Flash Fiction Posted by Sad Blogger , 17.8.12 at Friday, August 17, 2012, in

A lot of the non-journaly stuff that I post here I copy over after having posted on an Irish writing forum that I've been a member of for about a year. Maybe two. It feels like forever. Anyhow, one of the members on that site brought up a contest that Esquire magazine is having for flash fiction. Flash fiction being an extremely short story told with a limited number of words. In this case, they're asking for exactly seventy-nine words with a plot and characterization. So below you can see my first attempt. I'll admit that the idea for the character and his story were transplanted from an idea I've been trying to turn into a short story for a long time but just never really knew how to fully develop. 

The pencil dropped from Walt’s hand and rolled to the bottom of the drafting table. His straining gaze lifted to the framed photo of Eleanor. She had supported his dream right up to the end. A mini-golf course meant to tell the story of his tour in Korea. It seemed so much more accomplishable fifteen years ago. And now tears fought to escape his tired eyes as his head bent to the desk and his dream died with him.

I will say that I have almost zero faith in this. I said so on the writing forum and one person was kind enough to express at least a bit of appreciation for it so I guess that's something. But it just feels so generic and stock  to me. I mean an old man fighting back tears as he dies with regrets? So bad. But it gave me an idea of what can be done with the word limit so I can at least take that and use it to come up with something a little more fresh and creative. Until then, this is what I offer up. So enjoy it or not. Whatever.

Unimaginatively yours,
Sad Blogger