It appears that a bit of phenomenon is taking place over at Chuck Wendig’s blog Terrible Minds. Each Friday he broadcasts a Flash Fiction Challenge, invoking those willing, to come up with a 1000 word flash fiction story according to the topic or theme of the week, as set by Mister Wendig himself.
This week, however, the challenge was to do the same, but in 100 words. Yes, write a story in ONE HUNDRED words. Impossible (to be shouted in thick French accent)! You might protest, but alas mes cheries, it can be done.
I’ve had a crack at doing this once before when entering the 100 Words or Fewer contest, whose link can be found over to the right there under ‘Groovy Links’. I received some pretty good feedback from my last entry into that contest, and although I didn’t win anything, I was keen to try it again.
So, with that deadline coming up again and with all the action happening at Terrible Minds, I felt that maybe the stars were aligning to send me a message. Something along the lines of, “Get off your butt and write something.” Not one to disagree with the star gods, I today took up the challenge.
So what is this week’s theme? Revenge. Muahahaha!
Check out all the details about Chuck’s challenge here. Meanwhile, here’s my entry:
A Royal Retribution
Perched high on her dais, the Queen looked down upon the people of her kingdom.
The nobles shifted uncomfortably, their garments glittering in the afternoon light. Beyond them, the stench of the penniless beggars rudely invaded her nostrils.
In a magnificent show of dignified ceremony she bowed low to her people and proclaimed,
“Had he remained loyal, I would have seen fit to let him live.”
Yet it was neither these words, nor the sharp sound of the sword being unsheathed that they would remember, but her gracefulness as she knelt to receive the cold blade for assassinating their King.
~storytelling nomad~
storytelling nomad 
I’ve done a number of 100 word (or less) challenges. Not impossible at all, just needs fine tuning. You did a great job
Thank you :)
It’s quite therapeutic to be able to spend the time on each and every word. I’d love to do more of these I think.
Fantastic Katy – amazing what you can do with 100 words, even an amazing twist at the end!
Thanks Penny! It’s quite fun doing these100 word or less stories. Perhaps we should get the group doing some ;)
Okay, that was awesome and I’m impressed. Loved the twist at the end! Great job. :-)
Woo! Thanks Angela. Getting the twist just right was the hardest part!
Killer ending! (Seriously, no pun intended.) Came out of nowhere. Well done!
Thank you! I’m glad it was effective. Sometimes you just never know with these things…!
Business as usual.
Hugh and Jeff are brothers. They are also sons of the powerful business man, Sir Laurence.
The empire built by Laurence is vast though not well consolidated. Cash flow troubles are appearing and old enemies are returning. Like vultures, Donald of Donald Printing, Ruth and Alice of R.A Partners and “Baron” Carle of Baron Industries, started to circle Sir Laurence and his sons.
They have good reasons to do so. Laurence’s empire was built mostly on the ruins of other businesses. Businesses that were darlings of the likes of Donald. This revenge will be served dead and rotting.
Yeah! 100 word stories everywhere! Nice work Hu!
I love that I gasped at the last line. :)
I love that you did too!
Aaand the above comment was me, not my husband! :) (It was also me that liked it. I guess I should get off his computer now?)
Ha ha Bethany! Busted! ;) Thank you though!
I frequently challenge myself to write stories in exactly 200 words, but managing it in 100 words provides an even greater feeling of accomplishment!
Loved the story – great stuff! :)
Thanks be to you! I should challenge myself more with this sort of thing. Perhaps I should follow your example and do so!
I really really really admire flash fiction writers. Even if I don’t like purple prose, I can’t tell a story in 1000 words, let alone 100!
Great job!
Much appreciated Barb! I don’t know that I would classify myself a flash fiction writer, it’s only the second time I’ve given something like this a shot! But I’ve seen some other stuff out there which is quite amazing and it really is incredible what people can do with a limited word count. Thanks for stopping by!
Neat. I like the detail that the nobles were uncomfortable; it takes the scene out of a cliche’ setting and makes it gritty.
Thanks Kirsten! I could get used to doing more of these for writing practice. Have just been checking out your revenge 100 story and found it equally awesome!
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Oooh, I have to do this!
Yes! Then share it with us!
Nice story, and great work on the ending. Once you realise what’s going on, the “unfomfortable nobles” rings true in a whole different way.
Thanks Jo! :)
Omg, 100 words? I struggle for hours to get stories under 500, I don’t think I could manage 100 :p
It’s certainly a cool little challenge and I have great faith that you could totally manage it Whitney!
I really liked the way you conveyed a whole back-story with so little. I could envision the intrigue and drama that came before and would come after this event.
One suggestion: the first line has the word “upon” twice. I think you can change one of them to simply “on.”
Isn’t it funny the things you don’t notice when you’re reading over your own stuff? Thanks so much for pointing that out! Honestly, it would bug me so much if I saw it in someone elses writing.
Thanks for your feedback :)
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O. M. G.
That story is so good. Doesn’t matter if it “wins” anything. I think it’s quite an accomplishment. I’ve always considered “Appointment in Samara” as the best very short story. You’ve written one that rivals it.
Thank you! I haven’t heard of that story, but I’m thinking I’m going to have to check it out seeing as you speak so highly of it!
P.s. I didn’t win anything :( Boo!
I have it on my harddrive. I think you’ll like it.
“Appointment in Samarra”
The speaker is Death
There was a merchant in Bagdad who sent his servant to market to buy provisions and in a little while the servant came back, white and trembling, and said, Master, just now when I was in the marketplace I was jostled by a woman in the crowd and when I turned I saw it was Death that jostled me. She looked at me and made a threatening gesture. Now, lend me your horse, and I will ride away from this city and avoid my fate. I will go to Samarra and there Death will not find me. The merchant lent him his horse, and the servant mounted it, and he dug his spurs in its flanks and as fast as the horse could gallop, he went. Then the merchant went down to the marketplace and he saw me standing in the crowd and he came to me and said: Why did you make a threatening gesture to my servant when you saw him this morning? That was not a threatening gesture, I said, it was only a start of surprise. I was astonished to see him in Bagdad, for I had an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.
That is an exceptionally amazing piece of flash fiction. Thank you for sharing it with me!
You’ve got a great talent for writing.
I got a good image of the world, of the sense of place, and an insight into the Queen’s tough personality. Oh, and I liked the short story. ;)
Thank you and thank you :) Just made my day!