Challenge Writing Skills - Write A Short Story in Less Than Ten Words

1. 0

   JASON NICHOLSposted 13 years ago

   The man walks away
   The woman cries

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      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Nice Jason,
      
      Thousands of possibilities in this one. Great Job as far as I am concerned.

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2. 63

   Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

   18" of snowfall.
   Worthy of each ounce of dread.

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      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Wow - 18" of snow - where is that happening. Not in SE U.S.A? Did they get that much? Wow
      
      So you are under 10 words, that's good but not much left to imagination after the snow hits the ground, is there.
      
      Good luck.

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3. 58

   BaliMermaidposted 13 years ago

   Hopefully we will get some more participation. If we go one day with no additional entries we will start the review process.

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4. 68

   L.L. Woodardposted 13 years ago

   sour lemons
   tart limes
   strewn across the counter

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      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      a fight, perhaps, over how to make a Key Lime Pie?

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         Seafarer Mamaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Cute interpretation. :0)....Takes place on one of the Florida Keys? Jamaica? Barbados?

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            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            ah to be at the Pier House at Sunset on Key West - Cuban sandwiches and other great food. But is it all still there - it's been a Looooong time since I have been there.

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5. 65

   Greek Oneposted 13 years ago

   I came, I saw, I conquered... not in that order

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      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Very interesting, this one.  Could he have conquered first?

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      Seafarer Mamaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I came, I saw, I cuddled.
      
      I sawed, it creaked, a roll of thunder.

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         BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         funny one, like this one.
         
         I see,
         said the blind man
         
         as he picked up his hammer
         and saw
         
         ---
         but more than ten words so - no cigar

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6. 68

   L.L. Woodardposted 13 years ago

   Private property
   No trespassing
   And yet he forged ahead

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      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      And just want . . . lies ahead for the treker?
      
      Good entry.

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7. 90

   Suzanne Dayposted 13 years ago

   My 3 word effort from a poem I wrote years ago:
   
   two snails entwined

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      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Not knowing much about the life of snails, except when swimming in garlic and butter, I am not sure how the poem leaves open thoughts.
      Of course if they are not literal well then that is something all together different, isn't it?

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8. 90

   Suzanne Dayposted 13 years ago

   Another one:
   
   muddy puddles
   travelled
   without boots

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      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      A good one.
      
      Why would someone travel in muddy puddles without things necessary.
      Are they running, walking fast, a fugitive or just a lonely walker in the swampy woods?
      
      Good entry.

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         Seafarer Mamaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Very good entry...could be a barefoot child out romping after a summer thunderstorm?

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9. 60

   QudsiaP1posted 13 years ago

   Staring in a distance
   It was time...

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      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      ah wonderful - time for what - staring at what - exciting visions from this one

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    QudsiaP1posted 13 years ago

    The cry grew louder ...
    But from where?

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       Seafarer Mamaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Oooh. Awesome prompt!

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    QudsiaP1posted 13 years ago

    6 hours left...
    Dawn arrived fast...

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12. 60

    QudsiaP1posted 13 years ago

    A vile taste
    
    Racing pulse
    
    Crooked grin

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       great job, all good entries

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13. 60

    YU_First 1posted 13 years ago

    walking away
    drenched to the shoes
    words ringing repeatedly

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Interesting, confusing, thought provoking
       
       Good!

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14. 61

    fayx24posted 13 years ago

    Empty heart and empty hands to be filled.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       One wonders what was in that heart and those hands before?
       Has it been long?
       
       Good entry!

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    fayx24posted 13 years ago

    Be gone! Be Gone!
    Empty room.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Nice, open questions aplenty with this one.
       
       What was there? Who gave the command to get out?
       Was it and intruder or a friend, a loved one or an enemy?
       
       Good entry.

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          JASON NICHOLSposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          The kid walked down the street
          Just dissappered into thin air
          Found in a life boat at sea.

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             BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             This is great - how can we convert that to less than ten words?
             
             Walking aimlessly he disappeared, later found adrift at sea.

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                Mark Ewbieposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                You could do it in less.
                
                Lost man now found.
                
                or
                
                Man found.
                
                or for tabloids...
                
                FOUND!!!!!!!!!

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                   BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   Funny - with such wit, where is your entry?

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                      Mark Ewbieposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                      Here...
                      
                      Mark's competition entry was lost in the post.

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                JASON NICHOLSposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Sorry BaliMermaid, I was so lost in creating a short story that i forgot about "It should be less then 10 words". Ok so i have rewritten it again. Please tell me how it is.....
                
                
                The kid on streets
                Just lost in thin air
                Found at sea.

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                1. 58

                   BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                   He got lost with your post.
                   Many entries, easy to disapper.
                   
                   Great one!

