When a 71 Word Story Made the Wigleaf Top 50: Story Model and Prompt
This mighty but tiny 71-word story by Deniz Arslan from The Offing was chosen by Matthew Salesses for the Wigleaf Top 50 in 2016. I wager it may be the tiniest ever story chosen for this honor. When you read “Black”, a surreally powerful tale in 71 words, you’ll understand how this story was chosen.
The story moves me powerfully every time I read it, and I see it as a masterwork of compression. It’s clear that both characters in the story have had great struggles, and the way they open up to each other and share what matters feels authentic, beautiful and painful.
What is remarkable to me is both the wonderful first line, and how it mirrors the startling image in the end: black ant/black stone/black night.
In fact I’m so blown away by this little creation that I don’t want to ramble on about it much here (if we over-discuss these little treasures we can ruin them!). I’ll leave you with a prompt:
Write a story in which 2 at-risk characters meet and discuss something unexpectedly profound. See where the writing takes you. Try to keep the story under 75 words, as did Deniz Arlan. Include at least a snippet of dialogue, and a strong feeling about a color. Optional prompt words: mushroom, puddle, stuck.
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Pinkie Promise
“If you die first, pinkie promise you’ll show me a sign.”
“Proof there's another place?”
“Proof you’re alright.”
“What if I'm a pigeon. How will you know I’m not just another bird?”
“Pinkie promise.”
“Like my other ironclad promises?”
“Like we’re kids, before we knew of broken promises.”
“If we don’t know, we won’t break them?”
“The difference between knowing and belief.”
“Like where I'm going.”
She smiles, curls her pinkie.
He's not even packed.
~
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Me too, Puddle-dumped.
You had me at me too. You too, I asked. Yes, stuck like Burnt Matches no one seeks. Do we ever get it behind us, I wonder. I might rather be a mushroom cloud than a Burnt Match, or better, an Elm Oyster—hard to find. Oh, to not be me in the me too of it all. You too? Yes, me too.