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 sixth collection of 100 stories (stories 501 to 600) 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 501:
INTENTIONAL PARENTING
by Aigbonoga Omoh
Fatima and Ken grew as friends and were always together. Just a few people knew that they were neighbours, living in flats opposite one another.
Even as teenagers, their bond was strong and built on intimacy. When intimacy is established, it becomes difficult to separate both parties.
No man can put fire in his heart without being burnt. From the holding of hands, to kissing, then romance and finally… more.
Where were the parents of these youngsters when all this happened?
Story 513:
OUTSIDE HER WINDOW
by Gary Couzens
The blizzard made Helen’s window rattle, almost as if someone was tapping on it, calling her. I’m safe and warm, she thought. She wrapped the duvet about herself, slept.
In the morning, Helen went outside into the garden. She gasped. The thick smooth snow was scarred by prints, two feet cloven like a goat’s but walking upright. The track went across the garden towards the garage wall, then along its roof to the back of the house, just under her window.
Story 515:
ACCIDENTALLY ON PURPOSE
by Philip Charter
I left a bobby pin on his nightstand, so she’d see it.
Last time I did something like this, things got explosive, but honesty means more to me than the idea of ‘the one’.
Every relationship forms a chapter in the book of me. This one’s been pretty wild.
I’m not crazy. I’m not jealous or possessive. I just need to know how much of what he said is real. Now I’ll wait to see how this chapter continues… or ends.
Story 516:
THE PRIORITIES OF JOAN
by Amelia Brown
Joan stared with intensity at the plant, as she had all day, willing it to disappear. Her mind was clear, ready for the final step – the magic. She cracked her knuckles and closed her eyes.
Raising her hands, Joan said the incantation. She waited, then opened one eye. She sighed; nothing had happened. Walking over, she picked up the plant and tossed it in the compost. After all, in a world of books and chocolate, she had better things to do.
Story 517:
THE PASSENGER
by Gitanjali Escobar Travieso
Four in the morning, the streets still dark and quiet. He boards the bus and sits down, his feet slightly touching the large brown suitcase that he has carefully stowed close to his seat.
With an almost inaudible sigh, he leans back and relaxes, his eyes, half closed, not really looking anywhere. He does not want to part from his dream. But all too soon a cool breeze softly touches his face and he realises he has passed by his stop.
Story 518:
SENSELESS WAR
by Ezeh Michael Ogonna
We are running again today, terrified, the same way we ran ten months ago. Later that week, the government, as usual, announced we could go about our normal business without fear of being shot in the back.
Rumour had it that a herdsman’s cow was killed ten months ago, and they needed to pay back. Blood for blood.
“Hurry, I think someone killed another cow,” Mum cried.
As we raced homeward, past the sirens and chaotic crowd, I heard another gunshot.
Story 531:
LANDERS AND WILSON, INCORPORATED
by Julia T. Spano
“Should we invest in it?” said one businessman to the other.
“Possibly,” Landers replied, biting his knuckle. “It will be a very expensive venture, Wilson. There’s no guarantee we’ll ever see a profit from it, we’ll need some loans, the liability rate is…”
“…High. But give it twenty years or so, and it may represent a positive return on our investment.”
They stared down at the gurgling new-born baby.
“Very well,” Landers sighed. “I just hope our partnership can handle it.”
Story 543:
GONE
by Anna Sanderson
I remembered her the best way I knew how.
I went to the bar, ordered her favourite drink.
Each sweet sip erased another painful memory: the sickening sound of Mother’s cry when she heard (gone); her coffin, lighter on my shoulder than the guilt (gone); my sister’s lifeless body on the concrete, consumed by narcotics. Too young. Too cold. Too still (gone).
I remembered her the best way I knew how. I drank until I forgot she was no longer there.
Story 568:
NEVER KNOWING WHAT CAME NEXT
by Barnaby Page
They met at 9: adjacent desks, glances, then giggles.
