Microstories, Drabbles, and Dribbles

C. L. Nichols
1 day ago
4 min read

Every Word Counts and Brevity is King.

When you’re short on time but big on ideas, why not try a quickie?

Ever felt like you don’t have time to write a full story? Maybe you’re looking for a new writing challenge? Try microfiction, where every word counts and brevity is king.

Microstories: Big Impact in a Small Package

Microstories are under 1,000 words in length. They’re like literary espresso shots. They’re quick, potent, and leave you thinking.

What makes a good microstory?

A clear beginning, middle, and end

Vivid details

A twist ending

Character development

She stared at the wilting roses, a gift from her husband last week. ‘I’m leaving,’ he’d said this morning. She touched a petal; it fell. She reached for her phone, dialed a number she’d memorized years ago. ‘Mom? Can I come home?’ The roses crumbled as she packed.

This tiny tale has a whole relationship arc, showing the end of a marriage and a return to childhood safety. It uses the imagery of dying flowers to mirror the relationship’s decay.

Drabbles: The 100-Word Challenge

A drabble is exactly 100 words long. Not 99, not 101. This strict limit forces writers to be precise with their word choice.

Tips for writing drabbles:

Start with a longer draft, then cut mercilessly

Use strong verbs to replace adverb-verb combinations

Cut unnecessary adjectives

Make every word earn its place

The last customer left. Sarah locked the door, flipped the sign to ‘Closed,’ and sighed. Another day, another dollar . Barely. She tallied the register, frowning at the meager total. Bills piled up at home; her daughter needed new shoes. Sarah’s gaze fell on the safe. Just once, she thought. No one would know. Her hand hovered over the keypad. The phone rang, startling her. ‘Mom? When are you coming home?’ Sarah’s hand dropped. ‘Soon, sweetie. I’m on my way.’ She turned off the lights and left, locking temptation behind her.

This drabble creates a story arc with character development, conflict, and resolution.

Dribbles: The 50-Word Sprint

At just 50 words, Dribbles are the shortest of these forms. They’re like literary haikus. Every word must be essential.

Crafting a dribble:

Focus on a single moment

Use punctuation to convey more with less

Imply backstory

End with a punch

He proposed on our first date. I laughed, thinking it was a joke. He didn’t. Five years later, I said yes to someone else. As I walked down the aisle, I saw him in the back row. He smiled sadly, then slipped away. I hesitated, just for a moment.

This 50-word story hints at years of history and conflicting emotions, letting the reader imagine what happens next.

Why Write Micro?

These tiny tales are complete stories that pack an emotional wallop. They’re great for:

Social media sharing

Building a daily writing habit

Experimenting with new genres or styles

Honing your editing skills

Compression: Crafting Microfiction

Writing microfiction is like creating a miniature painting. Every brushstroke matters, and there’s no room for excess.

1. Start with action You don’t have the luxury of lengthy introductions. Drop your readers right into the action. This makes the most of your limited word count.

The bomb ticked. Sarah’s hands shook as she cut the red wire. Or was it the blue? Sweat dripped onto the timer. Three seconds left.

2. Use implication What you don’t say becomes as important as what you do. Imply backstory, relationships, and emotions.

He placed the ring on the mantelpiece, next to her photo. ‘I’m sorry,’ he whispered. The door clicked shut behind him. In the silence, the diamond caught the light, throwing rainbows on the wall where their wedding photo used to hang.

3. Choose specific, evocative details Every word in your micro-story needs to pull its weight. Choose details that set the scene but also convey emotion.

The teddy bear sat in the empty crib, its once-bright fur now faded and matted. A thin layer of dust covered everything. In the hallway, a suitcase waited.

4. Use strong verbs There’s no space for flowery language. Specific verbs convey action efficiently.

She trudged through the snow, shivering. The cabin loomed ahead. Inside, embers glowed. He waited, ax in hand.

5. Create a surprise ending A twist gives extra impact, leaving the reader thinking.

“I do,” she said, smiling at her new husband. The ceremony was perfect: white dress, roses, teary-eyed relatives. She kissed him deeply as the crowd cheered. Later, alone in the hotel room, she opened her laptop and typed: ‘Mission accomplished. Target married. Awaiting further instructions.’ She hit send.

6. Experiment with structure The brevity of microfiction allows for creative structuring. Tell a story entirely in dialogue, or one that moves backwards in time.

“Did you do it?”“Yes.”“Any problems?”“No.”“The money’s been transferred.”“Good.”“One more thing.”“What?”“There’s been a change of plans.”“What do you mean?”“The next target is you.”“Wait ...“<click>

7. Focus on a single moment or emotion You don’t have space to cover a long period of time. Focus on a single moment to create an impact.

The diagnosis hung in the air between them. She reached for his hand. He pulled away, stood up, walked to the window. Outside, children laughed in the playground. Inside, the clock ticked loudly.

8. Use the title effectively The title can do heavy lifting. It provides context, sets the scene, or can even be part of the story.

Title: The Last Human on Earth

He tended the garden carefully, savoring the feel of soil between his fingers. A shadow fell across the plants. He looked up, smiling. “Welcome back.”

9. Practice, practice, practice Like any form of writing, microfiction improves with practice. Challenge yourself to write a micro-story every day. You might be surprised at how quickly your skills improve.

Crafting Your Micro Masterpiece

Choose your form (microstory, drabble, or dribble)

Pick a single scene to focus on

Write a rough draft without worrying about word count

Edit ruthlessly

Polish your language

Check your word count and adjust as needed

Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasing

Share your tiny tale

Impact is the key. Leave the reader thinking, feeling, or wondering.

The goal of microfiction isn’t just to tell a story in few words. Create a complete emotional experience for the reader and hint at larger truths. Whether it’s a microstory, drabble, or dribble, you'll be surprised at how much story you can pack into a few words.