FYI: 55 FICTION NEWS FLASH: Our second book, "The World’s Shortest Stories of Love & Death," has been translated into Japanese.

We like short shorts

Check out the winning entries in our 16th annual 55 Fiction contest

Sixteen years ago, we invented an odd little short story genre and called it 55 Fiction. It was simple. You had to write a story. You could only use 55 words. We knew you could do it. We were right.

With this, our 16th annual 55 Fiction contest, we present the winning stories for 2002, chosen from thousands of tiny tales that poured in this year from as far off as Portugal, Malaysia, Japan, and even Iran.

We’re continually amazed how writers keep mining the genre, each year coming up with new literary nuggets–quirky plots, unusual twists, and telling takes on the human condition, stories of murder most fierce and love unrequited, creatures of darkness, hearts in transition, inner demons, outer limits, distant laughter, plus plenty of hot tears, cold steel, and a body or two.

Fifty-Five Fiction stories distill the world and all its grand absurdity into 55-word literary treats that deliver suspense, wisdom, humor, and horror with astonishing economy.

Both New Times and the Sun invited stories from readers, which brought work from even more Central Coast writers. And they did a pretty good job of taking on the world–half this year’s winners are from the Central Coast, even though they made up less than 25 percent of entries.

But that’s not surprising. After all, they have the advantage of living right here where 55 Fiction was born, although being pretty good writers probably had something to do with it, too.

Our thanks to everyone who entered. And our congratulations to all our winners.

Winning stories from this year and previous years can be found on our Web sites, newtimesslo.com and santamariasun.com, along with further information about 55 Fiction’s plans for world domination.

 

 

 

 

DRIVE BYE

Christine’s gone. She’s with John now.

She was a stunning beauty; a traffic stopper in great shape. Everybody loved her.

I can’t lament the decisions that drove me to give her up. Besides, I needed the money and John had always wanted a ‘57.

I’ll never forget how she looked with her top down.

Nancy Woodard

San Luis Obispo

 

 

 

SAY SOMETHING

The subway lurched, throwing her into his arms.

He’s strong, protective, loving, she thought. We’ll marry at a seaside resort and have four beautiful children.

He lifted her up and smiled. I’ll always be faithful. When we’re old, we’ll travel the world together.

The train slowed. She moved to the door.

"Thanks."

"Don’t mention it."

Chris Orcutt

Mount Vernon, NY

 

 

 

FLIGHT TRAINING

Ahead, the 747 turned west, the captain climbing safely above its wake turbulence.

ATC said, "United 674, turn left to 265."

The captain turned without compensating and we sank into the turbulence. Shudders became jolts, then something broke and our 747 rolled.

The simulator reset the instruments.

I said, "Watch your altitude, Mr. Atta."

James M. Murphy II

Lompoc

 

AT THE AUTOPSY

"Victim’s blood is completely drained, apparently through two small puncture wounds in the neck," said the coroner.

"Hey … you don’t suppose it’s, you know, the real deal?" asked his assistant.

"No, just some psycho."

"You sure?"

They stared at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing–but stopped when the corpse laughed, too.

Ross Lesko

Lakewood, OH

 

 

 

GLASS SLIPPER

I awoke early this morning. Earlier than usual. I looked at your picture. I broke the glass in the frame. I put it in my shoes. I looked at the clock. I broke the glass of the clock and put it into my pockets. I walked all day. All I can think of is you.

Brian Ivie

San Luis Obispo

 

 

 

DEATH TRAP

The growing hatred between Mary and Robert was such that a killing was inevitable.

Mary had a plan, baiting Robert incessantly in the hope that he would kill her.

The note he found after he shot her read, "Thank you, Robert. Doctors had given me only two months. I hope you rot in prison forever."

Ernie Glenesk

Santa Maria

 

 

 

WE’LL BE BACK, RIGHT AFTER THIS

Beth went through some Growing Pains.

Unfortunately, she learned The Facts of Life from Perfect Strangers.

She was never taught that Family Matters. Quickly, she realized that Three’s Company and moved out.

And to make matters worse, Everybody Loves Raymond. That’s her friend.

But like she told her mom, "I Love Lucy."

Jill Manni

Smithfield, RI

 

 

 

PAYBACK TIME

I woke up on the couch with a stiff back.

Quietly, I eased into bed and lay there without sleeping, replaying our argument. Beside me, Karen writhed, screamed, trapped in one of her night terrors. I always woke her.

Tonight, I let her suffer and savored my revenge.

Chris Patton

Hermosa Beach

 

 

 

A PARTY FOR INNOCENCE

Persuasion enticed her there. Music played. Harmony danced with Rhythm. Charm brushed a hand across her cheek, attracting Desire.

She thought she heard Sincerity; it was Seduction. He introduced Lust. Party over, the guest list lay forgotten like her.

She read that Love had declined to attend.

Honor had not been invited.

Innocence is gone.

Deirdra Barnes

Seattle, WA

 

 

 

ALEX AND ADAM

Alex, an aged almsman, articulated an afterthought.

"Always address agnostics amiably and answer atheists affectionately."

Adam, another aged almsman, addressed Alex’s absurd aphorism, asking, "And after an apocalypse?"

Alex alluringly assumed an agreeable air and answered Adam: "Apocalypse and afflatus are amazingly abstract areas … affection and amiability accomplish ample acquiescence and alleviate anger."

Adam agreed.

Jeremiah Jacques

Asheville, NC

 

 

 

DEVELOPMENTAL REVENGE

Richard steps through the door. The smell of whiskey touches off memories of his father’s hand across his younger face. He is surprised he found the house still standing. He had willed it gone.

Richard picks up a rock.

"For you, Dad."

A window breaks. The walls will soon follow.

His mini-mall will stand here.

Christine M. Ahern

Los Osos

 

 

FLIGHT OF THE MOCKINGBIRD

May 14, 1940

Dear Jean Louise,

Thank you for your recent letter. Like most folks in Maycomb, I was deeply saddened by your daddy’s passing. I’d be honored to walk you down the aisle.

My best to Jem. Good to hear he’s doing so well in law school.

Warmest regards.

Your friend,

Boo Radley

Paul Alan Fahey

Nipomo

 

 

INSIDE OUT

They had known each other a few years.

She was nice. He knew she liked him.

But she was just average-looking. He couldn’t settle for that.

One weekend, she asked him to the movies. She was intelligent, funny, easy to be with.

After four months of dating, she became a stunning beauty.

John Bassi

Santa Maria

SHIFT WORK

"You’re still here? Where’s Dr. Jones?"

The Emergency Room is busy. I’m pissed at my missing replacement.

"He’s late again," I say.

"Hey, Doc! Face versus windshield–better come quick!"

Cursing to myself, I yell at the charge nurse: "Page Dr. Jones again!"

As I intubate, I hear Jones’ pager–on the patient’s belt.

Erica Schalow

Atlanta, GA

 

ONE YEAR LATER

"Good morning, Eva."

"Morning, Sheryl."

"So how’s your garden doing?"

"Growing like a weed!"

They laughed.

"I’m sure it’s given you a lot of comfort since Henry disappeared," said Sheryl kindly.

"Actually," said Eva, "I often feel he never really left me at all."

Her roses were unusually large that summer.

Martha Phillips

Madison, WI

 

 

 

RUDE INTERRUPTION

I began writing my 55 Fiction story when suddenly a loud humming arose outside. I opened the door to find–a space ship!

Four tiny creatures emerged. I invited them in for tea. I told them my story idea. They said it was boring and that I should write about them instead, so I did.

Nathaniel Nauert

Santa Maria