I’ve been feeling a bit creatively sluggish recently and in need of a new challenge to give me a bit of a kick up the bum. Luckily at exactly the right moment Nicola at Nikki Young Writes drew my attention to a creative writing exercise called “Ten to One”. The idea is to write a piece of micro fiction only fifty-five words long with a first sentence of ten words, a second of nine, a third of eight… and so on down to a final, one word sentence.
It was tricky but here’s what I wrote (NB I decided that hyphenated words count as separate words!):
Their eyes met the moment he walked into the room.
It was a seminar on eighteenth-century Russian architecture.
His striking architecture was far more stimulating though.
Her dropped pen rolled towards his feet.
Passing it back, their hands brushed.
Time stopped for an instant.
And then she remembered.
Affairs with students?
Not allowed.
Dammit.
Honestly, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do it at all as I normally like to have room to be more expressive. It was quite a satisfying challenge to overcome and one I recommend as it really makes you think about the impact of your words. It’s interesting to see how you can tell a story in so few! Why not have a go yourself? Feel free to tweet me if you do, I’d love to read some!
Well Maddy! That’s’ left me a bit hot under the collar before work. Such passion in such few words and I love the idea of micro fiction…I might give it a try. Brilliant!
xx
Tee hee! Thanks Toria! Let me know if you do write one – I’d love to read it. x
That story works really well – I’ve been trying various exercises and forms over the last few weeks and may give this a go!
Thanks Antonia – let me know if you do!
Love it! And I might just have a go at the challenge. Might just help kick-start my slacking writing mojo
#prose4T
Oh yes, definitely give it a go – it’s good for mojo! Thanks Vai Chin x
Very clever! #Prose4T Tells the story well and so quickly.
Thanks Lucy. x
Wow, that’s an incredibly effective ‘flash’ Maddy! I especially like the last line
#prose4t
Thanks Carol. I was thinking in terms of a proper Jack Bauer-style ‘Dammit’!
This is fab, Maddie. A clever twist at the end too. I’m so impressed you’ve captured all that emotion and feeling in so few words. Clever stuff. Thanks for sharing on #FridayFiction.
Thanks Nicola! And thanks for the inspiration too!
Flipping brilliant! You certainly rose to that challenge!
Thanks Lisa – really appreciate the compliment!
Very clever, I’m impressed with how well you and Nicola have done this challenge as it looks pretty tricky to me. I’m tempted to have a go now. I like the story you tell here too.
You should definitely have a go – I’d love to read it! Thanks Emily. xx
I love it! I’m really enjoying reading these different examples of the form. It completely works for you in building up that sexual tension, with the final word of resignation being particularly effective x
Thanks Sophie – I liked the final line too! xx
Love this, the last word made me chuckle, perfect! I’m going to have to have a go at this
Let me know when you’ve written one Sara – I’d love to read it. Thanks xx
I love it and it’s really powerful. Like you said, your words can have quite an impact. I’ll have to keep this in mind and give it a go.
Ooh, I love what you did with this exercise! In your case, the shrinking sentences really build up the sexual tension in the story. The last word was spot on. Nicely done! Glad you enjoyed trying out this exercise!
What a fun challenge and I loved your story and how the structure really added to the impact of it. Amazing how so few words can be so powerful sometimes.
THIS is utterly brilliant! I love the concept and will definitely have to give it a go at some point. Well done as well, I bet it wasn’t easy. Thank you for linking to Prose for Thought x