How Writing Daily Microfiction Helps Me

September 2025

A few years ago, I stumbled onto #vss365. It stands for Very Short Story, 365 (daily). A guest host supplies a prompt, and people show off their creativity in posts on Bluesky. It started on Twitter, and it still continues there, even though I’m no longer on that platform. It’s become part of my daily routine.

The host changes every two weeks, and many are located in other countries and time zones. But I look forward to waking up, finding the prompt word, and using my imagination to create a story. A very short one.

Doing this has taught me several valuable lessons to apply as a writer. Number one, working within a limited character set. Sometimes, I write a story and it’s far too long to fit within the Bluesky limits. Now, some writers opt to write a longer story and create a thread, but I prefer to stay true to the original intent. Number two, I choose to make my stories dialogue. This helps me find the precise words to convey emotions. And lastly, I chose to give my stories a humorous bent, so I think about what I can write to make them funny. Okay, sometimes they’re a little corny and cringey.

What always amazes me is the feedback I get. Oftentimes, I think what I’m writing is stupid and no one will like it. It’s nice to receive likes when they’re unexpected. At other times, I think this story will make people laugh, but I receive very few likes. That’s the joy of being a writer.

Regardless, it helps me to start each day with a goal, feel a creative spark to create a story, and get feedback.

A few days ago, the word was “constellation.” Here’s my story:

‘You study astrology?’

‘I look at the stars, then find the associated Greek mythology behind it.’

‘Like what?’

‘In the Centaurus #constellation, you have Chiron, who was half man, half horse, and also a doctor.’

‘Wait. Don’t say it…’

‘Yep. The first centaur for disease control.’

Follow me on Bluesky to see my daily #vss365 stories. Click on the button below.