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16. 73

    getitriteposted 13 years ago

    Bought an old guitar.
    Joined band.
    Won Grammy.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Ah, were it just so simple.

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17. 62

    That's the wayposted 13 years ago

    They bought my soul,
    I sold it,
    who's guilty?

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Not bad. Why did you sell, who bought, takes two to tango. Both are guilty.
       Or are they?

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    miss_jkimposted 13 years ago

    With stars in her eyes, she slips away.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Exotic, captivating, most interesting.

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19. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Build on rock.
    Not sand.
    Water crumbles.
    Rock stands.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Good and solid. Maybe too solid but good.

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20. 68

    L.L. Woodardposted 13 years ago

    bus stop
    suitcase in hand
    spirits soar

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Very good!
       Open on both ends with hundreds of possible feed lines.
       A very good entry.
       
       Thank you!

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    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Dark, stormy night.
    Dawn breaks new day.
    Fresh opportunity.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Good. What happened the day before?
       New day, new opportunity - to try again - to try anew - to try something new.
       The more I think about it, the better your entry gets.
       
       Thanks!

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22. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Also to make amends, re-arrange, make things right, change a decision, or do something neglected.
    
    Thanks.

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23. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Time began.
    Carelessness.
    Innocence lost.
    Consequences.
    Help promised.
    Faithful.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Great entry,
       interesting format.
       
       Thank you.

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24. 64

    Froggy213posted 13 years ago

    From the diner
    Robert viewed the chaos
    erupting outside.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Quite nice.  Many open ends on both sides of this one.
       I like it.
       
       Thank you.

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25. 60

    topfanposted 13 years ago

    Someone just finished a book that he started 10 months ago

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       TopFan - your post is more than ten words. No worries, just not an entry.
       Please remove the post you put on after this one. On HubPages it would be considered Spam and might cause you problems with your account.
       
       So Please remove it before it gets flagged.

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26. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    No hesitation, kindness’s work begins, mystery wrapped effects domino. 
    
    
    (Hope it's okay to post more than one.  This is a great project to have rolling around back of one's head while working on another project!)

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Post as many as you want.
       
       Part of the idea is just that, to help keep the mind working. I find it helps keep writers block away.
       
       This entry interesting, makes me want to know more about kindness's work.
       
       Thank you.

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          RTalloniposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I was thinking of the effects of random acts of kindness rippling throughout society.

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27. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Dawn light
    revived hope
    after
    white peace
    chilled night.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       May be too deep for me. Confusing for me after the word after.
       
       Thank you for your entry.

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          RTalloniposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Directly, the thought was related to the deep snow my southern landscape continues to be wrapped in this week.  Northern friends assure me that it will melt eventually!
          
          Indirectly, I was thinking about definitions of words and concepts.  If one person's definition of peace chills the heart of another, then the word peace has been applied to something that it is not.  Understanding the correct definition gives freedom to continue seeking peace.
          
          But it was late when I wrote it. 

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28. 0

    Pezzyposted 13 years ago

    Stop the world, let me off, tired of spinning round.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Nice entry but sad, worriesome.
       
       Don't give up my friend. Life is a gift even when the wrapping sucks.

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29. 59

    pilesnowayposted 13 years ago

    sitting still, watching sunset, bruises on my arms...

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Very good, heart wrenching, thought provoking.
       I like this one!
       
       Thank you wounded warrior.

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30. 60

    Broken Poetposted 13 years ago

    you lied
    I laughed
    we both left
    we both died

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Just Plain weird, this one is!

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31. 70

    Terri Meredithposted 13 years ago

    Smoke billowed.
    Sirens shrieked.
    The crowd panicked.
    People died.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Is this happening now - and where
       For gosh sake
       Australia has floods,
       homes floating away,
       parents dying while saving their kids,
       sharks swimming out of the ocean into flooded areas.
       Are they also having fires at the same time?

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          Terri Meredithposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          nah....happened years ago.  some kids at a prom in a hotel when a suspended floor gave way.  I don't recall the city but  I was reminded by a couple of fires that have taken place in the last month around here.

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             BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             some prom night - terrible

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32. 66

    Scribenetposted 13 years ago

    Life passes in a blur...
    Life stops.
    Oops...

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       abrupt sudden stop - good but the best will be open ended on the beginning and the end, like Hemingway's story

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33. 77

    brimancandyposted 13 years ago

    Two men fell in love and lived happily ever after.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       very good except that's ten words and directions are
       LESS than ten
       
       So let's see
       
       Two men fell in love and lived happily after...
       
       hmm after what?

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    Seafarer Mamaposted 13 years ago

    Lots of fun entries so far...especially  the ones referencing Poe. So many that are thought-provoking. For now, I'd enter,
    
    Many sleepless nights;
    Gardening book finally published;
    Oprah loves it!

