YMCA Writing Class

Down the Rabbit Hole: flash fiction

Class overview and resources

Writing 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 quality of the story is the most important element, not the length. If the story is good, you can get it published.

This class will teach you the difference between traditional structure and organic structure. The best source for learning how to write organic fiction is "Story Trumps Structure" by Steven James. If you get and use this book, you are on the road to being published. I use this method to write my stories and have had every story I've written (over 150) published in a magazine or literary journal.

Before you start:

Get the free kindle reading app for your phone, tablet or computer https://www.amazon.com/b?node=16571048011

Look at "How to get free kindle books" https://www.cloudwards.net/free-kindle-books/

Take a look at the stories by master writers at the bottom of this page.

Best book recommended for this class:

"Story Trumps Structure" by Steven James, the definitive text for Organic Writing

Other books to enhance your writing:

"On Writing" by Stephen King, his autobiography on how writers are formed

"The Art of Fiction" by John Gardner, a craft guidebook to writing fiction

"Bird by Bird: some instructions on writing and life" by Anne Lamott, a good book for your writing journey

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Course agenda and homework (homework is always optional)

Week 1 - What is a Story? Imagination and overview of the creative writing process

* Show Einstein quote: "Imagination is more important than knowledge"

The five elements of creative fiction:

1. Story World

2. Characters and Dialogue

3. Plot and Structure

4. Conflict and Resolution

5. Theme

Lesson objectives:

* Students will be able to define the five main elements of creative fiction

* Students will be able to create a basic story world

* Students will be able to compare and contrast ‘slice of life’ versus ‘well made stories’

* Students will be able to find resources for the class

Class exercises:

* Story is a story world, plus characters and obstacles.

* Write details about your story world. Describe the setting and time period.

* Write down a few possible story worlds for your work.

* What is a story premise? What if questions. Write down a few and discuss.

* Write down three strong emotional experiences from your life.

* Write down an idea for a slice of life story.

Homework (always optional)

* Read “How to create a believable world for your characters” at https://thewritelife.com/worldbuilding/

* Read my story "Preheat the Microwave.Com" at: https://cafestories.net/stories-you-can-read

* Write more details about your story world. Describe the setting and time period.

* Send me your best premise and story world for feedback jgauthor@icloud.com

The Structure of Story - Your Story World. How stories are constructed

Lesson objectives:

* Students will be able to define one or two story worlds for their stories and share them in class.

* Students will be able to describe a “circular ending” in fiction.

* Students will be able to describe “irony” in fiction.

* Students will be able to compare traditional structure with organic writing

Class exercises:

* Traditional story construction vs the Organic writing method

* Show slides detailing Organic writing

* Share your thoughts about the World Building article you read for homework.

* Show slides on beginning and ending of stories.

* Write how you might begin and end a story?

* Read my story "Who Stole Asbury Park" at: https://cafestories.net/stories-you-can-read (Note the circular ending)

* Read my story "Anything but Indian Food" at: https://cafestories.net/stories-you-can-read (Note the ironic ending)

Homework (always optional)

* Write more detail about your story world. Begin thinking about your characters.

* Begin your 300-500 word story; when you are ready, send it to me for feedback jgauthor@icloud.com

Week 2 - Conflict and Resolution - How to get in and out of trouble

Lesson objectives:

* Students will describe conflict and tension in a story and give examples

* Students will create some possible conflicts and resolutions

* Students will discover Scapple as a writing tool

* Students will be able to use tension in writing

Class exercises:

* Write down some possible conflicts and resolutions you could use

* Write down examples of tension. How could tension increase engagement in your story?

* Begin building your plot for your story world. Sketch out events in a plot map (by hand or you might use Scapple).

* Show Steven James' graphic for building conflict

* Ask "what happens next?"

* Read Eudora Welty’s viewpoint on short stories at: https://bit.ly/2MK4oEy

Homework (always optional)

* Read a story by one of the short story masters (see bottom of page)

* Continue working on your story. Add a difficult choice or two that your character has to make.

* Begin building your plot for your story world.

Genres and Subgenres - what do you like?

Lesson objectives:

* Students will be able to identify different genres in writing

* Students will select one or two genres for their stories

* Students will be able to use Duotrope.com to assign their story to a market

* Students will be able to write a college love story

Class exercises:

* Think about your favorite television shows or movies; what genres are they written in?

