Take a 3 x 5 card and write an entire short story on it, using only one side. To do this, you'll have to stick to the bare essentials. What is really necessary for this piece of writing to qualify as a story? Most likely it will have to be a very simple story, and you'll need to introduce the conflict immediately.

When you're finished, read your story to various people and note their reactions. Did they feel what you expected them to? Why or why not? Did they find it a satisfying (if brief) story?

If you don't like writing longhand, you can do the same challenge on a computer, giving yourself a 100 word limit.

If you feel comfortable sharing your story, e-mail it to me. A selection of the stories sent in will appear on a future Just for Fun page.

Thud! A burst of the brightest light, she being yanked, tousled about. Is this real? A gun at her head, a knife at her throat and fear in her soul. Tears in her eyes, overflowing and wincing in pain. "You told me this was going to be a party!" Pain had coalesced and coagulated in a bruise over her entire form. "This IS a party! A surprise party--and you're the party!"

            --Cheryl Barnette