10 Flash Fiction Skills

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The sense of accomplishment can be profound when a writer knows his or her story is well written. 

Writing well in any field is greatly respected.  In some fields it is absolutely necessary.  Many are familiar with the story of the well educated person who cannot transfer his or her knowledge because the person is a poor communicator.  The person cannot transfer knowledge in spoken or written language.

For the writer of the flash fiction story, the act of written communication is made more difficult because of the very limited number of words allowed to tell a complete short story.  Remember, flash fiction must contain all of the elements of a regular-length story to be truly flash fiction.  There must be story development, characterization, a significant event and a resolution.  If a writer can acquire the following skills, the idea of writing a flash fiction story that is well written will be an anticipated pleasure.

1. The ability to recognize a flash fiction idea or situation
2. The ability to make a slight froward movement in the story meaningful
3. The ability to tell a story within a narrow unity of place and time
4. The ability to setup the story quickly
5. The ability to make a word or a phrase signify more than one thing
6. The ability to write with clarity and precision so that the reader is never lost
7. The ability to appreciate the beauty of the form of the genre
8. The ability to give an infinite amount of attention to detail
9. The ability to know when the story has ended
10. The ability to develop a passion for revision