I found this a while back on a blog...

Challenge: Write/Tell a complete story in just 69 words.

Example:
I wait with tight nervousness. There are vague sounds in the background, but I’m too preoccupied to hear them. My eyes glance at the double-doors; willing them to open. "How could this have happened?" I whine inside, like every mother, sister, friend and daughter before me. The doors open. A man steps out and looks at me, his white lab coat spotless. The look says it all: “She’s okay.”



NO deadline make your own if you want or write a story on-the-fly.
In the words of Sir Emeth:

Wow, I’m not sure I’m talented enough to tell a story in 69 words! I had a hard enough time writing the 100 word drabbles!

I am learning the art of short, but so far not that short! I'd be willing to give it a try, though, if anyone else is interested in a challenge.

Great paragraph, Vili!

I'll give it a shot.

Lizzie! Are we setting a deadline or anything?

What exactly do you mean by a deadline? Like a time limit, or something?

Yes. Nothing too serious, but something like "We'll both try to write a 69 (or less) word story before Sunday."

Thanks! I figured I should post an example and decided to try and write one 'on-the-fly'
hehe, not very fantasy-ish was it?



Attempt #2:
The dragon lifted her head. She had been gone for years and everything had changed. Changed for good. The evil king had been defeated in her absence and she had returned in time for victory. A stab of sadness pierced her as she reflected over the past years. Her mate was gone. Her family dead. A small head nuzzled her side. Her child lived on. Yes, everything had changed.

OK, here's my closest attempt. Basically it's a second story idea I've got about Eruheran (aside from the Dorodhiel one) about Asrifel, his daughter:

Desperately Eruheran sprinted through the forest. If he hurried, there could still be time to save her! As he emerged from the thick forest he saw the smoke in the distance. His heart stopped, and he fell to the ground in despair. The moon rose, shedding light on the scene. He could only watch the funeral pyre burn. He was too late to save her. Asrifel was gone forever.

eruheran

Hmmm... How about we do from the 14th to the 21st? (My life will be soo much less complicated after the 14th, when I don't have debates, tests or conferences coming up. )

I would say do a running deadline. Meaning don't make the challenge expire. The idea I want for this room is to collect challenges that people can do when they are looking for some motivation. I don't want it to expire.

Good idea!

I like the idea of it not expiring; I was talking about Philli and I racing.

Deal, Lizzie!

That was moving, Eruheran. I don't know anything about the characters, but the concept - death - is one I can relate to regardless. I enjoy the deep emotion.

It's on! I will mark my calender with a Sharpie , and hopefully look at it.

Thanks, Philadelphia! =) The problem with a 69 word story is you're left wanting to expand and explain everything; basically, to write a full story.

eruheran

Wow, I don't know if I could do it... My three page freshman creative writing project was 10 pages...

That's a long three page project! Nice story Eruheran.

Well if that's the case, Eruheran, then it serves as inspiration. A launching pad!

Riniel, short is hard. For some of us, it's an art we have to learn. Try it! It's worth the struggle to whittle down your words.

Evening, that was lovely! I'd keep reading.

Good story Evening! It's very interesting. By voiceless do you mean mute?

This is the week! Are you ready, Shawn? Who else is along for the ride?

Oh yeah. I have some Ideas, I just have to work them out.

I am.

Yay, Jonathan!

I want to work on this today, so clarification please: Should this story be exactly 69 words, or just 69 words or less? I don't think we specified either way.

exactly 69

Understood. Thanks!

Here's my 69 word story:

Carnival music beckoned to the boy, against his parents’ wishes, against common sense. That night, he crept out his window and through the woods, to see the dragons, vampires, and winged men. Other people were there, drawn like him--then trapped for monster food. The boy ran, but winged men caught him. Suddenly a knight appeared, slaying with a glowing sword, and his father’s arms carried him safely away.

Jonathan, I love your story. There's powerful imagery, a character arc, a "moral," and emotion densely packed into your 69 words.

Here be mine:



Lizzie, where you be?

On guard! Here I is! (Long story... ) Here is mine. It's called Awakening the Dawn, tentatively.

Her eyes searched beyond the predawn sky as she took out her treasure. She raised the silver reed to her lips and began to play a simply melody. Her fingers glided over the holes rhythmically, and the dawn added a glow to the music as she poured her heart into the memory. The sun rose, illuminating a figure. She ran to her father, his lullaby remembered after long years.

And here is a preview of the lullaby, since I couldn't find the whole thing right offhand. Click on "Beautiful Girl" (track number 16).

That is sweetly emotional, Lizzie. I like the depth and color.

This was a fantastic challenge!

Thanks. And I agree, Vili, great idea.

Thanks, Philadelphia.

I enjoyed this challenge, too.

My goodness, I forgot to add the song that inspired my story! *goes to edit her post and add it in*

That's neat that you based it off of a song, Lizzie! The site wasn't loading for me, so I couldn't listen to it.

Thank you. Hmm, that is curious. I just tried it, and it worked fine for me.

Breathing heavily from a loss of blood, she turned her deep blue eyes to connect with his. She sensed his fear as he held her hand and spoke softly to her. Her eyes closed and head laid back. She looked as though she were deep in the best of dreams when she had really woken to the greatest of mornings. He greatly anticipated the day he would follow her.

That's beautiful Riniel! So sad and happy at the same time

Agreed, I really love the emotion touched with the glow of hope, Riniel.

That was my hypothetical death if I ever get married and severely wounded in battle. Thanks guys.

I liked it a lot. It was very real, and the emotion was very strong.