Welcome to the Fifty-Word Short Story challenge — a weekly opportunity to test your writing skills by crafting an entire story in just 50 words. We have a small community of writers who regularly share their micro-fiction short stories. Be sure to check them out. And if you're so inclined, give it a try.
One of the things I love so much about writing fifty word short stories, and hosting this weekly challenge, is that it is an opportunity to craft and fine-tune words in the microcosm of a very short story.
As an example, I thought I'd share my editing process.
Here's the first draft of my 50-word short story for this week, The Secret Book:
Perhaps Frieda had always known. She stood in the attic, holding a book with her name printed in small type on its dusty cover. With her mother and sister gone — buried that day after the crash that took their lives — she was ready for truth. She was her sister’s daughter.I was somewhat happy with it, but it just didn't have the zing I was looking for. I want my stories to have an impact. I want the reader to feel impacted or perhaps transformed by it. If the words don't transport the reader to the time and place, and provide insight into the character, I don't think it's successful.
So I played with the words. It occurred to me that the book should be a notebook. This one change is small and perhaps unnoticeable but I think it's important. After all, a notebook could be rich with memories, legal information or other things that the character could explore. A notebook seemed more impactful as the container of information about her past than a book.
I made a number of other changes and spread out the sentences to slow the pace, so that there is a dawning awareness of the importance of this notebook. Here is the final version:
Perhaps Frieda had always known.What do you think? Did the story improve with the edits? Feel free to share your own process!She stood in the attic, holding a notebook with her name printed in small type on its dusty cover.
With her mother and sister gone — recently buried after a crash took their lives — she opened the notebook, prepared for truth.
She was her sister’s daughter.
Also, I'm experimenting with offering some limited editorial support to writers who would like an editor's eyes on their 50-word stories before posting. Please mention in a reply to this post if that is of interest to you.
Okay, let's survey the 50-word stories from last week!
@lahvista and 
@swizzyl. Thanks for joining the Fifty Worders!
Here is the complete list of stories inspired by last week's “book” prompt. I hope you will read them all:
@anixio
@tristancarax
@theironfelix
@deirdyweirdy
@jonknight
@calluna
@alheath
@botefarm
@poetrybyjeremy
@felixgarciap
@bex-dk
@ahmadmanga
@gaby-crb
@hlezama
@ablaze
@frizzy
@vdux@lahvista
@pyemoney@swizzyl
@andersonrivas
@jaynaLast week authors explored the ideas and different meanings of the word "book." Enjoy.
@hlezama@hlezama, a Venezuelan, shares some of the real life drama and devastation occurring in his country. There's a real story behind this one.
20 years ago she begged him to let her use his library. She promised to keep everything neat. She just wanted to read; he had everything a free spirit can desire.He refused.
“I’ll return soon. Or else, they’ll be sent over.”
Neither happened.
The rats and time undid them.
@alheath“How about romance?” The assistant held up a book. “This is selling very well.”George grunted. “Don’t give me that crap.”
But then he noticed the author’s name. Jules Valentine.
His granddaughter was finally published.
“Give it here.”
Hiding the book under one arm, he plodded over to the check-out.
@bex-dkEmma's eyes kept returning to the heavy leather volume on the shelf. She handled the cracked binding carefully. The Guide to Færie.The charity shop got its 50 pence.
Days later, Emma's mother fainted beside the empty bed. A creepy old book lay open to one side. Emma was missing.
@anixioThis one is now collecting dust. But from miles away you can tell that it was once really loved. Scars on its covers so deep, pages folded more times than there are letters in it. This Book can tell us more than the words and chapters written inside of it.
@ahmadmangaAgain, he sneaked into her old library. He took a random book, and sat on the chair he believed was hers. He read all the books before, but he'll read them again and again. Because he might get a clearer image of the woman who died giving birth to him.
@lahvista@lahvista.
“I love this porch,” he said.“I do, too. You’re early for the hunt,” I said looking up from my book.
“What hunt?” he asked.
“The one tonight at eight,” I said.
“I just came for the porch and the rocking chair,” he said.
I turned and he was gone.
@callunaThe same worn, faded face looked back at her from the mirror. Drawn eyes, smudged lipstick, ruffled hair.Wonderful work, everyone!She retrieved another baby wipe, on her second packet of the evening already, wiping off the offending smear, ready to reapply.
It was important she looked fresh, she was fully booked tonight.
I look forward to reading your stories, Fifty Worders!
Here are some creative commons and public domain image resources:
Thanks so much for reading! I hope you try the Fifty-Word Challenge. It's so fun to see what can unfold in a mere 50 words!
@negativer
@niallon11
@vaitelavicius