Rebecca’s Writing Practices
…like finger exercises on the piano…
Very Short Writing for Three Prompts
Written by Rebecca Reid31 May
Daily Writing Tips and Copyblogger have both posted about very short story writing lately. Copyblogger even held a contest for very short stories, limited to 140 characters. Not 140 words: 140 characters. I felt inspired after reading the entries. The winners are found here, or see all the entries and be the judge yourself at Smithereens Blog.
I unfortunately didn’t find the contest in time to enter and win, but here are my three attempts, each one exactly 140 characters.
Three Word Wednesday #88: Blurred Illegal Match
My eyes blurred when I heard sirens. Another, I groaned inside. I didn’t know the turn was illegal! Yesterday’s ticket did not need a match.
[Note: I had a hard time keeping the words in order. And then I realized I probably didn’t have to. Oh well. There you have it.]
Sunday Scribblings #113: Curve
We studied together for the exam, sharing notes and answers. Test day came and I did well: 100%. But no one would face me: I set the curve.
[Note: I hated it when teachers graded tests based on curves! When people then do well on the test, they’re socially ostracized.]
Writer’s Island: Extravaganza
One night each month, we set aside homework, turned on the music, and danced: six 19-year-olds acting like girls at a homemade extravaganza.
These were so incredibly fun to do! If you want to try, link or paste yours in the comments!
Related posts:
« « My Manuscript Stinks: Four Scenes | Three Word Wednesday: Deny Smile Uncomfortable » »
17 Responses for "Very Short Writing for Three Prompts"
They work well, but I wouldn’t like to say that one is better than another.
and they read fun too.. i will have to think about this short and sweet approach to the prompts someday when i feel i got nothing….
What A fun idea – I just don’t think I’d have the self control to limit myself to 140 sentences let alone characters!
Ah ha! It was YOU who got at 100!
what a challenge!!! – brevity has never been a strong point for me, so smart the way you tied these all up so neat and tidy – kudos
I’m afraid I’m afflicted with words. These prove to me that short can be better.
It’s extremely difficult to do that – and you did it extremely well!
There’s a Chopin piano prelude that’s just three lines long, yet it’s a complete musical thought. That’s what these tiny stories remind me of.
Well done!
You totally don’t have to keep the 3ww words in order, though you did an excellent job of doing just that!
Welcome to 3WW!
You proved that a lot can be said by a little. I was very impressed. I was going to limit this comment to exactly one hundred and forty characters. Wow! I did. You can check it.
indeed an extravaganza, keep giving yourself more such acts of happiness.
@stan ski, keith hillman, danni, Granny Smith, Becca: Thanks! I enjoyed putting them together.
@paisley: My next challenge is learning how to write LONGER stories. I’m not so good. This is also a reflection on how much time I had this weekend!
@Don: I don’t actually recall setting the curve with 100 myself, as I never quite was top in the class.I tend to write in first person, and that was the setting I imagined and the first thing I thought of relating to “curve”.
@TC: I look forward to joining in on the 3WW prompts each week!
@Myrtle Beached Whale: nice job! It’s a fun challenge (although note that the contest held by Copyblogger was for 140 characters, including spaces.)
@rambler: it was fun to do! Thanks for the comment.
These are great – one day I’m going to have to give them a try. I agree with the grading curve – I never understood it, and was always making people mad for doing well on tests. I refused to do lousy simply because others didn’t care enough to study.
PS About your comment on poetry (I’m just getting to answer folks – sorry for the wait). I am experimenting with different styles, and wondered how it would read if I wrote it that way. You comment helps me decide the fate of future poems. Thanks! In poetry, it’s all about how something flows, and what it makes you feel, think, or see in you mind. Poetry is about the senses. But then, so is prose.
@texasblu: I think all writing is about how something flows and the senses. I don’t really write poetry but I love a good rhyme, internal or external, and I’m learning to appreciate different forms. I think lots of prose is poetic. I guess my question for you was why the line breaks for that particular one. I loved the rhymes and the line breaks seemed to break the rhythm. Isn’t it great that we can experiment, though, and find what we like?
Fantastic! And I love you for setting the curve! I grade those sort of tests and I positively adore curve-setters!
But no one likes a teacher’s pet either… :/ You can’t win.
It’s also fascinating how a class of 150+ lecture students can all manage to find out who the one who got 100% is…
Thanks for sharing this great idea. I’m going to try this tomorrow. I think it will be hard!
[...] Last week, I practiced creating a scene and emotion in 140 characters. I did the same this week, but then I decided I needed to finish the scene. What was really happening? I had fun trying to do so. [...]
@Mjinga: I don’t think I did all that often, but that was what came to mind when I heard the prompt “curve.” I never liked the curve….
@Chefdruck: I hope it went well for you! I thought it would be hard, but I had a great time!
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