This post I feels like a GIFT right now. I’m teaching intro to fiction to high schoolers this semester and next week I’m starting a unit on different forms of short fiction and I’ve been wrecking my brain trying to articulate what flash fiction IS. Furthermore, it’s hard to breakdown why/how a piece is successful. (It just IS!) great post. :)
Oh I'm so glad to hear it, Jan! For me, the ultimate answer to "is this piece successful" is how it made me feel or think. There are so many fabulous stories like that! And when flash manages that huge impact in such a small space, and does so in interesting, inventive ways....well, it just floors me. I think students love to see new ways of approaching narrative. It wakes up their brains and inspires them. Gives them permission to play.
Thank you Kathy, your post is a gift indeed. I am a poet experimenting with story and wondering which form. I somehow found my way here and recognised something which felt true for me. I love your Joy Williams quote too. All this gives me hope there is a genre I can embrace between poetry and story :) I will dig further.
your lessons are always so good, robust, succinct. I look forward to buying your flash craft book!
Lisa, thank you!
This post I feels like a GIFT right now. I’m teaching intro to fiction to high schoolers this semester and next week I’m starting a unit on different forms of short fiction and I’ve been wrecking my brain trying to articulate what flash fiction IS. Furthermore, it’s hard to breakdown why/how a piece is successful. (It just IS!) great post. :)
Oh I'm so glad to hear it, Jan! For me, the ultimate answer to "is this piece successful" is how it made me feel or think. There are so many fabulous stories like that! And when flash manages that huge impact in such a small space, and does so in interesting, inventive ways....well, it just floors me. I think students love to see new ways of approaching narrative. It wakes up their brains and inspires them. Gives them permission to play.
A few minutes ago, with others, we pledged to ignore our inner critic and to write once again.
Your post woke something in me and I scribbled a few lines on your Tomorrow /but tonight.
First time I’ve done any flash fiction for over three years. Thank you
This means the world to me, Rosina! I’m so glad to hear it. Thanks for trying the prompt and letting me know it succeeded for you!
Thank you Kathy, your post is a gift indeed. I am a poet experimenting with story and wondering which form. I somehow found my way here and recognised something which felt true for me. I love your Joy Williams quote too. All this gives me hope there is a genre I can embrace between poetry and story :) I will dig further.
Thanks so much for stopping by! Many of the best flash fiction writers have a background or inclination for poetry. The line is very blurred!