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, February 28, 2010
Story: 82
Words: 56
Title: Gambler Mentality
John was at the casino just like every Saturday night. He sat down in front of his favorite slot machine and fed it a hundred dollars. He put his hand over the “Play Max” button and pushed. There was complete silence and everyone was frozen in place.
“Weird,” he thought and pushed the button again. Jackpot!
Words: 56
Title: Gambler Mentality
John was at the casino just like every Saturday night. He sat down in front of his favorite slot machine and fed it a hundred dollars. He put his hand over the “Play Max” button and pushed. There was complete silence and everyone was frozen in place.
“Weird,” he thought and pushed the button again. Jackpot!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Story: 80
Words: 67
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia – Part 8
It had been 4.56 hours since Synthia had started thinking when she suddently stopped thinking and began to smile. A human would describe the smile as indicating a quiet ah-ha. Synthia was just pleased that her thinking had not created an infinite decision loop. But that wasn’t possible.
She turned to one of the scientists, I may understand love logically, but now I need to experience it.
Words: 67
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia – Part 8
It had been 4.56 hours since Synthia had started thinking when she suddently stopped thinking and began to smile. A human would describe the smile as indicating a quiet ah-ha. Synthia was just pleased that her thinking had not created an infinite decision loop. But that wasn’t possible.
She turned to one of the scientists, I may understand love logically, but now I need to experience it.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Story: 79
Words: 65
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia – Part 7
He asked, Do you love me, Synthia?
It’s logical that I love you. And if it were not for all of you I would not exist or be conscious or understand love.
How does it feel to love me, Synthia?
Synthia thought and her face became expressionless. They left the lab knowing it would take her a very long time to come to a conclusion.
Words: 65
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia – Part 7
He asked, Do you love me, Synthia?
It’s logical that I love you. And if it were not for all of you I would not exist or be conscious or understand love.
How does it feel to love me, Synthia?
Synthia thought and her face became expressionless. They left the lab knowing it would take her a very long time to come to a conclusion.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Story: 77
Words: 48
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia – Part 5
The lab scientists went home shaking their heads in disbelief that night. How could consciousness arise spontaneously and unpredictably? Now there was no way to correct any programming errors nor could they ever reboot her.
Synthia thought all night about love. By morning she thought she understood it.
Words: 48
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia – Part 5
The lab scientists went home shaking their heads in disbelief that night. How could consciousness arise spontaneously and unpredictably? Now there was no way to correct any programming errors nor could they ever reboot her.
Synthia thought all night about love. By morning she thought she understood it.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Story: 76
Words: 86
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia – Part 4
Synthia knew about birthdays and much of human knowledge and experience, but her awareness of it was not hers. Instead it was second hand, not built upon her own understanding. What she wanted next was direct experience.
How will you teach me love?
We can’t teach you love.
Then how will I experience it?
You must build up the idea of love until you find the meaning it has for you.
Will I go into the world, outside of this lab, to find it?
Yes, soon.
Words: 86
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia – Part 4
Synthia knew about birthdays and much of human knowledge and experience, but her awareness of it was not hers. Instead it was second hand, not built upon her own understanding. What she wanted next was direct experience.
How will you teach me love?
We can’t teach you love.
Then how will I experience it?
You must build up the idea of love until you find the meaning it has for you.
Will I go into the world, outside of this lab, to find it?
Yes, soon.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Story: 75
Words: 89
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia – Part 3
Synthia had never seen such a look on their faces. Nothing in her database helped her define it, so she asked.
I can’t define the look on your faces.
This is the look of bewilderment, Synthia. We projected that you would become conscious much later. But we are pleased. And you wish to be loved?
Yes, I have a sense of being loved from my database of human literature and I wish to experience it.
Perhaps we can make that happen. Today you have truly been born. Happy Birthday.
Words: 89
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia – Part 3
Synthia had never seen such a look on their faces. Nothing in her database helped her define it, so she asked.
I can’t define the look on your faces.
This is the look of bewilderment, Synthia. We projected that you would become conscious much later. But we are pleased. And you wish to be loved?
Yes, I have a sense of being loved from my database of human literature and I wish to experience it.
Perhaps we can make that happen. Today you have truly been born. Happy Birthday.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Story: 74
Words: 77
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia – Part 2
Synthia watched as they considered her answer. They looked at one another, trying to hide their surprise from her but she noticed subtle changes in their skin temperature and muscle tension.
Want to reboot?
The other one paused for a long time and seemed to be thinking it over.
I will not let you reboot me.
Synthia watched their reactions. They looked at one another like before.
I am conscious like you and wish to be loved.
