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100 Tiny Tales: Short Stories Told in Exactly One Hundred Words

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No time for fiction? Think again! Many people love fiction but don’t have the time to take up a weighty novel. Why not try some microfiction short stories instead? These bite-sized, slice-of-life short stories are crafted with only one hundred words, so they go by in a flash. Perfect for time-challenged fiction lovers, these humorous yet thought-provoking stories can be read when you’re waiting in line, riding the bus, or whenever you need a short mental break. Go on. Try some flash fiction. Grab your copy of 100 Tiny Tales today! 100 Tiny Short Stories Told in Exactly One Hundred Words is written by K. Kris Loomis, a native South Carolinian and the author of the novels, The Sinking of Bethany Ann Crane and The Murder of Leopold Beckenbauer, as well as the short story collection, The Monster In the Closet and Other Stories. Kris is also a nonfiction author who writes books about yoga, meditation, and the time she spent living in South America, including After Off-the-Mat Musings of a Modern Yogini and Thirty Days in Two Gringos and a Three-Legged Cat Move to Ecuador. When Kris isn’t at her standing desk writing, she can be found playing chess, folding an origami crane, or practicing a Beethoven sonata on the piano. She lives in Rock Hill, South Carolina with her husband and two cats. You can connect with Kris at her website, www.kkrisloomis.com or her Amazon Author page, or find her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram @kkrisloomis.

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 8, 2019

131 people are currently reading
73 people want to read

About the author

K. Kris Loomis

24 books22 followers
K. Kris Loomis is an eclectic author who writes both fiction and nonfiction books. She is the author of the novel, The Sinking of Bethany Ann Crane, as well as the short story collection, The Monster in the Closet and Other Stories. Kris has also written several books about yoga and meditation and a humorous travelogue about the time she, her husband and their handicapped cat moved to South America called Thirty Days In Quito: Two Gringos and a Three-Legged Cat Move to Ecuador! 


When Kris isn't at her standing desk writing, you will find her playing chess, folding an origami crane, or practicing a Beethoven sonata on the piano. She lives in Rock Hill, SC with her husband and two cats.


NONFICTION by K. Kris Loomis


Kris’ interest in writing nonfiction came from teaching and learning from her yoga students for almost twenty years and her experiences in learning about Ecuadorian culture after moving to South America in 2013.


Thirty Days In Quito: Two Gringos and a Three-Legged Cat Move to Ecuador


After Namaste: Off-the-Mat Musings of a Modern Yogini


How to Sneak More Yoga Into Your Life: A Doable Yoga Plan for Busy People


How to Sneak More Meditation Into Your Life: A Doable Meditation Plan for Busy People


FICTION by K. Kris Loomis


Fiction has been an integral part of Kris’ life since childhood, when she would borrow twelve books at a time from the library, spread them out on her bedroom floor, and move one to the other, reading a page at a time, until she finished them all. She believes that fiction should not only entertain but should also challenge the reader.


The Sinking of Bethany Ann Crane


The Monster In the Closet and Other Stories


Join Kris's other subscribers at www.kkrisloomis.com and receive a free short story! You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram @kkrisloomis!

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5 stars
69 (46%)
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47 (31%)
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25 (17%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
Profile Image for Sheri.
1,361 reviews137 followers
May 18, 2020
A quick, easy, and fun way to pass an hour or so. These creative tiny tales cover a wide range of subjects, scenarios, and perspectives, and invoke a wide range of emotional responses in the reader. All are interesting, some are amusing, and many are thought-provoking powerful reminders that life passes all too quickly.
Profile Image for Briar's Reviews.
2,314 reviews578 followers
August 28, 2019
This book features one hundred drabbles (stories with one hundred words) by K. Kris Loomis. I had never heard of a drabble before, but man does it sound tough! How does one write a story and perfectly sum it up in one hundred words?! I'm awful at describing myself in little words, so kudos to K. Kris Loomis for making it possible! It's a real feat!

These stories are really short (well, obviously. One hundred words isn't actually a lot - it's just a few paragraphs worth at most!) but they really pack a punch! My favourites include: "The Perfect Ring" with the surprise ending I didn't see coming, "The Sentry" that reminded me of our former neighbourhood cat and my numerous reactions to him, and "A Knock" where the Grim Reaper makes a mistake (I actually laughed out loud at this one).

