Written in a flash

[John Dean]

 

I am part of the team that organises an annual short story competition for young writers in Dumfries and Galloway, as part of the run-up to Kirkcudbright book week 2025 in March. The competition is run by the event organisers Kirkcudbright Book Week Society and Kirkcudbright Library. Myself and Lesley Garbutt from the Library are the judges and this year we have asked for flash fiction entries.

As I was writing a guide to the genre to go on the website as an aid to potential entrants, I was reminded that, even if flash fiction is not your thing, as an author the genre's general rules are still worth bearing in mind so thought I would share it with you.

 

What Is Flash Fiction?

Flash Fiction refers to very short pieces of prose writing and is known by various names, including Sudden Fiction, Drabble, Nanotale or Microfiction.

Usually under 1,500 words, the word limit can vary depending on which publication, website or competition you are writing for, and can be as short as 100 words or even less. It became popular in the nineteenth century and underwent a resurgence of popularity with the advent of the internet, where most of it is published.

 

Handy Hints

Use One Or Two Main Characters

With such a limited word count, it makes sense to focus on a small number of characters. You do not have the word count to describe more than two or three main characters - depending on the length of the piece, even three may be too many

Keep the Description of Places Short

Given such word restrictions, it makes sense to focus on a small number of locations around which to build the story and to describe them by choosing two or three characteristics which can be described in a single line.

Start In The Middle

A lot of flash fiction starts in the middle because there are not enough words to develop a slow beginning. The writer needs to grab their readers from the first line, giving them the powerful sense that they are arriving when something is happening.

It’s all in the Movement

Flash fiction requires a beginning, middle and end, just like other stories but it needs to move more quickly than longer pieces of fiction. That means that you will not have the words to develop complicated sub-plots or back-stories.

A Matter of Conflict

Fiction of any length is driven by conflict and the same is true of Flash Fiction but you will  need to limit your conflicts to one easily-understood struggle or choice that your character has to make.

Be Concise

Keep your sentences short, and don’t use three words where one will do. Even if you do not intend to write much Flash Fiction, many of its rules are valid for other length pieces and it can offer a good discipline for any writer.

Present A Memorable Last Line

It’s a good idea to finish with a surprise, a twist that surprises the reader; it will help ensure that they remember your story (always handy for competition entries!]. Even if you do not wish to enter competitions, trying Flash Fiction is a good discipline.

You can find out about the rules of the competition at https://kirkcudbrightbookweek.org/young-writers-short-story-competi...