1. Hint Fiction – What Is It?
A story of 25 words or fewer that suggests a larger, more complex story.

2. Hint Fiction – What Is It Not?
It’s not an attempt at writing a full story.
It’s not simply what would be the first line or two of a longer story.
It’s not a poem.
It should not be completely straightforward.

3. A Little More Explanation
The best examples…
have multiple possible meanings that can be discovered when you think and talk about the story more.
use each word skillfully – nothing is wasted.
many times use a title to add to the story, perhaps giving a clue to the meaning or adding to the possible ambiguity.

4. Why Are We Studying It?
Hemingway is a man of few words. He is known for his brevity in his writing and the need to have to look beneath the surface in order to truly understand his story/ message.

5. The Original “Hint Fiction”
Legend had it that Hemingway was in a bar and challenged by fellow writers to come up with the shortest story possible. Here is what he came up with:
For sale: baby shoes, never worn.

6. How To Read Hint Fiction
You MUST infer, read into the story, consider alternate interpretations within the hint fiction story.
Should be easy, right? Let’s give it a try. On a separate piece of paper, respond to the following ‘Hint Fiction’ stories. Explain your interpretations of the following Hint Fiction stories. In other words, basically expand upon what you think the story is all about.

7. “Pregnancy Test” by Jennifer Haddock
A drop of pee. An unanswered prayer. The second pink line draws one childhood to an end as another begins.

8. “The Day After” by Brian Crawford
He started to put the cover back on the pool but stopped. What was the point? He had needed it yesterday.

9. “Blind Date” by Max Barry
She walks in and heads turn. I’m stunned. This is my setup? She looks sixteen. Course, it’s hard to tell, through the scope.

10. “House Hunting” by Gary A. Braunbeck
The fence is tall. Good. The mother is typical white trash, too loud. But the kids…they seem frightened and quiet. Good. Easier that way.

11. “Ransom” by Stuart Dybek
Broke and desperate, I kidnapped myself. Ransom notes were sent to interested parties.. Later, I sent hair and fingernails, too. They insisted on an ear.

12. “Visiting Hours” by Katrina Robinson
She placed her hand over his and pressed the pen to paper. The signature looked shaky, but it should be enough.

13. “Houston, We Have a Problem” by J Matthew Zoss
I’m sorry, but there’s not enough air in here for everyone. I’ll tell them you were a hero.

14. “Progress” Joe Schreiber
After seventeen days she finally broke down and called him “Daddy”.

15. “Golden Years” by Edith Pearlman
She: Macular. He: Parkinson’s. She pushing, he directing, they get down the ramp, across the grass, through the gate. The wheels roll riverwards.

16. Your Own Story!!
For Thursday, you must write your own Hint Fiction story. Write it on a clean sheet of paper (or better yet, type it out and print it up). It will be read by others. Do NOT put your name on this copy.
It must conform to the 25 word limit (and include a title as well). Review the notes on what a good hint fiction story does and does not do. Don’t plagiarize or simply mimic ones that we’ve read.

17. Your Own Story!! You are going to print up/write up two pages.
The first one is the one from the previous slide (your story with no name on it).
On the second copy, put your name/MLA header on it and give your explanation of the story, different interpretations of the story, and discuss your writing process, how long it took, was it easy/hard, etc. (a paragraph should be fine).