Joanna had seventeen seconds to decide: would she help herself, or help someone else? Which would it be, selfishness or altruism?
To her left lay the bike trail to work. To her right, a struggling local donut shop and the subway system.
Joanna turned right. Today, she was a hero.
This story is based on a title suggested by @Haberley.
Want a chance to win a free prerelease copy of the Fifty-Word Stories: Volume Two ebook? You have two chances to do so!
If you’re on Facebook, head over to the Fifty-Word Stories Facebook page and press “Like” on this photo.
If you have a Google+ account, click +1 on this post.
On September 10, I will do a separate random draw on each of these sites, and one Liker and one +1er will each receive a Volume Two ebook.
Of course, if you aren’t content to leave things to chance, you can always preorder a copy today.
Four flies met at a crossroads, each one travelling north, south, east, or west.
“East is amazing,” said one, “but I hear west is better.”
“South is supposed to be fantastic.”
“North, I’m told, is far superior.”
Each fly returned the way it had come, content with its homeland’s reputation.
This story is based on a title suggested by Mark McCarthy.
Bryson was just a dumb baboon. He knew nothing about radioactivity or mutations: all he knew was that the glowing green thing he’d eaten had tasted funny.
He hadn’t yet noticed the line of pebbles he was inadvertently levitating with his new telekinetic powers. He was just a dumb baboon.
This story is based on a title suggested by Kathleen DeVere of LoadingReadyRun.
Detective Cork eyed the plate of steak-and-mushroom pie, his stomach gurgling in anticipation. “Blarney, you havin’ sum?”
His partner shook his head, too preoccupied with the case.
Gold coins, a short man in green… What was the connection?
Outside, the sun broke through, painting the sky with a brilliant rainbow.
Jordan Sevenhuysen recently spent two months travelling through Europe. This story was inspired by his time in Ireland.
In Theo’s experience, when you showed someone a blindfold, they tended to interpret it in one of two ways: it represented either a game, or kidnapping.
The interesting part, to Theo, were those few wavering moments, as he tied it on, while they tried to decide which one it was.
This story was based on the prompt “a blindfold” at TypeTrigger.
Shawn worked long hours, and at home there were diapers to change, bottles to warm, and feet to rub. He had only four sacred, personal minutes each day to kick off his pants and relax.
One day, he was interrupted: “Daddy, I hafta gooooo!”
Curse you, potty training, he thought.
This story is based on a title suggested by Zach Denoncour.
“When they open up that door, you’re gonna whop ’em on the knees with your shovel, okay, son?”
Little Harley nodded his freckled nose and gripped his shovel as tight as he could.
Jim leveled his shotgun. Wasn’t every year you got to do the surprising on your own birthday.
This story was based on the prompt “when they come” at TypeTrigger.
It’s finally here!
Preorders for Fifty-Word Stories: Volume Two and 50-word story t-shirts are now open.
Volume Two contains 130 stories (compared to 100 in Volume One), and also includes an essay about finding inspiration for your writing.
The preorder period will close on Monday, September 12, at which point the printing and shipping will begin. I will also be reprinting Volume One, so if you missed out on that the first time around, grab it in a bundle with Volume Two, combine the shipping, and save some money!
Volume One and Volume Two each cost $12 on their own, or $3 as ebooks. T-shirts are $20. The various bundles have savings built in, plus shipping is much cheaper per product when items are combined. See the Store page for details.
Since all of the books and shirts are being produced locally this time around, I can sign every book (if you want me to), and I will even write you a personal story, which will never be posted anywhere else, for an added charge of $5.
See all of the product pages for extra details. If you have any questions, check out the Store FAQ page. If you run across any issues with the store, please let me know!
Bradley loved Veronica, and he hated it. He hated his attraction to her arrogance. Mostly, though, he hated that she hated him.
Veronica hated lots of boys: she valued her spitefulness; but she especially hated Bradley.
They circled each other in ever-decreasing orbits, their gravitational forces growing, like doomed planets.
This story is based on a title suggested by Jonas Funk.