* Consider the genre that you would like to write in.

* Open Duotrope.com and show how genres define a market.

* Check out "How to Write a Love Story" at: https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Love-Story

* Begin writing a college love story.

Homework (always optional)

* Read my story "Can't Buy Me Love" at https://cafestories.net/stories-you-can-read

* Continue working on your college love story.

* What is steampunk? https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-steampunk-definition/

* Explore Duotrope.com for markets and genres

Week 3 - Openings and Endings - the short and winding road

Lesson objectives:

* Students will be able to explain the importance of a good beginning

* Students will select an ending type that they can use

* Students will continue writing their college love story

Class exercises:

* Show examples of openings and possible endings

* Choose an ending type that you like.

* Review your story elements.

* Expand your college love story to 500 words.

Homework (always optional)

* Read a story by one of the short story masters (see bottom of page)

* Review your story elements. Make sure your story has all five.

* Send me your college love story for feedback (jgauthor@icloud.com)

* Read one or two stories by master story writers (links at bottom of page)

* Read "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry at http://bit.ly/2h0LB6d and also the analysis at http://bit.ly/2h0LB6d

Characters - Putty People and Pebble People - Your actors carry the story

Lesson objectives:

* Students will be able to compare putty people and pebble people and give examples of how characters can change in a story

* Students will be able to create a few character profiles

* Students will be able to expand their story world

Class exercises:

* Demonstrate putty and pebble, how characters change

* Ask students to give examples of how characters can change

* Show character profile sheet slides

* Sketch out some character profiles. Provide details about their appearance, personality and motivations.

* Create a character profile. Explain how the character might change

* Show Scapple and how it can be used to link characters

* Show https://www.masterclass.com/articles/guide-to-all-the-types-of-characters-in-literature

Homework (always optional)

* Read my story "The Waiting Room" (https://bit.ly/3qZVbtT) How or why did the woman disappear?

* Humor and Style. Read a story by Woody Allen at: https://bit.ly/2ME2Xr4

* Read my story The Sonoma Murder Mystery at: https://cafestories.net/stories-you-can-read Were you able to solve the mystery before the end?

* Watch videos from Adam Skelter https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHw-MoPtkled9YCbANizBC0L5IOnFPwQ3

Week 4 - Themes, Plots and Subplots - Theme and the importance of a universal message

Lesson objectives:

* Students will be able to describe plot and give examples.

* Students will be able to show an example of plot in writing.

* Students will be able to differentiate between plots and subplots

* Students will be able to recognize themes in stories

* Students will be able to define literary themes and give examples

* Students will be able to describe literary devices and give examples

* Students will make a list of difficult choices a character may have to make.

Class exercises:

* Show theme examples; ask students to select a theme or two on their worksheet

* Explain how plots and subplots are used

* Review the 20 and 36 plot types by Tobias and Polti

* Select one of the plot types and sketch out notes about that style.

* Read my story "UFO" https://bit.ly/3Dxb2oI How would Tony’s life change if someone else saw the UFO?

* Think about your major life decisions. (i.e. different school, relationship, job, place to live, etc) Where would you be today if you followed another path?

* Sketch out a story where a character has to make a decision (i.e. two equally good or difficult decisions) and say where each choice would lead him/her

* Make a list of difficult choices a character would have to make.

Homework (always optional)

* Sketch out your longer short story (500 - 1500 words). Think about your theme, characters, plot, conflicts and story world.

* Add at least one subplot to your story.

* Read my story "The Tightrope" at: https://cafestories.net/stories-you-can-read Think about the theme and subplot

Dialogue and Subtext -what is said and unsaid, but understood

Lesson objectives:

* Students will be able to distinguish between dialogue and subtext

* Students will be able to give examples of subtext (non verbal)

* Students will be able to distinguish between showing and telling a story.

Class exercises:

* Show video clips of subtext

* Students will write a paragraph that includes subtext (e.g. by showing, not telling)

Homework (always optional)

* Work on your longer short story. Add a difficult choice or two that your character has to make.

* Read both very short stories by James Thurber at: https://bit.ly/2Pf38pB

* Read Before the Law by Franz Kafka at: https://bit.ly/1INI82o

* Read my story "The Devil’s Orchestra" https://bit.ly/3J7Ops5. How did choices change the main character?

