Flash Fiction: A Beginners Attempt
Fewer words doesn’t make for easier writing! Flash fiction is quite a challenge.
I have been following Guy Hogan’s recent flash fiction articles with interest. You see, the South Island Writers Assn here in New Zealand is holding two fiction competitions, one of which is for a flash fiction story of exactly 100 words. The other is for a longer story, of up to 1500 words.
The writing group to which I belong decided we should challenge ourselves, each submitting an entry into one of these two categories. Always ready for a challenge, I thought the 100 word flash fiction option sounded like fun. But, could I tell a story in 100 words, with an extra allowance of up to 8 words in the title. There are not very many words to work with if you want to make an impact on your readers.
Then, as an amazing coincidence, Guy’s articles on flash fiction started appearing. They are just what I needed, like having a personal tutor. I had a story idea in mind, so that wasn’t a problem. But was it really telling a story?
Last night, in the middle of the night I awoke and the story started taking shape. I sat up and started writing, trying to incorporate the advice I’d read.
I thought that would be it and I’d be able to go back to sleep. But I couldn’t. This crazy notion overtook me, that I could even write a story about writing a story, all in 100 words. I was away. I wrote too many words last night if I wanted it to be a practice run for the 100 word event, but not too many. At least I could sleep after that.
I was up early this morning and swapped and changed and deleted and rearranged words within sentences. Eventually I was happy.
So, with thanks to tutor Guy, here is my practice run at writing a story in 100 words. The real story will remain a secret until after the competition is over.
Early Morning Passion
2 a.m. How could this happen? I closed my eyes against the darkened room. The curtain quivered as the breeze acknowledged my torment. I shuddered at the clarity of the images assaulting my mind. Not only visual scenes but words, dropping as regularly as a dripping tap, each one testing their impact.
Sleep seemed as remote as the pale moon above. My heart raced. I could hold back no longer. With one movement I snapped on the light and grabbed my pencil. The story dropped onto the page as I knew it would.
My passion to write fiction had returned.
by Val Mills
My message to you all is have a go. Try writing something different. Take on a new writing challenge and see what happens. I don’t recommend staying up writing for a couple of hours in the early morning though. I am very tired today.
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November 3rd, 2010 at 2:30 pm
Very good and you are right Guy’s articles have been a wealth of knowledge.
November 3rd, 2010 at 2:38 pm
You are doing fine Val. I am a long distance writer too and that is why poetry is the hardest form of writing for me followed by….you guessed it, flash fiction!
November 3rd, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Wow Val so far so good, I have seen a lot of your writing and I know you have more to give
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Liked this Val cheers
November 3rd, 2010 at 4:50 pm
You’re doing pretty well.
November 3rd, 2010 at 5:53 pm
You are really a passionate writer.
Keep inspiring us. I’d like to try this some time. That is an interesting piece you got there. Makes me want to know more. 
November 3rd, 2010 at 6:51 pm
You’re doing great, Val.
November 3rd, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Great article. Thanks for sharing…
November 3rd, 2010 at 8:37 pm
great share
November 3rd, 2010 at 9:21 pm
nice one
November 3rd, 2010 at 10:43 pm
cool
November 3rd, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Great article. I will have to challenge myself and try flash fiction.
thanks for the suggestions and the example.
November 4th, 2010 at 2:11 am
$nice post$
November 4th, 2010 at 4:40 am
A great little story. Before I started writing on Triond all I did writing wise was short stories or flash fiction if you prefer. It is way harder than people think I too have entered several short stories in competitions in the UK with no joy yet. I will get back to the grind stone after I have taken a year or two out and at least see my work getting published on Triond. I do not believe you are a begginer at short stories good work. LB
November 4th, 2010 at 5:46 am
That’s wonderful, Val. Guy is certainly proving a good tutor. My stories are always too long. Maybe I could cut them down and make them into flash fiction. I really enjoyed this story. You sound very professional. It’s funny but I often write my best poems in the early hours.
Christine
November 4th, 2010 at 9:48 am
You just opened up a new door. Flash fiction was something I never considered before. Well presented story Val.
November 4th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Nice writing. Sorry that I will not say anything more, but it is almost 6am here and I have not slept this night. That being said, my brain is very inactive right now.
November 5th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Early Morning Passion definitely works. What is the significant event? The passion for writing fiction has returned. What is the closure? A summation that makes the rest of the story clearer. Congratulations! Job well done.
November 5th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Thank you so much Guy.
November 7th, 2010 at 8:07 am
I like challenges. Let us hope your team wins the competition and you will unravel the mystery of your story
November 8th, 2010 at 10:49 pm
Well done on your piece Val. I have dabbled a little in flash fiction, but you have inspired me to attempt some more.