microfiction
Below is my April 2022 NYC Midnight 100 word micro-fiction challenge which received 11th place in it's group.
Genre: scifi; action: showing off a new purchase; word: level
Behold
Shannon D Gile
The crowd gathered around as I leveled with the table and pressed the magic button. Tentacles waved in apprehension. What transformation was taking place? Where was the object in question? After a few moments, the crowd grew restless. Larry started floating mid-air, showcasing his boredom. I rolled my eye continuing to wait. Gary protested; I raised my tentacle signaling silence. Even aliens are not patient compared to Earthlings. Everyone heeded my warning. Suddenly, all at once, a ding rang and like magic, the scorched bread shot up from the toaster just like the auctioneer promised. The crowd shimmied in amazement.
Below is my May 2021 NYC Midnight 100 word micro-fiction challenge entry followed by my first draft which was too long for submission.
Genre: romance; action: tying shoes; word: deal
Linonophobia Final Submission
Serena lies paralyzed.
“Excuse me miss, are you hurt?”
Serena looks up at Adonis reincarnated.
“I twisted my ankle.”
“Dr. Mark Jones. Mind if I take a look?”
“Serena,” she mumbles, nodding as Mark precariously examines her foot. She winces.
“Definitely sprained. Let’s get you out of the middle of the path.”
“Appreciated.”
Mark lifts her gently, carrying Serena to a nearby park bench. He glances at her untied shoes.
“I hate tying shoes.” She groans.
He laughs, leaning down to tie them.
“I’d like to follow up, Serena. Let me take you out.”
"Sounds like a deal."
Mission accomplished.
Linonophobia First Draft
(too long for submission)
Not again. This is my undoing. Looking down at my laces and up at Mark bounding leagues ahead of me. Honestly, who decides to go on a run for a third date? I lean down again to re-tie my right shoe.
X, under, through, loop, loop, cross, knot, knot. Deep sigh. That should hold.
“Serena, where’d you go?”
“Sorry, it’s my shoes again.”
Mark smiles slightly.
“Teaching kindergarten, I do this all of the time. Half of my day feels like just shoe tying!”
“Gee thanks…”
“No no no, it’s okay. It’s obnoxious. Want me to show you a trick?”
“Please do.”
He bends down, tying my laces. We start off again running down the path. One hundred yards later, I sigh. Not again.
“Are you up for a shopping trip? My treat.”
I shrug. We get into his convertible and pull up outside the local sports store.
“Okay, here’s the deal.” Mark says, pulling me playfully across the store. We stand in front of a running shoes display.
“No laces!”
“I love you.”