Win Cash Prizes & Get Professional Feedback @ Flash Fiction Magazine
Learn More
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

101 Words

101 Word Short Stories

  • Subscribe
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Volunteer

Coffee Stain

September 2, 2021 7 Comments

By Eurielle

I stumbled across a fascinating read in a dark corner of the library. It was tucked into the slimmest book on the shelf. A coffee stain had soaked into the first page, its shape smeared by closing the cover. The dampness of the paper and the sweet bitterness lingering in the scent suggested that the stain was recent. Intrigued, I brought the book to my table by the window and flipped to the next page. There I found a note that read, ā€˜I’m sorry if the coffee stain bothers you, but this was the only way I could catch your attention.’

Share this:

  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
  • Share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads
  • Share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky
  • Share on X (Opens in new window) X
  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • More
  • Share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
  • Share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • Share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
  • Share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
  • Share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor
  • Share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest

The Power of Imagery with Nina Schuyler

September 12 & 13 on Zoom
Enrollment closes Thursday, September 3 at 7:00 PM Pacific

If your descriptions are vivid but your stories still feel thin, this workshop is for you.

Join award-winning author Nina Schuyler to learn the difference between description, which tells a reader what things look like, and imagery, which carries plot, character, and meaning at the same time.

In just two days, you'll learn to choose images that hold emotion without naming it, pair them so each one deepens the other, and build patterns that gather meaning as the story moves.

Learn More and Enroll

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Archibald Hobbs says

    September 2, 2021 at 7:19 am

    Intriguing….

    Reply
  2. Robert H says

    September 2, 2021 at 8:32 am

    Henceforth, I’m shall do this with every query letter sent to prospective agents.

    Now – to stain an email with coffee?

    Reply
    • Robert H says

      September 2, 2021 at 8:33 am

      Or I could just NOT proofread my comments.

      Facepalm!

      Reply
  3. nancy liddle says

    September 2, 2021 at 9:37 pm

    feels like a circle – great story. What happens next???? thank you.

    Reply
  4. Kelly Louisa Balliu says

    September 4, 2021 at 4:31 am

    Ooo would love to read on…

    Reply
  5. Valli says

    September 6, 2021 at 9:15 am

    Great little story with the promise of something new… well done…

    Reply
  6. dlherrmann says

    September 8, 2021 at 7:42 pm

    The stain was just for him/her???? The note was a hoot!

    dlh…

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Search Stories

The end.