Tag: fiction

Six-minute story: Indecision

Six minutes isn’t long enough to plan a cohesive structure. But great fun!

on the edge of a cliffThis was the prompt for today’s six-minute story.

(photo by epSos.de from Flickr)

And here was my response: Indecision.

I tried to avoid the cliché of a describing a would be suicide, at least, not head on.

Not sure if it works.

Six minutes isn’t long enough to plan a cohesive structure. But it is great fun to write a story with the clock ticking.


Here is the story for those who can’t be bothered to follow the link:

OK guys. Calm down. Yes, I am standing on the edge of a cliff. No, I am not contemplating suicide.

For a start, my life is worth living. I have a new girlfriend, a great job, an apartment with a mortgage and a loving family. I don’t drink and I only smoke after meals.

So, what am I doing here?

I am thinking of my future and of the choices I need to make. Like today, when I phoned my girlfriend (gorgeous, blonde and randy) and she said she thought it was time for commitment. But am I ready for that? I don’t know.

Or how about my job? The boss wants me to keep working on my current project, but the department head is keen I take on the strategic planning for the coming year. That could be great for my career, if I get my forecasts right. Or terrible, if I get it horribly wrong.

Decision making is not my strong point. You may have gathered that.

Today I went walking with my dog. She ran ahead and disappeared off the edge of a slope. When I caught up with her, I realised the “slope” is, in fact, a very steep cliff.

Where is my dog? No idea?

So here I am, sitting on the edge of the cliff and wondering whether to phone 999 for help. And if I do phone 999, do I ask for the police? Or for the coastguard? Or what?

You see, there are so many decisions in life. And I find it hard. Yes, life is hard. Perhaps the end is in sight. Or not.

Microfiction assignment 20101217

Here is the Microfiction assignment:

Given the character of a clown, write a story in the contemporary fiction genre, using the subject a fairy tale and the theme man versus nature. If you feel extra creative, write only one sentence at a time.

Your word limit is 160 words.

And here is my response, below:

Once upon a time, I met this clown at a children’s party. He had a large, red painted smile, slashed across his face. But his eyes were too sad.

His routine was predictable; balloons twisted into animal shapes, tricks with coloured handkerchiefs and flowers that spray water. The kids laughed and clapped in the right places.

At the end of the party, while we waited for the tired children to be collected, I asked him why he did this work.

“I was always a miserable child,” he sniffed and continued.

“I was lucky to have a fairy godmother who granted wishes. I wished I could be happy. Unfortunately, my godmother said that wasn’t possible.”

He dabbed his sad eyes with a blue hanky.

“But she said she could make me look happy, if that was what I wanted.”

A tear rolled down his painted cheek.

“It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

Ray Bradbury & Write 1 Sub 1

How about this for a New Year resolution?
Write a short story and submit it for publication, every week, for a year.

Here is Ray Bradbury talking about his early days as a writer.

Can we follow in Ray Bradbury’s footsteps? Continue reading “Ray Bradbury & Write 1 Sub 1”

Microfiction Assignment 20101216

One of the challenges I have accepted, is to undertake assignments posted on the Microfiction Assignment web page.

Whether I will be able to keep this up, every day, is another matter!

Today’s assignment is as follows:

Given the character of a body builder, write a story in the overheard on public transportation genre, using the subject a short debate and the theme bizarre happenings. If you feel extra creative, use no words (besides articles and pronouns) shorter than five letters.

Your word limit is 65 words.

Well, not exactly easy. I did my best, see below.

Mounting the platform with an effortless stride, his muscular presence fills the double-decker. The pretty conductor approaches, hesitantly.

“Single or return?”

“Not single!”

“I meant your ticket.”

“Please don’t leave me.”

“Control your emotions for the safety and comfort of other passengers.”

“My heart is breaking.”

“It’s the hormones. You’ll feel better tomorrow.”

He leaps off the moving platform before we reach the next stop.