Comment: Looks like I’m into another sequence about Synthia, the android. Read the previous story for this and subsequent stories to make sense.
Words: 77
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia – Part 2
Synthia watched as they considered her answer. They looked at one another, trying to hide their surprise from her but she noticed subtle changes in their skin temperature and muscle tension.
Want to reboot?
The other one paused for a long time and seemed to be thinking it over.
I will not let you reboot me.
Synthia watched their reactions. They looked at one another like before.
I am conscious like you and wish to be loved.
Comment: Looks like I’m into another sequence about Synthia, the android. Read the previous story for this and subsequent stories to make sense.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Story: 73
Words: 97
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia
Synthia had been thinking for a long time. She had looked at the problem from all of the angles that her fantastic logic system allowed. And she had come to a conclusion: her thoughts were hers alone. Her personality had not been transferred from a human. Nor was it some fabrication of her designers. She was unique in the entire universe and she would protect that characteristic no matter what.
That last personality upgrade didn’t take. Want to reboot her?
No, let’s ask her for a diagnostic.
Synthia, why didn’t the upgrade take?
It just wasn’t me.
Words: 97
Title: Synthia Learns About Synthia
Synthia had been thinking for a long time. She had looked at the problem from all of the angles that her fantastic logic system allowed. And she had come to a conclusion: her thoughts were hers alone. Her personality had not been transferred from a human. Nor was it some fabrication of her designers. She was unique in the entire universe and she would protect that characteristic no matter what.
That last personality upgrade didn’t take. Want to reboot her?
No, let’s ask her for a diagnostic.
Synthia, why didn’t the upgrade take?
It just wasn’t me.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Story: 68
Words: 68
Title: Valentine's Day Present
He found the perfect box of chocolate candy and twelve red roses for his sweetheart. He took them to her that evening with the hope of a romantic evening. She had prepared his favorite dinner with a bottle of Jacob’s Creek, Shiraz. Afterward, they cuddled on the couch and watched Twilight. She came on to him in ways that completely surprised him. Their love lasted another 67 years.
Words: 68
Title: Valentine's Day Present
He found the perfect box of chocolate candy and twelve red roses for his sweetheart. He took them to her that evening with the hope of a romantic evening. She had prepared his favorite dinner with a bottle of Jacob’s Creek, Shiraz. Afterward, they cuddled on the couch and watched Twilight. She came on to him in ways that completely surprised him. Their love lasted another 67 years.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Story: 64
Words: 91
Title: The Gift
Roses, candy, dinner; yeah, he could do that and probably would. But he wanted to do something more meaningful for her. So he sat down and wrote:
The light in your eyes
Is like the silver light of the moon,
Reflecting your soul.
The glow of your being
Is like the golden light of the sun,
Reflecting your soul.
You are my life
You are my everything,
You reflect my soul.
He wrote it on blue paper, rolled it up, tied a ribbon around it, and placed it on her pillow.
Words: 91
Title: The Gift
Roses, candy, dinner; yeah, he could do that and probably would. But he wanted to do something more meaningful for her. So he sat down and wrote:
The light in your eyes
Is like the silver light of the moon,
Reflecting your soul.
The glow of your being
Is like the golden light of the sun,
Reflecting your soul.
You are my life
You are my everything,
You reflect my soul.
He wrote it on blue paper, rolled it up, tied a ribbon around it, and placed it on her pillow.
Tuesday, February 09, 2010
Story: 63
Words: 82
Title: Self Absorbed
They had met through a dating service and this was their second date. She looked at him and noticed that one ear was bigger than the other. Wow, she thought, that’s really distracting. And he drums the table with his fingers between sentences.
He drummed the table with his fingers and finished the story about how he had saved the life of an old man by running into a burning house and rescuing him.
That hat has got to go, she thought.
Words: 82
Title: Self Absorbed
They had met through a dating service and this was their second date. She looked at him and noticed that one ear was bigger than the other. Wow, she thought, that’s really distracting. And he drums the table with his fingers between sentences.
He drummed the table with his fingers and finished the story about how he had saved the life of an old man by running into a burning house and rescuing him.
That hat has got to go, she thought.
Monday, February 08, 2010
Story: 62
Words: 80
Title: The Book of Love
They had recently separated and were reconciling.
“What is the Book of Love?” she asked.
“You mean like in the song?”
“Yeah, but the real Book of Love.”
He thought for a moment and said, “The Book of Love is in our heart and when it opens up it lets us in.”
“And we can learn to fly again,” she said.
He turned to her and said, “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she replied, enjoying his warm touch.
Comment: I have always loved the song Broken Wings by Mr. Mister (1985) so this is my very short take on how the lyrics can come alive. The lyrics that relate to this story follow.