At 18, each wondered if the other was the one, or if this was merely, concerningly, inertia.
At 27, he wondered again, and took a woman’s number in a bar.
At 36, he rediscovered the scrap of paper and couldn’t remember whose the number was.
At 45, they rediscovered each other.
At 54, they were young, they thought; likewise at 63.
At 72, she felt him drifting, faintly, but still there, always.
Story 598:
WHEN THE WORLD ENDED
by Beth Kander
I was in the bathroom when the world ended. It’s not where anyone intends to be at a time like that, but there I was, on the pot.
When you think about it, at any given moment, millions of people are relieving themselves. I found some comfort in that, in those last moments. A sense of community.
After years of loneliness, I felt kinship with every other soul who was literally caught with their pants down when it all went dark.
Story 600:
UTERO
by Judi Edwards
The fierce breeze lifts Monia’s hair from the back of her hot neck as the queue shuffles forwards. The friends wait, ready to raise the child as decreed by the matriarchs. Thoughts of the unknown donor fill her mind. Does he think of her? Of her baby? Of the many children he’s fathered?
Feeling the life move inside her, she strokes her stomach whispering, “Soon. Be ready.”
Her fifth and final baby for the population. She feels proud. She feels alone.
Here is a list of the sixth pen of 100 contributing authors, listed in the order their stories appear in the book:
Mrinalini
M
Hi Chris. What is the time span by which I can know whether my story is accepted or rejected?
Chris Fielden
Hi Mrinalini. Usually 48 hours, but sometimes longer.
I have published your story and emailed you the details :-)
Mrinalini
M
Awesome, thank you so much!
Chris Fielden
No problem, thank you!
Michael S
Many thanks for publishing my story on the website.
Chris Fielden
No problem, Michael - thank you for submitting :-)
K. J. W
Many thanks for accepting my story. I'm very grateful.
Chris Fielden
No problem, K. J. Thank you for submitting.
Anna S
Thanks for accepting my story, Chris. There are some great pieces on here. I'm really enjoying reading through them all.
Chris Fielden
No problem, Anna - thank you for submitting. Glad to hear you're enjoying the other stories too :-)
Alan D
Hello Chris. Many, many thanks for publishing my little story! We haven't communicated since our very interesting exchange about the received wisdom of research being impossible for short story competitions, a year or so ago. I hope you and all your readers and writers enjoy my small contribution and look forward to flying the flag for Woking Writers' Circle, if I make it to your anthology.
Chris Fielden
No problem, Alan.
Was that a year ago? Blimey, time passes too quickly for my liking...!
Consider yourself in the anthology. It's not a matter of 'if' so much as 'when'.
Alan D
Tell me about it! That's great news about the anthology.
Colette K
Thanks for accepting my story, Chris. Only 81 words but so much fun! I'm enjoying reading the other stories and seeing the amazing creativity people have, with only 81 words.
Chris Fielden
No problem, Colette - thank you for submitting.
Glad to hear you're enjoying the other stories. I agree - it's amazing how much writers manage to cram into so few words. A talented bunch!
Josephine Q
Thanks so much for including my story, Chris. This is such an awesome idea, I've loved reading the other stories.
Chris Fielden
No problem, Josephine. Glad to hear you enjoyed the other stories :-)
Thank you for submitting - very much appreciated.
Evie N
Thank you so much for accepting my story!
Chris Fielden
No problem, Evie - thank you for submitting :-)
Jayanta B
Hi Chris, thanks a ton for publishing my story. And thanks, too, for your editing. It resonates now its inner hidden tunning more perfectly... Feeling honoured to be a part of your unbelievable trip!
Chris Fielden
No problem, Jayanta. Thank you for submitting - it's very much appreciated. It's nice to have so many people from all over the world writing for the same project :-)
Jayanta B
Truly, truly amazing! All my wishes and prayers for your unique website! And you're doing a tremendous job!
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