Inspired by author David Mitchell’s Twitter short story The Right Sort, Mashable asked its readers to submit their own short stories in 140 characters or less.
Submissions ranged from sci-fi thrillers to thoughtful asides as writers used the platform to create their own fictitious worlds.
Here are eight of the best winning entries:
Freedom: Boundaries are drawn, stipulations made & awkward silence replaces easy conversation. It is a confining thing, freedom. #MashReads
— eshenayo (@eshenayo) September 18, 2014
Deep breath of cold air. Hold it. Anticipate. Push off, blades crisp on ice. Find the moment. Shoot. Wait.Hope.Pray. Score. #MashReads
— Lindsay Jurisch (@LindsayJurisch) September 18, 2014
The Atweetporals sat staring at one another while telekinetically tweeting secrets from each others' accounts. #MashReads
— Kerry Murphy (@kerry_206) September 27, 2014
As Tessa picked through the rubble she found a picture of the house, drawn by her childhood self. It had survived the blast #MashReads
— Rose Marsh /Stevens (@RoseFMarsh) September 28, 2014
It stood before us a bold mountain, calling us to courage. So we climbed with grace. #MashReads
— Cole Comstock (@CDComstock) September 25, 2014
Orange, yellow, red, brown. Leaves gently dancing to the ground. Crunch, crackle, lovely sound. Jumping into the giant mound. #MashReads
— Carol Arscott (@CarolArscott) September 18, 2014
As sorrow weighs him down like concrete around a drowning man’s feet, he realises immortality is a lonely man’s game. #MashReads
— Kasim Kaey (@kasimkaey) September 18, 2014
Death eclipsed life momentarily.You appear. Silent euphoria. Electric presence. Reality obscured. I watch intently. Breeze. Gone. #MashReads
— Tracey Archer LL.B (@LexGraduatae) September 24, 2014
While not of the high brow literary variety, we couldn't help but smile and remember our own Marian Keyes' tongue-in-cheek romance she shared via Twitter earlier this year.
The Watermelon author availed of emoji symbols to chart Rory McIlroy's relationship with Caroline Wozniacki. Well, you know what they say: A picture paints a thousand words.
