I was first introduced to this idea on Jeffrey Callison's Sacramento NPR radio interview show called Insight. He interviewed Jason Sinclair Long about his blog "Flash Fiction 365". You can hear the interview here.
The challenge is to write a micro-story each day. The length of the story is determined by throwing a pair of dice, preferably of different colors. One color represents the tens digit and the other the ones digit. So the story can be from 11 to 66 words. Of course some lengths are left out using this method. You could also use one die and throw it twice. Or use a die with 8 sides. Or you can do what I did and create a random number generator in Excel. This method doesn't miss any of the numbers. Mine will return a random number between 11 and 99. I am happy to share the formula if you email me.
The title is not part of the word count. Most word processors have a word count function that is very useful. You can start with a title or add it later or you can have someone suggest a title. Even though the original idea is to write a story, I plan to include poetry and perhaps essay.
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Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Story: 53
Words: 93
Title: Android
GA23 had been in training for about two years. It was time for his first job as household companion to a human male of eccentric character who had more money than the craters on Ganymede. At seventy-five, the human was completely without friends of any sort and so had reached out to an android.
After a month they had found a relationship that had gelled. You see, GA23 had been created as gay as the day was long. The human’s jilted lover, and GA23’s creator, could be heard laughing at the oddest times.
Comment: I know that the verb "to be" is used in this story but I had this idea for a story about a gay android and just had to suspend the use of the dreaded verb for now.
Words: 93
Title: Android
GA23 had been in training for about two years. It was time for his first job as household companion to a human male of eccentric character who had more money than the craters on Ganymede. At seventy-five, the human was completely without friends of any sort and so had reached out to an android.
After a month they had found a relationship that had gelled. You see, GA23 had been created as gay as the day was long. The human’s jilted lover, and GA23’s creator, could be heard laughing at the oddest times.
Comment: I know that the verb "to be" is used in this story but I had this idea for a story about a gay android and just had to suspend the use of the dreaded verb for now.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Story: 52
Words: 68
Title: Morning
I wake, feeling my comforter’s feathery hold on me, captured by its warmth. I turn on my side and it pulls in around me, catching me in its embrace. With difficulty, I move my arm under the pillow. The comforter tightens around me like a boa constrictor. I relax, finding it easier to breath. My eyes close and I float into semi-consciousness. I exhale and give into sleep.
Words: 68
Title: Morning
I wake, feeling my comforter’s feathery hold on me, captured by its warmth. I turn on my side and it pulls in around me, catching me in its embrace. With difficulty, I move my arm under the pillow. The comforter tightens around me like a boa constrictor. I relax, finding it easier to breath. My eyes close and I float into semi-consciousness. I exhale and give into sleep.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Story: 51
Words: 66
Title: Images
In her mind lingered a confusing image from the past. She looked young, pretty, and confident. Not like the old, wrinkled, and insecure person in the mirror. What circumstances had created this pathetic existence? What punishing forces had intervened and destroyed that innocent child? She looked deep inside again, found that young, loving girl, left the withered images behind, and took her for a long walk.
Words: 66
Title: Images
In her mind lingered a confusing image from the past. She looked young, pretty, and confident. Not like the old, wrinkled, and insecure person in the mirror. What circumstances had created this pathetic existence? What punishing forces had intervened and destroyed that innocent child? She looked deep inside again, found that young, loving girl, left the withered images behind, and took her for a long walk.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Story: 50
Words: 58
Title: The Flag
She watched through the window as the parade went by her house. Memories of sitting on the curb as a child, thrilled by the colors and sounds, filled her awareness. She remembered how proud she had felt when the flag had gone by and everyone stood up and saluted or put their hand over their heart in respect.
Comment: This story starts a series of stories that do not use the verb “to be”. The subject of the stories will not necessarily relate to one another. The idea comes from the work of Alfred Korzybski in his book Science and Sanity. In the book he presents the idea that the verb “to be” implies an identification between the word before and the word after the verb. For example, if I say, “I am male,” this implies that I express the gender male and nothing else. Humanness, a specific height, a nationality, etc don’t map the one-on-one correspondence the identification implies. He recommends not using the verb “to be” and refers to it’s us as unsane. Over the years I have played with this idea and used it to write business letters with much success. It’s amazing how often this identification can get us in trouble in the business world. Try it, you might just get hooked. Let me know in a comment to one of the stories about your experiences. And, just to experience the difficulty in rewriting a sentence, try rewriting “I am male” without using the verb “to be.” By the way, I have not used the dreaded verb in this comment. So, read each story carefully and see if you can catch me.
