Submitted by acmfox on Mon, 03/01/2010 - 9:21pm

 We've looked at micro stories and first words. This month we explore the story behind the story. No word limits this time. Make it as long or short as you see fit. Here's how it goes:

Find (or craft) a newsy article in a publication of your choice. Rip something from "today's headlines" or make up your own pseudo headline. Choose any mainstream publication or media outlet for your source. It can be print, electronic, or whatever. Just be sure to include a reference to your source article, or, if you make up the article, include the text so we can tell what inspired your story. It doesn't have to be long, a 'graph or two is more than sufficient (obits and police blotters come to mind... am I sick or something?)

Once you have the end product as reported in "the media", write the real story. The one that the media couldn't report because it was to bizarre, incredible, morbid, or whatever. Remember, we're writing SF here, which probably couldn't get reported as such and be believable ... or printable. But we're out for the truth!