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 fifth collection of 100 stories (stories 401 to 500) received via the 81 words writing challenge was removed from this website on 28th 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 401:
CURSE YOU GLADYS
by Matthew Galic
Of all the times to upstage me, Gladys, this was the worst. I told you weeks ago that I was making pancakes for the picnic. WEEKS AGO. And yet what do you do? You saunter, all smug-like, up to our table, placing the most beautiful looking blueberry pancakes right in front of us.
This was supposed to be my time to shine.
And no, it doesn’t matter that I forgot to bring my pancakes. After all, you’re still in the wrong.
Story 405:
KRISTOFF WAS LOST
by Oscar Kenway
Kristoff was lost.
He was also alone.
So Kristoff was lost and alone which, as you could imagine, made him quite scared.
So Kristoff was lost, alone, scared and couldn’t even remember how he ended up in this mess in the first place.
So Kristoff was lost, alone, scared, forgetful and was getting rather overwhelmed by everything, so he was becoming rather sleepy.
So Kristoff was lost, alone, scared, forgetful and quite sleepy.
So he decided to sleep.
And he did.
Story 416:
UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
by Fiona Campbell
Summer evening, when the light lingers and the sun sets late. Hues of lemon, gold and flaming orange paint the sky, as the silhouette of the moon rises. Creeping into bedrooms, planting kisses on foreheads and watching chests rise and fall. A heart full of unconditional love. Pondering on how amazing they are. From new-born blank canvases to troublesome tweens and teens. Forming opinions, making choices and following dreams. Sun sets on a summer’s day. One step closer to the future.
Story 420:
MASQUERADE SOCIETY
by Skylar Kim
Everyone is born with a mask that grows with them.
Yours doesn’t fit.
The mask bruises your face, but you don’t dare take it off.
One day, rushing late for work, you crash into someone and your mask falls off.
You freeze. Terrified. Exposed.
Cringing, you wait for the inevitable disgust, every second an agony.
Instead, she wordlessly hands you your mask back, along with a note.
When you arrive home, you open it.
You are not alone. From a ‘he’.
Story 468:
MY DARLING
by Kitty Litteur
She came home again. It didn’t last. It never does. But for a weighted tear-drop of time, I am permitted to play my part and relish my script in earnest.
I run a deep bath. I run to the corner store for overpriced razors and her favourite sweet things. I brew sugary tea and take my offerings to her.
She thanks me in silence from behind blank eyes. She eats. She sleeps. She steals. She goes. But briefly, I am Mum.
Story 500:
UNSINKABLE
by Abby Shue
The Titanic was a fine ship, a cruiser, thought unsinkable. Two passengers – a newlywed couple on their honeymoon – squinted, watching from the deck, and tried to warn the captain.
Then – CRASH. Water everywhere, filling the cabins, sweeping away the frantic passengers as the captain steered and the people screamed.
Titanic versus iceberg, who will win? Man against nature, what will happen? Will we survive? That must have been what they were wondering on the ship’s deck on that fateful, deadly day.
Here is a list of the fifth pen of 100 contributing authors, listed in the order their stories appear in the book:
Chris B
Hi Christopher. Delighted to see my 81 word story accepted. It's number 446 so nearly at the top of the hill - then down hill all the way reaching that magic 1,000 figure.
Sláinte, from Ireland.
Chris Fielden
Thanks very much, Chris :-)
Cheers me dears, from Brizzle.
Anna F
Hi Chris, thank you for accepting my story and fingers crossed you'll succeed in your attempt :) Can't wait!
Chris Fielden
No problem, thanks Anna :-)
Kelsey G
Hi Mr Fielden, it was a pleasure to be included in this soon-to-be anthology! I'm number 471. Can't wait until 1,000!
Chris Fielden
Great stuff, thanks Kelsey :-)
Alcuin E
Thanks for putting me on your site. Looking five by five as Faith Lehane would say. ;)
Chris Fielden
No problem, Alcuin. Thanks for submitting - much appreciated :-)
Tony T
Hi Chris, thanks for your help with the edit of my story - those points might have been a rejection in a competition.
I must pay more attention to my grammar.
I must pay more attention to my grammar.
I must pay more attention to my grammar.
I must pay more attention to my grammar.
Great to be included.
Chris Fielden
No problem, Tony.
I hope you're not feeling compelled to bust through any doors with an axe and shout, "Here's Tony," although it is the right time of year for such behaviour.
James P
Hello Christopher, this is just a bit of an observation you may already have noticed. Once all 1,000 stories have been gathered, there will actually be more authors than stories. I kindly point out that story 456 is written by two writers. So naturally, when we get to the last story, the fabled 1,000, then we are at least at 1,001 writers. There may be other instances where two writers have contributed by collaborating on a single story and, if so, then there are even more people than 1,001. I think this is great! Not only have you brought some good into the world by your works, but you have brought people together doing something that brings even more good. Perhaps you already knew this, but for me, however, it was one of those weird in a good way little things that brought a smile. Thanks!
Chris Fielden
Hi James. I'd actually totally forgotten about this, so thank you for pointing that out. I too like those 'weird in a good way little things', so I may have to mention this (and credit you) in the book's intro :)
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