Pure Imagination

I wrote this short story a while back when my daughter just didn't want to go to bed after she built a huge sofa cushion fort. It's another library contest entry.

You can read it at https://marcintosh.linefeed.app/pure-imagination-bef2f8

Short Story, "Initiating Safety Protocols"

I wrote a short story for a contest at my local library. The only rule was that it had to be less then 800 words. This one clocked in at 566, but I felt like it was still too long for the concept. The story shares the thoughts of someone who believes they’re about to die. There isn't much time for thought, so I made some revisions and got it down to 393 words. Still too long, but better.

Originally this was the beginning of a much larger story I had in mind, but I changed the outcome to fit the assignment. The story didn’t win, but was included in a volume of all submitted entries that you can borrow from the library. I'm counting that as being published. I really liked the exercise in brevity, both the writing and the editing.

You can read it at https://marcintosh.linefeed.app/initiating-safety-protocols-f6131d

For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.

I like to think Hemingway's famous six word story is about a little girl who likes to be barefoot all the time and outgrows her shoes before she gets to use them.

Update #1: Hemingway probably didn't write that story.

Update #2: I got selected for the One Sentence blog

It was a beautiful day.

I woke up around 8:00. I did the morning thing... showered, shaved, got dressed. It was a beautiful day so I decided to walk along the bus route to the subway. I figured if the bus didn't come while I was waiting at least I had a nice walk. It never came.

When I got to the subway I sat on the platform and read while I waited about 10 minutes for the train. I can't remember what I was reading, but it was probably something I'd read before. Maybe a comic book.

The train came and I walked to the end of the platform so I would be right near the exit when it got to my stop. I got on at 63rd Street so there were plenty of seats, but I always liked to stand when I rode the train. I would stand without leaning against the door and slowly rock back and forth to keep my balance as the train moved.

It was an uneventful train ride. I got off at 5th Street and walked up to the street. It was a really beautiful day. The sun was shining, but not the way that makes you squint at everything. I went to the newsstand to get my usual "breakfast" - a Snapple and a soft pretzel.

I walked through Independance Mall to get to work. I'd walk past tourists taking pictures, posing in front of Independance Hall. I always used to wonder how many vacation photos I must be in. Photo bombing wasn't a thing back then, but if it was I would have been awesome at it.

I got to my desk a little after 10:00. When I got settled in I logged onto AIM. Back then there was nothing to stop you from chatting with your friends at work. No reason, really. My friend, Craig, popped up.

"Hey, how's it going?"

"Not good, not good."

"Why, what's happening?"

"The second tower just collapsed."

"What are you talking about?"

They closed the office and sent everyone home an hour later because we were next to Independance Hall and the Liberty Bell. Who knew what could happen next? On the way home I remembered the guy at the newsstand was talking to someone about a plane crash. He was real casual about it, like it was a tragic accident or something. Nobody knew. Why would they? It was such a beautiful day.