How many times have you heard the old saw, show don’t tell? The Old Soldier gets a flash fiction story in by email every day from an online magazine; and I occasionally get a submission at the Gazette. I see a common mistake in these stories, some written by writers who should know better.
Because flash fiction is so short, writers have a tendency to summarize. Summary speeds up time. Well written flash fiction should slow down time. How do you slow down time? You write in scenes. Now since flash fiction is so short, usually one scene will do.
Give your story a quick setup and then get into the action. The action should make up the majority of the story even if it’s only 300 words long.
You don’t believe it can be done? Just go to the sidebar on the right and scroll down to Great American Flash Fiction Stories To Read.
You’ll find dozens of very short stories that are excellent examples of writing in scene, of show don’t tell.
Flash Fiction: Ask These Three Questions
December 31, 2009 — pittsburghflashfictiongazetteBefore a flash fiction writer begins writing a flash fiction story, the writer should ask these three questions:
1) Does the story begin as close as possible to the climax or payoff?
2) Is there at least one round character in the story?
3) Is the story about a significant event?
These three questions will help in the writing of any flash fiction story…
Well, it’s the last day of 2009. In 2010, the Gazette will continue to explore the mystery that is flash fiction. We flash fiction writers want to capture all of life a few hundred words at a time. And that’s entertainment.
Happy New Year!
Girls Gone Wild