The brief of the AWC Furious Fiction – May 2024 short story competition was as follows: Your story must take place on an IMPORTANT DATE from the past 50 years – i.e. from May 1974 onwards. Your story must include a character who builds something. Your story must include the words ENOUGH, CHASE and MISTAKE. *** Mauerspecht (Wallpecker) Today was
Read moreObserve something organic for a week, writing about it each day (Peg Cherry).** For my work anniversary (or workiversary), I received a bouquet of flowers from one of my colleagues. I chose to take pictures and write observations based on what is noticeable in the pictures. I didn’t take pictures everyday; however, I took pictures for over a week. 29
Read moreWrite about the varied reactions of different people to an event, without telling us what the event is.** Mauerspecht (Wallpecker) Today was supposed to be peaceful, but I couldn’t help resorting to a little bit of violence. Days ago, I would have been shot for what I’d done, but now it didn’t matter. The guard lying on the ground just
Read moreDescribe a scene in which something enigmatic yet intense is happening. Don’t tell us what is happening.** Good Intentions When I agreed to this deal years ago, I had good intentions. I’d share my wisdom, provide gentle yet firm guidance, and save money. My good intentions flew out the window after twenty minutes. I was weak. I lost my cool,
Read moreEarlier this year I entered the NYC Midnight 100-Word Microfiction Challenge, an international creative writing competition that challenges participants to write original 100-word stories by giving them a specific genre, action, and word assignment, in 24 hours. Every writer is placed in a specific group based on the genre, action, and word assignment they are given. The Challenge’s judges pick 15 writers
Read moreEarlier this year I entered the NYC Midnight 100-Word Microfiction Challenge for the fourth time. NYC Midnight’s 100-Word Microfiction Challenge is an international creative writing competition that challenges participants to write original 100-word stories by giving them a specific genre, action, and word assignment, in 24 hours. Every writer is placed in a specific group based on the genre, action,
Read moreWrite a scene with you and a character as totally unlike you as you can get, and put the two of you in a situation: e.g. a teacher puts you and the other person together, over your objections, to work on an assignment.** #I decided to not have this topic focus on me, rather two characters who are totally unlike
Read moreThe brief of the AWC Furious Fiction – June 2024 short story competition was as follows: Your story must strongly feature a relationship between TWO characters. A dynamic duo. A couple. A rivalry. Siblings. Anything! Your story must include someone whispering. Your story must include the words JAR, UNIFORM, NEEDLE, and EDGE. *** Teacher’s Pet I’ve been Cindy’s teacher since
Read moreWrite a conversation which consists entirely of questions** Centre of Attention “Why did you have to steal my thunder, Maggie?!” “I didn’t steal your thunder at all, Esther! Why would you say that?” “Why would you choose my wedding day to announce your pregnancy and make my day all about you?!” “Why not? You’re my best friend, aren’t you happy
Read moreThe brief of the AWC Furious Fiction – April 2024 short story competition was as follows: Your story’s first sentence must be a question. Your story must include something being pulled. Your story must include the words POST, TEAR, and THUNDER. *** Centre of Attention “Why did you have to steal my thunder, Maggie?!” “I didn’t steal your thunder at
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