Flash Fiction

Flash fiction is not part of your novel or a summary/synopsis of your novel. Flash fiction is a short story with a beginning, middle and end that is usually 1,000 words or less. Here’s what you’ll need to craft a well-rounded story:

• a hook
• conflict and tension with your characters
• wrap the story up fast

Remember:

• Don’t confuse your reader. You need to get into the story and get out.
• When you’ve finished your story give it to a friend to read before you submit for publication.
• it can be in any genre.

Happy writing!

The letter

Despite the rain everything seemed brighter like a sunny autumn day, and I felt warm and happy, eager to see what Dave would be like after all these years. I unpacked the groceries and went into my bedroom and lifted the top end of my mattress and pulled out Dave’s envelope which was creased and dirty from all the times I’d opened it over the years. I knew what the letter said because I’d read it so many times. His words held hope in my heart and I couldn’t help but look at it again to see his writing, the only thing that seemed familiar about him to me. His message was short. He wrote that he had something he wanted to ask me face-to-face and that he’d be home in two weeks. For years, I dreamed the same dream. Dave faces me and holds my hands. He looks me in the eyes and opens his mouth to speak and I wake up.  I can’t remember how many times I’ve had that dream. It is always the thirteen-year-old Dave that I see. Now we are both twenty-three. No matter how much I try, my mind refuses to create an older Dave. Instead, he’s locked in the past where I last saw him.

 

Jordan

Jordan cuts his arm and watches the white bathroom tiles stain crimson around him. He’s cut himself too deep tonight and feels faint. His hand grips the outer-edge of the bath and he pulls himself up and wraps a towel around hims arm. He sees his face in the mirror and looks away, unwilling to acknowledge the person staring back at him.

Floating

Sally wished she could float away from the orphanage and find her way back home.

Birds

Her birds were the only thing she adored. They knew her innermost thoughts and feelings.

 

Hair

Annabelle felt like she’d been buried alive. Her hair was like tangled roots woven deep into the earth.

77,001

My name is 77,001. You’ll soon understand why. In April I was told have a flu shot.

‘It won’t hurt a bit, and the best news is you won’t get sick!’ said my doctor.

Yesterday, I felt like I’d been hit by a truck. I went to the doctors and he said I had the flu.

‘Stay away from everyone, lay in bed. You’re highly contagious and it may be a while before you feel better again.’

I let out a sneeze and a cough at my news. And I can tell you I wasn’t amused. I’ve never had the flu shot before and don’t think I’ll ever have it again. Have you ever had a flu shot? I’d love to know what you think. I hate being touched. My brain is in a fog. The best thing is I’m sleeping like a log.

I know what you’re thinking – a writer – and so many cliches but hey I’m not well and I’ve got a headache. I bought a book to read but the words float in and out of my head. My manuscript is stored in my computer for another day. The only ones happy are my two dogs laying with me on our bed.

Now I’ve got four boxes of antibiotics to take.

‘The tablets may make you feel sick. Take some Zofran if that happens,’ said my doctor. ‘It’ll do the trick.’

If the antibiotics make me feel better that’s all that matters. I’ll be back to normal and feeling much better. Two weeks ago, the newspaper reported 77,000 people in Australia have the flu because the flu shot didn’t work.