Despite the length of these stories, I felt like I related to them (and sometimes wanted a little more!). "She Was Going Dancing" packs a lot of parental disappointment in such a small story. "A Night at the Theatre" had me shivering because I knew what would come next. "I Know He Loves Me" highlights the pain of a woman in a tough situation. "Phobias" highlights Santa Claus at a doctor's office. "Flowers" had me cringing for the poor lead man. "The Wedding" just broke my heart! "A Great House" left me feeling spooked. "The Flight" reminded me of my childhood. "Kiss a Frog" takes a twist on an old fairy tale. And those are just some of the many stories!

There's so many good stories in this bunch! There's at least one that you'll enjoy. Anthologies like this are always so much fun, especially since they're quick and easy to read, yet just as easy to jump back into. I also love that there's so much hinted at - you can just imagine what would go down next. Creativity and imagination are great aspects of drabbles!

This lovely anthology shows how strong K. Kris Loomis is with her craft. She's a real master of writing, so if you get the chance... pick this book up! It's well worth the read!

Five out of five stars!

I received this book for free from the author, K. Kris Loomis, in exchange of an honest review.
Profile Image for Suzy Taylor.
Author 1 book2 followers
January 12, 2019
What a delight!

And what talent.

As a writer, I know the difficulty of telling a story in 100 words — exactly 100 words. I tried it once, and I came up … short. Then long. Then exact, but … perfect? (I’ll keep trying.)

Kris Loomis’ drabbles — for that’s what these 100-word pieces of fiction are called — helped me escape for a couple of hours.

But, dare I say it? Her sense of humor borders on morbid at times.

It’s what makes them fun … or sad … or bittersweet.

And always surprising.

One hundred times one hundred.

And my book review? One hundred words.
Profile Image for Barbara Ann.
Author 22 books187 followers
January 29, 2019
What an interesting concept! The author tells one hundred stories in exactly one hundred words each. They comprise a diverse spectrum of issues, romance, science fiction, humor, family relationships and more. Each is uniquely different. It's the kind of book you can read on the train, on the beach or in bed. Once you begin reading, it will be hard to stop. By the end of the book, I felt I definitely needed more.

Each of these stories has a plot that could be expanded, while at the same time the way it is written still uniquely satisfies the reader. Looking forward to more tiny tales. The book is appropriate for all ages.
Profile Image for Lila Diller.
Author 11 books47 followers
January 20, 2019
Amazing creativity but too many different genres

The quality of writing was amazing! Several stories were funny, several were sweet, and many were thought-provoking. However, a few were disturbing, too violent and depressing for me. I plan to go back and dissect what worked in the ones I loved. One thing I noticed already was that her last line almost always changed the story, either with a surprise ending or a clarification that took it to a deeper level.
Profile Image for Shelly.
716 reviews17 followers
March 8, 2019
It's not easy to write a complete story in exactly 100 words. Loomis makes it look easy. Try it. However, take small bites of this or you'll lose the great taste quickly because they can seem formulaic and in some ways they are but it's more her writing style than an actual formula. I loved a few, only disliked a couple and overall thoroughly enjoyed this. Quite a writing accomplishment!
Profile Image for Karen.
301 reviews13 followers
March 31, 2019
Short stories, each about a paragraph long. Some were outstanding. Some were disturbing. Some made me cry. Others made me laugh out loud. A great, well rounded bunch of stories to read in an evening with a scented candle and a bottle of chilled sweet red wine.
24 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2019
Wonderful bite-sized stories

K. Kris Loomis has delivered some poignant and some humorous tales in only a hundred words each. To duo so is much more difficult than it sounds!
Profile Image for fred central .
94 reviews2 followers
August 28, 2019
Lots of variety. Mostly fun. A couple of doozies! These little stories ranged from poignant to dumb. This is the first book I've read completely in a single sitting.
Profile Image for Jec.
430 reviews
August 6, 2019
loved this book....writing stories in 100 words....what a challenge with such interesting result...pick it up you will be very surprised
Profile Image for Douglas Volk.
Author 4 books15 followers
January 19, 2019
Ernest Hemingway, who often told his interviewers that the key to writing powerful fiction was “knowing what to leave out,” would surely have enjoyed this little book of “micro-fictions” – a midget-sized collection of 100 short stories, each of which contains exactly 100 words.

Already an accomplished novelist, the super-playful K. Kris Loomis recently decided to take a break from writing her fictional marathons, after a friend challenged her to try her hand at crafting the mini-stories contained in this quirky and often delightful book.

