100 words of advice when writing a 100-word story

Make every word defend its presence.

Read some haiku – study how carefully Basho or Issa select words.

Choose words that evoke. (When a word makes the reader think of other words, you’re expanding your word allotment for free!)

Zoom in – show us the most vivid detail.

Challenge: reveal character with one word or one gesture.

Use the longest words possible (just kidding!).

(Don’t waste space by saying JUST KIDDING! in parentheses.)

Think twice about asides, if their connection to the story isn’t brutally direct.

Distill, distill, distill.

Never repeat words. (Kidding again!)

(Never repeat jokes that aren’t working.)

Good luck!