Words: 58
Title: The Flag
She watched through the window as the parade went by her house. Memories of sitting on the curb as a child, thrilled by the colors and sounds, filled her awareness. She remembered how proud she had felt when the flag had gone by and everyone stood up and saluted or put their hand over their heart in respect.
Comment: This story starts a series of stories that do not use the verb “to be”. The subject of the stories will not necessarily relate to one another. The idea comes from the work of Alfred Korzybski in his book Science and Sanity. In the book he presents the idea that the verb “to be” implies an identification between the word before and the word after the verb. For example, if I say, “I am male,” this implies that I express the gender male and nothing else. Humanness, a specific height, a nationality, etc don’t map the one-on-one correspondence the identification implies. He recommends not using the verb “to be” and refers to it’s us as unsane. Over the years I have played with this idea and used it to write business letters with much success. It’s amazing how often this identification can get us in trouble in the business world. Try it, you might just get hooked. Let me know in a comment to one of the stories about your experiences. And, just to experience the difficulty in rewriting a sentence, try rewriting “I am male” without using the verb “to be.” By the way, I have not used the dreaded verb in this comment. So, read each story carefully and see if you can catch me.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Story: 49
Words: 77
Title: Reflection-Part 10
The sun has set and the city lights glow beneath him as if reflecting the stars in the night sky. He sees his translucent reflection in the window. His memories of the past thirty hours compress into the present. There is a knock at the door. With an inner knowing and a final revelation, he finds his gun in the shoulder holster, aims it at his head, and fires. The cat hisses and jumps at the sound.
Words: 77
Title: Reflection-Part 10
The sun has set and the city lights glow beneath him as if reflecting the stars in the night sky. He sees his translucent reflection in the window. His memories of the past thirty hours compress into the present. There is a knock at the door. With an inner knowing and a final revelation, he finds his gun in the shoulder holster, aims it at his head, and fires. The cat hisses and jumps at the sound.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Story: 47
Words: 54
Title: Reflection-Part 8
The car pulled up at his apartment building. The driver, who had been glancing at him in the rear view mirror during the drive, asked him if he had had an untidy day and shook his hand. He walked to the building anxious and perplexed. What had the driver known that he had missed?
Words: 54
Title: Reflection-Part 8
The car pulled up at his apartment building. The driver, who had been glancing at him in the rear view mirror during the drive, asked him if he had had an untidy day and shook his hand. He walked to the building anxious and perplexed. What had the driver known that he had missed?
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Story: 45
Words: 95
Title: Reflection-Part 6
He was aware of his right hand moving inside his jacket just under his left arm. She greeted him pleasantly. Once more he was disturbed by how he felt about her. It was as if she could will him to do anything just by her presence. He knew the agreement with Bob would never be carried out. He felt the steel with his fingers, moved them instead to a small pocket in his jacket. He handed her a business card, said a few words about her roof, turned, walked away, and called for the car.
Words: 95
Title: Reflection-Part 6
He was aware of his right hand moving inside his jacket just under his left arm. She greeted him pleasantly. Once more he was disturbed by how he felt about her. It was as if she could will him to do anything just by her presence. He knew the agreement with Bob would never be carried out. He felt the steel with his fingers, moved them instead to a small pocket in his jacket. He handed her a business card, said a few words about her roof, turned, walked away, and called for the car.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Story: 44
Words: 55
Title: Reflection-Part 5
He was not accustomed to this feeling of hesitation as he approached her front door. He watched his hand slowly move to the doorbell and push. He could hear it ring inside and see a shadow moving against a wall. His heart sped up, he felt anxious, and could not move as the door opened.