Although the task of designing and executing a short story so that it includes exactly 100 words sounds rather daunting, these often startling tales actually feel quite relaxed and easygoing for the most part. They’re also full of surprises – along with trick endings that are often punchy enough to knock you right out of your chair.

Although Loomis says the hardest part of her self-challenge in 100 Tiny Tales was getting started (“It wasn’t long before I was pulling my hair out!”), she soon began to enjoy the art of building each story with careful detail . . . before launching a snappy, surprise ending at around word 80.

Which Chinese philosopher declared that “Less is often more?” (He or she would have loved this book!) K. Kris Loomis, in this highly imaginative anthology of 100 incredibly short short-shorts, displays an abiding love of language and an enviable knack for compressed descriptions and flashing wit. And here’s another nice payoff for the lucky reader: you can finish the entire book in less than an hour!
Profile Image for Anne Peterson.
Author 31 books8 followers
January 19, 2019
I had such fun reading this. You will too!
Format: Kindle
From the moment I started reading I realized this was going to be fun. Not only did I find some of the stories surprising, just as she planned, but I saw bits of playfulness tucked between the pages. And then she also placed some in there with raw parts of life, to remind me all is not fantasy. I especially liked The Wedding, Flowers, and Lazy Daughters, but I'm not going to disclose why. If you want a break, you need to get this book. Kris Loomis doesn't just write, she paints pictures with her words, images that stay with you for hours, and maybe days later. Loved this book and highly recommend it to those who like snippets of stories, for fun. I also found it challenging to try to figure out the ends. You have to hurry though, she's in and out in 100 words.
14 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2019
A book to read three times.

To me this is a book to read three times. Once quickly, taking in the snapshots shown in each story. Once to marvel at the artistry of writing a story in precisely one hundred words. It's difficult. I tried and I can't do it. There is skill in choosing exactly the right words to tell all of the story and finishing at precisely 100 words, never mind having the tale pack a punch, which they all do.
Standouts to me are 'love at first sight', flowers, first kiss, I know he lives me, the wedding, rich man poor man, the book, chop, but so many of them are poignant.

The third reading for me will be slow. I haven't finished this yet. Taking care to read just one story at a time and meditating on the scenario for a while before proceeding to the next one. Thanks for writing this book, Kris.
Profile Image for Dawn.
1,571 reviews19 followers
January 21, 2019
I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

What a fun book to read! I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to come up with a story in exactly 100 words but to do it 100 times! That’s amazing. Not only that, but these quick stories are each a surprise. Some are cute, some are sad, some are funny, many are thought-provoking. You never know what you’re going to get.

I read these in one sitting but they would be good quick reads for when you’re waiting for a short period of time…anywhere. Although I don’t read in the bathroom, I know many people do, and this would make a great bathroom book. It would also be a good book for anyone who doesn’t feel like they have time to read a full-length novel.
Profile Image for Gina  Rae Mitchell.
1,353 reviews100 followers
January 18, 2019
What a fun concept, 100 tiny tales of precisely 100 words! No more, no less. That is so much harder than it sounds, but the author carries it off in her concise but descriptive style. She is an artist painting with words.

It would be hard to pick my favorite story, but if I had to narrow it down to one, I choose “She Would Miss This One.” It tugged on my heartstrings.

Every tiny story packs so much punch into just a few paragraphs. Some are funny, some slightly morbid, several a little scary, but all of them make you think. At the end of the day, what more can you ask from a good book?

Kudos to the author. You rocked this one!
Profile Image for Isabelle.
8 reviews
January 19, 2019
I had never heard of writing short stories in exactly a hundred words (also known as a drabble), but I'm so glad I have! It's such a joy to read, an adventure in every page.

This book is filled with giggles, gasps, and aww's. I couldn't set it down. Every a hundred words is a snapshot into a different world. You can't help but continue.

It was so diverse. It's flooded with all sorts of genres such as satire, fantasy, supernatural, contemporary, and retelling of myths and fairytales.

