Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Insecure Writers Support Group, Flash Fiction

Greetings and welcome to the June addition of IWSG. Alex J. Cavanugh's brain child has certainly grown. I haven't been able to post for awhile and this time I'm writing it early because we are moving and I won't have the internet until June 4. To read other post follow the link and click on anyone you like.

As in the title of this post I'll be talking about flash fiction. There was a time when I didn't think I could write short stories let alone flash fiction which is around 1,000 words or less. But thanks to my Aussie friend, Denise Covey, and her monthly blog challenge at Write...Edit...Publish, that has changed. Curious? Here is the link. Anyone can participate.

So why bother to write flash fiction? First, the challenge to limit yourself to  a few descriptive words, tell a story that readers will become emotionally invested in, is something that all writers should strive to do.

Second; it turns out that there is money in it. The growing trend for e-books is flash fiction. Readers can download to their phone and read your story over lunch. Sounds good to me.

So in addition to working on the sequel to my epic fantasy, and writing a short story series, I'm putting together a group of flash fiction stories featuring faeries.

The question is; are you up to the challenge?

I hope you echo a resounding 'yes' in the comments.
Nancy

10 comments:

H. R. Sinclair said...

I think it's a great idea. I can see the appeal of reading a few good quickies over lunch. Makes it easier to go back to work when you have the resolution! :)

Chrys Fey said...

I love writing flash fiction because it is a challenge, but also because it's nice to write (and read) a story in one sitting. Although my schedule has been too hectic to participate in Denise's challenge, I do love it!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

My novels aren't long, but the short stuff is a real challenge for me. I did manage to write a story that was 1500 words for the PHENOMENA project.

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Holly, Chrys and Alex
I found flash fiction a real challenge in the beginning too, but well worth it.
Nancy

emaginette said...

I thought I was weird because I liked to work within a framework. As first it seems limiting, but there is freedom there too.

Anna from Shout with Emaginette

Denise Covey said...

Hello Nancy. Sorry it's taken so long to get to you. You know how life is.
Thank you so much for the shout out for WEP. I know many people who find it too demanding to write to a challenge and to write to a shorter word length then they're used to, but as you rightly say, it might be difficult at the beginning, but gets much easier and more fulfilling!

I hope more join us for the ROMANCE challenge in June.

Hope your move went well, and you're well settled in your new abode...

Denise

N. R. Williams said...

Hi Emaginette
So true.

Hi Denise
I hope so too.
Nancy

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Nancy .. short seems to make more sense now - and as you mention there are lots of options for reading in different ways. We seem to be going back to Charles Dickens' days ..

Good luck with your flash fiction though .. Cheers Hilary

N. R. Williams said...

Thanks Hilary
Nancy

Lisa said...

I too, have only recently started writing short or "flash" fiction and the more I do it, the more I like it! My writing group has helped me overcome my dislike of writing to a prompt and this in turn has helped me appreciate short fiction. Yes! I'll take on this challenge!