What Is Flash Fiction?

What is Flash Fiction? The short definition of flash fiction is any fictional story that’s under 1,500
words long. Some journals may have a different definition of flash fiction length, but most accept
1,500 words is the standard maximum word count.

Flash fiction is also known as fast fiction, sudden fiction, postcard fiction, micro-story, nanoscale, and short, among others. So what exactly is flash fiction? In a nutshell, it simply means concise fiction. The longest flashes are generally considered to be 1,000
words, the shortest 6 words.

Flash fiction is a favored genre among the English-speaking world’s most celebrated writers for its ability to convey deep truths and universal human emotions in just a few short paragraphs. When done well, flash fiction can convey deep truths and resonate with readers from all walks of life.

Characteristics of Flash fiction:

The defining characteristics of flash fiction can be summarized as:

1. Short and pithy:
   Although there has been no clear conclusion about the word limit of flash fiction, to meet the
   standards of flash fiction, one must present the most exciting stories using the fewest words.
2. Complete plot:
   No matter how short a story is, it needs to have a complete storyline including a beginning, a
   middle part, and an ending. It can’t simply describe an idea or an atmosphere.
3. Progressive development:
   To tell a good story within a small word count, every word and sentence in flash fiction needs to
   be carefully designed to ensure that it can convey useful information and push the plot forward
   for readers

Tips to write a flash fiction:

Here is a list of methods worth trying:

1. Create a strong sense of scenery:
   “Show, not tell.” In flash fiction, a detailed scenery description is a must! The key to catching the
   reader’s eye is to use vivid and concrete descriptions to make them feel immersed in the scene.
2. Focus on specific time and space:
   Within a limited space, instead of rushing the reader to and fro at different times and places, it is
   better to focus on the most important moment so that readers can gain an in-depth reading
   experience.
3. Focus on a few characters:
   Similar to the second point, “less is more”. In other words, more characters mean that there’s
   less space you can use to shape each character. Then in the end, all the characters may not be
   distinct and vivid. This is the last thing we want to see in flash fiction.
4. Use a first-person point of view:
   Using a first-person point of view can help the reader better engage with the plot. At the same
   time, narration in the first person often requires less vocabulary than in other points of view.
5. Use dynamic description:
   Regardless of the genre, the dynamic description of body language and behavior is always
   more interesting than the static or passive description. It also helps to quicken plot development.
   Since readers choose “literary fast food” like flash fiction, don’t make them wait too long.
6. Create surprise:
   To make flash fiction exquisite and interesting, you might as well bury some foreshadowing
   between the lines and gradually reveal them as the plot advances, or even design a complete
   the plot twist at the end. It allows readers to experience the ups and downs of riding a roller
   coaster.
7. Use smart titles:
   Because of the word limit, you should even use the title wisely! For example, the flash fiction
   Widow’s First Year by the famous American writer Joyce Carol Oates has only one sentence in
   the full text: “I Kept Myself Alive.” Such a combination of text and title not only complements
   each other but also makes the overall idea clearer.

What does this article contain?

Ilhaad is an episodic flash fiction, which is based on spirituality and the issues adolescents
have. Tale-gripping and mesmerizing, Writer Imaam Zara is on another road to sore high in the sky
with the magic of her words.

To Read More Flash fiction Like This