Below you’ll find various pieces of micro fiction I’ve written in response to Very Short Story (VSS) 365 Word Prompts on Twitter and Instagram. The host picks a word as the prompt and writers use that word to craft a “very short story” able to fit into a single tweet of 280 characters. Prompt words are hash-tagged and used in the tweet though variations of the word form are allowed, for example: hope, hopeful, hopefully. It’s fun, challenging and an interesting way to practice writing.
I’ve included my best VSS tweets (most likes and RTs) and a few of my own favorites. I attempted to craft a story over multiple tweets for some time there and I’ll list those in order so you can follow along.
Prompt Word: Wildfire
The casting of the circle was complete. With magical wards in place and her familiar watching over her she spoke the words. A flood of elemental energy spread through her veins like wildfire and the feeling of power was exhilarating. Now was time to seek her revenge.
Prompt Word: Emotions
Was this lust for power, this obsession, fueled by a need for revenge or was it something more? With command over the elements her wildest dreams could become reality. Was it possible to keep her emotions in check once the deed was done or would she become one of them?
Prompt Word: Evaporate
Oh how they fled, the poor fools. I could almost taste their fear. They’ll never know why this terrible enchantress arrived in the night to end their lives. Death is the only thing that concerns them now as my flames evaporate any trace of their blood from the fields.
Prompt Word: Glory
My enemies lie dead before me but there is no glory in vengeance, only justice. Should I feel remorse for what I’ve done? Not so long ago I would have but the ritual has changed me, made me like him. He’ll come for me but I’ll show him the meaning of true power.
Prompt Words: Linger & Ensorcelled
How was I supposed to know the spell effects would linger so? The instructions said nothing about them being permanent. Father will never let me near his shop again now that I’ve ensorcelled his smithing tools. At least the endlessly sweeping brooms keep things tidy.
Prompt Words: Soul & Asunder
Dark energy permeates this fragile body, threatening to tear it asunder. My soul aches to return to the light but I remain resolute, fighting back the bitter coldness of death until at last his eyes meet mine and I see fear hiding behind them. His time has come.
Prompt Word: Night
Darkness crept over the glade, suffocating all light until only the glimmer of her wand remained.
“Show yourself!”
A spectral voice whispered in her ear, “Your magic has no power over me for I am Nótt, ruler of that which you fear most. The night belongs to me!”
Prompt Words: Warmth, Eternal & Grave
Can you feel the warmth leaving your body? It is the price we pay for the gift of eternal life. Let the pain from this life drain away with your blood. No one shall ever hurt you again. Let those who stand in your way become your slaves, or send them to the grave.
Prompt Word: Mirage
White hot energy crackled at the edge of her fingers as her body lifted into the air. The monstrous demon recoiled as her gaze bore into him, eyes aglow with the intensity of a thousand storms. This was no mirage, no fledgling mage; she was the harbinger of his doom.
Prompt Word: Suave
She strode across the room with swaying locks of ginger hair in a little black number ending just above the knee. The clatter of ankle-strap heels echoed off the walls as her emerald eyes found mine. She smiled and asked my name, but words escaped me. Suave I was not.
Prompt Word: Ritual
With the rune-stones in place and the circle cast, her torso fell into a steady rhythm as she recited the words. Each rune radiated a pale blue light that intensified as her voice reached its crescendo, and power coursed through her veins. The ritual was complete.