Re: A challenge: 6-word crime stories
art...@yahoo.com
Richard Burke wrote:
> I came across this on "Wired" recently:
>
> <http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html>
>
> To quote the site: "Hemingway once wrote a story in just six words ("For
> sale: baby shoes, never worn.") and is said to have called it his best
> work. So we asked sci-fi, fantasy, and horror writers from the realms of
> books, TV, movies, and games to take a shot themselves."
>
> Some of the stories are fun, some are garbage - but I wondered if we
> could do the same thing with crime and mystery? I think the best
> 'stories' are the ones (like Hemingway's) that make you ask quite
> specific and personal questions about the context - and then answer them
> for yourselves, painting in a whole world of fact and emotion bit by bit.
>
> Who's wants to give it a try?
>
> (Ali, Mike: how about running it as a page in SHOTS?)
>
> Here are a couple I wrote to get the ball rolling - not in Hemingway's
> league, of course...
>
> A.
> "I'd die for you."
> "Now's good."
>
> B.
> Watch: blood drains away like love.
>
> C.
> Will (unwitnessed) plus bonfire equals millions.
>
> D.
> She's leaving - but *he* chooses how.
>
> Hey, this is fun!
I shouldn't have slept with her.
My blood dripped all over her.
Where did I put the money?
Much bank money in my trunk
Her latest pimp is my Father-in-law.
klezmerphan
A:
I never should have shot him.
B:
Why do gunshots sound so loud?
C:
Who needs a significant other around?
D:
My favorite cat found the body.
Okay, so I need to work on it a little... but this IS fun!
-- Pamela
Mitchy
--
Mitchy
Francis A. Miniter
> Aristocrat killed: the butler did it
>
Once loved; once loving; all ruined.
Francis A. Miniter
K Barrett
My favorite cat found the body.
She's leaving - but *he* chooses how.
Her latest pimp is my Father-in-law.
A R Pickett
This is currently the situation next door to us - we know wife decamped with
kids and husband follwed a few weeks later, but will we ever see them again?
Woodstock
--
"Sometimes the facts threaten the truth"
Amos Oz, prize winning Israeli author
Read my book reviews at:
http://www.booksnbytes.com/reviews/_idx_ws_all_byauth.html
Now blogging!
http://www.journalscape.com/woodstock/
Remove lower case "e" to respond
Lynn allen
Her blood made everything simple again.
Screaming draws unwanted attention. Weep silently.
Lymaree
Kat R
> I came across this on "Wired" recently:
>
> <http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html>
>
> To quote the site: "Hemingway once wrote a story in just six words ("For
> sale: baby shoes, never worn.") and is said to have called it his best
> work. So we asked sci-fi, fantasy, and horror writers from the realms of
> books, TV, movies, and games to take a shot themselves."
>
> Some of the stories are fun, some are garbage - but I wondered if we
> could do the same thing with crime and mystery? I think the best
> 'stories' are the ones (like Hemingway's) that make you ask quite
> specific and personal questions about the context - and then answer them
> for yourselves, painting in a whole world of fact and emotion bit by bit.
>
> Who's wants to give it a try?
Most of what I've read of the ones on Wired (and elsewhere) aren't
really stories so much as interesting pitch lines, or opening lines.
They rarely compose a whole story as well as the Hemingway one does. I
tried one, for some friends, but I don't care for it:
Nasturtium leaves--supposedly non-toxic. My bad.
--
Kat Richardson
Greywalker (Roc, 2006)
Website: http://www.katrichardson.com/
Bloggery: http://katrich.wordpress.com/
Dave in Toronto
Actually I thought yours was pretty good. It does tell a story.
Some of the other lines in the thread are catchy but apart from the
Hemingway example I can't think of one that actually tells a story.
Dave in Toronto
Jim Barker
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. NOW! Bang!
--
* *Jim Barker - *Barker Design and Illustration
* http://www.cartoonise.com/about_jim.html
* http://www.magneticscotland.com
* http://www.myvideosystem.com/54545
* http://jimbairn.blogspot.com/
Wesley Struebing
<min...@attglobal.net> wrote:
>Mitchy wrote:
>
>> Aristocrat killed: the butler did it
>>
>
>Once loved; once loving; all ruined.
>
>
He killed her. I caught him.
--
Wes Struebing
I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America,
and to the republic which it established, one nation from many peoples,
promising liberty and justice for all.
Annie C
"Richard Burke" <in...@richardburke.co.uk> wrote in message
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Like a drink? Name your poison.
Loner? Yeah, but a good neighbor.
Dark alley. Blade flashing. The en ...
Behave, Hannibal. Finish your fava beans..
Identity stolen. Current bank balance zero.
Blackmail is such an ugly word.
Darkened house, eerie silence -- surprise party!!
