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

1. 61

   wizbitzposted 13 years ago

   oops sorry, here it is
   
   "My life
        my first
              one last,
                     goodbye..."

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   1. 58

      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Excellent -

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      1. 61

         wizbitzposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         thanks!

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         1. 58

            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            You are most welcome

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2. 0

   JASON NICHOLSposted 13 years ago

   Gunshots heard
   Birds flew
   Went to jail.

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   1. 58

      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Sounds like you are in Egypt.

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3. 62

   Sarah Massonposted 13 years ago

   Laughing and friendships then alone, solitary, by myself

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      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Beautiful - sorry Sarah!

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4. 55

   Alhamoraposted 13 years ago

   I love this coffee shop. I come here everyday.

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   1. 58

      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Simple, clear, concise and beautifully incomplete!  Good work.

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5. 0

   RTalloniposted 13 years ago

   An air of clarity blew in with that wind.

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   1. 58

      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      the air cleared more than odors in the room!

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         RTalloniposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         awww...I"m gonna revise it.
         
         Clarity struck--a bolt, a realization of foreseeable possibilities!

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         1. 58

            BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            excellent !

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6. 81

   classicalgeekposted 13 years ago

   In the spirit of the Bridgestone Super Bowl commercial.
   
   They set the whale free--a memorable bachelor party.

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      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Great post - even better Super Bowl commercial

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7. 81

   classicalgeekposted 13 years ago

   Less than ten short stories in less than ten words:
   
   1) They had to set sail without the captain.
   
   2) She wondered where she had finally abandoned the shovel.
   
   3) Again, there was no food.
   
   4) The proverb says, "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." They gained.
   
   5) No matter what she did, she still heard it.
   
   6)"It seemed like a good idea at the time."
   
   7) "Who are you?" "I . . . I don't know."
   
   8) "Fine," she said. "That will be your epitaph."
   
   9) She smirked. Swords don't run out of bullets.

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      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      An great anthology of very short stories. Well done.

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8. 92

   prairieprincessposted 13 years ago

   Door slams.
   She's home early.
   What will she find?

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   1. 58

      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Cool - how many teenage daughters have lived this story?

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9. 60

   Keith Worthposted 13 years ago

   I thought the poison was in the other glass.

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   1. 92

      prairieprincessposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Nice one!

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   2. 58

      BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Great one - and I really wonder how many times this actually happened.

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10. 0

    merseyblueposted 13 years ago

    Liverpool girl met Australian guy online.
    First date next week!

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       hope he can count to nine

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       1. 0

          merseyblueposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          LOL, I read it as ten words or less!
          
          British girl met Australian guy online.
          Flight 10am Monday.
          
          I'm REALLY hoping that 10am is classed as one word!
          Either way, I'm gonna enjoy my date

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          1. 58

             BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             wish granted 10am is one word -
             How was the date ?

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11. 59

    sligobayposted 13 years ago

    tremors quaked
    walls crumbled
    survival instinct
    misery, death
    trapped. sunbeams.

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12. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Vain counsel fueled his schemes.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       oh how many people have bumbled their way through life based on vain counsel?

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13. 75

    Mighty Momposted 13 years ago

    The great divide ripped the clumsy hiker to shreds.
    
    Detour sign. The road less traveled? Bumper-to-bumper!
    
    She ate her cake, then had none. Saying disproved.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Nice Mom - very nice

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14. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Sage measures spoiled the stewing plot.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Over my head - sorry - please elaborate.

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          RTalloniposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Just playing with words while cooking.
          
          sage = an herb, also wise/wisdom
          measures = an amount for cooking, also action taken/words spoken
          
          a stewing plot needing to be spoiled by sage measures could =
          a story about a plot to kidnap a wealthy restaurantier, a plot to steal a famous recipe, or a plot to poison an important person or a plot to ... in which the chef (who, of course, would also have studied law enforcement in another life) would save the day.
          
          Of course, there are many kinds of stewing plots, lots of things brewing that we could write about.

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          1. 58

             BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             very interesting - hope the cooking turned out as well.