Week 5 - Story vs Discourse

Lesson objectives:

* Students will be able to distinguish between showing and telling in writing

* Students will compare discourse as telling and story as showing

* Students will be able to identify telling and showing in stories

* Students will write a short scene with dialogues

Class exercises:

* Compare story vs discourse (folding and unfolding)

* Write down examples of showing and telling.

* Ask students to write two paragraphs, one folding and one unfolding

* Write a scene between two characters. Make sure you show (don’t tell) what they are thinking and feeling.

Homework (always optional)

* Read two stories by short story masters (links at bottom of page)

* Keep working on your longer story.

Software and Publishing your story - reward for your work

Lesson objectives:

* Students will be able to find and evaluate writing software on the Internet

* Students will be able to write with emotions (Angela Ackerman’s books)

* Students will be able to use plot generators, writing prompts and character ideas online.

* Students will be able to use Duotrope to search for magazines that publish stories.

* Students will share stories in class and get positive and constructive feedback.

* Students will edit and improve their stories in preparation for publication

* Introduce AI for writing

Class exercises:

* Go to duotrope.com and demonstrate how to find a market

* Show a website for submission guidelines

* Show an example of the story format for submission and cover letter

* Read "The Bathhouse" by Mikhail Zoshchenko at (https://bit.ly/37ctJlq)

* Watch Scene Dynamics at: http://bit.ly/2zSbrmO

* show Angela Ackerman's books on writing emotions

* Work on one of your stories. Share with someone in the class.

* Do a search on Duotrope that matches your flash fiction story.

* Change parameters to give you additional results (e.g. word count, genre, sub genre, topic)

* Select one or two markets that match your story.

* Show AI review site: http://bit.ly/3ZTKKrt Try it out!

Homework (always optional)

* Use Duotrope to find a market(s) for your story. Make sure your story meets the submission requirements.

* Revise your story by eliminating excess words, substituting telling with showing and tightening up paragraphs and transitions.

* Use Duotrope to find a market(s) for your story. Make sure your story meets the submission requirements.

* Submit your story to a market (see my list below) or choose one yourself.

* Send me a copy of your flash fiction (shorter) story.

* Let me know when your story is accepted for publication so I can celebrate your success!

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Resources:

Pixar's 22 Rules for Storytelling

https://gizmodo.com/the-22-rules-of-storytelling-according-to-pixar-5916970

The Write Practice Guide to Publishing a Short Story (a 4 part series)

* Find Your Publication and Idea https://thewritepractice.com/how-to-publish-a-short-story/

* Write your first and second drafts https://thewritepractice.com/how-to-publish-a-short-story-first-draft/

* Final draft https://thewritepractice.com/how-to-publish-a-short-story-final-draft/

* Submit https://thewritepractice.com/how-to-publish-a-short-story-submit/

The Write Practice article on Genres and sub genres

https://bit.ly/3rERgTh

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The Writer's Dictionary (what does that word mean?)

https://writingexplained.org/grammar-dictionary

Rules for writing paragraphs

https://www.book-editing.com/start-paragraph-fiction/

This is important. Large blocks of writing make it difficult for readers. Read the article above, but here are the three times you need to start a new paragraph:

1. When you start a new topic

2. When you change time or location

3. When a new character begins to speak

Craft Articles Written by the Flash Fiction Magazine Editing Team

* How to Craft a Killer Opening Line by Sean Cunningham

https://bit.ly/38PZ12J

* How to Not Be Boring by By Austin Ross

https://bit.ly/3O5zgLE

* Using Your Uniqueness to Make Readers Care About Your Story by Susan Jessen

https://bit.ly/3KBkOsV

* How to Develop Characters in Flash Fiction by Allison Renner

https://bit.ly/3M2bK0a

How to Craft a Killer Opening Line by Sean Cunningham
How to Develop Characters in Flash Fiction by Allison Renner
How to Not Be Boring by Austin Ross
Using Your Uniqueness to Make Readers Care About Your Story by Susan Jessen
How to Make Every Word Count by Keely Gardiner
Avoid Dead Ends—Creating an Impactful Flash Fiction Story Ending by Susan Jessen
How to Start and (Actually) Finish that Piece of Flash Fiction by Shanna Yetman
How to Tighten Sentences Without Losing Your Voice by Cecilia Kennedy
How to Weave Objects Through Your Flash Fiction Stories by Ellie Jacobson

More from Flash Fiction Magazine

12 Submission Tips to Increase Your Odds of Getting Published
8 Flash Fiction Editing Tips
Top 10 Reasons Flash Fiction Stories Get Rejected

Writing prompts to get you started!

