Flash fiction is fiction that is quite short. Usually containing five hundred words or less. Sometimes even fewer than a one hundred words. There is flash fiction in every genre of writing. From horror to romance. There are magazines and contents devoted to purely this type of fiction.
Now you might be thinking to yourself that a piece so short could not possibly have enough of an impact to the reader to really be written, but you are wrong. A piece can be powerful for the reader no matter the length. It can be a one hundred flash fiction piece or a one thousand word novel. Both have significance. It all depends on the words the writer chooses to use and how they use them.
In a flash fiction piece, every word counts. Every word has importance. The writer must choose the words carefully in order to get their point across in a short amount of time. Each word and phrase must have meaning.
Flash fiction can be quite fun to write. You can fill up a journal with these little drabbles of writing, and you never know when one of these shorter pieces might turn into more. They could spark something in the writer that wants them to extend the work into a longer piece. Then again maybe not. Flash fiction is supposed to be fun, and it allows writers to grow. It's not something to worry about.
So try it. Sit down and write something. Something short and sweet, and see how it feels to you. You might like it.
This month’s contest and market of the month are:
Market of the Week
Website: Rough Draft
Address: ROUGH DRAFT c/o Weber County Library 2464 Jefferson Avenue Ogden, Utah 84401
What do they publish: We are looking for short pieces of 1,000- 2,500 words,
and longer prose of 2,500-5,000 words. We are interested in previously unpublished creative
writing in any of the following forms: short story, non-fiction article, essay, vignette, feuilleton, poetry, book review, excerpt from your book, or some thing completely off the wall.
Payment: Book Reviews: $20. Poetry: $20. Short Prose: $20-$50. Long Prose: $50-$75. Filler: Payment is in copies.
Contest of the Week
Writers' Ezine Flash Fiction Contest
Website: Contest Guidelines
Mail entry to: Email your entry to contest@writers-ezine.com. Put "Contest" in the subject line. Paste your story with title into the body of the email. Do not send attachments. At the end of your email be sure to include your real name, pen name (if applicable), shipping address and email address. Entries that do not follow the guidelines will be disqualified.
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