55-Word Short Story Yes…just 55 words.

HOW DO I WRITE A FIFTY-FIVE WORD STORY? Must have: At least one character At least one quote (“dialogue”) A setting A plot-twist What is a plot-twist? When a story has an unexpected turn or ending.

STEP ONE: Find your idea. What do you want to write about? What interests you? Do you want to write something scary, funny, absurd? Is it a memory? Is it a legend?

STEP ONE and a Half: Tell your idea to a friend. Sometimes it helps to express our idea aloud. It can help us think of solutions, twists, etc. that we might have not thought about before. Also, a friend can give you more ideas and broaden your range of possibilities.

STEP TWO: Decide what you want to do with that idea. What plot-twist do you want to use? What are you trying to tell the reader? What is the trick up your sleeve?

Step Two and a Half: Tell People They might be able to give you good feedback.

STEP THREE: Write a short story and start taking out the unimportant words OR draw a plot line to help you visualize your story. Get creative with your words! This can help you explore different ways of saying the same old thing. It can help you see where your story is going and whether or not it will work.

Too long: I was really scared as I walked into the dark cave Too long: I was really scared as I walked into the dark cave. It was cold and wet. (16) Shortened: Terrified, I entered the cave…cold, wet…gruesome. (8) Too long: It was such a good day. I had just had my first kiss. (13) Shortened: Yipee! My first kiss! (4)

WHAT DOES NOT COUNT AS A WORD? the title (pick a title carefully) punctuation words connected with a hyphen count as one word (example: dot-matrix)

Example SALEM “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...” The words fall on a stone-eyed crowd. The hangman pulls the lever. Finally free of witchery, the crowd erupts. Gathering my black cloak around me to hide my white collar, I slip into the woods to meet my master; the Bible burning my fingertips.

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...” SALEM “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...” The words fall on a stone-eyed crowd. The hangman pulls the lever. Finally free of witchery, the crowd erupts. Gathering my black cloak around me to hide my white collar, I slip into the woods to meet my master; the Bible burning my fingertips. -55 words with a title that helps establish the setting -characters -quote of the pastor talking before the accused are hanged -plot-twist of the witch being the pastor, not the accused, and him going into the woods to meet with the devil (as the Salem witch trials concluded that was where witches went and who they met).

Student Sample: Sweet Escape Running…chasing Student Sample: Sweet Escape Running…chasing. He was the cat, I was the MOUSE. Couldn’t catch me! Today, the past would not repeat. I’d come out alive with all my limbs still attached. If I could just get out of the bakery. I ran, RAN, as fast as I could, out the door. “Stupid gingerbread man!” the baker shouted.

Student Sample The Snow He happily watched as the snow fell and piled up on the ground. “Wow…” he said. Snowmen sat in front of the house and the white pine trees looked amazing. A few people were outside, but not many. The snow slowly came to a stop. “Again!” he grabbed snow globe and shook it.

Student Sample Blood All I feel is the intense pain. A burning sensation filling my body. Blood softly drips down my skin and sinks into the pool of red surrounding me. “Help!” I scream, from the throbbing pain. How could I do this to myself? I thought I was ready for this…ready to finally…shave my legs.