Flash, Short Prose, Very Short Story

Ten Dollar Words

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

A few years ago, I wrote a story I really loved.
I knew I wanted to use it again today but needed
to chop off about 150 words to make it work.
I sure hope it’s as good today as it was then.
This is Friday Fictioneers and here is my story.

Photo Prompt © Dale Rogerson

“Papa, you said we were going fly fishing! What’s taking so long?”

Eight-year-old Lorian stood at the entrance to her grandfather’s study. Arms folded significantly across her chest, she stared at his typewriter willing it to spontaneously combust.

“Listen, kiddo. I’ve got to keep one step ahead of that goddamn Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words? He says I don’t know the $10 words. I know them. But there are older, simpler, and better words. Those are the ones I use.”

Lorian knew not to tell Papa that her mother was reading Faulkner’s newest book.

NAR©2025
100 Words

This is “Havana Daydreamin’” by Jimmy Buffett

13 June 2025

All text, graphics and videos are copyright for Nancy’s Notes 🖊️🎶, The Sicilian Storyteller, The Elephant’s Trunk, The Rhythm Section, et al., and are not to be used without permission. NAR©2017-present.

40 thoughts on “Ten Dollar Words”

  2. Nancy, I just learned that Hemingway had 12 grandchildren and it was cool to see Lorian (when young) featured here and I liked the feeling of competition between two great authors – also, you had me thinking about the difference with “$10 words” versus “older, simpler ones” – I am curious as to what the cut put content was….

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      1. well thank you – and that version sure had a lot more – like the clothing and tomboy part of Lorian – it was nice to compare both – and as good as the extra details were – I prefer the version of 100 words for FF…
        but it could be primary or anchoring bias (tendency to “anchor” on the first story version I read) hahahah

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