FLASH FICTION!

But what is flash fiction? Depends on who you ask. Some feel a story is flash fiction if it is under 1000 words. Others feel it must be under 500 words to be in that category. Regardless of which one you believe, flash fiction is fun to write.

Flash fiction is similar to writing poetry. Every word must count when you write a poem and the same goes for short fiction. It takes discipline and a ruthless ability to only use the words necessary to tell the tale. You must accomplish a lot of things right away: introduce the main character, set the stage and prepare the reader for the story. And do this in a minimum number of words.

So, how do you accomplish this feat of writing magic? I am glad you asked.

1. Before you write, know what your story is going to be about. You should have a clear theme in your mind while you are writing. This is not the plot of your story, it is the message you want to pass on to your reader, what they will take with them when they finish your story.

2. Effective flash fiction stories deal with one event or time period in a character's life. This is not the kind of fiction vehicle to write your character's life story. It is one to use to write about one pivotal moment and its outcome.

3. Keep the number of characters down to the bare minimum. Every new character adds a new dimension to your tale and will require words to introduce, describe and resolve any conflicts. Keep only the characters who aid your main character along his journey.

4. Focus your story plot along one subject. Write the theme of your tale down and keep it near you while you write. Refer to it during the entire writing, and editing, time. Do not let your mind stray from that theme.

5. Pick each word carefully. You do not need a long, involved description of the character's bedroom in a flash fiction. More is not better here. Give your reader a quick snapshot of the settings and events, enough to fill in the gaps without wasting your precious words.

6. Do not forget to use emotions to move your plot forward. Emotion is a powerful writing tool, one that writers sometimes forget about. Happiness, sadness, loss and elation are all emotions readers can identify with, so use them!

7. When you edit, do so with a sharp eye. Now is not the time to become sentimental about your "words", now is the time to cut the ones that are not expressing your story theme. Slash overly descriptive scene, remove aimless dialogue, and only keep the words you need to tell your tale.

8. Flash fiction can be used for other things as well. It is a great way to get a better handle on a character from another story or novel you are writing. Take a character you need more insight on, give them a task and let them solve the problem quickly. You can use this type of story to learn more about your character, even if you never use it in a longer story.

Flash fiction stories are fun to write. They test your ability to tell a story concisely. With practice, flash fiction can become a wonderful writer's tool for you. (Copied from Writers Tips!)

The Whirlwind
Dust spiralled high in the centre of the road, twisting, looping.

Distantly, a car – old, rusted, louder than an explosion in a corner store – rumbled slowly up the gritty trail, backfiring in minute-and-a-half intervals. Within shouting distance of the sandy spiral, the driver tried to ease the brake pedal into the floor, cursing as the engine stalled and he lost power. His wife gave a cold, stony glare.

The car spluttered as the key turned in the ignition, eventually wheezing to complete inertia. The wife took her phone from a faux-crocodile handbag – to the miserable sight of an empty coverage gauge and a flashing red battery. She opened the door, wary of the whirlwind in the distance, and waved the phone in the air.

No luck.

Beep.

The battery went dead.

The wife and her husband made a silent agreement to walk further up and try to find some help. The whirlwind looked to be receding anyway.

But it wasn’t. With each step they took closer, the torrent of red dust grew thicker and stronger.

“Let’s go back,” said the wife, unnerved.

“No,” said the husband. “It ain’t that big. We can go around it.”

They veered right.

So did the whirlwind.

They veered left.

So did the whirlwind.

The wife ran, terrified, back to the car. The husband ran after her.

So did the whirlwind.

Dust spiralled high in the centre of the road.

Twisting.

Looping.

Laughing.

(238 words)
Copyright Acid Varrakin