Verbosity Constrained

How many words does it take to tell a story? There’s a legend that Ernest Hemingway won a bet by writing a story six words in length. The San Luis Obispo New Times has an annual short fiction contest, 55Fiction, in which each story has at most 55 words, and, in addition, at most 7 more words for a title. There are a number of other opportunities to publish and read very short fiction, each with its own particular constraints, usually much more than just 55 words. Sometimes, however, it’s best to just step out of the way and let the story tell itself, no matter how many words it wants. There are also times when the constraints may involve rhythms and rhymes, subject matter, or style, rather than length.One of the greatest joys of my young life was making my mother laugh about things that she obviously did not feel she should be laughing about. Some of these stories, poems, and letters may have a similar effect on the reader. Some of them may provide more of a thought provoking jolt. Constraints can also involve attitudes and beliefs. Anyone who feels there should be constraints on questions regarding authority or convention might do well to stop right here.