Words: 55
Title: Reflection-Part 5
He was not accustomed to this feeling of hesitation as he approached her front door. He watched his hand slowly move to the doorbell and push. He could hear it ring inside and see a shadow moving against a wall. His heart sped up, he felt anxious, and could not move as the door opened.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Story: 43
Words: 72
Title: Reflection-Part 4
Through the window of his apartment the day left pastel shades in the sky as he remembered eating an unsatisfying dinner the day before. The car came to pick him up. He exchanged pleasantries with the driver who seemed unusually concerned and had asked him questions that only a close friend would ask.
Soon the car arrived at Susan’s home. He let the driver know he would call when he was done.
Words: 72
Title: Reflection-Part 4
Through the window of his apartment the day left pastel shades in the sky as he remembered eating an unsatisfying dinner the day before. The car came to pick him up. He exchanged pleasantries with the driver who seemed unusually concerned and had asked him questions that only a close friend would ask.
Soon the car arrived at Susan’s home. He let the driver know he would call when he was done.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Story: 42
Words: 51
Title: Reflection-Part 3
He remembered first seeing her as he sat in the restaurant window, watching her leave from work and get into her car. He knew that tomorrow he would follow her home and fulfill the agreement he had made with Bob. The sense of betrayal he felt was completely foreign to him.
Words: 51
Title: Reflection-Part 3
He remembered first seeing her as he sat in the restaurant window, watching her leave from work and get into her car. He knew that tomorrow he would follow her home and fulfill the agreement he had made with Bob. The sense of betrayal he felt was completely foreign to him.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Story: 41
Words: 96
Title: Reflection-Part 2
From the window he could see west across the city at the last orange glow of the day. He let his mind go quiet and took another sip of beer. Images of the people he had talked to during the day formed in his imagination. Bob, who he had never met before and the deal they had made; the driver who shook his hand; the face of Susan, whose brilliance had captured him. He had only seen her picture which hadn’t portrayed her poise, her confidence. Even in his imagination his infatuation with her was disturbing.
Words: 96
Title: Reflection-Part 2
From the window he could see west across the city at the last orange glow of the day. He let his mind go quiet and took another sip of beer. Images of the people he had talked to during the day formed in his imagination. Bob, who he had never met before and the deal they had made; the driver who shook his hand; the face of Susan, whose brilliance had captured him. He had only seen her picture which hadn’t portrayed her poise, her confidence. Even in his imagination his infatuation with her was disturbing.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Story: 40
Date: January 17, 2010
Words: 77
Title: Reflection-Part 1
John came home late and was greeted by a very long, complaining meow from his cat. He picked up the purr machine and walked to the kitchen. Soon the sound of the can opener had the cat humming and rubbing his leg.
While the cat ate, John grabbed a beer from the ‘frig and walked to the window. It had been a very long day and his mind was abuzz with residual conversations both real and imagined.
Comment: This is part 1 of I don’t know how many parts that get inside the mind of a rather normal person-maybe.
Date: January 17, 2010
Words: 77
Title: Reflection-Part 1
John came home late and was greeted by a very long, complaining meow from his cat. He picked up the purr machine and walked to the kitchen. Soon the sound of the can opener had the cat humming and rubbing his leg.
While the cat ate, John grabbed a beer from the ‘frig and walked to the window. It had been a very long day and his mind was abuzz with residual conversations both real and imagined.
Comment: This is part 1 of I don’t know how many parts that get inside the mind of a rather normal person-maybe.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Story: 38
Words: 56
Title: Searching
Skipping through dimensions of time and space
Nothing linear, no time, no space
All of the ages compressed into silence.
Searching for the seed of consciousness
Incarnating on planets and suns
Piecing together from reality
The truth of existence.
Who asks and who knows
Who experiences and who sees
Who is conscious and who simply is?
Comment: Time to write some mystical poetry.
Words: 56
Title: Searching
Skipping through dimensions of time and space
Nothing linear, no time, no space
All of the ages compressed into silence.
Searching for the seed of consciousness
Incarnating on planets and suns
Piecing together from reality
The truth of existence.
Who asks and who knows
Who experiences and who sees
Who is conscious and who simply is?
Comment: Time to write some mystical poetry.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Story: 37
Words: 87
Title: Deception
What’s that light?
