Joyce Dunn

55 Word Exercise



Posted: Wednesday, October 28, 2009

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Recently David Martin, editor of Fine Lines magazine, issued a challenge to his special editors; write a story using 55 words or less. The exercise can be helpful for people like me who get overly enamored with adjectives and adverbs. It helps to hone your writing, and remove what is superflous.

Fine Lines is currently sponsoring a contest for a 55 word piece of fiction. If you are interested, go to www.finelines.org. I didn't enter this in the contest because it isn't fiction. For the past several years my son has sponsored a toy drive for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He overheard this comment when the toys from the first toy drive were being delivered.

A CHILD'S BELIEF

He is born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, America's most impoverished area.

Food is scarce, shelter is poor. Mom tells him that Santa may forget them this year.

A white man's heart is touched. A truckload of toys is delivered.

He tugs her hand and says, "See Mom, I told you Santa wouldn't forget."

Joyce has been writing for her own enjoyment for many years, and only in the past few years has gained the courage to "go public" with her writing. She has had two books published, and is involved with the Fine Lines magazine as a special editor. Her writing primarily reflects her own experiences, or the life experiences she has observed in others. She has her own blog, New Post on my blog: http://jottingsfromjoyce.over-blog.com/ Then click on " view comments" in the green box to read the blog.

Her website is www.strinz.com/healing.

Joyce would like to add that she always welcomes constructive criticism comments.

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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)
» left by Carolyn Tytler
 2 years 82 days ago.
34 fans.
A very interesting idea, Joyce. I'll try it!
» left by Nenita Wells
 2 years 78 days ago.
302 fans.
Great article Joyce. Thank you for sharing this very timely piece for Thanksgiving. Congratulations for "Jean's Pick of the Day" and for the ribbon. Have a wonderful day! ~Nenita~
» left by Joyce Dunn 2 years 78 days ago.
34 fans.
Thanks Nenita. Glad you enjoyed it. It's kind of a fun exercise.
» left by Kacy Carr
 2 years 77 days ago.
Hi Joyce this article is well deserving of the 4 gold star rating and placement as featured author
 
Keep well
 
Kacy
» left by Joyce Dunn 2 years 77 days ago.
34 fans.
Kacy, thank you so much for that great compliment.
» left by Kacy Carr 2 years 77 days ago.
No thank you's to be given Joyce because like I said "Deserving"
 
Stay safe
 
Kacy
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