Bite-Sized Story Time Vol. 1 (wee!)
In an attempt to maintain some kind of schedule around here, I’ve decided that I’m gonna hop on board the “themed posts for certain days of the week” bandwagon like another blogger I know (hi mom). From now on, Mondays will be “Bite-Sized Story Time” and Fridays are now “The F-Bomb.”
“Bite-Sized Story Time” is actually the result of something a friend of mine got me started on. Recently, a guy named lostpuppyofdoom and I started doing these 50-word exercises and it’s resulted in a huge series of bite-sized short stories. It’s a really good exercise for wanna-be writers, like myself, who want to improve their writing skills. I’ll only be posting my stories in the meantime as I don’t have the permission to post lostpuppyofdoom’s (and I don’t want to be kicked in the balls the next time I see him).
“The F-Bomb” is a weekend review of the usual geek news I keep up with as well as a swear-heavy rant of something most likely game related.
Now that we have that out of the way, it is time for the first edition of BITE-SIZED STORY TIME!
This first story is for a fantasy series I’ve been developing
1. The spirit smoke of the Halijahr incences all who embrace it. It elightens them and gives them guidance… but even with it’s aid, I was unable to meditate that night. “What is the matter?” my sister asked. I opened my eyes and let out a sigh… “I wish I knew.”
These next three stories are told from the perspective of a single character
2. The barrell glowed as smoke poured forth like water from a fountain. I stood there… staring at him. My enemy. I watched him quiver as he faced his own demise. He’s scared… and he should be. “Killing me won’t bring her back!” he cried. I raised the gun… “I know.”
3. Just as I was starting to like him, he opened his mouth again. “Y’know, I think it’s weird that you haven’t taken your sunglasses off. It’s past midnight and yet-” He was shocked. Seeing a vampire’s eyes for the first time has that effect. “Are you happy now?” I asked.
This is the only story I’m not satisfied with. It lacks context without a description of either the setting or the event that just took place.
4. “You’re special,” the voice whispered. “One day, you’ll bring about great change. What form that change will take rests entirely upon you…” I grew tired of this… There was always that voice in the back of my head showing me the way. But now it was more prominent. “Go away!”
This one is completely improvised… and by that I mean it’s not based on anything I’ve already been working on… and by that I also mean I pulled it out of my ass.
5. “You gonna pour us one of those?” He nodded toward the bottle of Scotch. “Yeah, sure.” I replied. Johnny and I hadn’t spoken in almost eight years. The last time we talked it got a little heated. I was glad to see him but I could tell he needed something…
Linked to the first story and told from the same perspective.
6. His weapon gave him a great advantage but without it, he was as helpless as a small animal. With fear in his eyes, he stood before me; my blade inches from his neck. “Careful, my friend,” I said. “You may find that my tongue isn’t the only thing that’s sharp.”
Based on an actual game of Team Fortress 2 that I played earlier that week. Couldn’t remember the guy’s handle so I just named him “Brian.” I was a Pyro and he was a Heavy. Pyro is my second favorite class.
7. I couldn’t wait any more. The longer I sat here behind cover, the more control those bastards gained. Brian was supposed to take out those sentries and clear a path. I heard an explosion and a severed arm landed next to me. “Yes! Brian, you-” No, wait… That’s his arm.
The game in question was Shadow of the Colossus and I was stuck on how to kill that damned Sandworm. I didn’t actually break the controller but I’m surprised I didn’t as hard as I threw it. I inevitably turned to GameFAQs but only after hours of failure.
8. Fragments of plastic and broken circuit board went flying in all directions as my voice cried to the heavens in a fit of rage. Never, in all these long years, had I ever suffered such a crushing defeat. Great, I thought. Now I have to buy a new fraking controller.
There is a lot more to this story than what’s presented but I still like it. And before you ask, yes, they were lovers.
9. Tonight marked the Fifth anniversary of Diane’s death. Melissa mourned in the same fashion she always did; with a glass of wine and a cigarette. To others, it seemed like a long time. But to her it was just yesterday. Five years, she thought. And that’s when the tears came…
—-
This week’s edition doesn’t include tonight’s. That will go up with next week’s.
I’ve still got some stuff in the works that I plan on getting up this week. I’m almost finished with my article on Prey and while I’ve decided it’s not necessary to write a review of Brawl, I’m still writing a rather detailed post on it. I know it’s taken awhile but it I’ve inherited my mother’s self-criticizing, perfectionist, OCD gene (thanks mom).
Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long day and I need to kill something… Heavy Weapon Style.