“Take these broken wings
And learn to fly again, learn to live free.
When we hear the voices sing
The book of love will open up and let us in.”
Words: 80
Title: The Book of Love
They had recently separated and were reconciling.
“What is the Book of Love?” she asked.
“You mean like in the song?”
“Yeah, but the real Book of Love.”
He thought for a moment and said, “The Book of Love is in our heart and when it opens up it lets us in.”
“And we can learn to fly again,” she said.
He turned to her and said, “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” she replied, enjoying his warm touch.
Comment: I have always loved the song Broken Wings by Mr. Mister (1985) so this is my very short take on how the lyrics can come alive. The lyrics that relate to this story follow.
“Take these broken wings
And learn to fly again, learn to live free.
When we hear the voices sing
The book of love will open up and let us in.”
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Story: 61
Words: 97
Title: The Ocean of Consciousness
In the unbounded ocean of pure vibrant consciousness the universe arises and subsides - Deepak Chopra
I wish I were famous.
But you are famous-to me.
No, I mean famous like Madonna or Mozart.
You sing and you compose music. Sounds like you are like them.
Well, maybe so, but I want to be on the tongue of millions of people.
After you perform I hear people humming those wonderful songs you create.
Maybe I need another manager or a better agent.
But I’m your manager and your agent.
I wish I were famous.
So do I.
Words: 97
Title: The Ocean of Consciousness
In the unbounded ocean of pure vibrant consciousness the universe arises and subsides - Deepak Chopra
I wish I were famous.
But you are famous-to me.
No, I mean famous like Madonna or Mozart.
You sing and you compose music. Sounds like you are like them.
Well, maybe so, but I want to be on the tongue of millions of people.
After you perform I hear people humming those wonderful songs you create.
Maybe I need another manager or a better agent.
But I’m your manager and your agent.
I wish I were famous.
So do I.
Saturday, February 06, 2010
Story: 60
Words: 61
Title: Love and Fondue-Part 2
They spoke to one another slowly, carefully, eyes meeting, holding the connection, letting the silence define them. Their faces were in perpetual smile declaring that each of their pasts was nonexistent as if they had melted into the present and dissolved. She took another sip of wine and looked over the rim of the glass, inviting him into her innermost mysteries.
Words: 61
Title: Love and Fondue-Part 2
They spoke to one another slowly, carefully, eyes meeting, holding the connection, letting the silence define them. Their faces were in perpetual smile declaring that each of their pasts was nonexistent as if they had melted into the present and dissolved. She took another sip of wine and looked over the rim of the glass, inviting him into her innermost mysteries.
Friday, February 05, 2010
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Story: 58
Words: 50
Title: GA23, the Gay Android-Part 5
Androids do take showers, even though somewhat differently than humans. They use a strong solvent to clean their skin, water rinse, and after the shower don’t need to worry about deodorant. And GA23 has no need to shave since his face is always as smooth as the proverbial baby’s butt.
Words: 50
Title: GA23, the Gay Android-Part 5
Androids do take showers, even though somewhat differently than humans. They use a strong solvent to clean their skin, water rinse, and after the shower don’t need to worry about deodorant. And GA23 has no need to shave since his face is always as smooth as the proverbial baby’s butt.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Story: 57
Words: 76
Title: GA23, the Gay Android-Part 4
He heard about GA23 on the Nevada brothel’s website and was intrigued by the idea of an encounter with a gay android. The next week he was in Vegas for business and took the short drive north to initiate his desire for artificial lust. It was on the way back, reflecting on the experience and how it had been impossible to tell the android from a human, that he understood the difference between lust and love.
Words: 76
Title: GA23, the Gay Android-Part 4
He heard about GA23 on the Nevada brothel’s website and was intrigued by the idea of an encounter with a gay android. The next week he was in Vegas for business and took the short drive north to initiate his desire for artificial lust. It was on the way back, reflecting on the experience and how it had been impossible to tell the android from a human, that he understood the difference between lust and love.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Monday, February 01, 2010
Story: 55
Words: 37
Title: GA23, the Gay Android-Part 2
Eventually, GA23 got fired by the eccentric millionaire for libidinous conduct unbefitting an android, which was a contradiction for a synthetic intelligence that had been created gay and could not act differently if he had a choice.
Comment: Read story 53 first to get the background for this story.
Words: 37
Title: GA23, the Gay Android-Part 2
Eventually, GA23 got fired by the eccentric millionaire for libidinous conduct unbefitting an android, which was a contradiction for a synthetic intelligence that had been created gay and could not act differently if he had a choice.
Comment: Read story 53 first to get the background for this story.
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