill.
March 20, 2015 — 3:49 PM
Andrew T says:
Oops, meant to be a response for bathoryssecret. Please delete.
March 20, 2015 — 3:52 PM
mannixk says:
Tricky! Here’s mine:
http://makesmesodigress.com/2015/03/20/drabble-challenge-my-word/
March 20, 2015 — 4:06 PM
A.R. Williams says:
I like it 🙂
March 20, 2015 — 4:17 PM
Cari Hislop says:
Wow! Great writing!
March 20, 2015 — 4:55 PM
ElctrcRngr says:
Wow, that second paragraph…GREAT writing. Thank you
March 20, 2015 — 10:01 PM
angelomarcos says:
Wow. That’s heartbreaking. Really excellently written!
March 21, 2015 — 7:03 AM
mannixk says:
You are a kind bunch. 🙂
March 21, 2015 — 9:36 AM
Mikey Campling says:
If you thought it was tricky, it didn’t show. I really enjoyed your story. Thanks for sharing it.
March 21, 2015 — 4:55 PM
mannixk says:
That is an especially nice compliment from you.
March 21, 2015 — 8:57 PM
Mikey Campling says:
I do like a really short, short story. I prefer Bobo to Drabble (which sounds drab). Maybe we should call it a “Chuck” or a “Wendig”. Let’s change that name people – we have the power of social media at our fingertips.
Anyway, here’s my rather dark little story – Sweet Dreams My Only One:
http://mikeycampling.com/sweetdreams
I hope you enjoy it.
March 20, 2015 — 4:12 PM
colinjkeats says:
I commented on your page but should here also, this was very good, and definitely bears fleshing out … not literally of course, well … maybe.
March 21, 2015 — 6:26 PM
winterelise says:
I love reading short-short fiction. This is my first attempt to go under a 1000 words.
http://wp.me/p3NvSA-5Q
Enjoy!
March 20, 2015 — 4:33 PM
Cari Hislop says:
Has a nice creepy feeling! Great writing!
March 20, 2015 — 4:59 PM
Quantum Tea says:
It’s been a while since I wrote a drabble, this was fun.
Here’s mine, Patience:
http://quantumtea.com/2015/03/20/patience/
March 20, 2015 — 5:04 PM
Kate Copse says:
Great writing, and I love the twist 🙂 it makes my wonder how they got there, and what’s going to happen after.
March 23, 2015 — 4:48 PM
Kristofer says:
Whipped this out… hope some of you are anthropologists.
https://medium.com/@KristoferNivens/moment-279146ca9884
March 20, 2015 — 5:26 PM
Kaal Alexander Rosser says:
Not really a good story, but it gave me a much needed break in other work, so, thanks for the challenge.
http://kaalalexanderrosser.com/2015/03/20/100-word-story/
March 20, 2015 — 5:42 PM
kmburke66 says:
That was fun!
http://wp.me/p46rhg-2R
March 20, 2015 — 5:43 PM
Allison Maruska says:
Nice twist. 🙂
March 20, 2015 — 7:23 PM
Kevin says:
Thanks, Allison. Going to wait till mid week and binge-read the other submissions!
March 23, 2015 — 4:29 PM
ElctrcRngr says:
Dude, that was weird as hell. Had me going
March 20, 2015 — 10:05 PM
kmburke66 says:
Thanks, ER. Looking forward to reading other submissions.
March 21, 2015 — 2:56 PM
Kate Copse says:
Commented on your blog but thought I’d reply here too. I loved the twist, it really made me smile! Didn’t see it coming.
March 22, 2015 — 10:34 AM
Kevin says:
Thanks for the kudos, Kate. Kudos Kate, Kudos Kate…
March 23, 2015 — 4:30 PM
donnaeve says:
Wow. I was worried. Really nice twist!
March 22, 2015 — 3:09 PM
Kevin says:
Thanks, Donnaeve!
March 23, 2015 — 4:31 PM
ryanjamesblack says:
Here’s my drabble…
Tex Wentz, Landscape Exorcist
FEAR THE POTATOES!
https://ryanjamesblack.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/tex-wentz-landscape-exorcist/
March 20, 2015 — 5:55 PM
Allison Maruska says:
Haha! Great voice.
March 20, 2015 — 7:25 PM
Mozette says:
Okay…. what’s he gonna do with the beer?
March 20, 2015 — 8:30 PM
ryanjamesblack says:
Uh. Something sophisticated?
