English: Andy Warhol (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Once a writer understands the basic form of the flash fiction short story, he or she is ready to accept the challenges of the subtleties of the genre.
Hello, it’s the Old Soldier here ruminating about how to write flash fiction. The basic structure of flash fiction is pretty simple: the setup, the buildup and the payoff. I told you it was pretty simple. Now you’re ready for the tough part.
Andy Warhol, Campbell’s Soup I, 1968. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Every writer brings different levels of writing skill to the creation of the very short narrative; but if you can keep the following ten suggestions in mind, flash fiction will become more enjoyable for you and your readers.
- The set up should be as short as possible.
- Dialogue is the best tool for projecting character.
- Explain as little as possible.
- The sooner the action begins the better.
- Remember that dialogue is action, too.
- Your story should be about a significant event which means something has already happened, is happening or will happen that has not happened before.
- The exception to “Tip 6″ is when your story is an obvious “representation” of something that is significant.
- The information you leave out is just as important as the information you keep in; but the information you keep in must hint at the information you leave out.
- Clarity. Clarity. Clarity. Your reader must never wonder what’s going on.
- If your story contains explicit sex make sure the story is about the people having sex and not just about the sex.
I hope these tips help.
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The following people have had a great impact on the content and look of this blog.
- Andy Warhol
- David Letterman
- Hue Hefner
- Lady Gaga
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The Pittsburgh Flash Fiction Gazette is a blog about sexuality and creative writing.
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