apostrophen 's review for:

The World's Shortest Stories by John M. Daniel, Steve Moss, Glen Starkey

4.0

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I just received a book via bookring (one I'd forgotten I'd joined, to be honest!), and I must say, it was a blast. Basically, it is a book of 55 word (or less) short stories. And though the theme tends to be love and/or death (heh), I thought I'd bring it (a) to the attention of all ye bookcrossers here in chit-chat land, and (b) extend the gauntlet- writers, write! Do in 55 words what most do in... uh... more. T'is a very fun exercise, if nothing else.
Journal link: here.

The book suggests that you focus on (1) Setting, (2) Character or Characters, (3) Conflict, and then (4) a Resolution. Pretty bare-bones, but it's darned hard to pare it down to 55 words sometimes. ;)

Anyway, consider the gauntlet... uh... gauntletted...

(This was mine):

The hospital was as quiet as the alley.

When the gang started yelling 'faggot' with every assault, Timothy dropped. He pretended to be dead. He didn't move or cry even when his bloodied teeth littered the pavement.

The gang leader said, "He's not moving."

Activists always yelled, "your silence will not protect you!"

They lied.