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 eighth collection of 100 stories (stories 701 to 800) 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 701:
MY MUSE MY MOTIVATION
by Violet James
The blank page stares back at me.
Taunting me.
It’s milky white surface pristine, yet vulnerable.
Dare I mar it with unwarranted superlatives?
Shall I scroll along the edges with flowery prose?
Or simply state the facts without frivolity.
In the depths of sadness a swirl of light beckons.
Tactile and pure.
My muse is nearest in the dark.
He holds my hand.
Nudges me forward.
A kind word.
He comforts me.
He is the inspiration for all that I do.
Story 743:
BUS
by Clare Owen
Step on. Pay money. Get shoved. Fall forwards. Say, “Oi.” Turn round. Glare sourly. See gang. Eyes fall.
Gang push. Gang threaten. Driver shouts. “Clear off.” Gang laugh. Bus quivers. Sense doom.
Boy moves. Raises fist. Hits window. Driver shouts. Hits again. Hits again. Window shakes. “Stop now.” Police radioed.
Hits again. Hits again. Window smashes. Glass flies. People duck. Gang laugh. I tremble.
All quiet. Look up. Eyes meet. Teeth smile. Teeth bared. Raises fist. See exit. Leap forward. Escape.
Story 751:
DATE
by Doug Hawley
I tried to get a date with the girl at the grocery store. Because I was a little nervous and wasn’t ready, I asked where the bananas and apples were.
She said, “Aisle 26.”
Ashamed of my cowardice, I got a cart and picked up some bananas and apples.
I got up my courage to ask her out, so when I saw that no one else was in line, I boldly asked, “Now, how about a date.”
She said, “Aisle 15.”
Story 774:
THE HEIRLOOM
by Karen Waldron
My great uncle Herbert left me the time machine. He was quite the writer in his day. Nobody knew he owned a real machine himself, and who knows if that famous novel was based on his own experiences.
I’ve had it all these years and I’d love to be able to tell you about where the machine has taken me, and how far into the past and future I’ve travelled. But, I’ve absolutely no idea how to work the blessed thing.
Story 775:
MARVELLOUS
by Ross Lowe
My final magic trick was an absolute world-changer.
One minute, I was stepping confidently into my Mr Marvellouso Disappearing Box at the Bull’s Head, in front of a crowd of bored, unimpressed punters. The next minute, I stepped into a field of bemused cows in what looked like Switzerland. Ha. That showed them.
Hmm. Problem was, that showed me too.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t brought my wallet or my Disappearing Box (which had disappeared) to what was now clearly my new home.
Story 776:
THE DETAIL’S IN THE DEVIL
by Alison Wren
Dad says wasps are evil, the work of the devil.
Pointless little critters, with no purpose in this life.
So the empty jam-jar sits on the windowsill with a hole in the lid.
It’s half-full of water. Or half empty, as he says.
Either way, it’s half-full of dead wasps.
You see, they’re not devious like Dad.
They just like strawberry jam and crawl in the top.
They buzz, bloat and bubble to death
So who’s the devil and who’s not?
Story 792:
A PRICK OF PAIN
by Jose Luis Torres
The young raised his hand and pointed to the free space. The old man obeyed the rest of his indications until the car was finally parked.
The improvised parking assistant waited patiently before performing his usual low-head and extended-palm approach. That cane tip made him look up and recognise Mr Rogers, his now retired teacher. The same who kept repeating he would get far in life.
Alone, still evoking those words, he ducked down by the tyre and opened his knife.
Story 800:
GAIA’S LAMENT
by Julia Wood
Today, I’m sad. The grey carpet is re-gathering itself above me, waiting to cover me, as though I am an unsightly thing, to be hidden away.
My holiday is coming to an end. And you know how it is with holidays? You never want them to end. I don’t want my flourishing flowers, my rejoicing creatures, smothered.
The humans are returning, rolling out the grey carpet, token of my unimportance. Soon, I’ll be hidden again. Neglected. Forgotten. No one will cry.
Here is a list of the eighth pen of 100 contributing authors, listed in the order their stories appear in the book:
G. G
Hi Chris, I am delighted to see my story on your 81 word writing challenge site. Thank you so much.
Chris Fielden
No problem, thank you for submitting :-)
Nili R
I love every entry I have read on this page. What an impressive collection. Thank you for adding mine!
Chris Fielden
No problem, Nili - thank you for submitting :-)
Julia W
Chris, lovely to read my story 'Gaia's Lament' on your page. And also great to read fellow Leicester Writers Club members' stories as well! Keep up the great work, pushing for that record anthology.
Chris Fielden
Thanks very much, Julia - will do :-)
Phil M
I really like the The Heirloom by Karen Waldron - it built me up thinking we were going to hear of past times but at the end I had to laugh. Very good, very funny.
Chris Fielden
That's great, thanks Phil. And thank you for submitting too :-)
Leave your comments
Please use the form below to leave your comments. All comments will be reviewed so won't appear on the page instantly. I will not share your details with anyone else. Most recent comments appear at the bottom of the page, oldest at the top.