Behind the Story: Memoirs of a Goldfish

Back back back again for another behind the story! Thus far you've been with me for quite the journey and I'm happy to report that this roller coaster ride seems to be continuing its upward trajectory. Still, what goes up must come down, and you best believe that when that inevitable fall happens I'll be looking at it dead in the eyes! But for now, a little behind the scenes of a story about a goldfish.

For this short story I entered into the Writing Battle Spring Microfiction 2025 writing contest. This follows the same rules as all the others except this time I only had 500 words to work with and 72 hours. Not much in the grand scheme of things, however this one had a fun bunch of genres to draw from: Apocalyptic Game Show, House Pet Adventure, Small Town Secrets, and Dating App Mishap.

Really, they're all pretty great. Each one points in a totally novel direction and I was excited to see whatever one I got. In the end though my draw yielded me House Pet Adventure with the prompts of injured soldier and sewer.

My prompts along with a 500 word limit

With the sewer prompt my mind immediately took me to the idea of a goldfish getting flushed down the toilet. I knew that most people would likely write about a dog or a cat so I thought going for a unique animal would put me ahead of the pack. I began writing almost immediately, but just as quickly as I started, doubt crept in with it.

Without really realizing it, I had written in a silly direction again. Flashbacks of my Caitlyn Clambake story came to the forefront and with it a lot of my own cruel thoughts. "Would anyone even find this funny?" "Am I just embarrassing myself by putting this out there?" The doubts started to get a bit loud and I'm ashamed to admit that instead of ignoring them, I pivoted away from my original idea.

I saved my draft of the goldfish getting flushed and opened a new document. This time I was going to take a more serious approach. I was going to tell a story following a cat who's owner goes off to war and comes back with an amputated leg. Ultimately he can't work so him and the cat become homeless and turn to the sewers for shelter. It's dreary but the cat doesn't mind because there's lots of mice and all he needs is a warm lap to sleep in. It was going to be a story with heart and a strong message.

And you know, I really thought I'd stumbled onto something with that, but as soon as I went to write it, it was like the lights went off in my brain. I couldn't get a single sentence down.

Unfortunately this isn't the first time this has happened. Mostly it occurs when I try to write something that I think other people will like, not what I like. And although I did like my new idea, ultimately it wasn't the time for it.

So after hours of trying to write anything decent, I saved that draft (if you can even call it a draft) and reopened the goldfish one. And like magic, the words began to flow once more. My injured soldier had now transformed into an old haggard goldfish already living down in the sewers, embroiled in an ancient rat war. The main character was now a thespian gold fish who couldn't help but play dead for a bit too long. It was the stupidest thing I had ever written but I loved it.

Anyways I'll cut to the chase. I submitted it with very little hope. After all, I had gone silly again and there was no way it was going to get very far. But let me tell you, was I ever wrong. Not only did I exceed my original score in the first round of judging (I won friggen 9 out of 10 battles!!!) but I also made it a whole step further in the final round of judging making it all the way to the top 16 stories overall!!

Yes I spelled Memoires in my submission wrong... Oops!

To say that I was shocked would be an understatement, so I wont say it! I'll say I was overwhelmingly overjoyed. Yes, it's a small little writing contest, but at the end of the day it means a lot to me. Writing is more than just a hobby, it's something I want to do forever. Completing these contest and seeing people in my feedback section getting so much joy from my stories and laughing along to all the silly things I created fills my cup to the brim.

I don't know where my Writing Battle story will go from here, it's possible that I may be be able to keep climbing until I claim that coveted first place prize but it's also possible I won't make it past the first round of judging again. I think through all of this I've learned to take it in stride. My creativity is my strongest asset, I just need to keep learning how to refine and polish it until I get that gem a'gleaming!

Anyways, that's all from me. Thanks as always for sticking around,

Until next time,

M.