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101 Word Short Stories

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Viridescence

August 25, 2025 7 Comments

By Deni Neighbour

You were a patch of adventure, a green metropolis of marauding insects and angry bees. A proud oak tree stood tall in your middle; its rugged bark engraved with initials of lovers and spun its hanging tyre filled with children’s laughs.

Soft blades of emerald, mingled with bountiful buttercups in the sultry sun. You heralded the chirping of new life, hosted screams at Halloween and guarded precious snowmen. You created the daisy chain of friendships.

Now it’s just grey concrete; cold metal replaced bark. No sunshine, only shadow. Once you were viridescent, but buildings have crushed you and stolen your soul.

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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.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nan says

    August 25, 2025 at 4:39 pm

    So sadly true of many places. Well expressed.

    Reply
    • Mary says

      August 26, 2025 at 4:34 am

      What an amazing story so beautifully written illustrating the wonderfulness of showing not telling….a green metropolis of marauding insects and bees…..its rugged bark engraved with initials of lovers

      One of the best stories that I have read inspiring me with your delivery of many a true story.

      Reply
      • Deni says

        August 26, 2025 at 3:40 pm

        Thank you so much. To hear that is really encouraging for me! Thanks once again!

        Reply
    • Deni says

      August 26, 2025 at 3:39 pm

      Yes, so sad. Hardly any green spaces.

      Reply
  2. Sharon Murphy says

    August 27, 2025 at 6:54 am

    So sad but true. Lovely arrangement of words. Well done.

    Reply
  3. Ed Kratz says

    August 27, 2025 at 1:05 pm

    Very well done. Touched so many areas,

    Reply
    • Deni says

      August 30, 2025 at 1:48 pm

      Thank you.

      Reply

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