How to Approach This Lesson
Welcome to this writing workout! The best way to use this guide is to follow along actively. Don’t just read the steps; grab a pen and paper or open a new document and try each stage yourself. We’re going to break down the art of writing a very short, impactful story. By the end, you’ll have a framework you can use to tackle any creative writing prompt that requires brevity and a clever idea, a common feature in many English proficiency exams.
The Challenge and The Plan
Alright, let’s talk about the task. We need to write a complete story in just 100 words. And to make it interesting, the entire story needs to turn on a single, surprising twist at the end. This is a fantastic exercise in precision and planning. You can’t waste a single word.
Sounds tough? It can be, but it’s also a lot of fun. It’s like a puzzle. You have to give the reader just enough information to lead them down one path, only to reveal at the last second that they were on the wrong path all along.
So, how do we build this puzzle? Here’s our plan:
- Start with the Twist: This might sound backward, but the best way to write a twist ending is to know what it is before you write anything else. We’ll brainstorm a few surprising reveals first.
- Set the Scene (Misinformed): Once we have our twist, we’ll write the beginning and middle of the story. Our goal here is to carefully mislead the reader. We’ll plant clues that seem to point in one direction.
- Draft One – The Word Spill: We’ll write a first version without worrying too much about the 100-word limit. We’ll just get the story down.
- Refine and Cut – The 100-Word Diet: This is the crucial step. We will trim every unnecessary word, enhance our vocabulary, and make sure the twist lands with maximum impact right at the 100-word mark.
Let’s get started.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Crafting the Twist
Step 1: Start with the Twist
The twist is the secret you’re keeping from the reader. It’s the “Aha!” moment. A good twist re-contextualizes everything the reader has just read. Let’s brainstorm a few ideas. The key is to think about a situation from an unexpected perspective.
- A character mourning a pet… is actually a flea.
- Two lovers writing letters to each other… are prisoners in adjacent cells.
- A detective investigating a murder… realizes he is the ghost of the victim.
- Someone meticulously packing a bag for a trip… is actually a burglar robbing the house.
Let’s go with that last one. It has a nice visual element and a clear contrast between the assumed action (preparing for a trip) and the real action (committing a crime).
Our Twist: The character isn’t packing their own bag; they are robbing the house.
Step 2: Set the Scene (with Misdirection)
Now we need to write the setup. We want to describe the action of packing, but use language that could fit both a traveler and a burglar. This is where word choice is everything.
We’ll focus on words that create a sense of care and precision. A traveler is careful not to forget anything. A burglar is careful not to make a sound or leave a trace.
Clues that mislead:
- Mentioning expensive items (jewelry, electronics) – a traveler would pack these.
- Describing careful movements – a traveler is organized, a burglar is stealthy.
- A sense of urgency – a traveler might be late for a flight; a burglar needs to be quick.
Step 3: Draft One – The Word Spill (No Word Limit Yet)
Let’s just write it out, focusing on the misleading clues.
Bad Example (Too Obvious):
He moved silently through the dark house. He grabbed the expensive necklace from the jewelry box and put it in the bag. He took the laptop from the desk. He had to be quick before the owners came back. He carefully zipped up the bag he found in the closet.
This has no twist. It’s just a description of a burglary. We need to hide the crime in plain sight.
First Draft (with misdirection):
He folded the silk shirts with an expert’s touch, laying them gently inside the leather suitcase. Next came the jewelry, each piece wrapped in tissue paper and tucked into a side pocket. He added the laptop, its charger, and a first-edition book from the nightstand. He worked quickly, a familiar adrenaline coursing through him. Everything had to be perfect for the morning’s departure. He gave the room one last scan, satisfied. A shame he wouldn’t be the one to enjoy the trip. He zipped the bag shut and slipped out the window.
This is much better! The first part sounds exactly like someone packing. The phrase “morning’s departure” is a great piece of misdirection. But it’s way too long. Now for the hard part.
Step 4: Refine and Cut – The 100-Word Diet
Our first draft is around 107 words, but the ending is also a bit clunky. The sentence “A shame he wouldn’t be the one to enjoy the trip” explains the twist too much. The twist should be in the final action. Let’s make it punchier.
We need to cut words and sharpen our descriptions.
- “folded the silk shirts with an expert’s touch, laying them gently inside” -> “He folded the silk shirts expertly, layering them” (Saves words, more active)
- “each piece wrapped in tissue paper and tucked into a side pocket” -> “The jewelry followed, nestled in tissue.” (More evocative, fewer words)
- “He added the laptop, its charger, and a first-edition book from the nightstand.” -> “The laptop, the book from the nightstand.” (Let’s be more direct)
- “He worked quickly, a familiar adrenaline coursing through him.” -> This is good, let’s keep it.
- “Everything had to be perfect for the morning’s departure.” -> This is our key misdirection. Let’s try to make it even more natural.
Second Draft (Getting closer):
He folded the silk shirts expertly, layering them inside the leather case. The jewelry followed, each piece nestled in soft tissue. Laptop, first-edition book, the silver cufflinks from the dresser—everything had to be perfect. A familiar adrenaline fueled his quick, precise movements. He allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction, enjoying the quiet order he’d created. The morning’s departure would be a surprise for the owners, certainly. Zipping the bag, he slipped out the window he’d jimmied open.
This is better, but still over 100 words. The twist is also a bit weak. Let’s make the final action the only indicator of the twist. The reveal should be sharp and sudden.
Let’s try one more time, counting every word.
Final Polished Version (100 words):
He folded the silk shirts with an expert’s touch, layering them gently inside the leather suitcase. The jewelry collection followed, each piece nestled in tissue paper. Next, the laptop and the rare first-edition from the nightstand. A familiar adrenaline fueled his quick, precise movements; everything had to be perfect for the departure. He surveyed the neat piles, the satisfying weight of the bag. Such a shame the owners weren’t home to see him off. He zipped the suitcase shut, gave the crowbar by the door a little nudge with his foot, and slipped away.
Let’s check the word count… 98 words. Perfect. The twist is now that last phrase: “gave the crowbar by the door a little nudge.” It re-frames everything before it instantly and powerfully.
Wrap-Up & Your Challenge
So, what did we learn?
- Plan the Twist First: Know your destination before you start the journey.
- Use Misdirection: Choose your words carefully to create a believable, but false, reality for the reader. Every detail should have a double meaning.
- Be Ruthless with Editing: In flash fiction, every single word must earn its place. Cut anything that doesn’t serve the story or the twist.
- Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of saying “it was a twist,” reveal it with a final, surprising action or image.
Your Optional Writing Challenge:
Now it’s your turn. Using the techniques we’ve just practiced, write a 100-word flash fiction piece based on this scenario:
Two people are having a very tense, whispered conversation.
What’s the twist? Are they spies? Children hiding from their parents? Surgeons in an operating theatre? Two actors on stage who have forgotten their lines? The choice is yours. Remember to plan the twist first and make every word count. The only way to get better at writing is, well, to write! Good luck!
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