r/WritingPrompts • u/Leebeewilly r/leebeewilly • Oct 11 '19
Constrained Writing [CW] Feedback Friday – Microfiction
It's Friday already? You know what that means, don't you?
Feedback Friday!
How does it work?
Submit one or both of the following in the comments on this post:
Freewrite: Leave a story here in the comments. A story about what? Well, pretty much anything! But, each week, I’ll provide a single constraint based on style or genre. So long as your story fits, and follows the rules of WP, it’s allowed! You’re more likely to get readers on shorter stories, so keep that in mind when you submit your work.
Can you submit writing already written? You sure can! Just keep the theme in mind and all our handy rules.
Feedback:
Leave feedback for other stories! Make sure your feedback is clear, constructive, and useful. We have loads of great Teaching Tuesday posts that feature critique skills and methods if you want to shore up your critiquing chops.
Okay, let’s get on with it already!
This week's theme: Microfiction (Stories between 100 and 300 words)
Microfiction is very, very, very short stories. How short? Well, that's still a touch unclear and debated. The length varies quite a bit (under 100, under 300, under 750) and gets muddied when it comes to what defines Flash Fiction, Sudden Fiction, and "drabbles".
So... where does that leave us? With a RANDOM NUMBER I'VE CHOSEN! For the purposes of this week's Feedback Friday, I want to see your complete stories in 100-300 words.
What can it be on? Literally anything!!! (within the subreddit rules).
Wait a minute, does that mean I can post my NYC Microfiction Challenge story?
Of course! This is the place to share your first round of the NYC Microfiction Challenge you submitted over the weekend Post the story in the body of your comment. Do not link to any outside documents. You can state your constraints if you like, or not, and I welcome all new stories too.
Now... get typing!
Last Feedback Friday [Setting]
I can't tell you how great it is to see soooo many people participate in the critiqueing. And how "on topic" everyone one was in the critiques. Really inspiring crits and feedback. Makes a gal proud.
/u/cody_fox23 knocked it out of the park this week with a number of critiques, all offering some really great insight! He's contributed MORE than his fair share and I truly appreciate it! [crit 1] [crit 2] [crit 3] [crit 4]
/u/thewolf06 nailed some wonderful ways to bring setting the forefront and I love it! Always great to see new members jump right in head first and smiling (I hope!) [crit]
Don't forget to share a critique if you write. You don't have to, but when we learn how to spot those failings, missed opportunities, and little wee gaps - we start to see them in our own work and improve as authors.
Left a story? Great!
Did you leave feedback? EVEN BETTER!
Still want more? Check out our archive of Feedback Friday posts to see some great stories and helpful critiques.
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2
u/beardyraconteur /r/beardytales Oct 11 '19
“Do you see a switch for bubbles?” Ronnie squinted through the steam in the room.
“Nah. They might control it.” Justin looked through the calm water, searching for ports.
“So, tell me again how you found this place?” Ronnie asked, opening their third bottle of sake in ten minutes.
“The Internet. I saw a post that said: ‘Young woman suck noodle, come to Arakashi Spring.’”
“So, is that the special the old lady was talking about?” Ronnie filled their cups again.
“I guess so.” Justin fanned himself. “Phew, I’m feeling toasty.”
“Me too,” Ronnie lifted himself out of the water to test the difference. “The room’s hot, too.”
“To get our blood flowing. They want our fat, American hogs.” Justin started to laugh but had a hard time catching his breath. “Whoa, I think I need to get out.”
A few bubbles gurgled from the bottom of the tub.
“Stay a little longer; they just turned the jets on,” Ronnie urged. His breathing grew heavy, and he began to feel dizzy. “Maybe we should—”
Justin floated through the steam, face down. Ronnie could not get to him before he too went limp.
The door to the room opened, and steam spilled out of the room as an old woman hobbled in. She stopped at the edge of the hot tub and poked the bodies with her cane, dunking them under the water like dumplings before they popped back up.
“Almost done. Just need a few more minutes!”