I wrote my first drabble!
YAAY, me, right?
Wait. Don’t you know what a drabble is? It’s a short story written in 100 words or less, and it’s easier said than done.
I’d never heard of it either until a couple of weeks ago when I saw this post on Connie J. Jasperson’s Life in the Realm of Fantasy. Do you follow Connie? You should. She gives great writing advice… with examples!
After reading Connie’s post, I went on a drabble info search.
Google drabbles. I dare you! The search returns were mind-boggling. I felt like the planet was drabbling (← I have NO idea if that’s a word!) without me!
What’s the point of drabbles?
You’ll find several reasons listed on Connie’s blog, but prime for me is there is no room for anything which doesn’t move the story forward. Words must be chosen with much thought… because you can’t use more than a hundred.
If you’ve read anything by me, you know I have a love affair with the written word and don’t believe there can ever be too many, wonderful, glorious words! *Glares at last sentence* So, um… yeah.
I give you… my first drabble!
~~~~~
Calling His Bluff – Drabble #1
She removed her scarf and wiped her brow. The apple tree’s shade did little to protect her from the oppressive heat.
“Raelene – ”
“I’m done with this, Willie. Daddy is sick and needs me here to run the orchard. I can’t marry you.”
“He ain’t sick, Raelene! His mind is gone. He’s never getting better. Sell this land and put him in a nursing home.”
“No.”
“I thought you wanted to be with me?” He smirked. “Patty Walters would love to marry me.”
Raelene grabbed her basket. “I hope you and Patty have a nice life.”
She walked away… relieved.
~~~~~
Okay, so I didn’t redefine drabbles, but… I did have the key elements: a setting, one or more characters, conflict, and resolution.
It’s a start!
I feel an obsession coming on. You know, after all my other writing obligations. Averts eyes.
On average, drabbles will take about an hour to write.
It took me longer than that. A lot longer.
But don’t tell Connie.
Felicia Denise, Author 
I’ve written a few drabbles. One I won a writing award for at a conference (Second place, maybe? I don’t remember.) They can be fun, but even better, they’re an excellent tool at teaching writers to choose the appropriate word rather than rambling.
Love your drabble.
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It’s always the little things that seem to help the most. ☺
Thanks for stopping in and commenting, Staci, and for all your support! ❤
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I love it! I could picture the scene. And thank you for your kind words.
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You’re welcome, Connie! So glad I saw your blog post. Drabbles ARE great writing tools and the challenge is fun! As I revised a WIP this morning I focused on word usage more than ever before.
With a nod to your ‘scheduling writing time’… drabbles are now my morning writing exercise! 😀
Again, many thanks!
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Reblogged this on Nesie's Place and commented:
At it again! 😀
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Nice one, Nessie. I love reading these. Keep it up!
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Thanks, Diana! ☺
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