I don’t know.
Is it moving?
A little, I think.
She slides back into the tent and pulls her knees up to her chest, peering into the dark.
Something’s out there, I can see it moving.
He stands up and glances in the direction of the light, not wanting to be obvious.
You see it, too.
It’s nothing.
He goes into the tent, zips up the flap, and holds her in a tight embrace. It’s midnight and the light on the dock goes out.
Words: 87
Title: Deception
What’s that light?
I don’t know.
Is it moving?
A little, I think.
She slides back into the tent and pulls her knees up to her chest, peering into the dark.
Something’s out there, I can see it moving.
He stands up and glances in the direction of the light, not wanting to be obvious.
You see it, too.
It’s nothing.
He goes into the tent, zips up the flap, and holds her in a tight embrace. It’s midnight and the light on the dock goes out.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Story: 36
Words: 94
Title: Synthia 3
“Hi, Synthia,” the scientist said, “We have something new today.”
He played some Mozart. Synthia listened carefully but the sounds correlated with nothing she had learned.
“This is music, Synthia.”
As she listened, the complexity of the new neuronal interconnections took her deep inside to a place she had never experienced. She noticed that the colors in the lab had become brighter and that the sounds elicited images. Her synthetic brain was mapping Mozart to memories and modifying her present experience. It was like a new language was forming and a whole new world.
Yes, more Synthia. This is more like an excerpt from a story. This will develop over time.
Words: 94
Title: Synthia 3
“Hi, Synthia,” the scientist said, “We have something new today.”
He played some Mozart. Synthia listened carefully but the sounds correlated with nothing she had learned.
“This is music, Synthia.”
As she listened, the complexity of the new neuronal interconnections took her deep inside to a place she had never experienced. She noticed that the colors in the lab had become brighter and that the sounds elicited images. Her synthetic brain was mapping Mozart to memories and modifying her present experience. It was like a new language was forming and a whole new world.
Yes, more Synthia. This is more like an excerpt from a story. This will develop over time.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Story: 35
Words: 85
Title: The Watch Collector
He was obsessed with obtaining an erotica automation pocket watch signed by Breguet & Fils from the 1830’s; the one with a hidden button that opened a door exposing a bedroom scene with lovers in motion. He would pay $10,000 for one. Watches were his passion. Automatons were scarce, when he found one at a garage sale for $150 he literally gasped out loud. What to do? Own up to its worth? Pay the asking price? He slipped it into his pocket and walked off.
Words: 85
Title: The Watch Collector
He was obsessed with obtaining an erotica automation pocket watch signed by Breguet & Fils from the 1830’s; the one with a hidden button that opened a door exposing a bedroom scene with lovers in motion. He would pay $10,000 for one. Watches were his passion. Automatons were scarce, when he found one at a garage sale for $150 he literally gasped out loud. What to do? Own up to its worth? Pay the asking price? He slipped it into his pocket and walked off.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Friday, January 08, 2010
Story: 31
Date: January 8, 2010
Words: 86
Title: Flow
I love to walk along the river. There is something about the endlessly moving water that reminds me about going with the flow, as they say. It was a bit chilly as I noticed someone coming my way. I didn’t like the way my heart began to beat faster as my apprehension increased. Why do I fear strangers? Am I really in danger? Should I turn around? My mind wouldn’t quit being anxious. Then I remembered the flowing river. I stopped and gave up my wallet.
Date: January 8, 2010
Words: 86
Title: Flow
I love to walk along the river. There is something about the endlessly moving water that reminds me about going with the flow, as they say. It was a bit chilly as I noticed someone coming my way. I didn’t like the way my heart began to beat faster as my apprehension increased. Why do I fear strangers? Am I really in danger? Should I turn around? My mind wouldn’t quit being anxious. Then I remembered the flowing river. I stopped and gave up my wallet.
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Story: 30
Words: 89
Title: Up Tight
“Lighten up, John. Not everything the government does is some kind of conspiracy,” Cid was so done with all the negative shit. Day in and day out he had to put up with it. If John would just shut up for a minute, give it a rest.
“That s.o.b. governor just signed the no-texting bill. Freedom gone to hell,” John complained.