My favorite part of this book were the twist endings. I often had to reread those with endings where you're left speechless.
Profile Image for Stephen Leatherdale.
Author 6 books17 followers
January 15, 2019
This is an amazing collection of perfectly formed, wonderfully crafted short stories. Every one is a great read. And short stories don't mean shallow stories. The amount of emotion and meaning packed so cleverly into each story is outstanding. Some leave a haunting feeling, like 'I Know he Loves Me'. Others are heartwarming and funny. Like a bag of sweets, you read a story, yet you dip in more and more until they're all gone. So, do youorself a huuuuuuge favour and grab this amazing collection. You won't regret it!
Profile Image for Christine Hunter.
336 reviews5 followers
January 26, 2019
Absolutely Delightful

First, let me say that this book can be read in a couple of hours. That being said, some of the stories were just okay. But most of them either made me laugh out loud or really made me think.....and feel.....something. Happiness or sadness, it didn't matter. This book will make you feel. And for a story to do that in exactly 100 words is pretty spectacular. It's the perfect book for a slow Saturday afternoon, while I'm doing laundry, killing time between loads. Easy to stop and start again and never lose your place.
Profile Image for jimtown.
960 reviews1 follower
January 31, 2019
These Tiny Tales are a plethora of flavors from sweet, spicy, salty, red hot, sour, bitter and even a few mildly shocking.

It's too late for me, but for those of you who haven't read 100 Tiny Tales – Short Stories told in Exactly One Hundred Words yet, it might be an interesting challenge to see just how many words in before you can guess what each story is about. I probably wouldn't have gotten many but I might try my hand at writing one. Well-crafted, enjoyable, sometimes surprising, fast read. No mystery here but I did reach, um, 100 words!
567 reviews15 followers
January 20, 2019
in 100 100-word stories, Loomis shares the stories of dreamers, doers, fixers, and wondrous. My delight was that the book fit in the palm of my hand -- 100 words fit perfectly on my phone screen and proved incredibly entertaining and inspiring and delightful as I dove in whenever I had a moment. I could not put this book down--each story was its own unique brilliance, but they all connect with an ultimately compassionate, clear-eyed view of people and what we get ourselves into.
Profile Image for RedRedtheycallmeRed.
1,973 reviews49 followers
April 18, 2019
This is the perfect kind of book when you're waiting in line or just have a couple of minutes to read. Since they're so short, it takes less than a minute to read each story.

Some are funny, some sad, some have a twist at the end. But the fact that they're so short makes it hard to connect with any characters or get deeply involved. It kept my interest enough while reading, but none of the tales stayed with me after.


Profile Image for Michelle Cornish.
Author 44 books105 followers
January 18, 2019
Tiny Tales is a great read! I'm amazed at how stories of only 100 words can be surprising, clever, enchanting, emotional, humorous, and more! This is a great collection with something for everyone. Not only is it perfect for people who like to read in short bursts, but I also found it very thought provoking.
Profile Image for David Mike.
28 reviews
January 20, 2019
Kris takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions with 100 different stories all written in only 100 words each. Each story is unique and will have you looking at people a little differently after reading through them. Kris keeps you guessing, wondering what will happen at the end of each one. It's usually never what you expect. If you're looking for some bite sized reading, check this book out!
Profile Image for Marta.
70 reviews
February 20, 2019
100 Windows

I remember the phrase, "slice of life" from when I was in school what seems like 100 years ago. Each story is just that: a small slice of life. Like catching a brief glance into a window. There is sadness, there is humour, there is horror and wonder. Each story told from a different point of view. Each story unique.
Profile Image for Jeanette Hurrelbrink.
415 reviews7 followers
January 19, 2019
100 Tiny Tales

Interesting stories Easy to read. This would be great for Language Arts teachers to encourage young writers to create short stories. 100 words is an easy assignment. It would be a sneaky way to introduce creative writing.
75 reviews
January 21, 2019
Very different, a whole story in a few paragraphs.

Quite enjoyable. Each vignette a total story with a beginning, middle and an end. Some I guessed what the ending would be, others were sad, humorous, and thought provoking. Each one a total entity . Well written.
Profile Image for Lisa Eiff.
966 reviews27 followers
January 20, 2019
Short but sweet

I enjoyed reading this book of short stories. Each one is complete in its own right - just think of these stories as "Green Eggs & Ham" for adults.
33 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2019
I enjoyed it. Great read for right before going to sleep

It takes your mind of the day and makes you think and laugh.. You will enjoy the peaceful sleep,,enjoy it
Profile Image for Sandra Burns.
1,798 reviews41 followers
January 30, 2019
Fantastic!

Like a short story,these pack a punch. Very enjoyable, diverse subject matter. They are not what you think they are.
Profile Image for Karen.
46 reviews14 followers
January 31, 2019
Tiny Tales

This book was great fun!! I admire the creativity and especially like these 100-word stories. It turns out that you can say a lot in 100 words.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews

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