This is an old favorite of mine. I'm including a link below to a website that publishes stories of exactly 55 words. Read a few of them, and then you have one of two choices: a.) do a standard 250 word post discussing the stories followed by a 100 word response or b.) try writing a 55 word story of your own. The rules for a 55 word story: 1.) I will be checking to make sure it is exactly 55 words (otherwise, it wouldn't be a 55 word story), 2.) you can title it, but it doesn't count towards the 55 words, and 3.) there are no restrictions on content, but keep in mind this is a public forum, so exercise common sense. For the response, you have the option of responding to someone's story or writing a second 55 word story.
However you choose to go about it, have the first post up by Thursday night (03/24) and the response up by Sunday night (03/27).
The link: http://www.birdandmoon.com/55words/
My first story
ReplyDeleteThe Closet
I stood in front of the closet. It has haunted me for years; it made the scary man come out when I was asleep. Not tonight I told my self. Reaching for the closet with my left hand holding a knife in my right hand; darkness filled the room and then he took me away.
Second story
ReplyDeleteThe Battle
I held my bow in my hand. I took my aim at the cave. Behind me were my friends holding swords and ready for battle. The sounds of demons roared from the cave. Hundreds of demons ran from the cave with no weapons but their long fingernails. I shot my arrow and the battle begun.
Memories
ReplyDeleteI looked into the empty room all grim. What once held thousands of beautiful princes and princesses. I look at my rags and just laugh. In my mind the music is playing again and I am in all gold. I start to dance and once again I am dancing into the light of the moon.
Your smile
ReplyDeleteLook at that smile and how it lights the room. All you have to do is take my hand and I am yours. You don’t want me, you want that girl. I am not that girl. I drop my head and a tear trickles down. A hand is wiping it away, it is your hand.
(First Story)
ReplyDeleteThe Juggler
“Just calm down”, Clown said as the Juggler attempted to throw 5 balls in the air. Clown knew Juggler could do it as long as the he believed in himself. Juggler took a deep breath in and out. He slowly tossed the balls up one by one and completed the throw with not one drop.
(Second Story)
ReplyDeleteThe Maze
The walls all looked like they were closing in on me. I didn’t know which way to go. I had to get myself out if I was going to make it safely. I ran in every direction until I saw the light shining at the end. I made it through the maze just in time.
Baby Elephant
ReplyDeleteThe baby elephant says, “Mom, can I have some water?” The mom elephant says, “Only a few more miles.” Tired and thirsty, the baby elephant can barely walk any further. The mother waits with her baby, pushing him to keep walking. She, too, is thirsty and can wait no longer. She has to move on.
Embrace
ReplyDeleteCompletely destitute and broken, she looks up to see a man watching her. She sees kindness in his eyes as he steadily takes her hand. In much generosity, he offers something worth much more than what money can give a person. Accepting his love and all he has to give, she steps into his embrace.
The Wait
ReplyDeleteClimbing higher over the rocky reefs proved to be an accomplishment.
“A bit more”, she thought.
Her red blood dripped against the dry, earthy sliver of rock.
She looked around.
The Sun was about to set, its orange signature lingering in the sky.
Just a bit further to reach the top before Daddy comes home.
Carousel
ReplyDeleteFantasies emerge when people’s eyes are closed and they believe anything they want. With my long brown hair flowing in the wind, I see a far a prince galloping on his beautiful black horse. Instead of coming towards me; he goes in a circular motion. I open my eyes to the sound of a carousel.
Fill Me Up With Your Love
ReplyDelete“Thank you for the teddy bear”, she said, cuddling it to her chest.
“You’re welcome babe. Just think of it as an investment towards our future”, he said. “Guard it with all the love that we have for one another.”
She nodded and walked to her front door unaware of the $80,000 within the bear.
Final Draft
ReplyDeleteSo much preparation has lead me to the draft I have today. I spent hours editing and obsessing over word choice. I turned it in with a lot of anxiety but hopefulness. I need an A to pass this class. I pray that the professor doesn’t hate me too much. English is killing me slowly.