Just kidding. He’s gonna drink the beer, bless his urine, and unleash a frothy stream of Holy pee all over those demonic veggies!
What do you think?
March 20, 2015 — 9:13 PM
Mozette says:
Ooookay… that’s weird ol’ holy water right there. 😛
March 21, 2015 — 7:46 AM
ryanjamesblack says:
We agree. Very weird. Everyone knows vegetables cannot be possessed. Best not to try any variety of Holy water on them. It wouldn’t work. Also, they are not real. Vegetables cannot hurt you.
Signed, stoopid hooman
(Not possessed potatoes)
March 21, 2015 — 9:34 AM
ElctrcRngr says:
My Lawds! Doncha’ all know not to let dem taters anywheres near ya word processa? Nutin worse ‘n a pozest word processa
Signed, Tex-Electronics exorcist
March 21, 2015 — 4:44 PM
donnaeve says:
Talk about a word economist. You nailed voice. You nailed atmosphere. You nailed intrigue, and well just about everything. Loved it.
March 22, 2015 — 3:12 PM
ryanjamesblack says:
Thanks! Im glad you enjoyed it.
March 22, 2015 — 3:37 PM
Jessyca says:
100 words right here! Is love thicker than blood? http://wp.me/pWseh-y9
March 20, 2015 — 6:03 PM
spoonfedbyaliens says:
I really like what you did with this one… a great re-imagining of an old classic!
March 23, 2015 — 3:47 PM
Shanan Winters says:
Trying to post again… I guess it didn’t go through the first time! Here’s my 94 words, title “Gone”. Hope you like it! https://shananwinters.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/terrible-minds-100-word-challenge/
March 20, 2015 — 6:47 PM
Dani says:
This is part love story, part mother explaining to kid about how she met her husband story. I’ve been slightly obsessed with conveying the horror of drought and its effects (but taken to extremes) ever since I read an article on the drought in CA (and seeing green places I’ve romped in turning into nothing but dust and cracked soil).
There are no politics to this, just a “what if…”
https://writingouttakes.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/the-last-tree/
March 20, 2015 — 6:56 PM
writerchick says:
Gee Chuck, your homework is hard. 🙂 http://wp.me/p1saO-18e
March 20, 2015 — 7:04 PM
Windy Mama says:
I think Kendra understands.
March 21, 2015 — 3:05 PM
ochreash says:
Here it is: Drabble
http://wp.me/p5Ozl1-1e
March 20, 2015 — 7:11 PM
LindaGHill says:
Ha! I love it!
March 24, 2015 — 10:31 AM
jacki214 says:
Hilarious! The last line takes it to the next level. I love BoBo.
March 25, 2015 — 12:31 AM
Allison Maruska says:
That wasn’t too tough.
http://allisonmaruska.com/2015/03/20/flash-fiction-leave/
March 20, 2015 — 7:21 PM
angelomarcos says:
This is sweet and sad all at the same time. The more I think about it, the more touching it becomes.
March 21, 2015 — 6:58 AM
Allison Maruska says:
Thanks! It was really a challenge of “how much can I say without saying it?”
March 21, 2015 — 9:22 AM
Kate Copse says:
I think this is my favourite one so far. Beautifully written, and the story really stuck with me. Very well done 🙂
March 22, 2015 — 10:37 AM
Mozette says:
I went off personal experience with this one. This actually happened to me in my present home only weeks after I moved in… yes, guys, a true story. 😀
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/haunted.html
March 20, 2015 — 8:12 PM
absentmemory says:
Been a while since I last tried one of these so I’m probably rusty but here you go: Hushed Whisper http://wp.me/p3Co8C-40
March 20, 2015 — 8:37 PM
ripplefargo says:
Not my best work,but it’s what came first in my head.
https://letterstomyimaginaryfriend.wordpress.com/random-writing-posts/
March 20, 2015 — 8:47 PM
ElctrcRngr says:
Writing a good short story is certainly one of the most challenging forms in fiction. While 100 words doesn’t a short story make, here’s my submission for this week’s challenge.
http://elctrcrngr.wordpress.com/2015/03/20/the-shooting/
March 20, 2015 — 9:29 PM
ElctrcRngr says:
Wouldn’t be a Wendig challenge if I got the link right the first time. For some reason, WordPress insists I submitted this on the 21st. Try http://elctrcrngr.wordpress.com/2015/03/21/the-shooting/
March 20, 2015 — 9:33 PM