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15. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    The familiar doorway presented an awkward choice.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Gee - if familiar - why awkward - must be something that should not be engaged in?

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16. 66

    AnnCeeposted 13 years ago

    Newspapers are piled by the door with a broken window.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Nice AnnCee but "Less than ten words"

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17. 59

    ByChanceTVposted 13 years ago

    Knowing nothing, I learned to see myself as I was.
    
    

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Please remove this link - for two reasons -
       
       #1 - it does not work
       #2 - no promotional links in forum
       
       Please remove so we don't have to report your post.

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       1. 59

          ByChanceTVposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I'm sorry...
          I thought it was creative...
          What did I do wrong..?
          How do I remove..?
          Why..?
          What doesn't work..?
          I'm only 10 days old - help..?

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18. 60

    dianebowlingposted 13 years ago

    Created life.
    Did my best.
    Now watch them fly away.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       interesting - could have been so many things. birds, bees, bats, ducks, geese, wishes, kids, fun post.

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19. 52

    aleyahposted 13 years ago

    Lea is a girl.
    She love.
    She dreams.
    She pray.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       nice - BUT - Less than ten words.
       
       Lea is a girl that loves, dreams and prays.

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20. 60

    Mrs. J. B.posted 13 years ago

    I am here waiting, wondering why? and how? are you?

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Nice Mrs JB but needs to be less than ten words.
       
       So -
       
       I'm here waiting, wondering why, and how; are you?

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21. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Her peculiar questions created a tangible sense of unease.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       another great post.

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22. 60

    Randy Godwinposted 13 years ago

    PEACHES 4 SELL
    
    
                         ALL FLAVORS

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Sell ---> Sale
       
       Peaches come in flavors now?  WOW!

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23. 62

    Sarah Massonposted 13 years ago

    After all the lies she had to go

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Nice Ms. Masson!

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24. 62

    Sarah Massonposted 13 years ago

    She met him and her life began

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Interesting - was it love at first sight?

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25. 62

    Sarah Massonposted 13 years ago

    He said: "Close your eyes and open your mind."

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Oh no, sounds like he's covering his tracks or covering something up.

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26. 60

    ggholicposted 13 years ago

    When I had to choose, I took the road less traveled

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Less than ten words please;
       
       When choice was required the less traveled was chosen.

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          ggholicposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          "Now I'm embarrassed" - 3 words

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          1. 58

             BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             nothing to be embarrassed about. About 30% misread the instructions.
             You can always try again any time.

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27. 61

    catwoman89posted 13 years ago

    1.
    she sinks
    deep river
    Cemented feet
    
    So he thought
    
    
    2.
    “Bury dead better!”
    He shouted
    Knocking on coffin lid

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       both are great - the first one still has me laughing.

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       1. 61

          catwoman89posted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Ah! Glad you like them! I was like, "all right -- I have to get BaliMermaid to approve of my mini-stories. That's my goal today! So yay for me!

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28. 0

    klarawieckposted 13 years ago

    She looked, smiled, and kneeling down gobbled him up.
    
    

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       hmm - how interesting - and almost x rated -

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          klarawieckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          get your mind out of the gutter Bali!

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29. 60

    CrochetChickposted 13 years ago

    He is my hero
    But stands only three feet tall.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       great post - more more I want to know more - this is exactly what the super short story idea is all about - leaving them wanting more. GREAT post!

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       1. 60

          CrochetChickposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          My son. He has cerebral palsy. He's amazing!!!

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30. 0

    Virtual Careersposted 13 years ago

    In the world of blogging, time stand still!

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       perhaps it standS still because we are still waiting for the S -

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          Virtual Careersposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          BaliMermaid...I would put the "S" in if I knew how to.  You see I have been blogging for about 4 days and have not figured out that feature yet!  Please feel free to tell me how to and I will fix the "S"...Thanks

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31. 61

    wormdoposted 13 years ago

    Since so many Hubbers seem to enjoy the Bible, I will condense it for you all. Now those of us with short attention spans can also enjoy the gospel!
    
    Once God had a son. He died. He got better.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       OMG - even God cannot read - LESS THAN TEN
       
       God had a son. He died.  He got better.
       
