How to Write Great Flash Fiction
The writing of flash fiction is a journey for the reader and you the writer, too. Here are some writing tips to make the journey more exciting for both of you.
I actually had a professor tell me that he thought I was a great writer. He was serious, too. I was stunned. The professor was a nationally known writer, his books reviewed by publications like the New York Times. His name was “Buddy” Norton.
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Buddy was friends with Chuck Kinder who was a professor of mine and also my faculty adviser at the University of Pittsburgh when I was a graduate writing student from 2003 to 2006. Chuck Kinder, on the advice of Buddy, awarded me the K. LeRoy Irvis Fellowship which paid for my MFA and gave me a generous stipend to live off while I completed the three-year writing program.
Both Buddy and Chuck Kinder hung out with Raymond Carver. Chuck is also a nationally known novelist.
You could not apply for the fellowship. You had to be chosen. I didn’t know who awarded me the fellowship until Chuck told me in his office two years after I had been admitted to the program. Chuck was also in charge of the writing program at the university.
So, I’m not sure if I’m a great writer or ever was one, but I’m pretty sure that I’m probably a good writer. My specialty is writing flash fiction. Here are a few of the things you need to do to write good flash fiction.
- Begin as soon as possible with the action
- Do as little explaining as possible
- Writing about feelings and thoughts dilute your writing
- Writing about actions, dialogue and concrete things concentrate your writing
- Remember the narrative is not about you
- The narrative is about the characters
These writing tips will help you to write a good narrative. If you are very, very lucky you may even write a great narrative.
Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is my blog.
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October 26th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
“Begin as soon as possible with the action” Well same could be said of articles and you take three-quarters of this one introducing yourself leaving precious little space for the subject matter. Shame, as I’d actually like to know a bit more about flash fiction.
October 26th, 2010 at 6:25 pm
Good tips. Thanks!
But some fiction don’t begin with the action. Just a thought. Thanks!
October 26th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
This will help me in the class I am taking. Thanks
October 26th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
I love writing flash fiction, in fact when writing fiction i find it very difficult to write anything but.
Loved this article
October 26th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Excellent work!!! ..you always come up with such a brilliant ideas and sharing a very useful tips for us. Thanks for that. I”m sure, people loved so much on this topic..till now I’m still learning..any ideas/ tips that can bring/ gain more readers .highly appreciated …Hope that one day I can write a great narrative too.
..Thanks Guy for sharing this. loved this topic. keep them coming!
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October 26th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
I am trying this in my next article
October 26th, 2010 at 8:40 pm
Great points to consider when writing a flash fiction story.
October 26th, 2010 at 8:53 pm
Nice Share.
October 26th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
thanks for sharing the information.
October 27th, 2010 at 5:12 am
I’m sure you are a great writer. I have never tried writing flash fiction but I just might give it a try after reading your tips.
Christine
October 27th, 2010 at 5:31 am
Well written and very useful tips. Thanks.
October 27th, 2010 at 6:47 am
a very good share I had a similar incident with a Porf when I was in college
but flash fiction writing freezes me up thanks for the read 
October 27th, 2010 at 7:55 am
Bruce Officer, this is an article not a flash fiction story. The parameters are different.
October 27th, 2010 at 8:41 am
I find flash fiction as one complexed writing skill. I think it should be composed of one hundred words or less–however, others may differ. Here is no time to peel the orange–it must come ready to eat! I have worked on several techniques to achieve good flash fiction. However, most of the process must take place long in thought before the pen is applied to the paper. I love flash fiction! Mention it and you will surely receive an response from me! Cool!
October 27th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Would really love to try my hand at it, thanks for these tips.
October 27th, 2010 at 10:28 am
great share
October 27th, 2010 at 11:44 am
So, what defines a good writer? I think that the ability to hold interest while maintaining a good grasp of the English language (or whichever language you speak) is a pretty good guideline and you have certainly proven your ability to do that. The tips you’ve offered are very helpful, although, given my need to over explain and over-analyse, I doubt I would ever become even a remotely “good” flash fiction writer. Thank you for some great information.
October 27th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
great share
October 27th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
Great writing. I like this article a lot thank you!
October 27th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
I definitely think your on the right track here. Good article.
October 27th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
nice one
October 27th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Very motivating and excellent tips.
October 27th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
nice tips.
October 27th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
These are actually pretty good tips. I can see how getting right into the action would make a short piece of work more interesting. Thanks.
October 27th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
As usual a great share with top tips cheers Guy
October 27th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
interesting story
October 27th, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Good advice Guy Hogan! Bravo!
October 28th, 2010 at 3:46 am
Great tips Guy, I as you know I write flash fiction, and starting with the action is something I always do you need to hook your reader from the word go if you only have a 1.000 words to play with! LB
October 28th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Great advise, will put it into action
October 28th, 2010 at 11:15 am
very nice tips indeed.
October 28th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Very good tips from a very good writer.
October 28th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
Very illuminating article.
October 28th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Great tips Guy
October 29th, 2010 at 1:59 am
sound tips, hope I can do one.
October 29th, 2010 at 9:20 am
You are the master, Guy and I value your advice. I have tried and I can’t seen to get the hang of Flash Fiction.
October 30th, 2010 at 9:52 am
Of course you must be a great writer. Congratulations on all you have achieved.
October 30th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
Useful tips. Thanks for sharing.
October 31st, 2010 at 8:21 am
Great tips.
October 31st, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Extremely helpful, thank you.