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       Seafarer Mamaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       The last line is the imaginative part at the moment.

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          Seafarer Mamaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          children dancing on books,
          hearts are merry
          flags waving

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             JASON NICHOLSposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Singing songs
             We all lied
             Dancing in the sun

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             BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             dancing on books part is too deep for me.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Interesting post about Opera loves it!
       But
       
       LESS than ten words, less - as in 9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 but not 10 or more
       
       Thanks anyway - your other entries are good.

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          Seafarer Mamaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Wait...I am reading in some responses that "no more than 10 words" is the rule. Which is it, "less than 10" or "no more than 10?"  I am confused. Message seems to be changing. Please be clearer.

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       Seafarer Mamaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Or, to make it less than 10
       
       A million sleepless nights,
       then gardening book comes to life!

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35. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Must be done, no way around.
    Deep breath, go.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Exciting - no way around, thus ... down the middle.
       Did he/they make it?
       
       Nice entry.

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36. 0

    JASON NICHOLSposted 13 years ago

    Weather is bad
    People running
    Somethings comming

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       suspensful

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37. 61

    fayx24posted 13 years ago

    Pain overload
    Morphine drip
    Darkness and salvation

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Painfully sounds like experience speaking... ouch

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38. 61

    fayx24posted 13 years ago

    Passion
    Treasure
    Chills
    No boundaries

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       very sensual

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39. 59

    C.V.Rajanposted 13 years ago

    "Hear me?"
    "No"
    New hearing-aid. But old lady's same.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Cute, but closed on both ends!

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40. 60

    idreesfarooqposted 13 years ago

    impossible says itself "I m possible"

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       excellent entry!
       
       Thanks

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       weird and interesting. What is IT?
       
       Almost sounds like Gollum talking to himself.

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41. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Blinking at options.
    Sculpting phrases.
    Devising plot.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       sounds like writers block

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          RTalloniposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          could be a liar, a thief, or a predator, though

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             BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             you are so correct; a liar, a thief or a predator -

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42. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Poise quivered within.
    Foggy standstill threatened.
    Forward steps strengthened.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       very good, very mysterious, very very deep

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43. 75

    Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

    Lying in the gutter, she said, "Things are looking up!"

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       They might be looking up but that's still ten words.
       
       Less than 10 please sayang ku!
       
       But a nice entry in any case.

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44. 59

    Mark Ewbieposted 13 years ago

    Hitting 100 seemed easy, but staying there...

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Isn't a batting average of 100 fairly poor?
       
       But then again, who says this is about baseball. You can never tell.
       For example my friends in Asia some times ask why the bible is about baseball.
       
       You know. The very first sentence in Genesis.
       
       In the BIG INNING.

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          Mark Ewbieposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Well, I'm not sure why the guy would want to stay on 100, and not score anymore, unless it was some betting fraud.  So I expect it was more about Hubscores.  Although a betting fraud would be a lot more interesting.

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             BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             Can't believe I forgot where I was when reading your entry.
             
             Hubscores, of course. Well other than staying above 75 as an author I have not worried about that too much. Maybe that's a mistake.  Looks like there is a secret to getting to 100 that I have not caught or paid attention to. I concentrate on quality as much as possible, where ever possible.
             
             Have a great day!

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45. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Sands wash ashore.
    Yet, Wisdom rules, not chance.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       excellent - it's like the summary to a great story.
       not many, if any, open ends but still a great entry.

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46. 68

    L.L. Woodardposted 13 years ago

    Three words to remember forever
    Like it or not

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Three Words?
       
       Three words to remember forever = 5
       
       Like it or not = 4
       
       Over my head!

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          BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          But that is a great idea for another writing skills challenge.
          
          Three words to remember forever. I like it.

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    Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

    In a mere nine words she conquered the challenge!

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       congratulations - real wit - but where is the mystery and drama before and after the nine words.
       
       Remember Hemingway's short story
       
       For Sale               why for sale, what's the problem, type of sale, reason
       Never Used         why sell something new, is this stolen, is this yours
       Baby Shoes         omg, what happen, where is the baby, what about mom
       
       And thousands of other possibilities.
       
       That's the challenge - nine words or less that leave people wondering, keep them guessing, even when they are writing hubs on other topics.

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48. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    he ran
    back looking
    over taking

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       excellent,
       
       panic run,
       athletic event,
       run for award,
       run for glory,
       running for life
       
       Great entry

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49. 0

    mommamia3posted 13 years ago

    door slammed shut
    nowhere to run
    coming undone

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       hmm - exotic, erotic, exciting,  more more more
       
       exellent entry too

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50. 0

    mommamia3posted 13 years ago

    door slammed shut
    nowhere to run
    coming undone

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