Flash Fiction

Writing in a flash!
 5 Elements of Powerful
Flash Fiction

Flash fiction contains most of the following

elements in every single story:
 Brevity
Flash fiction tells a complete story in 1,000
words or less. Sometimes a lot less words.
Many markets want stories that are 750,
500, or 100 words long.
With the surging popularity of Twitter, some
writers have now exchanged word counts
for 140 characters.
 Character
All fiction requires characters, or at least
some sort of presence through which the
story is told. The reader identifies with the
characters in a story. In flash fiction,
characters have little time to be developed
and described, so you must make the
most of your opportunities. Show them in
action. Describe the little details that bring
the character to life in the reader’s mind.
 Surprise Endings
Flash fiction is famous for its twist endings
which often surprise or shock the reader.
Think of a punch line to a joke as a good
example of this.
 Rich Language
Flash fiction exists somewhere between
the realms of poetry and short story and
uses poetic language to weave the tale
efficiently. The format is fluid, allowing the
writer to experiment and play with words
and form.
 Change
• Even though flash fiction doesn’t have a lot of
words, a lot of action is packed into each story.
Something has to happen during the course of
the story.
 Change
“A story is a container for change.”

•This means that something has to change within

course of the story. It can be a physical change to
the character, an epiphany that changes the
character’s way or thinking, or a change in how the
reader perceives that character and/or situation.
3 Reasons Why You Should
Write Flash Fiction
 Low risk, little time investment

• If you spend two years of your life writing the

Great American Novel that stinks, well, you
wasted two years of your life.
• Flash fiction is low-risk. If you write a terrible
flash fiction story, you might have invested a few
hours in it. You can move on to the next story
and try again.
• It does not involve as much of a commitment as
writing a lengthy short story or a novel does. It
provides instant gratification. In less than a day,
you can have a completed (and possibly
publishable) story to show for your efforts.
 Great way to improve your
writing skills
• Writing flash fiction makes you aware of every
word you choose. You learn to write well using
as few words as possible. In flash fiction, you
need to know the elements of good fiction and
how they work together.
• It is far easier to write a long story, wasting
words, wandering off on tangents, introducing
interesting characters that have nothing to do
with the main story. But flash fiction is coiled like
a spring. There is no wasted energy in flash
fiction. Every word in the story is significant and
drives you toward the climactic conclusion.
It’s fun!
 The Beauty of Flash Fiction
• Since each word is chosen carefully, and
each story is a delicate yet poignant
thought process, flash fiction can become
a thing of beauty in the eyes of the reader.
 Hint Fiction
• A story of 25 words or fewer that suggests
a larger, more complex story.
– The reader is forced to look at the context,
characters, and word choice to make the story
come alive.
– “A story that stands in its own little world.”
“For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.”
- Ernest Hemingway

1.What is the context of this vignette?

2.What story are these six words telling you?
 “Visiting Hours”
Katrina Robinson

She placed her hand over his and

pressed the pen to paper. The signature
looked shaky, but is should be enough.
 “Through Tiny Windows”
Barry Napier

When they opened the cadaver, they found a

house. A couple argued inside. There was a rhythm
to their words, like the beating of a heart.
 “Jermaine’s Postscript to His
Seventh-Grade Poem Assignment”
Barry Napier

“Ms. Tyler, the girl part was about

Shantell. Please don’t tell anyone.”
 Your Assignment!
• Write an effective Hint Fiction about the prompt
randomly assigned to you!
– Due at the end of class! (exit ticket)

• Homework:
– Write three effective Hint Fictions utilizing any prompt
of your choice (THREE ELEMENTS or PHOTO
PROMPT, located on the website)
– Due TUESDAY (entrance ticket)