Today’s story will not be as quick as you think it is, but it’s still a great way to rescue your writing streak.
The prompt
Write a Twitter story
- Twitter fiction must fit into only 140 characters.
- You do not have to have a Twitter account, nor do you have to post this on Twitter. You’re simply writing a story that could, hypothetically, fit in a Twitter post.
- 140 characters is not much, but you can use a compelling situation to give us an idea of the characters who might be involved. Many super-short stories involve a little twist, or a surprising change of perspective in the last few words.
- To avoid a predictable twist, make your opening lines as ambiguous as possible. Provide clarity in the last clause.
- Don’t be afraid to use hackneyed or clichéd plots for this exercise. Do try to make sure that you add something truly original to it. Think of things you really care about. Things only you could write about, in only your voice.
- Make sure you allow some time to edit and find the story. It’s not as quick exercises might think it is.
- Think of this like writing haiku if it helps.
- You can use this prompt any day you need to rescue your writings.
- Remember: even when you write a story this tiny, you are training your creative brain. You have still found ideas, created a character, introduced complications, crafted a story arc and written to the end. Doing that every day for a month, is a powerful affirmation of your creativity; support of the priority you give your writing; and a tough exercise in wordsmithing. Pat yourself not the back for writing a story today.
Leave a comment to let us know how you got on with this tiny, terrible challenge. Did you write super-short? Did you ignore my suggestion and write an epic? How’s it going? Let us know!