Bent cops planting evidence perverts justice.. .
Mushrooms all look alike to me!
Every move you make, I'm watching.
New showerhead you say, Mr. Bates?
Doorbell rings .. masked strangers.. Happy Halloween!
Miss Peacock in conservatory with dagger. :)
fun ... :)
Annie
Lauradog
"Richard Burke" <in...@richardburke.co.uk> wrote in message
news:info-003DBE.1...@europe.isp.giganews.com...
> I came across this on "Wired" recently:
>
> <http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html>
>
> sale: baby shoes, never worn.") and is said to have called it his best
> work. So we asked sci-fi, fantasy, and horror writers from the realms of
> books, TV, movies, and games to take a shot themselves."
>
> Some of the stories are fun, some are garbage - but I wondered if we
> could do the same thing with crime and mystery? I think the best
> 'stories' are the ones (like Hemingway's) that make you ask quite
> specific and personal questions about the context - and then answer them
> for yourselves, painting in a whole world of fact and emotion bit by bit.
>
> Who's wants to give it a try?
>
>
> Here are a couple I wrote to get the ball rolling - not in Hemingway's
> league, of course...
>
> A.
> "I'd die for you."
> "Now's good."
>
> B.
> Watch: blood drains away like love.
>
> C.
> Will (unwitnessed) plus bonfire equals millions.
>
> D.
>
>
> Richard
>
> ____
> Richard Burke
> <www.richardburke.co.uk>
love, marriage, unfaithfulness, hatred - shot dead
Grab this wire you say? ZAP!
Dive on in, they're just dolphins.
Yes you *are* leaving me. BANG!
But all dogs love me. CHOMP!
It tastes funny because it's overdone.
Handcuffs, whips, chains, masks? Ooooo kinky.
Sue D.
Stanley L. Moore
"Kat R" <null....@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:mfKdnd4NNaZA8NfY...@comcast.com...
in salads? Take care
--
Stanley L. Moore
"The belief in a supernatural
source of evil is not necessary;
men alone are quite capable
of every wickedness."
Joseph Conrad
Andrew Barss
:>
: Aren't nasturtium leaves really harmless. I seem to recall seeing them used
: in salads? Take care
That's the blossoms, which are gorgeous and edible (at least some varieties).
I'm pretty sure the leaves are toxic, but I'm not 100% positive.
-- Andy Barss
Pogonip
>
> Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait. NOW! Bang!
From my spam trash tonight: Subject: throat, and she struggled to be a
book, outrage, takes place
--
Joanne
stitches @ singerlady.reno.nv.us.earth.milky-way.com
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Annie C
"Andrew Barss" <ba...@mint.u.arizona.edu> wrote in message
news:eiemmi$2c0$1...@onion.ccit.arizona.edu...
The nasturtium blossoms are considered edible (taste is spicy-peppery) and
safe. Also the blossoms are quite nutritious with 10x the Vitamin C of
lettuce. Everything I've read says that both the blossoms and leaves are
safe, though it's the blossoms that are most commonly consumed in salads,
etc..
On the other hand, some highly toxic flowers are azaleas, belladonna, calla
lily, castor bean, crocus, daphne, foxglove, larkspur, lily-of-the-valley,
nightshade, and rhododendron.
As an aside, did you know there was actually an assassination carried out in
London of a communist defector in 1978 who was killed by poison dart filled
with Ricin (extracted from deadly Castor Beans) and fired from an umbrella!
(Sounds like something made up for a thriller movie plot!) Some fascinating
stuff about ricin and its deadly potential...
http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/reports/ricin_chron.htm That nasty castor oil
that some were given as children is an extract from the seeds.. and believe
it or not, the plant is actually making a comeback on the landscaping scene.
It's a really beautiful, though quite deadly plant
http://msucares.com/news/print/sgnews/sg02/sg020715.html
Who knew? I had two of these castors growing in my Southern garden about a
decade ago!
Annie
Lauradog
"Annie C" <cher...@NOSPAMARAMAmindspring.com> wrote in message
news:MUJ2h.1513$L6....@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> As an aside, did you know there was actually an assassination carried out
in
> London of a communist defector in 1978 who was killed by poison dart
filled
> with Ricin (extracted from deadly Castor Beans) and fired from an
umbrella!
> (Sounds like something made up for a thriller movie plot!) Some
fascinating
> stuff about ricin and its deadly potential...
> http://cns.miis.edu/pubs/reports/ricin_chron.htm That nasty castor oil
> that some were given as children is an extract from the seeds.. and
believe
> it or not, the plant is actually making a comeback on the landscaping
scene.
> It's a really beautiful, though quite deadly plant
> http://msucares.com/news/print/sgnews/sg02/sg020715.html
>
> Who knew? I had two of these castors growing in my Southern garden about a
> decade ago!
