I entered a micro-fiction writing contest with NYC Midnight back in April, wrote and submitted a piece. This was my first attempt at micro-fiction. I found it to be an interesting space between poetry and prose, having to let go of some grammatical conventions while remaining clear and the careful selection of words was quite satisfying. I enjoyed the contest process and the writing and editing very much.
I did not progress to the second round of the contest but I did get quite a bit of positive feedback on my submission. I thought the critique was fair and it inspired me to revise my initial submission to improve it; probably changed by 10 words from the original submission, but with only 100 words, that was 10%!
Competition assignment was to include the word “nearly” and the action ‘looking up at the sky’, to write in the genre of fantasy/fairy tale, maximum 100 words (not including the title).
Here it is, I hope you enjoy it!
”Summoning Self-Confidence” by Leo Avalon
Inky blots mar the summoning, rendering it illegible by moonlight despite squinting. Regretting sloppy calligraphy is unbearable as failing, again.
Nearly certain, shoulders squared, evocation for an otherworldly campaign servant proceeds.
Astonishment at the flash of materialization banishes other concerns.
The horn bedecked head shakes sympathetically, “You were supposed to stand outside the circle Marvin.”
“Oh.”
Looking up at the sky through the erstwhile sorcerer’s eyes, lamenting the loss of wings, Not-Marvin adopts the sheepish expression familiar to this visage. For now. Pretense of incompetence will grow tedious.
Booted toes eradicate confining symbols before sauntering towards the party’s companionable campfire.