The 12-word novel

[germdoc]

Came across this recently in Time magazine. The idea is to write a novel in 12 words. There are also 6-word versions, etc. But I think 12 is pretty challenging for starters.

Here go a few:


I heaved the brick just as Mabel turned the shotgun my direction.


Elbert couldn' satisfy his young wife, so he started drinkin' heavy again.


Carnivals, like crime novels, have little use for beauty except as bait.


The doctor wiped the knife across his dirty smock, then began cutting.


A maid, a stranger, screams in the night, blood dripping down stairs.


Jim reappeared abruptly, sporting his late wife's ring through his ear, pirate-like.


Any other tries?

[Mr__Bill]

I found this one by Jonathan Swiller and liked it

"There are no atheists in foxholes," said the Chaplain, "so get out!"

[dlminehart]

It was a dark and stormy night but, in Baltimore, what isn't?

[crokett]

The tree ended the car's travel abruptly, just like this novel ends.

[JR]

I'll try a few:

The mountain, climbed, was still there. As were the other climbers. Pity.

She, abalone neck flowing crimson. He, knuckles white, clutching the innocent knife.

A heel full of microfiche, and Customs on the landing. I'm toast.

[crokett]

A scream. A shot. A body falls. A life ends.

[cabinetman]

A scream. A shot. A body falls. A life ends.

What is this a short story?...you're allowed two more words.
.

[crokett]

What is this a short story?...you're allowed two more words.
.

I know but the story was good enough the way it was. I wanted to add something about a woman weeping or 2 lives shattered but couldn't keep it in 12 words. So I wrote a short story.

[bfrikken]

I guess I'm confused or overthinking this... I was always under the impression that the definition of a novel is a LONG written story or piece of fiction. It may have its roots in fact or actual events but is still considered fiction. So, how would you write a novel in 12 words?

[germdoc]

I guess I'm confused or overthinking this... I was always under the impression that the definition of a novel is a LONG written story or piece of fiction. It may have its roots in fact or actual events but is still considered fiction. So, how would you write a novel in 12 words?

Concisely.

[ssmith1627]

I think what bothers me is the dark, sinister novels you turkeys came up with. Whew. With friends like that ! Not one about a happy little bunny hopping down the trail. Just blood and knives and wrecked cars.

Suddenly, I was glad for speaking with them only on the computer.

Steve

[germdoc]

A couple more entries:


"Ethel, while you're up get me a beer, OK? Ethel? Ethel? ETHEL!!"


"Paulie, put that gun away. You are making a big mista...." Thump.


Finally, a 3-part series:


Vol. 1: I grew up in a 2-room shotgun shack in Alabama. I moved.

Vol. 2: New York was shiny yet tarnished, like a well-worn brass doorknob.

Vol. 3: The other residents of the Gulf Shores Nursing Home don't like showtunes.

[cgallery]

Such sloppy dovetails, he knew no woman would consider bartering for it.

[LarryG]

Confused, overthinking it, bfrikken missed the point of writing twelve word novels.

(Oh, he knew it was a cheap shot. But he couldn't resist.)

It was a dark and stormy night, until the calm at sunrise.

Tired of playing Sudoku, Bubba tried his hand at running moonshine whiskey.

No one knows the troubles I've seen -- including me, since I'm someone.

[bfrikken]

Confused, overthinking it, bfrikken missed the point of writing twelve word novels.

Exactly! Very entertaining stuff anyways