>
> Annie
>
(or at least chewed on it), and threw up 37 times.
Sue D.
Thelma Lubkin
: On the other hand, some highly toxic flowers are azaleas, belladonna, calla
: nightshade, and rhododendron.
Autumn, or meadow, crocus has poisonous leaves.
Saffron crocus is poisonous only to your pocketbook.
--thelma
: Annie
Lynn allen
> My mother often told the story of how my second brother ate a castor bean
> (or at least chewed on it), and threw up 37 times.
Okay, the poor kid is heaving his guts out, and your mom is COUNTING?
Wow...that would be a great detail for a mystery novel. ;)
Lymaree
Kat R
> "Kat R" <null....@lycos.com> wrote in message
> news:mfKdnd4NNaZA8NfY...@comcast.com...
>> Richard Burke wrote:
>>> I came across this on "Wired" recently:
>>>
>>> <http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html>
>>>
>>> To quote the site: "Hemingway once wrote a story in just six words ("For
>>> sale: baby shoes, never worn.") and is said to have called it his best
>>> work. So we asked sci-fi, fantasy, and horror writers from the realms of
>>> books, TV, movies, and games to take a shot themselves."
>>>
>>> Some of the stories are fun, some are garbage - but I wondered if we
>>> could do the same thing with crime and mystery? I think the best
>>> 'stories' are the ones (like Hemingway's) that make you ask quite
>>> specific and personal questions about the context - and then answer them
>>> for yourselves, painting in a whole world of fact and emotion bit by bit.
>>>
>>> Who's wants to give it a try?
>> Most of what I've read of the ones on Wired (and elsewhere) aren't really
>> stories so much as interesting pitch lines, or opening lines. They rarely
>> compose a whole story as well as the Hemingway one does. I tried one, for
>> some friends, but I don't care for it:
>>
>> Nasturtium leaves--supposedly non-toxic. My bad.
>>
> Aren't nasturtium leaves really harmless. I seem to recall seeing them used
> in salads? Take care
Yes, exactly.
Lauradog
"Lynn allen" <ly...@NOT-semiotics.com> wrote in message
news:1ho7yyt.rtocjvv9fvxiN%ly...@NOT-semiotics.com...
Well, this was back in the late 20s or early 30s, they lived on a farm in
the middle of nowhere inWestern Kansas. She counted as my father drove them
to the nearest doctor - a 60 mile trip.
Sue D.
Wesley Struebing
wrote:
Indeed! Who would it be - Monk - who would care?
<g>
Dave in Toronto
(Wonder if anyone else remembers that Playboy cartoon).
Dave in Toronto
Bridget
Jr@Ease
Weary, Over Many a Quaint and Curious Forgotten Post, and then wrote:
--------------------------------------------------------------
>Press it - no, not that one -
>
>____
>Richard Burke
><www.richardburke.co.uk>
Similarly
Cut the green wire. NO! THE...
Dave in Toronto
Bridget wrote:
> On deadline date author found dead.
"Headless corpse found in topless bar"
(Actual headline in a tabloid.)
Dave in Toronto
Dave in Toronto
They couldn't hit an elephant at this dis.....
(That's seven and a half words. Sorry.)
Dave in Toronto
Don Harstad
"Richard Burke" <in...@richardburke.co.uk> wrote in message
news:info-003DBE.1...@europe.isp.giganews.com...
Don H.
Bridget
Bridget
I love the Oops!
Chris F.A. Johnson
Disqualified; that is only four words! ;)
--
Chris F.A. Johnson <http://cfaj.freeshell.org>
===================================================================
Author:
Shell Scripting Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach (2005, Apress)
Barbara Wolfe
>
> As an aside, did you know there was actually an assassination carried out in
> London of a communist defector in 1978 who was killed by poison dart filled
> with Ricin (extracted from deadly Castor Beans) and fired from an umbrella!
> (Sounds like something made up for a thriller movie plot!)
Somewhere or t'other I have a news clipping about this, I
think. I know
I cut the story out when it happened because it was so fascinating and ultra
spy-ish for a real event. I've never forgotten it because it was my
first realiza-
tion that some of the more preposterous fictional things could be true.
Barbara
Bridget
<cfajo...@gmail.com> wrote:
>On 2006-11-05, Bridget wrote:
>> On Sat, 4 Nov 2006 20:37:50 -0600, "Don Harstad"
>><dhar...@alpinecom.net> wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"Richard Burke" <in...@richardburke.co.uk> wrote in message
>>>news:info-003DBE.1...@europe.isp.giganews.com...
>>>>I came across this on "Wired" recently:
>>>>
>>>> <http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>Three bullets, but four assailants. Oops.
>>>
>> I love the Oops!
