I just know this guy's entry will be too long
[Update: Bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard is now helping to judge this contest.]
Recently I spotted this for-sale ad on Craigslist: “Nike Triax c3 heart rate monitor and watch, used one time only.”
Which of course brought to mind Hemingway’s famous six-word story, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
Thinking I can’t be the only person who digs this sort of novel-in-a-nutshell, I am now herein and forthwith announcing The First Annual John Shore 10-Word Short Story Contest. The rules to this contest are as follows:
As a comment to this post, submit a story consisting of no more than 10 (ten, diez, X) words.
Submit as many stories as you like or think you can get away before other people would wish you’d stop already.
The best of the submitted short stories will be chosen by a panel of illustrious literary illuminati consisting primarily, exclusively and peremptorily of me.
The author of the mega-short story deemed the best will win an autographed and inscribed copy of the near-bestselling book I co-authored, Comma Sense: A FUNdemental Guide to Punctuation (which Lynn Truss, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Eats, Shoots & Leaves, called “a clear, entertaining, and just plain helpful guide to the American rules of punctuation”).
More than one story may be named winner, though I’m so sure.
All stories must be submitted by midnight, September 30, 2009. Winner(s) will be announced on the morning of Friday, October 2, 2045 09
Good luck. And don’t forget the motto of The John Shore 10-Word Short Story Contest: Achieving attentiveness through anal retentiveness.
![John Shore on The Huffington Post](http://johnshore.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/huffpost.jpg?w=120 "John Shore on The Huffington Post\")
{ 372 comments… read them below or add one }
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Patience is a matter of time.
The father he never knew wants custody. Felony charges. Impossible.
I placed her child in her arms and drove away.
Wanted: Strict Vegan Chef
Peanuts Prohibited
fowl forbidden
hours flexible.
Gingerly she fingered the scarf, then pulling tight, color drained.
Chances were few,the gun was locked and loaded.
Life's work on sale; Cheap. Cannot sustain any further production.
Sixteen: scared he'd notice my blushing. Hoped desperately he would.
He entered dirty, alone: "Hi mama." Hi baby. Welcome home.
Diagnosis: conception improbable. I heard: opportunity to foster the broken.
The prologue, the beginning, the middle, the end. The epilogue.
Giggles from the room filled the spaces of her soul.
Flaws like toes,were many ,as she disrobed casually.
Her heart felt colder than the ice on the wipers.
She flicked the dog hairs off her wool coat nonchalantly.
Drops of rain on her face,it blended with tears.
Dust on the window sill as the door creaked open.
Bright lights,loathing wilted magazines next to dingy worn chairs.
I think it is important to update the all-too-common tale that pushes specific gender roles, sexual orientation and common misconceptions.
*****
The knight completed the rescue.
“You killed George!” Princess wept.
******
Help wanted: ‘Save princess from dragon! *female champions preferred.
*****
Save Queen from dragon! Apply within (gay knights only).
*****
Princess had to choose. Frankly, she knew the dragon better.
*****
Princess had to choose. Dragon smirked. Yeah, Stockholm Syndrome.
A dear friend passed, our tears flow as does love….
Mango ideas Squeak In an interesting way
We must feed the sky kitten. Think quickly!
Adult dancer seeks communications director: must have Congressional office experience.
He stood ready with the sniper rifle. school was out.
Let's see if this takes this time:
Paradise. Family. Betrayal. Sadness. Exodus. Wondering. Sanctuary. Rebirth. Return. Healing.
Testing one two three…
Thirteen. A dangerous year. Woodstock, Viet Nam, first love, heartbreak.
Wanna know why I don't date hippos, cockroaches and eggs?
The witch who had all the mirrors covered was surprised.
From the sky the answer to all rained limpid. Jazzercise!
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