Flash fiction has grown in popularity. We all know this. But what we don't know is how hard it is actually writing something so short and so well-written. That being said, I like to think 50 to 1 helps that idea develop. This issue, 'LEARNING TO SMILE,' has flat out awesome work by writers who understand the difficulty of writing flash fiction in the realm of Twitter and Facebook. Good work, contributors! Authors include: Frank Gillougley, Nathalie Boisard-Beudin, Michael Robison, Stacey Dye, Linda Manning, CS DeWildt, and Barry Basden. So, as usual, read their work and visit their websites. We're here for you, the reader. The least you could do is enjoy yourself! And, maybe, even spread the word about 50 to 1. Submissions have been slow lately and I would like to change that! Keep them coming! Now go enjoy LEARNING TO SMILE! Thanks for visiting, come again soon.
- Glen
Names of the Dead by Barry Basden
Exhausted after three days of defending the city, the soldier crouched behind a brick wall to write down the names of the dead. There were so many. The wall caved in when a shell struck nearby and he was buried in the rubble without a chance to write his own.
Barry Basden writes mostly short pieces these days. Some have been published in various online and print venues. Some have not. He edits Camroc Press Review at www.camrocpressreview.com.
Exhausted after three days of defending the city, the soldier crouched behind a brick wall to write down the names of the dead. There were so many. The wall caved in when a shell struck nearby and he was buried in the rubble without a chance to write his own.
Barry Basden writes mostly short pieces these days. Some have been published in various online and print venues. Some have not. He edits Camroc Press Review at www.camrocpressreview.com.
1st line by CS DeWildt
When his brother drowned it wasn’t some kind of Ordinary People bullshit; he was happy.
CS DeWildt lives and writes in Tucson AZ, far away from the water. myspace.com/csdewildt.
When his brother drowned it wasn’t some kind of Ordinary People bullshit; he was happy.
CS DeWildt lives and writes in Tucson AZ, far away from the water. myspace.com/csdewildt.
Last Chance by Linda Manning
Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer the economy of mouth-to-mouth. Forget the winding conversations about trends, philosophies, Taoism. Break the cup of Sorrow over the back of simple Truth. Show me intrepid character. Fill me with the breath of life, lest they find us someday a mere crackup of pottery.
Linda Manning is a keeper of animals, flowers, children, and secrets. Formally educated in the hard sciences, she fosters a lifelong awe of the natural world. Her works have appeared in Words of Wisdom, Postcard Shorts and Burst.
Call me old-fashioned, but I prefer the economy of mouth-to-mouth. Forget the winding conversations about trends, philosophies, Taoism. Break the cup of Sorrow over the back of simple Truth. Show me intrepid character. Fill me with the breath of life, lest they find us someday a mere crackup of pottery.
Linda Manning is a keeper of animals, flowers, children, and secrets. Formally educated in the hard sciences, she fosters a lifelong awe of the natural world. Her works have appeared in Words of Wisdom, Postcard Shorts and Burst.
The Land of Lincoln by Stacey Dye
When I saw the words "South Dakota Marble" in the pamphlet, I was drawn to it instantly. The color and shape were so unique for a tombstone. And you, being such an admirer of Honest Abe, made me hope the stone came from somewhere under his purview.
Stacey Dye has written everything from poetry to radio and television ad copy. It wasn’t until three years ago that she truly began to pursue the art of poetry. Her primary focus is the human condition. She has been featured in Camroc Press Review, Seven Beats a Second/Here and Now and Mused, BellaOnline's Literary Journal. She also has pieces upcoming in Dew on the Kudzu and Cafe Del Soul.
When I saw the words "South Dakota Marble" in the pamphlet, I was drawn to it instantly. The color and shape were so unique for a tombstone. And you, being such an admirer of Honest Abe, made me hope the stone came from somewhere under his purview.
Stacey Dye has written everything from poetry to radio and television ad copy. It wasn’t until three years ago that she truly began to pursue the art of poetry. Her primary focus is the human condition. She has been featured in Camroc Press Review, Seven Beats a Second/Here and Now and Mused, BellaOnline's Literary Journal. She also has pieces upcoming in Dew on the Kudzu and Cafe Del Soul.
1st line by Michael Robison
The coffee pot was his, at least Janet couldn't get joint custody of that.
Michael Robison studies politics and Chinese at New York University. More of his writing can be found at professorcharisma.wordpress.com.
The coffee pot was his, at least Janet couldn't get joint custody of that.
Michael Robison studies politics and Chinese at New York University. More of his writing can be found at professorcharisma.wordpress.com.
Slight by Nathalie Boisard-Beudin
His lips pursed - the faux-virginal outfit apparently not meeting with his approval - his survey of my attire a clear censure. Tired of the comedy, I hung the buffoon high and short - with my garter - to the rafters, and walked out of the church a free woman.
Nathalie Boisard-Beudin is French yet living in Rome, Italy, working by day as in-house lawyer for the European Space Agency and by night scribbling furiously, with results being published in several anthologies, magazines and various on-line publications. Details can be found at http://wordofthedayfreshfresh.blogspot.com/ or http://spacedlaw.blogspot.com/.
His lips pursed - the faux-virginal outfit apparently not meeting with his approval - his survey of my attire a clear censure. Tired of the comedy, I hung the buffoon high and short - with my garter - to the rafters, and walked out of the church a free woman.
Nathalie Boisard-Beudin is French yet living in Rome, Italy, working by day as in-house lawyer for the European Space Agency and by night scribbling furiously, with results being published in several anthologies, magazines and various on-line publications. Details can be found at http://wordofthedayfreshfresh.blogspot.com/ or http://spacedlaw.blogspot.com/.
Attachment by Frank Gillougley
Looking down at the dull coins in that deep wooden drawer, envy became a part of him. Too late in the night, those coins flew, scattered from a passing wedding-car window. Letting go of his mother’s hand he ran to fill his pockets, but his fingers stubbed the ground penniless.
Frank Gillougley lives in Glasgow, Scotland. Ever since he was a child, he has always wanted to be a cowboy.
Looking down at the dull coins in that deep wooden drawer, envy became a part of him. Too late in the night, those coins flew, scattered from a passing wedding-car window. Letting go of his mother’s hand he ran to fill his pockets, but his fingers stubbed the ground penniless.
Frank Gillougley lives in Glasgow, Scotland. Ever since he was a child, he has always wanted to be a cowboy.