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How to Write 100-WORD Stories

Sometimes writing a tiny story can feel harder than writing a novel.

Let’s discuss some tips for crafting “microfiction,” then write some 100-word stories together!

During the last stream, a subscriber requested that we go over how to write 100-word stories.

Watch what we did here, or scroll down for highlights.

How to Write a 100-Word Story

  • Writing a super short story (a.k.a. “micro fiction” or “flash fiction”) can be surprisingly difficult
  • It may take longer to write a novel than a 100-word story, but it still takes a lot of work to produce something good, and the guidelines are very different
  • So let’s go over 3 tips on how to write 100-word stories, then write some together!

#1. Before you start: pick the kind of short story you want to tell

  • For novels, the vast majority follow the same structure: introduce a character, have something bad happen to them, they overcome the conflict, and happy ending
  • But for super short stories, there is a LOT more variety: since the reader is spending such a short time reading it, you can get away with stranger ideas
  • Here’s a sampling of some 100-word story “genres” and examples for each:

#2. As you write: start your story in the middle

  • For novels, you usually want to start at the beginning, introduce a character, their normal life, blah blah blah
  • But for super short stories, you don’t have the luxury of that since you only have 100 words: you need to jump right into the most important part
  • Here’s an example of a story that jumps right in, not even telling us what the woman is diagnosed with: http://www.100wordstory.org/drive/ 

#3. When you’re done: edit even more harshly than usual

  • For novels, you have tens of thousands of words, so it’s not a big deal if a few dozen or hundred aren’t absolutely necessary
  • But for super short stories, you have to make EVERY word count, cutting everything that isn’t 100% necessary
  • Some easy cuts are phrases like “there are/were,” weasel words like “very, almost, just, many,” not to mention unnecessary explanations/exposition
  • Here’s an example of a story that leaves a lot out, but is still perfectly understandable to the reader: http://www.100wordstory.org/after-a-heartless-winter/

After that, chat voted on some images to inspire our own 100-word stories. We wrote a snapshot, anecdote, and emotional story for each.

Here’s what we wrote:

Image #1

A snapshot (heavy on description/atmosphere)

Looking at my younger self, I feel old and crusty. My skin was smooth and bright, dewey drops of the sun itself, eclipsed only by my long, dark hair. Every picture I see myself in, I’m sleeping, tired, yawning — naps were my concerts, and my best dates were with my pillow. I was told that I was sleeping my youth away, that I’d regret it when I got older. But now, looking at that girl I used to be, I’m not jealous of her skin or hair. 

I used to sleep to dream, but now I just dream of dreaming.

An anecdote (to make the reader think)

When the mask first arrived, I refused to wear it. I didn’t want to see its gray, scarred skin covering my own, but my parents said I’d be ready one day. None of my friends wore theirs, preferring to get eye-swirls instead, so I decided the mask would stay hidden in the bathroom closet forever. 

Forever turned out to be two weeks. One morning, it felt right to put the mask on. It fit perfectly, so much that it blended and melted right into my face. I didn’t even look any different, aside from the swirls it gave to my eyes.

An emotional piece (sad, happy, funny, surprise

The whispers distract me as I sit at my desk. A face slowly hovering behind me, its gaseous form hissing into smoke and spiderwebs. It’s impossible to concentrate as its thin tendrils brush against my hair, poking against the back of my neck with its sharpened tips. I can’t do anything when it moves quickly, only endure, but when it stops for just a moment too long behind my ear. 

SMACK! 

I bring back my hand and look at the quivering fly, now paste in my palm, and scrape it into the trash. Finally, I can finish my math homework.

Combining Images 2 & 3

A snapshot (heavy on description/atmosphere)

The pillar of cloud grew thicker and stronger, its girth expanding to an intimidating size. The opening up above didn’t know if it could handle the monster it had expanded into, but the moisture of the rain made its penetration smooth and seamless.

Faster and faster the two clouds tumbled over each other, becoming one with the earth and sky. Their passionate yells thundered, sparks flying between them. 

Until finally, the eruption. Millions of small, white balls poured down, crashing against the ground. 

After the climax came stillness. The whirlwind of emotions faded — until the storm would brew again.

An anecdote (to make the reader think) 

This is an emergency weather broadcast. We have just received word that totally-hot-and-young couple Stacy and Trent opened their tent after two hours of fervent love-making in the woods, releasing the heat of their passion into the air. The sudden warmth mixed with the stationary cold front, creating a supertornado now ravaging the northwest. Based on both meteorological data and Stacy’s first-hand reports, while the supertornado is the largest ever recorded, it’s still only about half the size of Trent’s “lightning rod.” Early interviews with those who lost their homes have resulted mostly in smiles and high-fives for the couple. 

An emotional piece (sad, happy, funny, surprise) 

Stacy snuck into Trent’s tent when everyone else was asleep. With only the light of their phones, they smiled at each other. Finally, they were alone together. They could do what their hearts, and other parts, had been begging them to do all day.

They held each other’s hand! Finally, the aching of their fingertips was quenched with the cool feel of the other’s skin. They leaned in close, to clasp the other hand too.

A loud zip stopped their lewd activity. Bible camp counselor Mr. Yortle stood there, opening their tent, the wrath of a tornado on his face.

Be sure to check out the video for a dramatic reading of the stories!

If you want to join us and help write a story by trolling in chat, or share your own writing for feedback, then we’d love to have you join us on Twitch.

And you missed the stream, you can still watch them on the YouTube channel or watch the full stream reruns.

Hope to see you next time, friend!

Featured image: Pakutaso

Published inFunnyGenres/Stories