Kitty (Second Story)
ReplyDeleteBorn fifty years ago a sensation came alive. A Japanese bobtail cat with a red bow. You’ll see her face everywhere; she’s just known. Some say she’s fictional while others would like her to be real. She’s the most fabulous kitty you can ever see. Hello world are you still guessing because it’s Hello Kitty.
First Birthday
ReplyDeleteEggs, milk, oil, mix. The ingredients look like a mushy mess when combined. The more you stir the batter, the more it begins to look like something edible. It goes in the oven a work in progress and comes out a masterpiece. Frosting and sprinkles complete the creation. The first birthday candle is blown out.
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ReplyDeleteThe Call
ReplyDeleteI haven’t spoken to my friend Lauren lately, so my friend and I called her pretending to be a residence life mediator yesterday. We said there had been complaints from her roommate and a meeting was to be scheduled Thursday at 6:00. She started crying at her club meeting and texted everyone about the issue.
In the midst of a bamboo forest, a ninja sat meditating. Deep in thought, he heard the snap of fresh bamboo. The ninja sprang up instantly, sword in hand. He waited. Another snap and the ninja sprinted through the dense forest. Charging through the brush, he came across a plump panda, lazily eating his dinner.
ReplyDeleteIn the midst of a bamboo forest, a panda basked in the light that made its way through the shoots. It reached over and snapped off a fresh piece of bamboo and began chewing lazily. Suddenly, a little boy appeared from the forest, brandishing a stick. The panda paused, momentarily curious, then resumed eating leisurely.
ReplyDeleteThe marathon,
ReplyDeleteMy body starts to feel numb as I continued on with the race. Followed by sweat and tears, I did not know if I would overcome this pain that I have endured. As, jaded played on repeat throughout the race, I told myself, “I can do it.” I finished the race at last.
Airplanes,
ReplyDeleteSome say airplanes in the night sky are like shooting stars. But I know differently. I know that they are methods of escaping this hell I have put myself in. I can leave this place and never return. I can go back home; away from the war, away from death. On that plane, I live.
As I stepped outside, the sun shone so brightly upon my face, I felt it light up my soul. It was the perfect beach day. We reached the white sand and light surf around mid-day. Six hours later we bid farewell to our paradise and headed back to the hustle and bustle of the city.
ReplyDelete#1 Summer
ReplyDeleteThe last few minutes, rushing to finish. My pen going across the paper but my mind has no idea what I’m writing. It’s focused on the bigger and better things to come. “1 minute” the teacher yells. I feel my heart start to beat faster and faster. The bell rings and schools out for summer
#2 Call of Duty
ReplyDeleteChose my weapon and the time is counting down. 3, 2, 1 and the game begins. “I bet I get the first two kills” I say to my boyfriend. “yeah, okay,” he tells me. I head for the stairs which would guarantee my attempt. I throw my grenade around the corner. Success, first two kills.
A Rough Day
ReplyDeleteThe high-pitched fire alarm
beeps urgent through the door.
I burst in,
smell smoke blent with burnt chicken.
I laugh at your eyebrows,
framed with frustration; your teary eyes.
I grasp your hand,
feel your body shake, your sweaty palms.
I kiss you,
taste strawberry lip-gloss mixed with salt.
There’s always beauty hiding in chaos.
The Perfect Morning
ReplyDeleteA whisper travels through the silk blanket.
A tender touch awakens me.
We step outside, graced by scarlet sunrise.
Lie in the grass, embrace morning dew.
Tense feelings arise.
We are captured by each other’s smiles.
We passionately kiss; stomach butterflies flutter.
My fever rises.
Our breathing races.
Our hearts gallop.
We are in love.
First Story:
ReplyDelete8AM Test
She woke up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Do I really want to be up now?" she thought to herself. She didn't want to be, but a test was waiting for her. She rolled her eyes and stepped out of bed. She stretched, made her bed, and started the day with a groan.
Second Story:
ReplyDeleteHe gives you a rose. He opens the door. He takes your coat and smiles. He listens. You love him already, and you're only on your first date. He walks you to the door. You invite him in. The next day comes on fast. You realize he's gone. You find out the romances was fake.
