Micro Fiction Challenge: Defenestration
Posted by David Duhr in 
Many of you fine WriteByNighters have participated in our Book Club over the past few months, and we’ve had lotsa fun readin’ and interpretin’ with y’all. Though we have no plans to disband said club, we’re gonna try a little something new this week.
With October/November’s Flash Fiction Workshop on the horizon, and Fringe Magazine‘s flash fiction contest (judged by Steve Almond!) in full swing, we figure it’s time to stretch our tiny-fiction muscles. (Note the Very Important Hyphen)
The definition of micro fiction varies, but the most common is a story of 50 words or less. But you know what? We think we can cut that in half and get some kick-ass concise work from you guys. (Papa Hemingway is said to have written a six-word story that goes “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”)
So for this first meeting of the WriteByNight Micro Fiction Club (the WBNMFC) I’ve picked a word that amuses me, and I will ask you to write some micro fiction which includes that word. The word is “defenestrate,” which is defined as “to throw a person or object out of a window.”
(We have a word for that! The English language has a word devoted to the act of throwing another human being out of a window!!)
Your task: Write a 25-word (or less) short story using “defenestrate” in either its verb or its noun (defenestration) form.
Write your story in the comments section below. Use a pseudonym if you’re shy. We’ll post our favorites on Facebook and Twitter, and announce a winner in the following week’s post.
Rice slipped through her fingers as they passed, in a flurry of white lace and organ music. Later, she caught the bouquet and defenstrated it.
(Facebook entry from Betty)
“Listen,” the agent told the disgruntled author, “If you don’t get the hell out of my house, I’ll defenstrate your ass.” He failed to comply. She reacted accordingly.
BASED ON TRUE EVENTS! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/15/pam-van-hylckama-vlieg-attack-agent-author_n_1886696.html
Whoa! That’s stranger than fiction. In fact, I think I remember a similar incident happening in Cloud Atlas, but actually involving a literary agent being shoved out of the window.
“I’m not afraid of falling,” she cried from the window, threatening self-defenestration over our breakup.
“No,” I said while leaving, “falling is the fun part.”
Upon defenestration, I understood the gravity of my situation.
I think this is by far the best one!
“Honey, just wait! I can explain.” she said. Backing away, she felt glass crunch beneath her feet from the last defenenstration by her lover.
Aaron was sick of defenestration. “Enough bullshit,” he said. He picked himself up & climbed back in through the broken window. “THAT,” he said, “is fenestration.”
Defenestration completed, the murderer was paid.
I pulled the phone away from my ear without hanging up on him. I could still hear his voice tinny and angry coming from the tiny speaker during the defenestration.
The night left the highway empty and with all the windows rolled down I felt the speed of my escape through my whipping hair.
I did one FINE I’LL FOLLOW THE RULES VERSION and then the one I wanted to write (the cheat). RULES: The day began before the magistrate Where I told him, “Don’t defenestrate My cat Twinkles from the courtroom!” She did and he’s dead. CHEAT: The day began before the magistrate Where I told him, “Don’t defenestrate My cat Twinkles from the courtroom!” He said, “Don’t you contemplate An outcome worser than the worstest fate, For Twinkles will land without doom.” He tossed the cat without a word And yes, I know it sounds absurd But Twinkles landed on a broom.… Read more »
Hopes and dreams long ago defenestrated, Joan passed the early Autumn days watching them at play outside on the manicured lawn of the nursing home.
I need to update mine…are re-edits allowed???
Defenestration completed: assassin paid, inheritance collected.
To defenestrate, or not to defenestrate… THAT is the question on everyone’s mind as it ebbed closer and closer. “Fuck, it! I’m jumping.” She followed.
Oops, realized I was 4 words over here’s updated one:
I pulled the phone away from my ear. I could still hear his voice tinny and angry coming from the tiny speaker during the defenestration.
The night left the highway empty and with all the windows rolled down I felt the speed of my escape through my whipping hair.
By the way, this was fun!
The art of defenestration was not lost on the seasoned assassin. Suicide is usually what ends up the death certificate. Today will be no different.
Not realizing the window was open, my son defenestrated his iPhone. Losing your temper is not normally a productive event. Unfortunately, this is not fiction.
[…] week we launched the WriteByNight Micro Fiction Club and challenged y’all to write a 25-word-or-less piece of fiction using one of my favorite […]