I’m a big fan of Kieren Westwood on YouTube. What sets him apart for me from other writing YouTubers are his “write with me” videos where he generates random prompts, then tackles those challenges on screen and inviting viewers to write their own.
I’ve written a few short pieces in this way, and I find it really enjoyable. “Frayed” is a 100-word piece that had to fulfill five criteria:
100 words exactly
Written in the second person
Set underground
Time of day is dawn
Includes the plot element “a moment”
The ending must be cyclical (that is, circling back to the beginning)
I had fun writing this, and I hope you’ll have fun reading it, or maybe even trying your own.
You examine your rope. It’s frayed.
It’s dangerous to climb out like this.
But it’s your only hope.
No one is coming to rescue you.
You check your harness once more and begin the climb, setting and removing anchors as you go. Your muscles ache.
You reach the mouth of the deep pit just as the pink sun bursts from the horizon.
Suddenly, you fall, arms and legs scrabbling in vain for a hold.
You land hard on your back, sure your spine is broken.
The rope lands beside you on the damp rock.
You examine your rope.
It’s frayed.
(Image credit: Greg Rosenke, Unsplash)
I hadn't heard of Kieran Westwood, I might need to check him out. I am a fan of the "pantsing" style of writing though; this sounds right up my alley.
This is such a cool idea!
I might have to try it. It seems like it'd be really challenging, but I love how you've handled the format.