50 Flash Fiction Prompts to Inspire You

https://bit.ly/3nTdWxe

62 Great Flash Fiction Story Prompts

https://bit.ly/3Ro3yLq

100 Awesome Flash Fiction Writing Prompts

https://bit.ly/3Pg3J9B

101 Great Adventure Story Prompts

https://bit.ly/3yIRg8W

100 Creative Writing Prompts

https://bit.ly/3nJoYFd

70 Mystery Writing Prompts

https://bit.ly/3nK89d7

More Writing Prompts

https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/page/2/

30 Story Starters from Steven James' new book "The Art of the Tale"

1.You saw a bridge emerge between two things, ideas, or people.

2.You looked into someone's eyes and realized something.

3.You felt pain over the loss of a loved one.

4.You experienced joy over seeing a loved one.

5.You witnessed a teacher bring about peace.

6.You were afraid of dying.

7.You felt rejection.

8.You peeled off a mask you were wearing.

9.You tried to forgive, but couldn't.

10.You stood up for someone else.

11.You abandoned the rat race.

12.You redefined your view of success.

13.You were lost.

14.You were found.

15.You were almost killed.

16.You witnessed new life.

17.You flirted with death/disaster.

18.You were given a second chance.

19.You weren't caught doing something wrong.

20.You experienced discrimination.

21.You had butterflies in your stomach.

22.You knew you were going to panic.

23.You felt paralyzed.

24.You were angry at injustice.

25.You witnessed hypocrisy.

26.You realized people don't spend time on important things.

27.You fit in when you should have stood out.

28.You stood out when you should have fit in.

29.You longed to make up for a wrong you'd done.

30.A dream came true.

More writing advice from Steven James and Tom Morrisey (from the new book "The Art of the Tale".

What to remember when sharing multicultural stories

https://d3iqwsql9z4qvn.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/15112150/What-to-Remember-When-Sharing-Multicultural-Stories.pdf

Two Tips for Adding Humor to the Stories You Tell

https://d3iqwsql9z4qvn.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/15112149/Tips-for-Adding-Humor-to-Your-Stories.pdf

Grammar Checkers and Readability:

Part of being a good writer is expressing yourself clearly and allowing your reader to understand without question. Here are two apps that will help you do that: Grammarly and Hemingway. Both programs are available on the web.

Grammarly is a grammar checker. It analyzes your writing and makes recommendations for improving and/or correcting grammatical errors.

https://www.grammarly.com

Hemingway is a readability app that analyzes your writing, gives it a score (lowest grade is best) and highlights passages that you need to work on.

https://hemingwayapp.com

An article on Hemingway:

https://www.wyliecomm.com/2021/01/measure-readability-with-the-hemingway-readability-app/

Suggested markets:

Use Duotrope.com to find a market(s) for your story. Make sure you read and follow the submission guidelines carefully. Some magazines allow reprints but most magazines want original, unpublished stories. Some magazines allow for simultaneous submissions but some do not. If you submit to any of these magazines, please mention you were in my class.

Flash Fiction Magazine - https://flashfictionmagazine.com

The Short Humour Site (UK) - http://www.short-humour.org.uk

The Piker Press - https://www.pikerpress.com

Cafe Lit (UK) - https://cafelit.co.uk

Potato Soup Journal - http://potatosoupjournal.com

Bewildering Stories - http://www.bewilderingstories.com

The Scarlet Leaf Review (Canada) - https://www.scarletleafreview.com

The Feathered Flounder - https://thefeatheredflounder.submittable.com/submit

The Glass Coin (Canada) - https://jodicleghorn.wordpress.com/tag/the-glass-coin/

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

Other Places to Publish Your Story

https://letswriteashortstory.com/literary-magazines/?_ga=2.84251545.1498716102.1518023218-460641814.1518023218