Sensory details and dialogue were the trends for the 50-word Story Challenge in July. I am always amazed at what writer’s do with these often mundane prompts. Selfie Stick; Rain, rain go away; and 4th of July were the most popular prompts this month.
50-word stories are incredibly hard to write. It was difficult, but I managed to narrow it down to 4 favorites.
My Faves
Selfie Stick
by Angie Lin on the Muddied Thoughts blog
“Emma, can’t you come bowling with us?”
“Sorry, but I’m broke.”
“How come?”
“I bought a selfie stick.”
“That’s… interesting.”
“It was surprisingly more expensive than I had expected.”
“Okay.”
“Oh, it wasn’t for me.”
“Mhmm.”
“Honest.”
“Does your dad know?”
“He does now. Dad loves his new selfie stick.”
I like this story because it is told through dialogue like a play, has forward movement, clear characterization and a good emotional pay-off.
Sticky
by Sarah on the tuckinacorner
The ice-cream melted under the sunlight, dripping off the end of the cone, painted the ground bright pink.
Emily found a bottle of water, a tissue, and cleaned herself up. Vowed to find a washroom as soon as she could.
Her hands were sticky; it felt like revisiting her childhood.
I love this story because it appeals to senses other than sight.
4th of July
By Barbara Yohn Gergle
Crack, bang, boom, sizzle – sounds of fireworks outside the house on Chestnut Street.
Lettie was in labor; each noise made her shudder as she struggled to give birth. Finally, one last bang and her baby girl was born – my mother Helen!
I like this story because of the sensory details, it reveals character, it has great forward movement and a nice twist at the end.
Ladybug
by Sarah on the tuckinacorner
Claire peeled the sheet of paper from the notepad, slipping it aside. The lecture was dry, tedious.
Hidden, almost out of sight at the back of the room, her pen swept over the paper. Ladybugs of all sizes covered the page.
Her mother always used to say ladybugs were lucky.
This story tickles my fancy because it can be fantasy or reality depending on the reader.
Read the Stories and Pick your Faves
by Angie Lin on the Muddied Thoughts blog
Selfie Stick
“Emma, can’t you come bowling with us?”
“Sorry, but I’m broke.”
“How come?”
“I bought a selfie stick.”
“That’s… interesting.”
“It was surprisingly more expensive than I had expected.”
“Okay.”
“Oh, it wasn’t for me.”
“Mhmm.”
“Honest.”
“Does your dad know?”
“He does now. Dad loves his new selfie stick.”
Grace
She was a dancer from Brooklyn- poised, heart-faced, and graced with long legs. She performed in competitions and shows and won ribbon after medal after trophy.
“She’ll make it big,” the critics raved.
“She’s already big,” the crowd roared.
Then the dancer from Brooklyn retired in seclusion, preferring quieter things.
Rain, Rain, Go Away
Droplets fell on the little girl’s cheek, so she reached a chubby hand to wipe her mother’s face.
“Rain, rain, go away,” she sang. “Come again another day.”
Just as the seasons would always cycle, the girl’s father would never return, and the storm would stay in the mother’s eyes.
Escape
I was trapped in a labyrinth, and the memories crawling behind me forced me into an intersection. The left and right hallways were dimly lit, yet unsure. There was also the option to go straight, but the path declined into darkness. The mind was a difficult place to escape from.
by ShidaTahirah on the 876LovR blog
Rain Rain Go Away
Mary Jane and I sat on the grass enjoying the cool afternoon breeze, with reggae playing we chattered, I hadn’t see her in weeks, this was long overdue. I missed my best friend. It started to drizzle, and our sign to go. We had no issue, the grass was itchy.
From the prompt Itchy.
By Sarah on the tuckinacorner blog
Sticky
The ice-cream melted under the sunlight, dripping off the end of the cone, painted the ground bright pink.
Emily found a bottle of water, a tissue, and cleaned herself up. Vowed to find a washroom as soon as she could.
Her hands were sticky; it felt like revisiting her childhood.
Ladybug
Claire peeled the sheet of paper from the notepad, slipping it aside. The lecture was dry, tedious.
Hidden, almost out of sight at the back of the room, her pen swept over the paper. Ladybugs of all sizes covered the page.
Her mother always used to say ladybugs were lucky.
Selfie Stick
The museum pared down its exhibits.
Slowly, collections shrank. Visitor numbers dwindled. Few people came to learn: instead, they favoured taking selfies by the exhibits, coffee in an over-priced cafe.
Eventually the museum closed: too little money earned, too many selfies sponsored. It stopped mattering though:
People went elsewhere.
by
4th of July
The explosions were going off all around me!
The dogs were whining and the babies crying.
I do not have to be here but I could not refuse.
Can not hurt feelings. Especially my best friend.
Thought it would be fun.
I am going home and taking my entourage.
FranklyWrite 
2 responses to “50-Word Story Round-up July”
Wonderful short stories in just 50 words.
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They are amazing, aren’t they?
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