Flash Fiction Writing Guide: The Art of Very Short Stories

Flash fiction tells complete stories in 1,000 words or less—some in just a few hundred. It's poetry's precision applied to narrative. Every word carries weight. Here's how to master this challenging form.

Flash Fiction Categories

• Flash fiction: Under 1,000 words
• Sudden fiction: 250-1,000 words
• Micro fiction: Under 300 words
• Drabble: Exactly 100 words
• Six-word stories: The ultimate compression

Core Principles

Start in the Middle

No room for setup. Drop readers into the crucial moment. Backstory is implied, not explained. Trust readers to fill in gaps.

One Character, One Conflict

Focus ruthlessly. A single character facing a single moment of conflict or decision. Multiple characters and plots dilute impact.

Implication Over Explanation

Let readers do work. Suggest relationships and history through small details. A well-chosen detail implies an entire world.

The Powerful Ending

Flash endings need to land hard. They often work by:

• Revealing something that recontextualizes the whole story
• Creating a sudden emotional impact
• Ending on a resonant image
• Leaving space for reader imagination

Techniques for Compression

• Cut opening paragraphs: Your real beginning is often paragraph two or three.
• Use specific nouns: "BMW" instead of "expensive car." Specificity implies without explaining.
• Active, precise verbs: "She sprinted" not "She was running very fast."
• Cut dialogue tags: When it's clear who's speaking, "said" is often unnecessary.
• Eliminate adverbs: Find stronger verbs instead.
• Cut transitions: Jump between moments. Readers will follow.

What Flash Fiction Does Well

• Capture a single powerful moment
• Explore a concept or image
• Create emotional impact quickly
• Experiment with form and structure
• Deliver a twist or revelation
• Leave readers thinking long after reading

Common Flash Fiction Mistakes

• Vignettes without story: Flash needs narrative movement, not just a moment described.
• Twist-dependent endings: If the story is nothing without the twist, the story isn't strong enough.
• Too much setup: Get to the point. You have no room for slow builds.
• Explaining the ending: Land and stop. Don't explain what just happened.
• Generic details: Specific details do heavy lifting. Generic details waste precious words.

Flash Fiction as Practice

Flash fiction is excellent practice for all writers:

• Complete stories in single writing sessions
• Learn economy of language
• Practice hooking readers fast
• Develop strong endings
• Build a portfolio of finished work quickly
• Experiment with styles and forms

Prompts for Flash Fiction

• A character finds an object that changes everything
• The moment just before a life-changing decision
• Two characters meet for the first (or last) time
• A secret is accidentally revealed
• Something ordinary becomes terrifying (or beautiful)

Related Resources

• Short Story Structure →
• Writing Prompts →
• Daily Writing Habits →