Introduction

In the realm of storytelling, brevity can hold remarkable power. Flash fiction, often known as microfiction, encapsulates a complete narrative within a compact word limit. These tales typically span from a mere five words to a concise 1,000, occasionally extending to 1,500 at the upper echelon of the genre. This condensed form of storytelling proves that a compelling narrative doesn’t always require a lengthy exposition.

A flash fiction story

—sometimes called a short short or nano fiction—is one that has a complete plot in under 1,500 words. Some flash fiction pieces consist of as few as five or six words.

3 Characteristics of Flash Fiction

• Brevity. Flash fiction compresses an entire story into the space of a few paragraphs. There is no defined word count for flash fiction, but some commonly used word limits in flash fiction range from just six words on the short end to around 1,000 words on the longer end.
• A complete plot. A flash fiction story is indeed a story, with a beginning, middle, and end. Meanwhile, this sets it apart from a prose poem or vignette, which can explore an emotion, memory, or thought without a plot.
• Surprise. Great flash fiction often incorporates surprise, usually in the form of a twist ending or an unexpected last line. This is not a gimmick however, the aim is to prompt the reader to think deeply about the true meaning of the story.

Hence, Flash fiction has roots going back to prehistory, recorded at the origin of writing, including fables and parables, notably Aesop’s Fables in the West, and Panchatantra and Jataka tales in India. Later examples include the tales of Nasreddin and Zen koans such as The Gateless Gate.

Awareness of Flash Fiction

Access to the Internet has enhanced an awareness of flash fiction, with online journals being devoted entirely to the style. Smoke Long Quarterly, founded by Dave Clapper in 2003, is “dedicated to bringing the best flash fiction to the web … whether written by widely published authors or those new to the craft.

 Other online flash fiction journals include Wig Leaf, Flash Fiction Online, and Flash Fiction Magazine, not to mention The Webby Award-recognized Dribble Drabble Review, founded and edited by Keith Hoerner, MFA.

In addition, in a CNN article on the subject, the author remarked that the “democratization of communication offered by the Internet has made positive in-roads” in the specific area of flash fiction, and directly influenced the style’s popularity.

 The form is popular, with most online literary journals now publishing flash fiction.

Types of Flash Fiction

The various types of flash fiction depend on their length: 

• Short story (up to 7,500 words)
• Sudden fiction (usually a little over 1000 words)
• Short short story or flash fiction (up to around 1000  words)
• Postcard fiction (between 250 and 500 words, or as much as can fit on a postcard!)
• Microfiction (usually under 300 words)

What is the purpose of flash fiction?

The purpose of writing flash fiction is to convey a complete story or idea within a constrained word count, honing brevity and precision. It challenges writers to craft impactful narratives quickly, fostering creativity and skill development. Flash fiction can entertain, provoke thought, and serve as a platform for experimentation or social commentary. In conclusion, Flash fiction is the best way to deliver a quick and convenient message, feeling, or idea.