1. FLASH
FICTION
NANOFICTION
55 WORD SHORT STORY

4. INTO THE NIGHT Dick Skeen
Look, smile, teeth, lips, voice, sexy, car, feel, apartment, couch, music, dance, lights, drink, moist, dry, soft, firm, fast, slow, easy, hard, leg, knee, thigh, shoulders, breast, fingers, silky, rough, breath, living room, bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, basement, bed, pillows, sheets, shower, cigarette, coffee, stockings, brassiere, dress, shirt, naked, rattle, door, husband, scramble, kill, clothes, window.
STRATEGY: ONE WORD NOUNS, ADJECTIVES

6. HIGHER EDUCATION Ron Bast
“College was a breeze,” Jennings said, washing his grimy hands. “With all those budget cuts, they couldn’t teach much. They just gave us our grades and sent us on our way.” “How did you learn?” “We didn’t, but so what? Look at me now.” A nurse opened the door. “Dr. Jennings, you’re wanted in surgery.”
STRATEGY: DIALOGUE

7. STRATEGY: POINT OF VIEW
IT WAS A YEAR AGO
A slight breeze blew as Doug stood staring down at Joey. “Hello, Joey,” said Doug. Silence surrounded the two of them. “Joey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I didn’t. And Joey – Merry Christmas.” Doug placed a rose on Joey’s tombstone and walked away. “Can you ever forgive me,” he asked, “for driving home drunk?”
STRATEGY: POINT OF VIEW

9. WISHFUL THINKING Joshua Hanes
Bob had all he wanted. And he still had one wish left. “I can’t decide. Can I use it later?” he asked. “You da boss. I’m just the genie.” “Cool.” As he walked down the streets, he searched for a tune to express his joyous feelings. “…Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Meyer wiener – “
STRATEGY: CATCHY TITLE, MAKING THE ORDINARY EXTRAORDINARY

11. STRATEGY: REWRITE HISTORY
BAD LUCK Alan E. Mayer
I awoke to searing pain all over my body. I opened my eyes and saw a nurse standing by my bed. “Mr. Fujima,” she said. “You were lucky to have survived the bombing of Hiroshima two days ago. But you’re safe now here in this hospital.” Weakly, I asked, “Where am I?” “Nagasaki,” she said.
STRATEGY: REWRITE HISTORY

13. CHAMELEON SCHLEMIELEON
The Brainiac. The Nerd. Not anymore. A midsemester move to a new school. A chance for a new identity. Algebra. First day. First period. Sitting in the back with the cool people, hoping to clique, I finish my exam long before anyone else. Doubting my calculations, the teacher grades it aloud: 100. I’ve failed.
STRATEGY: FRAGMENTS AND SENTENCE STRUCTURE

15. THE SUICIDE NOTE Eric Sandberg
Marie, Your love meant everything to me. I don’t blame you though. I always figured some day you’d realize how worthless I am. Sorry about the mess. I just couldn’t stand to live any longer. But you’ll always be with me. Glenn P.S. The fish I served you tonight was poisoned. See you soon.
STRATEGY: LETTER FORMAT (EPISTOLARY)

16. THE SALON VISIT Elizabeth Eula
“Anyway,” the woman in the chair continued, “his wife’s so gullible! Bill always says he’s going bowling; she always believes him!” The beautician smiled. “My husband William loves bowling.” Never used to…Goes all the time now… She paused, frowning, Then a slow, bitter smile emerged. “Let’s start on your perm. You’re gonna look unforgettable.”
STRATEGY: WORD PLAY, ITALICS

18. FLIGHT TRAINING James Murphy II
Ahead, the 747 turned west, the captain climbing safely above its wake turbulence. ATC said, “United 674, turn left to 265.” The captain turned without compensating, and we sank into the turbulence. Shudders became jolts, then something broke, and our 747 rolled. The simulator reset the instruments. I said, “Watch your altitude, Mr. Atta.”
STRATEGY: POINT OF VIEW, NARROWING TO SINGLE PLACE IN TIME

19. ALEX AND ADAM Jeremiah Jacques
Alex, an aged almsman, articulated an afterthought. “Always address agonistics amiably and answer atheists affectionately.” Adam, another aged almsman, addressed Alex’s absurd aphorism, asking, “And after an apocalypse?” Alex alluringly assumed an agreeable air and answered Adam: “Apocalypse and afflatus are amazingly abstract areas…affection and amiability accomplish ample acquiescence and alleviate anger.”
STRATEGY: ALLITERATION

20. SHIFT WORK Erica Schalow
“You’re still here? Where’s Dr. Jones?” The emergency room is busy. I’m pissed at my missing replacement. “He’s late again,” I say. “Hey, Doc! Face versus windshield – better come quick!” Cursing to myself, I yell at the charge nurse: “Page Dr. Jones again!” As I intubate, I hear Jones’ pager…on the patient’s belt.

22. ONE YEAR LATER Martha Phillips
“Good morning, Eva.” “Morning, Sheryl.” “So how’s your garden doing?” “Growing like a weed!” They laughed. “I’m sure it’s given you a lot of comfort since Henry disappeared,” said Sheryl kindly. “Actually,” said Eva, “I often feel like he never really left me at all.” Her roses were unusually large that summer.

23. THE TRANSPLANT Steve Sainsbury
Lying on the gurney, I felt the I.V. medications take effect. “You came alone, right?” “Yeah, Doc, just like you said. I get $10,000 just for a single kidney?” “That’s right , son.” Slipping into unconsciousness, I asked with slurred speech, “Then…why…all the…secrecy?” “Because I get twice that for a heart.”

25. WE’LL BE RIGHT BACK AFTER THIS Jill Manni
Beth went through some Growing Pains. Unfortunately, she learned The Facts of Life from Perfect Strangers. She was never taught that Family Matters. Quickly, she realized that Three’s Company and moved out. And to make matters worse, Everybody Loves Raymond. That’s her best friend. But like she told her mom, “I Love Lucy.”
STRATEGY: ALLUSIONS

26. THE RULES It must contain 55 words…no more, no less!
The title does not count in the total, but it cannot be over 7 words.
The story must end with a shocking twist.
Numbers, abbreviations, and contractions count as 1 word.
Words with hyphens count as 1 word unless they can stand on their own with the hyphen is removed.

27. STRATEGIES Catchy title (i.e. Déjà vu) Dialogue
Alliteration (Peter Piper picked….)
Focusing on one event or object
Unusual point of view
One word sentences (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen)
Rewrite/get in historical moment
Sentence fragments/run-ons on purpose
Song titles, tv shows put together in one string
Text language
Unusual format (letter/epistolary)
Strange narrator (ghost, dead person, etc.)