Pollution

My pager summons me to the Master Observation Analysis Lab (MOAL).

Based on the theory telescopes will see pollution in the atmosphere of planets which have, or had, industrial life as we might know it, MOAL is analysing photographic images of planetary atmospheres.

Initially we agreed upon three levels of pollution, Minimal, Moderate, High, which are yet to be calibrated into sub-levels.

“We've found the very first planet with measurable readings and in the High zone,” calls the Manager to me excitedly. “We need you to verify.”

“Wow! Fantastic! How many light years away?”

“It’s in our own solar system!”

From Guest Contributor Barry O'Farrell

Barry is an actor living in Brisbane, Australia. Barry's other stories can be found on Cyclamens & Swords, 50 Word Stories and of course here at A Story In 100 Words.

Are You Up For The Twelve Month Writing Challenge?

It's that time of year again. The clock is ticking on 2013. If we haven't fulfilled our resolutions by now, it's almost certainly too late. But most of you are probably already contemplating your pledges for 2014. Hopefully that includes a fair bit of writing in your future.

If you don't have something specific in mind, then I invite you to join me on the Twelve Month Writing Challenge. Each month I will write one short story entirely within that month. By the end of the year, I'll have a collection 12 stories.*

Here are the rules:

1. Each story must be completed within a month
2. The title of each story must include the name of the month
3. Each story must be posted publicly by the end of the month
4. Each story must be accompanied by an original photograph that is thematically related and which was taken during that month
5. At the end of the year, the 12 stories must be collected into one volume and made available to readers for free
6. Minor editing can take place subsequently, but the writing for each story is finished when the month ends

Please note that there is no restriction in terms of content or story length. The story doesn't have to be related to the month. For example, March can refer to the month, the verb, or the hare. The idea is to create a construct that will help motivate you to write, and to write publicly, while still allowing for a great deal of freedom. By the end of the year, we should all have something to share with readers. That's the whole point.

I'll be posting my finished collection as a free download on Amazon and other online bookstores. If you don't have a place to post your work, submit it to me and I'll be happy to post yours stories on my blog.**

I'll be tweeting updates throughout the year using the hashtag #12monthchallenge and I encourage all of you to do the same. We can help motivate each other and provide feedback. If you're worried about the time commitment, don't be. Each story can be 100 words or even shorter. In fact, it's better to set small goals and exceed them than to intend to write a novella each month and give up half-way through January.

Happy New Year everyone and I look forward to reading your stories.

*No need to double check that math. That's cold, hard fact!

**As long as your work isn't pornographic, hate-filled, or gratuitously violent.