Ten Sentences

I had an epiphany before class last week. Instead of simply giving my students a ten-minute writing prompt, I would change the game up a bit, forcing them to use even more creativity and description. Here is the assignment:

Using only ten sentences, tell us a story with a beginning and ending. Every word should count and contribute to the story. Choose them wisely.

Boy, did they deliver. They submitted some of the tightest work that I have seen from any of them. Really good stuff. The assignment worked so well that we’re doing a version of it again this week.

The other morning, as I was working on my latest Tannhauser story (YES! There’s another one in the works!) I decided to try my hand at the ten-sentence scene/story restriction. I didn’t edit, and it leaped from my fingers to the keyboard.

Submitted for your enjoyment.

Tannhauser – 10 Sentences

“You’re not the one I want,” he screamed at me.

“But I’m the one you have,” I said, leaning on my cane, standing in front of the young store clerk, who was frightened into silence as he waved the gun around, trying to get a shot at her through me.

“You think I won’t kill you,” he sneered, looking at his ex, the woman he’s clearly repeatedly threatened but now gone too far.

“You can try,” I said, gripping the cane that I’ve used to disarm—maim—people with many times before today, “but how sure are you that you’ll be able to pull that trigger before I close this distance, disarm you, and leave you with hickory bruises for your trouble?”

“Man, I will fucking end you,” he said, spittle forming on his lips, flying through the air.

“Are you sure about that,” my voice low and cold, the tone only ever used in Iraq.

“Lonnie,” she cried from behind me, “Don’t do this!”

“Put the gun down, Lonnie,” I said, drawing his attention back to me one last time, “or make your play.”

He looked at me, then his gaze hardened back on her, “You fucking bitch, you ruined my life,” he said, raising his gun hand as I made my move.

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I made my statement to the officer on scene as the ambulance took Lonnie away, numerous bruises covering his body, his nose hickory-broken and bloodied, and me grateful.

–Andrew C. Peterson, “Tannhauser: Ten Sentences”

If you ever want to test your own skills, give this assignment a try.

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