Scaling Down the Details — A Minimalist Writer’s Challenge

Can you write a story in exactly 10 words?

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

I can be quite wordy when I want to be.

Although, I guess I wouldn’t be writing if that wasn’t the case. You know what I’m saying?

And, for a wordy gal like me, the challenge to write a complete story in just a few words is a fantastic practice to be able to write skilfully.

The 10-Word Story Challenge

I have been tagged in this challenge a couple of times now. Thank you, Mona S Gable and Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles. It’s a bit like Chinese Whispers; I kept being led from one story to another until I finally found the original challenge post.

According to Sheri Jacobs’ story, in which she announced this idea, the challenge is to write a ten-word story. That’s it.

Oh, easy-peasy, I thought. And you may be thinking that too.

Ha! Just try it. I never imagined it would challenge me so much, but I am glad I persisted for it felt like quite an achievement to have nailed a few ten-word stories.

Here they are:

• Still bearing wounds, she stepped into a new, free life — inspired by the moment Ginger the dog jumped out of the Pet Taxi that…