FIFTY-FIVE FICTION

One birthday, I received a book from my brother called The World's Shortest Stories (edited by Steve Moss). Each story contained the four elements that define a story (setting, characters, conflict, and resolution), but each was exactly 55 words long.

The concept is called Fifty-Five Fiction.

It is a complete genre unto itself, and there exist a number of published collections as well as a web site devoted entirely to the genre. Each story must have 55 words -- no more, no less. So I decided to take up the challenge. Here's my Fifty-Five Fiction story:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * COLD

Lost in the blizzard and hunkered down, I would awaken periodically to howling blackness. But the warm coccoon of my Dad's tight embrace would comfort me.

So when, finally, my eyes opened to the glare of flashlights and the barking of bloodhounds, it was a horrible bittersweet.

Because I awoke saved.

But I awoke cold.

RANDY RAY SIDES

0 comments:

Post a Comment