Fifty-Five 55-Word Stories and Other Stuff!: I'm Now An International Star... Well, Not Exactly!

I was surprised, humbled, and thrilled when I received an email from Mubashir Zaidi, a well-known Pakistani journalist and writer, asking permission to use some of my stories. The cover is his book, Namak Paaray, which is in Urdu and contains a collection of short stories from writers around the globe. The book is named after namak para, a salty crunchy snack popular in Pakistan and India. The short stories could be likened to an intellectual or reading snack.

Click here to go Mr. Mubashir's Website which is in Urdu, but has some stories in English.

How Did 55-Word Stories Originate?

In 1987, Steve Moss, who published New Times, a weekly newspaper, announced a writing contest. Yep, must contain all of the elements of a story, but no more than 55 words. Since then, the idea seems to have taken off. Some folks have modified the concept somewhat; using 100, 500, or other word maximums. Many continue with the 55 limit; in fact, some use exactly 55 words. Yes, their stories are never less nor more than 55 words.

I just went to Wikipedia (June 6, 2011), and sadly learned that Mr. Moss died. This is from Wikipedia… Stephen Donnellan Moss, died on April 24, 2005, of complications of epilepsy.
Mr. Moss was 56.

Please go to Wikipedia to learn more.

A little about me

This is where authors list their past jobs, education, and other bits of information. I always enjoy reading about struggling writers who have a long history of jobs such as dishwashers, cowboys, taxi drivers, waiters, bartenders, warehouse workers, truck drivers, and so on. Yes, struggling to make it as a writer.

I’m surely not in that category. I’ve been putting words down for many years while having, I guess what could be called, somewhat-regular occupations. I just quit working a few years ago at 71 after spending the last almost twenty years working as a mental-health crisis counselor and evaluator. Prior to that, I worked as a salesman after spending almost eight years in the air force many years ago. Yes. I was in Curtis Lemay’s Air Force, repairing radios, navaids, and intercoms on B-47s and B-52s.

No, I’ve never been a cowboy.

My BA in sociology took 14 years from start to finish and I have a few graduate hours in social work.

Hobbies and interests? Of course writing, also enjoy photography though am surely not skilled and like few of my snaps. I have been a somewhat- militant atheist though one of my resolutions for 2016 is to not speak about religion unless someone brings up the subject, and I’m a neophyte skeptic and would like to be a critical thinker, but surely have a way to go. I routinely rail about so-called complementary and alternative medicine, psychics, astrologers, and so on.

Presently, I live with my ten-year-old 80-pound Bouvier puppy. She is overall an OK, but at times demanding and stubborn, companion. She was recently diagnosed with cancer but seems to be doing well after minor surgery. Dr. Andrew Baker, DVM, MRCVS is the nice young fellow who tends to my pup. It’s often said, that having faith is not wanting to know the truth. That said, with Doctor Andrew, I do have faith that he will take care of my pup and give her the best treatment available.

Fifty-Five 55-Word Stories and Other Stuff!

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I'm Now An International Star... Well, Not Exactly!

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