Short Shorts: Sudden Fiction Crossing the boundaries between poetry and fiction, narration and free verse, these stories refuse to obey formal conventions. Short Shorts: Sudden Fiction, Nancy Margulies' first book of short short stories. The characters range from an old woman rejoicing in her own face in the mirror to a young run-away, planning her nighttime adventures. Humorous, touching, quirky, unpredictable, told by a range of characters, each with their unique style. The book is the result of Margulies joining a writing group who made a commitment to each other. Consider this as an option for you: invite a group of friends who like to write to share a weekly prompt via email or in-person meetings. A word or phrase is offered. Everyone then writes spontaneously - improvisational writing - for a timed period. Three minutes, ten or twelve minutes, occasionally longer. Whatever is written is shared, unedited, or not shared, that is all up to the writer. Feedback is positive: "what I liked, what moved me, what I'd like to hear more of." As you will see in Short Shorts the result can be remarkable.