UPDATED WITH WINNER - LitReactor's Flash Fiction Smackdown: January Edition
Flash fiction: A style of fictional literature marked by extreme brevity.
Welcome to LitReactor's Flash Fiction Smackdown, a monthly bout of writing prowess.
How It Works
We give you inspiration in the form of a picture, poem, video, or similar. You write a flash fiction piece using the inspiration we gave you. Put your entry in the comments section. One winner will be picked and awarded a prize. This month, you get only 14 words, but there are no limits on structure or number of sentences.
The Rules
- 14 words is the limit. (You can write less, but you can't write more.)
- It can be any genre.
- Give it a title (not included in the word count, but keep it under 10 words).
- We're not exactly shy, but let's stay away from senseless racism or violence.
- One entry per person.
- Editing your entry after you submit it is permitted.
- We'll pick a winner on the last day of the month.
- LitReactor staffers can't win, but are encouraged to participate.
- All stories submitted on or before January 30 will be considered. We'll run the winner on January 31.
This Month's Prize
Ever wonder what else Ellen Ripley was up in 1979? Find out with Titan Books' newest addition to the canon:
Alien - Out of the Shadows (Book 1) by Tim Lebanon
In space no one can hear you scream...
The massively acclaimed Alien franchise is one of the most successful of all time, beginning with the first film in 1979. In a dramatic twist, this novel will return us to that time, to Ellen Ripley, and to never-before-revealed secrets of the Weyland-Yutani Corporations ... secrets that lead into the events of the second film, Aliens... and beyond!
Your Inspiration
It's a new day, it's a new year, it's a new set of rules! In honor of surviving 14 years past the Y2K Apocalypse-That-Wasn't, you get 14 words to write a flash fiction story on the topic of "newness".
Now get writing!
And the Winner is...OtCole!
Maybe it is because I can relate to this story--the futility of trying to take yourself seriously--but either way, it made me laugh. I also love that the two ellipses serve as words, making the final count exactly 14 words. Well done, OtCole!
Fantastical Tales of a Rookie
“Poleece man.”
“….”
“Mistah Poleece man.”
“Remain silent, citizen.”
“your fly is down.”
“….”
Column by Taylor Houston
Taylor Houston is a genuine Word Nerd living in Portland, OR where she works as a technical writer and volunteers on the marketing committee for Wordstock, a local organization dedicated to writing education. She has a BA in Creative Writing and Spanish from Hamilton College and attended Penn State's MFA program in Creative Nonfiction. She has taught writing at all levels from middle school to college to adult, and she is the creator of Writer’s Cramp, a class for adults who just want to write!
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Comments
Gauntlet on floor screams, “Beware you repetitious fools. This be the year of me.”
God Saves No Cowards
"Ready..."
"You can't!"
"Aim..."
"Please!"
"Fire!"
"God help..."
Bullets end the sentence for him.
"I hear Beirut is lovely in the spring . . ."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Lebbon, but 'Alien' fanboys are livid. You'll need a new identity."
.
First Date
"Favourite albums of 2013. Go!"
"Music these days..just bloody noise"
The silence resumed.
.
Old newscreen numba
Nero used neuroin like nobodies bidnez!. Neo had no flare for such nonsense - nada!
Newness Transfused
Her petal opens. The dew drop falls. Her brother drinks. Revived. His petal opens.
New Digs
Not long buried at Rosencliff cemetery, when comes the beckoning of my new brethren.
First Day
Even her old clothes felt new. Nothing could dampen her first day of school.
Metamorphosis, or: Through The Reading Glasses
Once you've finished reading
My newest poetry
Then it's turned to just
another memory
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
"Change!" He proclaimed.
The guns still fire.
The red sea still deepens.
What change?
Renew
Fingers break the taut chrysalis skin. It's eyes open.
Welcome, they say. Welcome, Replacement.
Daybreak
Old eyes dream of days gone when supple flesh played 'neath bright dawn.
A Lesson in Humility
"Is that all you've got?"
"Nope. I've got this too."
"Shit. Nevermind."
Never quiet again
The noise on earth is deafening... but you could call it the new silence.
Checking the Mail
An expired gift card for new glucose meters hid beneath the many condolence cards.
Peace
They rebuilt their world with rubble. This was the peace that was promised.
Peace
They rebuilt their world with rubble. This was the peace that was promised.
Preemie
Lowering cigarette, eyes, to her belly, she exhaled.
"What're you gonna do about it?
Expecting
The boy opened his eyes and locked onto mine.
This was not my son.
Fantastical Tales of a Rookie
“Poleece man.”
“….”
“Mistah Poleece man.”
“Remain silent, citizen.”
“your fly is down.”
“….”
Hank froze, eyes unblinking; the empty incubator his cue to run.
The Groundskeeper
He regretfully tossed the neglected birch sapling aside. The hole would forever remain empty.
Newness
The gun felt hot in her hands. She smiled. His death her rebirth.
Post A
2046. Shimmertown, the United States of China. Chased by old fears. The name's Xian.
A Prayer to My Daughter From a Coma
It's okay. Forgive yourself. Death? It's nothing. Let me go. Dance through your life.
A (post-) Christmas miracle
“Push...”
I....can’t..,"
“Breathe.....”
“Aaagh...”
“Almost there...”
“Congratulations!”
“ The new jeans still fit you!”
Love Has Just Begun
I open my eyes. In the sun, I am born from her "Good Morning".
Family
Dear Mom: half a helix doesn't count.
A New Reason to Give
A new year
Another resoution
A new beer
Another incarceration
A season to live
Out with the Old
I traded my new hundred dollar bill for 10,000 pennies. Take that, bank.
Good old love
"My new girlfriend", he presented, in love. They interrupted: "Son, the old one again?"
Visitor from a Distance
Mal squinted at her reflection.
This new body was going to work.
For now.