Write in the Harbor 2019

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Writing Flash Fiction is a challenging and enjoyable endeavor. Flash fiction requires economy and directness in your style. You don't have pages for backstory (exposition). You don't even have much time to create your story world (setting). For a story between 300 to 1000 words, you must grab the reader in the first paragraph. In my stories, the first paragraph usually includes the story world, the main character and the problem (conflict/obstacle), and sometimes even a hint at the theme. The title can also help you engage the reader.

Of course, sometimes you can't write your story in less than 1000 words. There are magazines that consider flash fiction up to 1500 words, so search duotrope.com and check magazine submission guidelines. Most magazines publish flash fiction and are more receptive to your stories (they can include more shorter stories than longer ones). But remember that the story is the most important element, not the length. If the story is good, you can get it published.

Here are some good online resources for writing flash fiction.

https://bookriot.com/2018/06/18/flash-fiction-stories/

http://www.smokelong.com/six-flash-fictions-with-great-endings/

https://lithub.com/11-very-short-stories-you-must-read-immediately/

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/13/flash-fiction_n_5481868.html

https://thejohnfox.com/flash-fiction-submissions/

https://bookriot.com/2017/11/21/flash-fiction-by-women/

http://www.castlegatepress.com/four-elements-that-every-flash-fiction-story-needs/

https://www.newyorker.com/books/flash-fiction

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/flash-fiction/361614/

https://litreactor.com/columns/storyville-how-to-write-flash-fiction

https://www.writermag.com/improve-your-writing/fiction/best-flash-fiction/

http://flashfictiononline.com/main/

https://flashfictionmagazine.com/

https://blog.reedsy.com/what-is-flash-fiction/

https://medium.com/@joannasmith008/everything-you-need-to-know-about-flash-fiction-29e2513b4f4a

https://commaful.com/

https://electricliterature.com/the-state-of-flash-fiction-80658ac03c6e

List of magazines that publish flash fiction at: https://thejohnfox.com/flash-fiction-submissions/

Below, you can download the entire presentation along with three of my most successful books. I hope they will give you good ideas for your own stories and details on how to apply skills for flash fiction.

You can find more information and resources on my website: http://cafestories.net  

I hope you will let me know if you get your flash fiction story published.

Jerry Guarino - editor

Flash Fiction Magazine