Good morning to all you writers and would-be writers out there in Ape Land. Because I have nothing better to do, I thought I’d issue a challenge to see just how good you are. It is not my original idea, I stole it. But I will lay claim to it if asked.
Here is the challenge: Can you write a short story of seventy-nine (79) words (not counting the title) with a plot and characterization?
My humble offering is below. And to save you the trouble of looking it up (as I had to) Sisyphus was the king of Ephyra. He was punished for his self-aggrandizing craftiness and deceitfulness by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down; repeating this action for eternity.
If you are half as good as you think you are, you’ll take up my challenge. Please inundate Chris with them by email. I’m sure he won’t mind. I mean, what else has he to do?
P.S. I entered the contest from whence I stole the idea . . . I didn’t win.
Sisyphus
I hear his footfalls, as I do every day. He stops in front of my cell as he does every day. He smiles his evil smile, and says, “Are you ready, boy?”
Every day I am given a task to complete. If accomplished, I will be set free. However, the tasks are always inexecutable.
“Today,” says he, “I want a story. It must be exactly seventy-nine words and have a plot and characterization.”
“Damn you all to hell warden!”
NOTE from TSRA:
Anyone who emails their entry to me at : tsraauthorarticles (AT) gmail (DOT) com, Subject: 79 WORDS, risks having it posted on my blog, complete with their Name, Blog link and the photo that they NEED TO SEND ME…
TSRA
Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog 
TEAGAN GENEVIEKE introduced me to the idea after visiting my blog—and I, hers! I’ve written my challenge in poetry form…does that count???
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Yep – Send it to me Jonathan 👍😃
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
THE ORIGIN OF THE 79-WORD CHALLENGE…!
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Hi,
This is wonderful. Jus got back from an intensive road trip and will post my entry today.
Shalom,
Patricia
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GREAT – I look forward to seeing it Patricia 😀
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how does this work can i enter this? never done something like this so i am a greenhorn 😀
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Of course you can enter Jane – a 79 word story (not including title) plus all the other stuff requested 😀
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I rally admire people who can do that kind of flash fiction, Chris. Enjoyed your mini-story. It takes me 79 words to say Howdy! 😀 Have a fabulous Friday.
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Then why not give it a go Teagan and strengthen that aspect of your writing 😀 Hugs
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Oh… you are a wicked Ape… 😉 Okay then — it’s my lunchtime, so challenge accepted. Groan… 79 words… really?
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GREAT and Really Teagan (the next batch of ten entries is scheduled to go live at 7:00 pm London, UK time tonight – but I’m already working on a new batch to go out tomorrow night lol) 😀 😀 😀
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Such as it is – I’m emailing mine. Certainly no rush to post though. You might remember the title character. 😉
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Got it and indeed I do Teagan 👍😃
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Teagan, did Chris submit one I somehow missed?? I’ll look again tonight, running off to work now. (Or maybe you meant Sisyphus, Andrew’s story that started this particular challenge….?). Later!
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