Today my friend Tom (aka., The Blogfodder) sent me a review of Hint Fiction, an anthology of extra-short literary works.

I was intrigued by the premise. But alas, even 25 words seemed too verbose. I still prefer the directness of six-word prose: “For sale, baby shoes, never worn.”

My mind wandered to the short stories I sometimes read on Facebook, and how the briefest of entries can speak volumes about the author. “Pen lust moment. Lovely nib. Only $275.” revealed a private obsession, for example. And “[Sic] has a feeling that ‘Nosferatu’ and jalapeños are going to be a turbulent bedtime combination” made me squirm with sympathetic indigestion.

It’s amazing how much a gifted writer can say with only a few words. And sometimes, the fewer the words, the better the story.