Short and Sweet by Writerbee

100 words! Isn't that short?

Writerbee — 2015-01-07 01:16:13 UTC

Actually, it seems quite long when you are writing it! Just make the most of it!

How to start?

Writerbee — 2015-01-07 01:24:40 UTC

Let the readers say hi ;) But that doesn't mean that you have to start off with:

"She is the most enduring member of their leader's dictatorial behaviour. She had been lectured at again and again by the young egomaniac. Now, she had had enough. She was going to run away."

When you only have 100 words, you need to suck your readers into the story As Soon As Possible. Let your words tell them the who, what, when, where, why. For example:

"The sky pelted down bullets of acid again. Usually she endured the dowsing. This time, she took cover."

The leader: The sky

Dictatorial behaviour: Bullets of acid

Lectured at: the dowsing

Run away: took cover

I like to use metaphors to shorten my story. It gives a more picturesque setting as well.

My first attempt (please comment)

Writerbee — 2015-01-07 02:08:17 UTC

The sky pelted down bullets of acid again. The watery memories flooded back to her. Months, running through muddy fields. Torturous hours, him screaming at her over the sound of rainfall. That evening... under the umbrella, smoldering flames, rekindled. Endless nights following harsh orders, sleep relinquished. Endless days in thunderstorms... unsheltered, shivering in the cold. The wind callously stinging her face, raindrops engulfing her, chilling her bones. Suddenly, a call... It was Poker Face. "You got your way." Just that. She shrieked wildly over the howling wind. Laughing? Crying? Her emotions were mixed... but inside, the watery memories slowly subsided.

I'm over the limit! What now?

Writerbee — 2015-01-07 02:15:08 UTC

Personally, I suggest that you do a first draft without thinking about the word count. Just write.

When you're done, do the word count.

If it's < 85 : Try expanding a bit on the story, eg. add descriptions, details of scenes, even change the storyline to make it longer.

If it's 85 - 99 : Check your grammar. It might help add a word or two. Add a few adjectives to let the readers feel the story, or write a short, punchy ending. Be very careful here, as you are walking on thin ice with the word limit.

>101 : Cut unnecessary details. I've read quite a number of prize-winning 100 word stories, and most of them use short sentences to bring out a complicated storyline.

Making your storyline a little obscure helps. It leaves people thinking about it and requires less words to bring out the story

Keep it simple

Writerbee — 2015-02-10 13:33:31 UTC

I've read quite a number of 100 word stories, and most of them just keep it simple. Simple everyday language, everyday stories, but not that meaningful.

When you use the usual "Katy did this, Katy did that" kind of writing style, you find that your 100 words could be useless jabber.

eg. She woke up early in the morn'. But this wasn't her room. It looked drab and didn't have character; her room was full of boyband posters and thriller stories. Then she realized that she was wearing blue striped pajamas with a David's Star armband. Wait... what? Striped pajamas? David's Star? That could only mean one thing. She had time traveled back to World War 2, and she was in a Jewish camp. This was bad. She pinched herself to make sure she wasn't dreaming. Ouch

But when everyday language is used artfully, it creates simple yet powerful stories, because it's easy to understand and the "wow you brought that out in 100 words" factor.