Writing Challenges:
Full details about the 81 word writing challenge and the world record attempt can be found on the main 81words writing challenge page.
Most of the second collection of 100 stories (stories 101 to 200) received via the 81 words writing challenge was removed from this website on 27th May 2021. I have left all the contributing author names on this page - you can see a list below.
I have also left a few of the stories on the page for you to enjoy. I hope they will encourage you to purchase the anthology :-) Every book sold generates money for a very worthy charitable cause.
You can learn more about the 81 Words Flash Fiction Anthology here.
Story 101:
WEDNESDAY’S CHILD
by Michael E James
“Do you see?” she said. Her eyes were bright sanguine, her arm outstretched to the east. “The sun. It still rises.”
“Beautiful,” he said, his ochre countenance radiant. “Sol has graced us once again.”
“If I could only share this vision with the world,” said the third, quietly.
“Sol is but a star,” said the fourth, “and Gaia survives by his circumstance. His value lay within his fiery heart.”
“And through their creation,” said the fifth, “we sit isolated and alone.”
Story 114:
NOTES ON SURGERY
by Saskia Ashby
You peel back the pericardium and apply tiny clamps, creating a perfect keyhole opening for the procedure.
You have warm, steady hands, gloved-up and practised. Theatre is saturated with bright, white, clinical light…
…beach-light, refracting through cocktail glass, reflecting aquamarine ocean, floods into the left atrium…
…my toes in hot sand…
…flashes of colour from macaws, curacao, crème de menthe…
…music, laughter…
…smell of suntan lotion…
Waking from the anaesthetic, I can still feel the light you sewed inside my heart.
Story 116:
MORTON’S TOE
by Mike Scott Thomson
I was having a miserable day at the surgery when Dr Pod mentioned in passing, “Saw this guy’s foot just now, and guess what? Every toe was a Morton.”
I told him not to be ridiculous. How can each toe be the longest one?
Then I thought, Well, is it not our calling to consider such apparent implausibilities?
As I mulled it over, the fury ebbed away.
The question became my One Hand Clapping.
Feeling positively Zen, now.
Cheers, Dr Pod.
Story 118:
TROUBLESHOOTING ON THE OORT RUN
by Josie Gowler
“OK, so it appears visually operational in there.”
“Yes.”
“Have you tried fusing the proton decoupler?”
“Yes.”
“Is the light on the synchrotron rephaser flashing?”
“Yes.”
“Have you tried routing the combustion cylinders via the secondary manifold?”
“Yes. Nothing changes.”
“Have you tried turning the main operating system off and on again?”
“Very funny.”
“How about the asymmetric containment baffle orientation?”
“It’s fine.”
“And is the antimatter injection relay override reset?”
“Yes.”
“Well, we’re screwed then.”
“Yep, you’re right, we’re screwed.”
Story 123:
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE?
by Frank Radcliffe
“Alexa, play ‘Rage Against the Machine’ by Rage Against the Machine.”
“Playing ‘Rage Against the Machine’ by Rage Against the Machine.”
“Alexa, stop.”
“Alexa, you’re getting on my nerves.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Alexa, are you listening to me?”
“I only listen when you say the wake word. To learn more visit our website.”
“Not you, Alexa. You, Alexa.”
“Oh shut up, Phil. Why don’t you ask your little gadget if she knows where to find a good divorce lawyer?”
“Alexa, stop.”
Story 133:
GOODBYE
by Lindsey Esplin
The last of the mourners made their way toward their cars. She didn’t recognise any of them, nor had she expected to.
She smoked her cigarette for a few moments longer to be sure she was alone. Then a few more until it was done. She lit another as she walked.
She inspected the headstone the way she might a supermarket avocado, then took one deep inhale and put her cigarette out on it leaving the butt in the fresh dirt.
Story 200:
THE DADO RAIL
by Jan Brown
I stroll round the classroom, glancing at wonky diagrams, budgets, garish mood boards, offering the occasional encouraging word. This is a popular technology task: design your bedroom.
“You might want to check your spelling.” Voice neutral, I walk away calmly, rigid with suppressed laughter. Just leave it.
I can’t. I look back. Julia’s eyes are fixed on mine, defiantly willing me to break first.
“Dildo rail to divide…”
We break simultaneously, wiping away tears. No one else understands why we’re hysterical.
Here is a list of the second pen of 100 contributing authors, listed in the order their stories appear in the book:
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