'Seeking' a Winner

May 1st marked the beginning of Mibba’s Very Short Short Story Contest. The contest – open to all Mibbians – asked writers to create a very short piece (under 500 words) based on or inspired by any song of their choosing. Three weeks and fifteen entries later, we have a winner: Seeking by Special Patrol Group.

Inspired by The Rabble’s song of the same name, Seeking tells the story of every man and woman who has ever longed for something more. Special Patrol Group's grim and gritty descriptions of the daily grind serve both to warn and unite readers, giving us a glimpse into the somewhat depressing after-work routine of everyday, blue-collar workers.

Taking place in a dank dive bar, we’re introduced to an anonymous crew of desolate workers looking to escape the weight of their own despair. The bar’s appeal, aside from the numbing effects of alcohol, is the old folksy musician, a man who shares and understands the sadness the crowd carries. His voice, ‘hoarse and worn with years of smoking,’ serves as comfort to the audience and as they listen to his music, they gain solace and solidarity, and ultimately peace.

Special Patrol Group does an excellent job of creating tone and setting in this piece. Through just a few words, she conveys the atmosphere of a grungy bar, heavy with a feeling of dejection. Her description of the bar’s patrons as “ordinary men, without the blessings of an academic mind or actor’s good looks,” not only portrays a person stuck in a role they have no hope of escaping, but a person resigned to that role and just trying to make do.

Seeking is definitely a story worthwhile and Special Patrol Group an author worth looking into.

Other works by Special Patrol Group include:

• Peace in Death
• Political Correction
• C’est La Vie
• Tears of a Child

_{We’d like to thank all Mibbians who participated in this month’s story contest and invite all Mibbians to partake in June’s story writing contest which focuses on historical fiction. Below you can find a list of all the entries. Please take the time to give them a read and drop the authors a comment.}