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Of all the writing I do, I look forward to writing 55 word fiction most. Writing those short and restricted tales are a great challenge which often causes me to sweat, curse, and throw stuff until I get them to the point I feel satiated.
Add masochist to the things you have learned about me.
I mean, let’s be real, who else would find complete and utter pleasure in trying to write a complete story by using exactly 55 words, no more, no less? Could only be a pain for pleasure idiot like myself.
The 55 word story was conceived by the founder of the New Times newspaper of San Luis Obispo, California. Steve Moss ran a short story contest in 1987 based on the following restrictions:
- The story content had to total 55 words, not including the title
- The title could not exceed 7 words
- One or more characters
- Conflict
- Resolution
- Setting
My introduction of the format came in 2002 shortly after I joined a Flash Fiction workshop. All of my attempts at writing seemed to run on and on and on, so I joined the workshop in hopes to discipline myself in ways to trim trim the fat.
The format was suggested to me as my submissions were getting shorter with each exercise. So, I did a little research and started writing primarily 55 worders for the workshop.
I became an addict.
They are a blast to write because of the challenge. I’ll often take one, two, and even three days to perfect the story to my own liking. Imagine spending all that time writing, unwriting, scratching out, smiling, frowning, only to sit back to say “ahhhhhhhhh…”
There are benefits, other than the self gratifying pleasure, of writing in the micro-format. I can use the characters as foundations to flesh out for my character bank for one. The entire story gives me a ‘feel’ for my character and I can start asking deeper questions about them. Questions like “Why did he turn to opium?” and “What events in her life made her live where she does?”
Another really cool thing about 55 word fiction is that a 55 word story can be made into a 110 word story, then a 220 word story and so forth. Before long, there is a fleshed out short story, novella, or even a novel.
By the way, I have yet to try that double the word count trick, but I’m itching to.
So tell me, have you tried the micro format of 55 word fiction? Did you like it?
© 2010, Alex Crabtree. All rights reserved.
55 Word #Fiction ~ This Masochist Loves It http://goo.gl/fb/4IEsS #writing #55wordfiction #content #flash
I’ve tried it once or twice but failed miserably. I think I need more practice just like with everything!
Carrie´s last blog ..Writing should be fun
I cannot tell you how many I’ve written and I sometimes still feel like I fail. Always get down to what I think is the final word count and end up with needing to pare one or add one. THAT is a real frustration.
You’re right though, everything takes practice.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Drifter0658. Drifter0658 said: 55 Word #Fiction ~ This Masochist Loves It http://goo.gl/fb/4IEsS #writing #55wordfiction #content #flash [...]
Writer? Masochist? You mean the two are not mutually exclusive? Well, I’m at least one of those, and a proud member of “Run-On Sentencers Anoymous”. Combine that with crippling creative ADD and this might be just what the doctor ordered. 55 words? I think I might have to try that. Do “I” & “a” count?
Are u a writer? Masochist? Up for a challenge? >> 55 Word Fiction | Extreme Writing Now – http://ht.ly/1Uku4 via @Drifter0658
For someone who is so severely afflicted, you sure have deadly accurate aim when it comes down to gunning for your target.
Old Doc Self-Critic has attempted squelching my verbosity with a massive dose of 55 word fiction. I still end up spending a day trimming an “I” or an “a”, and even constructing contractions.
Alex´s last blog ..Building A Short Story ~ Jumping to 220
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[...] Want to learn more about Flash Fiction from a Pirate? Check out 55 Word Fiction | Extreme Writing Now [...]
[...] Are you a masochist? Here’s the addiction for you : 55 Word Fiction | Extreme Writing Now [...]
Revisited: 55 Word Fiction ~ This Masochist Loves It – Of all the writing I do, I look forward to writing… http://is.gd/e8RqZ #ewm
Here’s one I cooked up a while back at 66 words length. Carved it down to 55 for this:
STARPILOTS-
Starpilots land on a desolate world. Gritty red dust clings to their spacesuits. Janus VII curiously inspects the site. “This must be an altar from an ancient civilization. See how these metallic pillars line up from east to west.” Janus tries to read the strange markings on one column: Jane Loves Dan, Cadillac Ranch, 2014.