Something Fishy - Crusade Challenge #2


Happy Hump Day!  I've mentioned before that I'm a member of the 2nd annual Writer's Blog Crusade, which is basically a group of insane people who blog about various crazy things on cue.  (Who needs trained dolphins?)  As part of this group of miscreants, I will occasionally be posting something altogether nonsenseical.  Today is just such a day ...

The 2nd 'challenge' is upon us!  Here are the rules:

"Write a flash fiction story (in any format) in 100 words or less, excluding the title. Begin the story with the words, “The goldfish bowl teetered” These four words will be included in the word count. "


I've decided to write my piece in the style of the most revered fiction of of our time--middle grade.  Here goes:





The goldfish bowl teetered in Geoffrey's hands. Some of the putrid brown water sloshed onto the sleeve of his robes. The smell of decaying fish curdled his stomach.

“Careful, boy,” the Master snapped. “Set it on the table and produce your wand!”

After doing as instructed, Geoffrey tapped the bowl with his wand three times. TINK TINK TINK On the third strike he muttered the spell. 

A familiar tide of disappointment swept his hopes away as the bloated belly of the lifeless fish bobbed on the water's surface.  But then, quite inexplicably, there was a ripple of movement.





What do you think?  When life gives you lemons, write flash fiction I say.  Did I mention it's freaking hard  to write anything in 100 words or less?  :-)


Thanks for humoring me!  Until next time,


~EJW~

36 comments:

  1. I just loved this. Made me smile and want to continue the story in my mind! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Genius!
    Now I want to know what the spell was about and if the fish really did die or not.

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  3. Great stuff. Of course, I am a devoted fan of middle grade, but I liked the style and how much you did in so few words. Of course, I also wish I could read more about Geoffrey.

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  4. Ooooh methinks the boy is being trained as a necromancer. Nice fantasy take on this.

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  5. Yup, it is super hard to write a "story" in so few words. Awesome job!

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  6. Ooh, reincarnation! Or a zombie fish? :D

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  7. I enjoyed this- you did a good job given the amount of words

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  8. This is awesome and I totally want to know the rest! I hear you on the 100 words - it was killing me to edit down that much.

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  9. what was the life stirring - breath held - might expire before I get to know?!!! on the other hand all kinds of possibilities are whirling in my brain - well done

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  10. Well done, Geoffrey! Great imagery in so few words. I hate bloated bellies on dead fish!

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  11. Ohhhh wow what a lot of storytelling in such few words! In awe!

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  12. Poor little goldfish. I do hope the ripple of life in it is a good thing. Or you could have zombie goldfish like Trisha said in the comments. ;)

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  13. Thanks guys and gals! This one was definitely a challenge. I've loved all of the others I've been reading!

    EJ

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  14. This sets up the scene very well! Nice job.

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  15. Reading all this 100 word posts is killing me. I want to know what happens next!

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  16. I agree with everyone else. Flash fiction is cruel and unusual punishment. I want the rest of the story!

    (Great Job!)

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  17. Brilliant, you should use that in Michael's HP blogfest :)

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  18. Aha, IT's ALIVE!!! ;o) Nice middle grade flavor! Love the tink-tink sound effects, good job.

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  19. Yeah, like how are we supposed to write a conflict and resolution in 100 words or less??? I have the greatest admiration for flash fiction writers! But I like your approach: set up the conflict and then leave us dangling! Hah!

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  20. Well done, as always! I have a sneaking suspicion that the fish lived.

    Nikki

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  21. I loved these sentences: Some of the putrid brown water sloshed onto the sleeve of his robes. The smell of decaying fish curdled his stomach.

    It made me cringe but in a good way. Loved it.

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  22. Ohhh now I'm going to be wondering all night- did fishy die or not? Great job!

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  23. You're awsome. And yes, it's hard to write anything in 100 words or less.

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  24. Great job! I think all of us have struggled with fitting everything into 100 words (or the ones of us that aren't robots or something). The state of the water and fish make me nervous. I'm not sure I'd want something that putrid coming back to life.

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  25. THis was great. Good description of the decay! And then the surprise at the end. Makes me want to read more. Nice job.

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  26. Cool. I like it and Geoffrey would too after his past failures.

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  27. Nice! There seems to be a lot of magic testing on fish this month. Thanks for sharing.

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  28. Great pic and great story! And yes - it's quite the challenge to limit oneself to 100 words. Good job!

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  29. Ooh! Can't wait to see what his spell has done...

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  30. Hi E.J. your entry has been shortlisted for the 2nd crusade challange in the judging round!

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  31. Thanks again everyone!

    @ Kerri: *crossing fingers* I'd love to win!

    EJ

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“Much unhappiness has come into the world because of bewilderment and things left unsaid.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky

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