>
> Disqualified; that is only four words! ;)
Oops I did it again. BANG!!
Chris F.A. Johnson
Luckily, you only had three bullets! ;)
Mark Alan Miller
She tastes like chicken, he grumbled.
No beans for the getaway driver.
Mark Alan Miller
Wesley Struebing
<cfajo...@gmail.com> wrote:
>On 2006-11-06, Bridget wrote:
>> On Sat, 4 Nov 2006 22:49:48 -0500, "Chris F.A. Johnson"
>><cfajo...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>On 2006-11-05, Bridget wrote:
>>>> On Sat, 4 Nov 2006 20:37:50 -0600, "Don Harstad"
>>>><dhar...@alpinecom.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>"Richard Burke" <in...@richardburke.co.uk> wrote in message
>>>>>news:info-003DBE.1...@europe.isp.giganews.com...
>>>>>>I came across this on "Wired" recently:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> <http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>Three bullets, but four assailants. Oops.
>>>>>
>>>> I love the Oops!
>>>
>>> Disqualified; that is only four words! ;)
>> Oops I did it again. BANG!!
>
> Luckily, you only had three bullets! ;)
No bullets and still alive? OOOPS!
Hurricane7
Patricia
[to email remove the knot]
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Catherine Fiorello
You are a sick, sick man--and we love you for it!
--
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Lauradog
"Hurricane7" <hurri...@rogers.com> wrote in message
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Sue D.
Jim Richardson
Wesley Struebing <str...@carpedementem.org> wrote:
> On Sun, 5 Nov 2006 20:04:18 -0500, "Chris F.A. Johnson"
><cfajo...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>On 2006-11-06, Bridget wrote:
>>> On Sat, 4 Nov 2006 22:49:48 -0500, "Chris F.A. Johnson"
>>><cfajo...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>On 2006-11-05, Bridget wrote:
>>>>> On Sat, 4 Nov 2006 20:37:50 -0600, "Don Harstad"
>>>>><dhar...@alpinecom.net> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>"Richard Burke" <in...@richardburke.co.uk> wrote in message
>>>>>>news:info-003DBE.1...@europe.isp.giganews.com...
>>>>>>>I came across this on "Wired" recently:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> <http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/sixwords.html>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>Three bullets, but four assailants. Oops.
>>>>>>
>>>>> I love the Oops!
>>>>
>>>> Disqualified; that is only four words! ;)
>>> Oops I did it again. BANG!!
>>
>> Luckily, you only had three bullets! ;)
>
> No bullets and still alive? OOOPS!
>
Bother, said Pooh, racking the slide.
--
Jim Richardson http://www.eskimo.com/~warlock
You know the system is fubared, when politics dictates to science.
ell...@webtv.net
She's loaded. Big wedding. Memo: Insurance.
"Take my wife--please. No, really."
"No problem. I fixed the brakes."
Ellen C
MJMC
"Hey, is this thing really loaded?"
"Oh no, that's definitely not poisonous."
<ell...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:3898-45...@storefull-3213.bay.webtv.net...
Rik Shepherd
(okay, that's really less a story than the first half of Chandler's Simple
Art of Murder essay...)
Barbara Wolfe
>
> Googling "ricin Bulgarian assassination" brings up heaps of
> references. Here's one:
>
> http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/europe/01/07/terror.poison.bulgarian/
Cool! Thanks.
Barbara
Joan in GB-W
"Mitchy" <Mi...@orien.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:HTUHA$BSckSFFw$Z...@orien.demon.co.uk...
> Aristocrat killed: the butler did it
>
> --
> Mitchy
Most of what I'm reading here are not really stories. Mitchy's seems the
best so far, and I've only just started going through them. Most of what
I'm seeing are simply sentences with a referenced to a crime and not
stories.
Joan
Fran Read
>
> Most of what I'm reading here are not really stories. Mitchy's seems the
> best so far, and I've only just started going through them. Most of what
> I'm seeing are simply sentences with a referenced to a crime and not
> stories.
> Joan
Isn't this where you're supposed to change the subject heading to "Mitchy is
the Best"?
--
Mitchy
----------------------------------------------------------
Some days it just isn't worth gnawing through the straps
----------------------------------------------------------
Pogonip
Fran
Joan in GB-W
Well this one's not a mystery, and also it's not original. I'll just steal
six words from Plutarch, that is the words he put into the mouth of J.C.
(make that Julius Caesar) after winning some battle or other.
I came
I saw
I conquered.
Now in the original Latin we are down to three words, Veni, vidi, vici. I
doubt anyone can best that.
Oh, well, I'll try.
Eat shit. Die.
Joan
Pogonip
--
Joanne
stitches @ singerlady.reno.nv.us.earth.milky-way.com
http://members.tripod.com/~bernardschopen/