What Is a Drabble and How Do You Write One?

Plenty of writers love the challenges of a tight word limit. It’s why short stories always have a place in their portfolios. But have you heard of a drabble—a complete story told in 100 words?

What is a Drabble?

A drabble is a type of microfiction that is 100 words long, no more, no less. Like any story, it has a beginning, middle, and end. 

It originated in the UK during the 1980s and quickly gained popularity, especially within fan communities. It has since become popular among writers worldwide, attracting even celebrated authors like Terry Pratchett, Gene Wolfe, and Lois McMaster Bujold, who have experimented with the format.

The term “drabble” comes from Monty Python’s Big Red Book, where it was described as a word game in which the first person to write a novel wins. However, it was the Birmingham University Science Fiction Society that established the format’s 100-word length.

Drabbles are a fun and effective way to challenge your creativity and mastery of brevity. The strict word count forces you to distill your story into its most essential elements, making every word count. While it may seem simple, crafting a compelling drabble is much more challenging than it appears.

Why Write a Drabble?

Why would anyone write such a short story? To many, it’s like watching a movie where you’re barely seated and it’s already at an end. 

Drabbles are the ultimate test of brevity. Writing an engaging narrative within just 100 words requires careful consideration of every sentence, word, and punctuation mark. Do it enough and you begin to develop a sharper eye for language, honing your ability to craft lean, powerful prose.

Word choice aside, you also practice the fundamentals of storytelling. You must ensure your story has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Fluff needs to be eliminated and the core elements of your story brought to the fore.

Drabbles are also a manageable entry point into writing. New writers aren’t daunted by creating long works but are still challenged by the intricacies of storytelling. They’re also a quick creative exercise for when you’re short on time but itching to write. 

Drabbles can also be written in any genre, though fiction is the most preferred. This allows you to experiment with different styles and tones, explore new ideas, and break out of a creative rut. Everything you learn from writing drabbles can also be applied to longer works. 

Tips for Writing Drabbles

If you’re interested in writing drabbles, here are a few tips to get you going.

Start with a clear idea.

Before writing, you should have a clear concept in mind. You only have 100 words to tell the story, confusion is the last thing you want to convey. 

Avoid complex plots and focus on one moment, emotion, or revelation. Ask yourself, “What is the main point of this story?” 

Plan your structure.

Even with such a limited word count, your drabble should have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Think about the arc of the story. What is the conflict? How will the story progress? How will it be resolved? 

List down the elements of your story and outline how they work within that arc. Doing so also lets you see which elements are truly necessary.

Don’t worry about word count.

Many writers make the mistake of policing their word count when writing their first draft. You should focus on telling the story first. You can always edit later.

Imply more than declare.

There is a limit to how much you state outright. Use carefully chosen details to imply a greater world beyond your words.

For example, the sentence, “The last human turned off the lights.” hints about human extinction simply by using the word “last”. One strong word that is used intentionally can deliver a lot of meaning. 

Edit ruthlessly.

Once you’ve completed the story, it’s time to edit. Trim any excess words, use evocative language, refine your sentences, and make sure the story flows smoothly. Watch out for hidden verbs and swap out words if you need to. 

Remember, you only have 100 words. Every cut and addition should be made thoughtfully as they’ll affect the entire story. Focus on maintaining clarity and emotion as you refine your draft.

Experiment.

How you deliver the story can affect its length. Try different narrative styles, tones, points of view, or genres to see what works best. 

However, it is best to stick with prose. Poetry is highly evocative and can have multiple interpretations. This can create confusion. Prose is more straightforward but still has room for evocative language. 

Example

Here’s an example of a drabble:

There was scratching at the window again. Sarah huddled under her blanket, heart racing. It had to be a tree branch, right? But there were no trees near her window.

Silence—and then a tap, tap, tap. Sarah peeked out. Long, dark fingers curled over the windowsill. Hollow eyes and pointed teeth followed. It saw her. The tapping became a pounding. Glass began to crack. 

Sarah scrambled for her phone but her trembling fingers couldn’t dial 911. The window shattered and cold air rushed in. And something else. Sarah screamed as icy hands reached for her throat. Darkness followed—and then nothing.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a novice looking to start writing or an experienced author seeking a new challenge, drabbles are a great way to exercise your creative bone. Though they are short, that same brevity challenges you to explore your writing from new perspectives. 

Set aside a few minutes, choose an idea, and see what story you can tell in exactly 100 words. You might surprise yourself with the worlds you create in such a small space.

Have you written any drabbles? Share your experiences below!

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