The main character in flash fiction must have a change or epiphany of some sort. I suppose there could be exceptions, but this is a good rule to stand by, especially when you’re just starting out. In my flash fiction below my main character reaches an unpleasant realization by the end of the story.
Specificity around location can inspire your flash fiction when you’ve got nothing really on your mind, and nothing really to write about. Here I started with the idea of a fog and googled around to find where on earth gets intense fog. I found the town of Arica, Peru, and invented the story from...
Despite the fact that flash fiction is under 1,000 words, flash fiction must have a beginning, middle, and an end. In flash fiction, the beginning can be a simple premise, the middle can be a central problem or conflict, and the ending works best when it’s a punchline. In this case, there is no punchline....
Here’s a flash fiction story example that’s limited to just one setting. Because of the word count limitations the transitions from one location to the next can be hard for flash fiction, so containing the story to one place for something dramatic to happen can work better. Hard conversations of many types can work well,...
Here is an example of flash fiction with surreal elements, where I’ve used hyperbole to get to the punchline. Because of the word count constraints I have found hyperbole (which just means exaggeration) as a useful literary device to tell certain types of stories. I think it worked okay as a way to handle...
All flash fiction must have a punchline, or an ending, and it works best if it’s surprising. Flash fiction is similar to jokes in this way. Take a look at this ‘punchline’ to my story. Maybe you saw it coming, but the cows certainly didn’t.
I’m starting a flash fiction ten-story series for beginners because, well, this is the first time I’m attempting flash fiction. There are lots of great articles about how to write flash fiction and the benefits of writing flash fiction for your creative practice. In this series, I offer my flash fiction examples and unlock...
This morning I’m at a primitive campsite in one of Florida’s state parks. Firewood crackles and hisses in front of me in its ordinary and mesmerizing way. I’m pleased with my fire-making skills. Last night I had managed smoking wood but no flames. Nick watched, unimpressed, as I blew into the kindling, trying to get...
Two neighbors Sam and Dennis, live side by side in a residential area. Sam is built like a refrigerator and lives in a colonial-style home. Dennis is very tall and has a habit of hitting his head against things. His is a Spanish style home with vaulted ceilings. Established oak trees line the streets. Heat...
Woman sweeping, with cat. 2020 (photocredit: Steve) It’s well past the kids’ bedtime at this point, and I’m parked at the kitchen counter waiting for P to do her math homework. Soccer days are usually like this when we arrive home late, thanks to our regular ritual of stopping for vanilla cones at McDonald's. Still, I...
