Writing Flash Fiction!

by G Dean Manuel

What is Flash Fiction?

Flash fiction goes by many names and encompasses many different styles. There is the ever popular 6-word story that clog up group feeds. The 140 characters story/twitterature that goes on, you guessed it, Twitter. Though, now that Twitter allows 280 characters, those stories have doubled in size. There is the minisage, also known as the dribble, that is contained in 50 words or less. Who could forget the drabble or microfiction? These stories are comprised of 100 words or less. Finally we have the heavyweights of the flash fiction world: sudden fiction/immediate fiction/short-shorts (750 words), flash fiction(1000 words), nano-tale, and micro-story.

But what does that mean?

Well, flash fiction is a story contained within 1500 words or less. That means it has a beginning, middle, and end. It isn't just an excerpt of a bigger piece. It isn't just a scene that you made. Flash fiction is a completely self-contained story.

Why Write Flash Fiction?

There are many reasons to write flash fiction. It helps you become a better writer. In today's market, flash ficiton stories are becoming more and more popular, so there is a good market for your stories. Flash fiction is quick to write, edit, and read.

How does a flash ficiton story help you become a better writer? To begin with, it helps your writing become more concise. Flash fiction doesn't leave room for flabby sentences. Everything sentence must be a Venice Beach weightlifter. With each piece you are flexing fiction muscles you didn't know you had. Suddenly, you are doing things like using stronger nouns and verbs unconciously. Secondly, it is a great confidence boost. Don't underestimate the power of a finsihed story on your confidence. Flash fiction is a great springboard to motivate you to finishing up bigger works of fiction.

Flash fiction isn't just for practice though. There are many magazines and online journals that deal in flash fiction. One of the biggest, Flash Fiction Online, deals exclusively in flash fiction. (As if you couldn't tell be the title!) That means your work can get out there! This is important for any author trying to build a platform.

It is quick to write, edit, and read. This is another important aspect to flash fiction. In this day and age of quick consumption, flash fiction can be your introduction to an audience that will be slavering to consume more of your lengthier word count stories. Because of its shorter format, it is more likely to be read. Also, when connecting to other authors, a flash fiction piece is more likely to be critiqued over a longer work. This can help you forge connections that you otherwise wouldn't have working solely on your novel length work.

How Do I Write Flash Ficiton?

"Brevity is the soul of wit." Nothing shows that truer than a piece of flash fiction. But why does it have to be so hard? Like any writing, there are no tried and true formulas that will grant you success automatically. But I can give you a few tips that may increase your chances!

Start in the middle of the story: Unlike types of fiction with meatier word counts, flash fiction can't have much set up. It is better to start your story inside the action and reserve your word count for pushing the story forward instead of infodumping.

Show rather than tell: I know we say this all the time but we don't often follow this rule. In flash fiction this rule is very important! Everything must economical, so things like descriptions of characters or setting must be done in action. That way you are going to get more bang per word!

Take out all unneccesary words: Once you begin writing, you will find that 1000 words isn't that much. You must treat each paragraph as if it is a tweet. Take out all the filler and leave yourself with a boiled down sentence that is concise and impactful.

Adjectives and adverbs are the enemy: Use stronger nouns and verbs in place of adjectives and adverbs. This is another rule that we ignore in bigger fiction but is absolutely imperative in flash fiction.

Don't use too many scenes: Honestly, you should probably only have one. Two at the most. Otherwise your narrative will be too diluted.

Not too many characters, either: Beyond the MC, there shouldn't be a host of characters to introduce. Otherwise, you will be spending your word count on introducing characters and not have much left for your story.

POV matters: Most flash fiction should be done in first person or third person limited. This will narrow the lens of focus to inside your MC's head, conserving your word count.

End in the middle: Don't put the resolution of your plot at the end. Put it in the middle, giving the reader time to contemplate its impact before the story finishes.

Don't overreach with your idea: You can't have a story that is too BIG. An epic quest to destroy a ring for the survival of your world is too much to write in 1000 words. But a story of a hero facing the fact that he won't survive the battle with the Big Bad can be done.

Don't forget that your character should grow: Just because you are limited in word count doesn't mean that your characters shouldn't grow. Don't forget to put in a character arc to develop your character!

Just say no to subplots: One conflict, focus on it!

Take these tips to heart and you may end up with quite a piece of short fiction!

Where Do You Go From Here?

Well, hopefully writing! I want to stress something to you before you go. Flash fiction isn't just practice writing. It is an art form in and of itself. If you think it is easy, I challenge you to write some. Then send it in to Flash Fiction Online. See how quickly slapping 1000 words on a page without true respect for this literary form will get you rejected!

To all those who are interested in trying this form, have fun! At the beginning, it will seem daunting but with practice it becomes less so.

G Dean Manuel is a multi-genre writer and helper of people. If you would like to know more about G Dean Manuel, click here.