Living In Florida
ReplyDeleteGo to the beach in what is supposed to be the “fall” or even February and March. Toes in the sand with a nice tan on your skin. Seeing palm trees everywhere you go. Then you get texts and pictures from people at home up north of snow up to their knees and you laugh.
Baseball
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing better than the crack of the bat hitting the ball. America’s pastime is more than just a game. It represents the summer and the optimism that comes with it. The roar of the crowd and the thrill of excitement are second to none, as every team dreams of making it to October.
Birthday:
ReplyDeleteOne day to think about yourself. Doing what you enjoy with people you enjoy being with. It’s about waking up excited and being happy all day long. Letting nothing get you down. Telling yourself that you deserve to have a good time. A fun day full of smiles. Shouldn’t every day be like your birthday?
Graduation:
ReplyDeleteIs it really over? It seems as though this High School has consumed my entire life for the past four years, and now it’s all over. It’s hot and the June sun is beginning to descend from the sky. I find my Mom in the condensed crowd behind me and take comfort in her smile.
Snowmobiling
ReplyDeleteBringing my friends snowmobiling for their first time might have been a bad idea. I learned this when my daring cousin went up a very steep hill. They didn’t see the alternate trail to go around it so they followed him. Thankfully, they barely made it up the almost 90 degree slope, but I think they needed to change their pants afterwards.
She ambles into the theater with soaked clothing and a sullen demeanor. I sit there with a rotgut feeling in my stomach, hoping she won’t notice I’m here. As her eyes scan the seats, she spots me. She pushes through the crowd, making her way towards me with purpose, clearly mouthing the words, “I’m late.”
ReplyDeleteThe Swamp
ReplyDeleteLight filters through the leaves above, while everything below stays dim yet somehow inviting. The dark pools of muddy water and fallen logs, the miles of trees and underbrush, and the quiet sounds of forest animals create a sense of alluring mystery. The children are easily enticed, as they smile at each other and enter.
Sickness
ReplyDeleteA pile of a tissues is stacked next to your bed side. You pick up an untouched tissue hoping this will be the last one to be used. The cotton mouth is unbearable and you would do anything just to stop coughing and sounding like a dying duck. This sickness has taken over my life.
Nightmare
ReplyDeleteThere is calm. There is dark. There is nothing. There is only blackness. Not a sound can pierce through this utter silence and darkness. Then suddenly, without warning, a horrifying scream penetrates the unbreakable wall of emptiness. It gradually fades out until all that can be heard is a child crying steadily. Then I wake.
You can still see the stain on the ceiling left by the kid with the, ‘glass is always half full,” attitude. I wonder if that attitude has shifted after his little fit. Some people are so unmoved by life’s events, and some throw their lunch in revolt up at the ceiling to prove a point.
ReplyDeleteSecond Story
ReplyDeleteThe Artist's Canvas,
The water stained red, reflecting the color of blood as the armies clashed against each other. A brutal bloody mess best depicted on canvas. Bodies filled the water, the banks of the river, the open plains on which war raged, and anywhere a brave soldier fell. It was bloody. It was brutal. It was beauty.
Procrastination
ReplyDeleteAs I sit in the library on this Sunday afternoon, I wonder why I procrastinated doing my work until the last minute. I would much rather be at the pool or the beach. However, this seems to happen almost every Sunday, and even though I know I shouldn’t procrastinate it seems like I always do.
Julie, I really liked your story! The “silence” and descriptions that you fit in 55 words built up curiosity for me. I had no clue what you were going to say after the woman screamed. I was thinking it was some sort of murder mystery, but it really was a nightmare from the very beginning when you described the silence, until the end when you woke up. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThe runners were lined up and the race was ready to begin. The gun blew and they were off. The racers’ hearts pounded and their legs did their best to be faster than the next. Alas, there could only be one winner. In a matter of seconds the race was over. The crowd went wild.
ReplyDeletekathleen,
ReplyDeletei really liked your story. We were thinking the same way with our themes. Your story is very realistic, i feel as though i have been in a situation like this before. I am a runner myself so this i can compare this a real life situation.