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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Thursday, December 02, 2010
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Story: 357
Words: 89
Title: Long Walk to the Moon
He walked along the plowed road that had snow piled on either side. His feet were getting cold in his wingtips. Probably not a good idea to walk to the garage, he thought as he pulled his jacket higher up his neck. The tire had blown out without warning, stranding him. The cold found his knees and it became difficult to walk. He shook it off, finding strength in his determination. The moon was visible through the barren trees and it called to him with its beckoning, silver light.
Words: 89
Title: Long Walk to the Moon
He walked along the plowed road that had snow piled on either side. His feet were getting cold in his wingtips. Probably not a good idea to walk to the garage, he thought as he pulled his jacket higher up his neck. The tire had blown out without warning, stranding him. The cold found his knees and it became difficult to walk. He shook it off, finding strength in his determination. The moon was visible through the barren trees and it called to him with its beckoning, silver light.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Story: 356
Words: 46
Title: Found and Lost
Extended virtual pleasure became the goal of many in the more advanced countries of Earth. They spent most of their time hooked up to the EVPnet and only ventured out to eat and defecate. After the electrical grid collapse, they became the nation of the lost.
Words: 46
Title: Found and Lost
Extended virtual pleasure became the goal of many in the more advanced countries of Earth. They spent most of their time hooked up to the EVPnet and only ventured out to eat and defecate. After the electrical grid collapse, they became the nation of the lost.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Story: 354
Words: 79
Title: Going Interdimensional
It’s a strange feeling going interdimensional. I never get accustomed to it. First the feeling of blacking out, then the sense of having no body, and then the floating in the void. Suddenly, normal body sensations return and its been but a quarter of a second. During the experience of the void I get the distinct feeling that I could hop off and stay there. Perhaps next time I will see what’s there. But how would I get back?
Words: 79
Title: Going Interdimensional
It’s a strange feeling going interdimensional. I never get accustomed to it. First the feeling of blacking out, then the sense of having no body, and then the floating in the void. Suddenly, normal body sensations return and its been but a quarter of a second. During the experience of the void I get the distinct feeling that I could hop off and stay there. Perhaps next time I will see what’s there. But how would I get back?
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Story: 353
Words: 92
Title: CopBot
CopBot wandered through the crowded esplanade at Marsport City watching for trouble. And there was always trouble on the frontier. With its armored skin, it had handily beat the controversy about it shooting indiscriminately because it could be programmed to shoot second. Untiringly, it wanders around randomly issuing salutations and weather reports. A distraction from its inherent firepower and unblinking digital eye.
CopBot was pleased to be of service and enjoyed the solid surface beneath its tracks. With constant enthusiasm, it serves and protects humanity. It’s the very definition of singular purpose.
Words: 92
Title: CopBot
CopBot wandered through the crowded esplanade at Marsport City watching for trouble. And there was always trouble on the frontier. With its armored skin, it had handily beat the controversy about it shooting indiscriminately because it could be programmed to shoot second. Untiringly, it wanders around randomly issuing salutations and weather reports. A distraction from its inherent firepower and unblinking digital eye.
CopBot was pleased to be of service and enjoyed the solid surface beneath its tracks. With constant enthusiasm, it serves and protects humanity. It’s the very definition of singular purpose.
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