Writing flash fiction can open opportunities for writers to find market publication in magazines and anthologies. It also can present writers of the long form the opportunity to hone craft skills in a smaller piece of work that can improve their writing. A key point to remember is that flash fiction isn’t a short story that has been cut down. It is a story designed to be small.
The definition of flash fiction can vary by publication and organizations but a general breakdown would be:
• Drabble= Exactly 100 words
• Microfiction= Under 300 words
• Flash fiction= Up to 1000 (or 2000) words
Don’t get too hung up on the labels. The important thing to remember is what is the word count required by the specific publication you are writing for.
For flash fiction you generally want to concentrate on the rule of one—one character, one moment, and one central conflict. As far as when to begin, you want to start as close to the important moment as possible. Cut away unnecessary backstory. Don’t write the story of what happened. Write the moment when what happened became unavoidable.
The core elements of flash fiction:
1. Character: Someone has to want something
2. Conflict: Something needs to stand in the character’s way
3. Change: Something should be different by the end
4. Setting: Where it takes place can add interest to the story
5. Stakes:– Why do the events matter (can be physical or emotional)
The heart of flash fiction is compression—every sentence should earn its place. If it doesn’t advance the story, reveal character, create emotion/tension, or establish something important you may want to consider cutting it.
Five flash fiction tips:
1. Enter late, leave early. Start with the important moment and don’t show everything that happens afterward.
2. Use a meaningful object. A single object can carry enormous weight (wedding ring, photograph, gun, letter, key, watch).
3. Give the reader something to figure out. Don’t explain everything. Let the reader connect the dots.
4. Use repetition. Repeat a word, image, or action with a different meaning.
5. Build around a single moment.
Common flash fiction mistakes:
• Too much backstory.
Fix: Begin where the conflict begins.
• Too many characters.
Fix: Combine characters where possible.
• Too many events.
Fix: Pick one event and make it matter.
• Explaining the ending.
Fix: Trust the reader.
• A twist for the sake of a twist.
Fix: Make the ending grow naturally from the story.
• Writing a short story and then chopping it down.
Fix: Design the story for the word count from the beginning.
Flash fiction isn’t about telling less story. It’s about finding the smallest possible space in which the biggest possible story can happen.
- The Art of Flash Fiction - October 2, 2026
- Writing a Drabble - October 30, 2023
- Writing Tools - July 17, 2023