Flash Fiction Means Never Saying You’re Sorry

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I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2006 with an MFA in fiction writing at the age of 59.  Not bad for a Vietnam War veteran.  Going back to school was one of the best life decisions I ever made.

A candidate for a position in the graduate fiction writing program had to submit 50 double-spaced typed pages on one side of fiction for evaluation.  There were only seven positions open in the program.  I submitted around 18 flash fiction stories.  The stories got me accepted to graduate school and I worked on old and new very short stories throughout my grad school education.

Each semester I attended a writing workshop.  The instructor would act as a facilitator and we grad students would critique each others stories.

One critique my stories got a lot went something like, “This is really good.  It could be a much longer story.  Maybe it could even be the first chapter of a novel.”

I always enjoyed the compliment that the story was good but I was also dismayed by the suggestion that because the story was good it should be longer.

If you write flash fiction, sudden fiction, very short stories or post-card fiction ignore the advice to make the story longer simply because it’s good.  Sure, if the story triggers an idea for a longer piece good for it.  Just don’t feel compelled to make the story longer.

Remember this fact about flash fiction.  It is the short length of flash fiction that gives the story its impact.

“My, darling,” he said.  “I want to kiss you all over.”

She said, “Let’s get naked.”