Twitter Fiction

The Guardian Newspaper (in England) recently sponsored a competition asking famous writers to come up with a story in 140 characters or fewer. I was going to put the winners on my twitter page but couldn’t because adding the authors’ names would put me over the 140 mark. I know. Irony. Here are the winners:

Mother love is strong enough to lift a car. I’d heard that. But when my girl was hit by a Mercedes, I heaved, screaming. Nothing moved. — Esther Freud

Afraid of lonely old age, I bought a lottery ticket. It came up.Now have many friends and a young, male companion. Children furious. Good. — Mavis Cheek

Nothing happened. Then it did. Adventures ensued. Helpers, adversaries came. He lost everything. Then, redemption. He was changed – forever.  — Tim Lott

Sandy. The Chrysler Building swung like a jewelled metronome; Third Avenue was extinguished. In the lightless heights, my hand was held. — Philip Hensher

Blood on her hand. The wood, wet. A Christian memory or glimpse of what is to come? Wipe it away and wait — Kate Mosse

I chopped down the ash tree and left you. Tears and sawdust, but both of you had to go and now I can see the view. — Deborah Moggach

He became aware, typing, of the number below, diminishing like a barometer of his own moral worth #post-modern #self-reflexive #hashtag — David Baddiel

Darkness. I woke, felt the familiar weight in the bed, the breathing, the hand on my skin. “Oh, Paul,” I said. “Who’s Paul?” said the voice. — Nicci French

“What do you want?” “I want you.” “But you cannot have me.” It’s always the same. Only this time, the plot will twist. Then twist harder. — Joanna Briscoe

He fastened the diamond necklace round her neck: “Happy anniversary, babe.” It seemed the wrong time to tell him she was leaving. — Katie Price

Life is always flashing before your eyes. Look down. Children playing, trees and traffic, your shadow running over the ground to meet you. — Mark Haddon