Byte-Sized
Not Quite Write is an Australian podcast and platform that holds and encourages conversations about media, culture, and the art of writing. Four times a year, they hold the NQW Prize for Flash Fiction. This competition challenges writers to create an original piece of flash fiction based on two typical writing prompts plus one anti-prompt. Entrants have 60 hours to write their story, and it can be no more than 500 words.
The April 2023 rounds prompts were:
include the word DATE.
include the action “picking a winner.”
break the writing rule “always use said.”
My story, Byte-Sized, was highly commended and received a shout-out on the NQW podcast for the best introduction.
Enjoy!
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Byte-Sized
On the rare occasion I meet with someone from an app, the tension burns a hole in my chest. There are too many chances to miss a cue or make a mistake. But tonight, it’s mechanical. We’re strangers on the same conveyor belt; success is a numbers game.
Here, at least the leaden weight in my gut can be broken down into six pieces. Six bite-sized interactions. Six ten-minute conversations. Six chances.
The chatter of the other singles hums like a choir, filling the corners of the room. Every few seconds, a “Ha!” or “No way!” cuts through the acapella drone. The murmur expands, then contracts, but never quite reaches me. That’s okay; it’s too much over there.
Perched at my table, I fix my gaze downwards, wiping the condensation off my pint glass in vertical streaks. Before I left tonight, ChatGPT told me to be honest, ask questions, listen actively (smile and nod), have fun, and bring my whole self. I run the advice through my mind, like code running in a debug loop.
Mark, 29
“I actually really admire you for never following the script. Marriage is a completely outdated institution. Anyway, bringing kids into this fucked up world is so irresponsible. Parenthood might be tough for you, though, right? Maybe not the best option.”
Hannah, 26
“Those are insane hours. Is that normal in IT? So you just sit in front of a computer all day? Do you, like, go out? I literally don’t know how you do it. I’ve worked for the last two years in PR for a boutique label, but I got completely burned out. So I’m kind of taking a second gap year. Rest is resistance, when you think about it. It’s an anti-capitalist political act. Audre Lorde said that.”
Tobias, 34
“Well, money isn’t everything. Personally, I’ve never chased the high life. I kind of just fell into this line of work — FinTech, that is. But before you say anything, I’m not a tech bro. I’m not a corporate douchebag. It would be nice to have a partner who makes her own money, though. That way, you know she’s not a golddigger.”
Celine, 27
“It’s a bit problematic, isn’t it? A mixed event? Basically throwing straight men into a queer space? No offence. I know you probably don’t mind. More choice for you, I suppose. That must help.”
Ethan, 31
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well, I mean, there are some ways to know. Like, if your face fits the golden ratio. Or my ex was in a few catalogues — Target and Kmart, I think — so I guess that’s some kind of proof that she was pretty hot. But, like, don't get me wrong, quirky can be cute.”
Aidan, 37
“I have a few questions written down. I hope that’s not weird. It just makes it easier for me. Since it’s the last match for the night, do you think we could go somewhere quieter?”
Me, 43
“Absolutely.”