The Cassandra Complex

I was having a natter with Cthu1hu at lunch on one of our regular walks, and he mentioned that Wired had just published an interesting article of six word stories by various authors, including the fantabulous Joss Whedon. So I went looking for it and found it here.

In Wired's words, here's the reason for the contest: Hemingway once wrote a story in just six words ("For sale: baby shoes, never worn.") and is said to have called it his best work. So we asked sci-fi, fantasy, and horror writers from the realms of books, TV, movies, and games to take a shot themselves.

Here are my favourites from the list:

Gown removed carelessly. Head, less so.
- Joss Whedon (my hero!)

Computer, did we bring batteries? Computer?
- Eileen Gunn

Machine. Unexpectedly, I’d invented a time
- Alan Moore (hehe, clever)

We kissed. She melted. Mop please!
- James Patrick Kelly

It’s behind you! Hurry before it
- Rockne S. O’Bannon

Lie detector eyeglasses perfected: Civilization collapses.
- Richard Powers

I’m dead. I’ve missed you. Kiss … ?
- Neil Gaiman

The baby’s blood type? Human, mostly.
- Orson Scott Card

Kirby had never eaten toes before.
- Kevin Smith

TIME MACHINE REACHES FUTURE!!! … nobody there …
- Harry Harrison

Batman Sues Batsignal: Demands Trademark Royalties.
- Cory Doctorow

Bush told the truth. Hell froze.
- William Gibson

whorl. Help! I'm caught in a time
- Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel

God to Earth: “Cry more, noobs!”
- Marc Laidlaw (hahahahaha!)

Help! Trapped in a text adventure!
- Marc Laidlaw

Bang postponed. Not Big enough. Reboot.
- David Brin

Will this do (lazy writer asked)?
- Ken MacLeod

MUD avatars rebel: virtual Independence Day.
- Paul Di Filippo

There were only six words left.
- Gregory Maguire

Starlet sex scandal. Giant squid involved.
- Margaret Atwood

He read his obituary with confusion.
- Steven Meretzky

Steve ignores editor's word limit and
- Steven Meretzky

Dorothy: "Fuck it, I'll stay here."
- Steven Meretzky