Telling stories is part of being human.

 We all tell stories, every day. Most of us navigate the story of our life on a moment-to-moment basis. There is no plan.  Or, if there IS a plan, something can enter into the plan unexpectedly. In fact, pretty likely something WILL enter into your plan unexpectedly. 

EMBRACE YOUR STORYTELLER
Your story changes daily.  Expecting your life to be the same story as it was 5, 10, 20 years ago is not living in reality.  Knowing HOW to embrace that changing story is where IMPROV comes in.  All of the improv comedy lessons around staying in the moment, listening intently to other people, reading the room, wondering what the audience wants to learn and is curious about and sharing that... so many of the lessons of improv extend to writing on the page.

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MICROFICTION is the way to go! Try it and see!

Microfiction leverages much of what Improvisors use to "write on the spot" - Start in the middle. Show, don't tell. Focus on emotional beats. Give the audience the satisfying end. Try it!

NYC MIDNIGHT - Inspiring Challenges for Storytellers - HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
I've participated in two different microfiction challenges with this group and they are LOTS of FUN, inexpensive to enter, 

My first attempt in 2023 - for the 250-word microfiction challenge - was a 1st round winner!  
My prompts for the story (which I had to write in about 16 hours):
Genre:  Suspense and/or Thriller
Action: Placing an ear on a door
Word: east

''The Executive Assistant'' by Heather Lutkin
WHAT THE JUDGES LIKED:  

1. I really enjoyed THE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT. The mutability of identity, deception and intrigue are handled with aplomb. The use of titles as identifiers, rather than names is also a nice touch.  
2. The action in this piece moves quickly and clearly, helping to hone an engaging pace. 
3. ​I like the character development of Carol in your story. You began the story with an ample amount of her background, the plans, and the suspense that kept me from reading your whole piece. It is a very engaging story in that all the events and details are easy to follow yet still incorporate the main character's conflicts.  

For my 2nd round in the 250-word challenge, my genre was "Comedy" - and so, of course, with my background, I went with a clown story.  Risky, yes, and that choice must of been my undoing, because I think the feedback is good!  
My prompts for the story (which I had to write in about 16 hours):
Genre:  Comedy
Action: Shampooing hair
Word: verge

'A Coupla Swells'' by Heather Lutkin
THE JUDGES LIKED:

1. I very much liked the premise of your story. It is an original idea--a clown as the protagonist is not something I have often seen in my reading and I liked the idea. I thought your closing line was terrific. It is not an original line, however, it is such a perfect fit to the events of your story that it doesn't matter. Well done.   
   
2. You offer an interesting secret peek into the realm of clowns out of character backstage. The chaos and UNglamorous reality poses fascinating insight. The frenzied interaction between the pair adds to the fast-paced insanity of this event. 
3. A really fun read! I loved getting to see what a party just might be like from the clowns' perspectives... An interesting concept and creative take on the prompts for this assignment, to be sure! Very nice attention to detail. From the cake frosting smushed in the wig, thanks to that cold coulrophobe... To the Eight Clown Commandments... To the sudden conga line finale... Excellent world-building throughout! Your story is quite vivid, and I could easily envision it playing out sort of like a goofy short film in my head while I read. Very strong comedic sensibilities, as well. Kudos!  

My 2024 contest fun was for the 100-word microfiction challenge - did not move forward, so I was bummed... but it was a fun creative way to spend a day!
My prompts for the story (which I had to write in about 16 hours):
Genre:  Suspense and/or Thriller
Action: Becoming out of breath
Word: correct

''Runner's High'' by Heather Lutkin 
WHAT THE JUDGES LIKED: 

1. I like the concept of distancing herself from the job itself by running, and I think you do a good job of placing her somewhere interesting with an encroaching sense of danger. The plot is a good foundation, offering us a glimpse into her normal life before the gut punch that she's in real trouble.   
   
2. I loved the creativity of the author in this piece. Stella is such an exciting character to follow and the author does a wonderful job of making her a propulsive character to follow. I loved the way that the author just drops the reader right into the action of the story and gets us caught up on what's going on with ease in a very concise way. Very strong work here, and amazing creativity. 
   
3. I liked how you used vivid detail to describe Stella's surroundings. For example, including she was running through a suburb helped hit home she was running through a maze. I also liked how you added brief, yet important, context about her being a killer for hire.