Tiny Tales: Create Micro-Stories in 50 Words or Less

Ever thought about telling a complete story in just a few sentences? Sometimes less really is more. Try a Dribble.

C. L. Nichols, Author
StoryAngles
Published in
6 min readSep 18, 2024

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Micro-stories typically range up to 1,000 words. For our purposes, we’re talking about stories under 50 words. Call them “sudden stories.” Entire plots, characters, and emotions are condensed into just a handful of sentences.

The 50-word limit is long enough to develop a basic plot or character, but short enough to force writers to be precise with their words. Every single word has to count.

These tiny tales challenge the idea that a story needs to be long. Their brevity makes them impactful. They’re like literary shots of espresso. They leave a lot to the reader’s imagination, letting them fill in the gaps.

Create Your Own Micro Series. Here are some tips to get you started.

Choose a Theme

A unifying theme ties your series together. It could be anything from “love in unexpected places” to “moments of realization” or “the passage of time.”

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