The Fancy Deep

Thursday, October 6, 2011

The 3-Word Story . . . on a Freeway Overpass


The other day I drove under an overpass (on I-215) and saw a common local phenomena - overpass cup messaging.

I don't usually take much notice of this new form of text messaging because it most often deals with someone's prom or a welcome home for a person I don't know.

This time was different. Above me stretched a three-word message that yanked at my heart--spelled out in red cups were the words, "Dan don't go."

I started asking: Who's Dan? Where is he going? Who loves him so much that they're publicly pleading with him to stay? Immediately, both my mind and heart was pulled into the "story" of Dan, in just three words. This short sentence delivered great emotional punch, suspense and instant conflict = Great storytelling! On an overpass!

Have you ever heard of/read/or written a story in just a few words? Can you create a story in just three? Two? One? Share!