       Great job of editing and condensing into a SHORTER version. 

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32. 55

    Alhamoraposted 13 years ago

    Once I wrote a wonderful story in ten words only.

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    1. 61

       wormdoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Haha, this one's my favorite!

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          Alhamoraposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Thanks. About time someone liked my story. Should I start to write ten word hubs then

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    2. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Aha - but ten words is oultside the realm of this challenge.
       
       Write a short story of LESS than ten words. 
       
       Once I wrote a story in nine words.
       
       )

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33. 58

    RonnieHatsposted 13 years ago

    We live
    They laugh
    Who loves?

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       It would be nice if everyone loved. Right?

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34. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Blindly mocking appeals, they departed unprepared.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       very interesting

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35. 71

    pylos26posted 13 years ago

    I was fishing on vacation and got eaten by bear.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       LESS than ten words.
       
       While fishing on vacation I was eaten by bears.

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36. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Vacillating victims vowing ventures vacantly vanished.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       one of my favorite movies.
       
       V for Vendetta

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37. 60

    Randy Godwinposted 13 years ago

    Root hog or die pore.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       completely over my head - explanation please.

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38. 81

    TahoeDocposted 13 years ago

    Glass shattered and alarms bellowed, but we were prepared.

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39. 61

    VirtuousCycleposted 13 years ago

    Plucked from my bed of nourishing earth, he stole me.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       what were you doing sleeping in the garden?

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          VirtuousCycleposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Nope it's a metaphor, I'm a rose and someone plucks me.

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          1. 59

             HSanAlimposted 13 years agoin reply to this

             OK - plucks is it?  Very interesting.

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40. 60

    Green Wasabiposted 13 years ago

    He gazed intensely.
    Blind cane rested on a bench.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Sort of like -
       
       I see said the blind man picking up his hammer and saw.
       
       but alas too many words.

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41. 77

    Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years ago

    Creation:
    Nothing transformed into Everything.
    
    Evolution:
    Everything created everything else.

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       HSanAlimposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       nice but one word too many - kan ?

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    2. 77

       Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       
       
       Can I play now?

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    3. 77

       Mikel G Robertsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       And the second part of the challenge:
       
       http://hubpages.com/hub/I-want-to-tell- … eve-God-is

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42. 60

    LetterWriterposted 13 years ago

    Matthew axes his life by suicide; only to live again.

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    1. 59

       HSanAlimposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Less in ten - Less
       
       Mathew axes life by suicide, online to live, again?

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43. 59

    ByChanceTVposted 13 years ago

    I told a story in LESS than ten words

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    1. 59

       HSanAlimposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       You most certainly did - and also you are the FIRST to realize that is basically the answer to the challenge.  But let's see who else comes up with this or a slight variation there of.
       
       Great JoB

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44. 61

    Bronson_Hubposted 13 years ago

    Give me ten words and I will leave you hanging.

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    1. 59

       HSanAlimposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Who wants ten words?  Challange is for Nine or Less -
       
       Give me ten words and I will leave you ... 

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45. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Bella beguiled blithely, bewildering beaus blantantly.

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46. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Blatantly, beaus bewildering blithely, beguiled Bella.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Beyond binary bifurcation brain bewildered me!

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47. 60

    Randy Godwinposted 13 years ago

    Meanwhile, the mighty god Google caused plague among his scribes.

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I love it - even if it is one word more than requested.
       
       And God Google said - Squirm Squires and Scribes

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48. 59

    ChristineVianelloposted 13 years ago

    Girl made lemonaide
    Boy bought lemonaide
    They fell in love.

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49. 0

    RTalloniposted 13 years ago

    Sunny laughter floated through the latticework from the veranda.

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       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       See, good job. You have my attention with this one. What laughter, who's laughter....
       
       Good job.

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50. 59

    ChristineVianelloposted 13 years ago

    I had a glass of wine
    danced the night away...

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    1. 58

       BaliMermaidposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Not bad for ten word short story - looking for the best at 9 or under.
       LESS than Ten Words.

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