“Or more lives saved,” Cid said. He felt like he was going to lose it any second. He inserted his ear buds and cranked up Metallica’s “Creeping Death.”
Words: 89
Title: Up Tight
“Lighten up, John. Not everything the government does is some kind of conspiracy,” Cid was so done with all the negative shit. Day in and day out he had to put up with it. If John would just shut up for a minute, give it a rest.
“That s.o.b. governor just signed the no-texting bill. Freedom gone to hell,” John complained.
“Or more lives saved,” Cid said. He felt like he was going to lose it any second. He inserted his ear buds and cranked up Metallica’s “Creeping Death.”
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Story: 29
Words: 45
Title: The Hunt
Icy winter shadows; sun glaring through trees; wolf paws stealthily breaking through crusted snow; near scent of rabbit; slowly stalking; nostrils flaring; eyes locking; muscles trembling; rabbit scent increasing; haunches deliberately dropping; wolf leaping; landing missed; rabbit scurrying; strong scent of fear remaining; stomach churning.
Words: 45
Title: The Hunt
Icy winter shadows; sun glaring through trees; wolf paws stealthily breaking through crusted snow; near scent of rabbit; slowly stalking; nostrils flaring; eyes locking; muscles trembling; rabbit scent increasing; haunches deliberately dropping; wolf leaping; landing missed; rabbit scurrying; strong scent of fear remaining; stomach churning.
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Monday, January 04, 2010
Story: 27
Words: 51
Title: Mouse
“A mouse!” she screamed.
“Where?” he inquired.
“Over there,” she pointed, “Kill it.”
He saw the mouse scurry into the closet.
“OK, I’ll take care of it. You should go into the living room. This could get messy,” he said.
He put the cat into the closet and closed the door.
Words: 51
Title: Mouse
“A mouse!” she screamed.
“Where?” he inquired.
“Over there,” she pointed, “Kill it.”
He saw the mouse scurry into the closet.
“OK, I’ll take care of it. You should go into the living room. This could get messy,” he said.
He put the cat into the closet and closed the door.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Story: 26
Words: 49
Title: Jennifer
She discovered a new world through her camera. There was symmetry, balance, counterpoise, emotion, color, lines, and so much more to entertain the mind. Each subject became an invitation to look inside herself and uncover a new awareness. The surprise was when she found her value and her purpose.
Words: 49
Title: Jennifer
She discovered a new world through her camera. There was symmetry, balance, counterpoise, emotion, color, lines, and so much more to entertain the mind. Each subject became an invitation to look inside herself and uncover a new awareness. The surprise was when she found her value and her purpose.
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Story: 25
Words: 59
Title: No Cinnamon
Jean thought about the day before, how her boss had screamed at her. She couldn’t seem to shake her anger.
“Coffee,” she thought, “always helps.”
“A latte with cinnamon, please,” she said, anticipating her enjoyment.
Her order was ready. She held the hot cup, took in the aroma. Shit, no cinnamon. With renewed anger she glared at the Batista.
Words: 59
Title: No Cinnamon
Jean thought about the day before, how her boss had screamed at her. She couldn’t seem to shake her anger.
“Coffee,” she thought, “always helps.”
“A latte with cinnamon, please,” she said, anticipating her enjoyment.
Her order was ready. She held the hot cup, took in the aroma. Shit, no cinnamon. With renewed anger she glared at the Batista.
Friday, January 01, 2010
Story: 24
Words: 81
Title: New Year
The once in 20-year blue moon was on the zenith. There was a silence that accompanied the chill as he looked from the top of the mountain. All of human history flowed into him and compacted into an infinitesimal. Instantly there was a void and an opening into which he slipped. He drifted in its beauty for what seemed like ten thousand years. From his soul came understanding and wisdom as he looked into the new year. And all was well.
Words: 81
Title: New Year
The once in 20-year blue moon was on the zenith. There was a silence that accompanied the chill as he looked from the top of the mountain. All of human history flowed into him and compacted into an infinitesimal. Instantly there was a void and an opening into which he slipped. He drifted in its beauty for what seemed like ten thousand years. From his soul came understanding and wisdom as he looked into the new year. And all was well.
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