Thursday, December 20, 2018

#Fi50: The Worst Gift

Fiction in 50 is a regular feature in the last week of every month and I invite any interested composers of mini-narrative to join in!

What is #Fi50? In the words of founder Bruce Gargoyle, "Fiction in 50: think of it as the anti-NaNoWriMo experience!" Pack a beginning, middle and end of story into 50 words or less (bonus points for hitting exactly 50 words).

The rules for participation are simple:

1. Create a piece of fictional writing in 50 words or less, ideally using the prompt as title or theme or inspiration.
That’s it!  But for those who wish to challenge themselves further, here’s an additional rule:

2. Post your piece of flash fiction on your blog or (for those poor blog-less souls) add it as a comment on the Ninja Librarian’s post for everyone to enjoy.  
And for those thrill-seekers who really like to go the extra mile (ie: perfectionists):

3. Add the nifty little picture above to your post (credit for which goes entirely to ideflex over at acrossthebored.com) or create your own Fi50 meme pic….
and 4. Link back here so others can jump on the mini-fic bandwagon.I recommend posting your basic blog link on my Fi50 page, with the day you post your Fi50 story. You can also add a link in the comments on my story, posted the last Sunday (or Saturday) of the month. Feel free to Tweet using the #Fi50, though I'll not lie: the Ninja Librarian is a lousy tweeter.

Posts can go up any time during the last week of the month (or any other time – we’re not fussy! My post will go up next Saturday, so it will be there when you are ready to add your link.

You’re welcome to pick your own topics or go along with the monthly prompt.

The December Prompt is:
The Worst Gift


Note: I had been planning to let this drop entirely after the new year, but since Jemima Pett provided a list of prompts, I will keep it going, though possibly in a rather automated way (I will not be available in January, at least, to respond actively).

Here are the 2019 prompts, courtesy Jemima:

January - Icy Fingers
Feb - No more hearts and flowers
March - Whenever
April - Exactly
May - Sweet home, Alabama
June - Countdown
July - Taking it to the …. (Complete with your own word)
August - One drop too many
September - Taking turns
October - Wolf at the door
November - Forging ahead
December - Behind the curtain 
And now for my story!

The Worst Gift

Everyone gets a gift of magic their tenth Christmas. My best friend can levitate. I can weave all day with no mistakes. 

I hate weaving. 

When the killers came, we hid under my coverlet and they said the bed was empty. 


Now we’re all alone, and I still hate weaving.


©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2018 As always, please ask permission to use any photos or text. Link-backs appreciated.

2 comments:

  1. I'm glad you're keeping it going.

    I'm also glad you did this story - which is brilliant.

    Mine's less so :) but it's here

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the kind words! Yes, I'll keep it going, but the January posts may be unattended :) By the way, Jemima's brilliant story is here:
      http://jemimapett.com/blog/2018/12/19/fi50-worst-gift-fiction-fifty-words/

      Delete

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