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 
Sisyphus is fantastic, Andrew. Great challenge. Think I’ll give it a whirl. Shared all over 🙂
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I so agree, Tina. And I can’t wait to see what you come up with!!
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Hey, Tina…I’m Anonymous! But not intentionally….lol
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Great – I look forward to seeing your entry Tina 😀
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Reblogged this on The Life & Times of Zoe the Fabulous Feline and commented:
Another fun challenge. I think I’ll write one, should be a piece of tuna!
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Mines in the “mail.” I have been feeling like I was 79 today so great timing.
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LOL – I look forward to seeing it 👍😃
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Of course, if I had spelled “Charley” consistently as “Charlie,” I might have come across as more credible. I’ll repair my thoughtless damage.
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I think you should have won with your story Andrew. I’m looking forward to reading these short stories. 🙂
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I’m looking forward to receiving YOURS Deborah 😀 😀 😀
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I’m going to try Chris. Writing 79 words, as we all know is a skill that takes time. I’m under the gun here in deadlines for 4 interviews. When’s your deadline?
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No Deadline Deborah – I’ll be posting some of the entries tonight and others in the future 😀
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Thanks Chris. Okay I would love to give it a go. 🙂
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GREAT 👍😃
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Thank you, Deborah.
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Sisyphus…a clever solution ! ☺
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Great challenge, and one I couldn’t possibly resist. Thanks for sparking my imagination this morning…can’t turn it off now! 😀
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OOPS – Good Luck with it Mel 😀
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I know what you mean! When I first saw Andrew’s post, I did two….one a condensed version of a longer short and the other a new one. Which Zoe the Fabulous Feline has threatened to post!! 🙂
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Ooh – if she does, you must share it. I had such a great time and the entries are amazing 😀
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Well, you’ve convinced Zoe…she’s sitting on the back of my recliner telling me to “Send it to Chris! Send it to Chris!” So I guess I’ll do as commanded. And I agree with you, the entries have been amazing, so many talented people!!
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I’m with Zoe! “Send it to Chris!” 😀
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Anybody up for a writing challenge on The Story Reading Ape today.. only 79 words with a few wrinkles! I have my own challenge in the next hour but might take this on too.
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The more the merrier Sally 😀 Hugs xxx
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Reblogged this on Barrow Blogs: and commented:
Happy to share but I couldn’t for the life of me cut my words down to 79 – enjoyed reading this and will enjoy others as well x
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Your competition must have been very stiff. “Sisyphus” is terrific, a very well crafted story, so kudos to you! Are we limited to only one entry? Seriously, though, I have written two and cannot decide which is more interesting. Now that I think of it, I might have to let Chris choose, since one story might be considered–um–just under family fare! Well, we’ll see, won’t we? Oh, look! This is exactly seventy-nine words . . .or is it?
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