For what ever reason, Flash Fiction works best for me when I write it on the spur of the moment. Her Blue Ribbon is exactly the type of stuff I write best as the energy is flowing form that lucid spur.

And this time I had some very talented help.

I was talking with Carrie White (inkserotica) when I suddenly branched and asked for a creative writing prompt. She blurted, “Write about a blue colored object.”

Five minutes later I came back and asked for help. I had 48 words.

Normally, I would have agonized hours, maybe even a day over those 7 elusive words, but with lovely Carrie’s help, we had a 55 word story in under 10 minutes.

She asked a few simple questions, maybe the most pivotal question was, “How does the ribbon feel in your hands?”, and before you know it, we were at 55 words neat.

The Blue Ribbon

She said she’d have a blue ribbon in her hair, and she did.

I saw her through the cafe window, so beautiful, so pristine.

She was my first, and I would be her only.

The long blue ribbon felt silky wrapped between my hands.

I’ve kept the ribbon so I’ll  always remember my first love.

I don’t always work on the spur of the moment, nor do I always drive to get a complete story in one sitting, but when it does happen, the energy feels erotic. I become entranced to the challenge, especially if it is 55 word fiction.

Carrie thinks I would have come to the solution in the end, maybe I would have, but having her guiding hand made the effort seem richer. Maybe I would have rushed the solution and ended up with something less.

Maybe not.

Do you ever unleash the spring and write it all out? Do you methodically plan each tale and plod your way through ? Or is there some mixture where you find the spur of the moment to be a sultry mistress you have to sneak away and visit from time to time?

© 2010, Alex Crabtree. All rights reserved.

Years ago I started writing Flash Fiction for just the sheer enjoyment of writing, and now it has turned into a full blown addiction. I can't quit the horse, man! Another dirty little secret about me is my ability to write all kinds of web content. SEO content, articles, blog posts, manifests; you name it, I'll write it. Looking for some help? My gun hangs at r.alex.crabtree@gmail.com

Alex Crabtree

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Tags: 55 word fiction, alex, Fiction, flash

This entry was posted on May 15, 2010 at 7:11 pm and is filed under Featured, Fiction. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.