Short Story Blues

“Step right over here, folks…”1

Why was I doing this? Why in all things sacred was I writing a short story using that prompt? It was terrible! There was only one conclusion to that question and that was that my teacher was completely nuts. Then again, I must be insane for doing it.2

“Step right over here folks! Come meet the amazing—” That was going to be done by someone. A carnival scene was probably going to be the most unoriginal piece using this prompt. I crumpled up the paper and threw it into the waste paper basket.3

I could do a story about a ghost house, maybe. But that went along with the carnival. Curses. But then again, I could turn it into a murder mystery! “Argh!” I was no good at mystery. Horror maybe? Nah.4

I looked over the prompt again. ¬Write a story beginning with the phrase “Step right over here, folks.” The teacher couldn’t think of anything better? I would have rather been daydreaming than this. Someone should have slapped the guy who hired my English teacher.5

That blank sheet of paper became annoying to look at. It’s little blue lines and that perfectly straight red one on the vertical. I was ready to tear my hair out. I could do something about daydreaming, possibly. But no, that wouldn’t work either. He expected something unoriginal.6

My classmates were all busy and I was still stuck on the first line. They one next to me had already a page and a half. And it was a carnival scene, too. That kid would get an “A” in here. Someone should have slapped him too.7

What was I going to write? Time was running out and then it would be time to hand in the paper, or lack thereof in my case. Furiously, I started scribbling. The teacher was coming up the row, looking over shoulders and getting ready to call time. My pencil almost broke, but I caught myself in time so I wouldn’t have to sharpen it.8

“Time.” That was that. I looked over my paper, not satisfied. It followed the rules, but it was a crappy piece of writing. It started like this:9

“‘Step right over here, folks…’10

“Why was I doing this? Why in all things sacred was I writing a short story using that prompt? It was terrible! There was only one conclusion…”11

Author notes

This was written for a prompt: Write a short story using "Step right over here, folks" as your first line.

It sort of fits with that one thing that one person said, "Words, once they are printed, have a life of their own." After all, it really came alive.

A contest entry

Tell me: Has this ever happened to you?

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    Comment Suggestion: What is your your first impression?
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Comments

1 - 15 of 15

  • AthenazeBeauty
    September 30
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    Coolio. It was kind of silly, but in a good way. I chuckled at a few parts. Good luck!


  • DarkOneShadow
    April 22, 2008

    Edit | Reply

    Oh yeah... all the time

    Sometimes the english teacher made you do adjectives and three nouns in it as well... it got alot of groans.

    DarkOne


  • RxxSpiritWolfxxJ
    April 15, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    Hmm...yea! In high school, I used to hate all the corny prompts they gave us - all the stories invetably ended up being generic!!

    Good work and good luck!

    Cheers,
    Randy.


  • Rosemary silver member
    April 12, 2008
    Edit | Reply

    Interesting point of view

    Thank you for entering my contest and good luck.


  • Toxic Paradox
    February 8, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    The opening is highly arresting. I love the idea of writing a story concerning writing a story. It's like a picture within a picture... It could get very confusing, think you not?

    I like your narrator too, because they're not concerned with grades, rather than their own integrity. It's funny.

    And yeah, you brought that prompt alive!

    Thanks for entering my contest, I had fun reading your [short] story


  • yumesandman
    January 4, 2008

    Edit | Reply
    This is definitely something easy to relate to, as I think anyone who writes has encountered a prompt before they just could not stand. The sarcasm is also quite refreshing.

    In parts the rant is a little...unoriginal, as I can recall reading similar things before. So when you come back to revise in the future, try adding something that is uniquely you, because at the moment it's rather generic.

    But overall I enjoyed reading it.


  • deepak-maini
    December 3, 2007

    Edit | Reply

    Good

    I liked the idea and it was marginally funny, too, so good job. However, you could have done better. The so called 'rant' of the narrator is quite evident and makes the piece a little rough to read. You should work, if you want, to make it a little easier on the senses.
    The grammar is off at a couple of places, but that's not a big deal.
    Good work and good luck in the contest.
    Thanks for taking part in it.


  • Olinda
    November 6, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    really good!!

    I really like this peice!! Amazing description!! Thanx for joining!!


  • happy go lucky13
    October 5, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    very clever

  • ohemeegeeay
    August 4, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    This was good. I liked the way it concluded, I wasn't expecting that. I hope that person got an A! Then again, last time I mentioned something about slapping my English teacher... Yeah, didn't go down well. Now my entire class thinks I'm a maniac.

    Am I burbling? I'm burbling.

    There were a few grammar mistakes, and a few repeated words, but generally, it was good.

    Thanks for entering, good luck!


  • Shiny
    May 30, 2007
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    hehe. Great peice there. very funny. good gramar use, no mistakes and above all.. FUNNY!!!! Great work.


  • L3
    May 7, 2007
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    LOL brilliant! Very funny. Perfect humor, perfect timing. The whole thing was just plain brilliant!

  • MDavid
    March 22, 2007

    Edit | Reply
    Liked it wish I could have squeezed it in for an award. Maybe next time with another story. Good job.


  • Seachelle
    March 17, 2007
    Edit | Reply
    This was funny! I loved it ( though it was kind of a random story lol )

    I didn't see any mistakes and I liked your humor, especially about the slapping part...lol! Keep writing and good luck in the contest!
    <3
    Ana


  • beezy92
    March 15, 2007
    Edit | Reply

    WOW!

    that's freakin brilliant! i luv the slapping thing i completely follw you there (= i love this good job! and good luck in the conest, thanks for entering (=

    no applauses cause i dont do that in contests but if i give you three applauses here! (=

1 - 15 of 15