What is flash fiction exactly? Well, it really has no definitive definition. It is broadly described as, “a short story in miniature, a work of art carved on a grain of rice - something of import to the artist or writer that is confined and reduced, either by design or outcome, into a small square space using the structural devices of prose line and paragraph form with the purpose of creating an intense, emotional impact” (Masih XI). So in layman's terms a very, very, very short story meant to make your feel intense emotions in a short amount of time.
One of the distinguishing characteristics of flash fiction is its brief length. Flash fictions are very short, hence the name flash fiction. They usually take much less than four to five minutes to read and are very intense. Intense in the fact that they really try to make you feel or understand an emotion or situation a character(s) is going through. They may be short reads but they are meant to be extremely powerful.
Another distinguishing characteristic is the lack of a story arc, sometimes. Flash fictions are very, very short, so they lack on filler detail that is usually in longer fictions. Seeing as flash fiction lacks that filler detail, it sometimes lacks the details necessary for a complete story arc. So, sometimes authors will leave those details out and let the audience members fill in the story arc themselves. Readers are often looking for the basic parts of the story arc: exposition, complication(s), climax, and resolution(s), so they will automatically fill in the missing pieces that may not be there.
Flash fiction in America is supposedly supposed to have come from Washington Irving's story collection entitled The Sketch-Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. This collection ...
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...works. If you find that you have begun to think flash fiction is your thing, definitely check out all these collections and authors. Reading and studying works of flash fiction can help you become a better and well rounded writer in general and a better flash fiction writer.
Works Cited
Butler, Robert O. "A Short Short Theory." Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction: Tips from Editors, Teachers, and Writers in the Field. Brookline, MA: Rose Metal, 2009. 102-04. Print.
Masih, Tara L. "In Pursuit of the Short Short Story: An Introduction." Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction: Tips from Editors, Teachers, and Writers in the Field. Brookline, MA: Rose Metal, 2009. XI-XXXVIII. Print.
Shapard, Robert. "Staying True to the Image." Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction: Tips from Editors, Teachers, and Writers in the Field. Brookline, MA: Rose Metal, 2009. 87-93. Print.
"Unit 2: Reading & Writing About Short Fiction." ENGL200: Composition and Literature. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2011. 49-219. Web. 19 Apr. 2014.
May, C. E. (2012). Critical Survey of Short Fiction: World Writers (4th ed.). Ipswich: Salem Press.
Oates, Joyce Carol. "When Characters From the Page Are Made Flesh on the Screen." The New York Times. N.p., 23 Mar. 1986. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.
I do not agree with Richler opinion when he says fiction is a waste of time. Reading a piece of information or any novel contribute to human being educational enrichment, never a waste of time. Fiction movies are entertaining, I enjoy science fiction movies because they are interesting and mostly because they are short and easy to follow.
A short story is a work of literature that is shorter than a novel. Although some may believe the length may not be enough to develop a noble story, in these few pages an author can pack a tight punch that will leave one in awe, disgust, or utter sadness. Whether there is a moral of the story or it is simply for the reader’s enjoyment, each author has their own style of conveying a message through their work in very diverse ways. Through Flannery O’Connor and Chuck Palahniuk’s works we can see this very evidently.
_______. Critical Review of Short Fiction. Vol. III 4 vols.. Pasadena, California: Salem Press, 1991.
Ross, Michael E. "IN SHORT: NONFICTION." New York Times, Late Edition (East Coast) ed.Aug 14 1988. ProQuest. Web. 2 Mar. 2014 .
...s in Short Fiction 36.3 (1999): 291+. Humanities Module. ProQuest. Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg, IL. CSC Lib 28 Feb. 2008
Last but not least, O’Connor confirms that even a short story is a multi-layer compound that on the surface may deter even the most enthusiastic reader, but when handled with more care, it conveys universal truths by means of straightforward or violent situations. She herself wished her message to appeal to the readers who, if careful enough, “(…)will come to see it as something more than an account of a family murdered on the way to Florida.”
Magill, Frank N. Critical Survey of Short Fiction. Vol. 6. Pasadena, California: Salem Press, 1993.
... In Teaching Short Fiction 9.2 (2009): 102-108. Literary Reference Center Plus. Web. 2 Apr. 2014.
and Other Greats : Lessons from the All-star Writer's Workshop. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006. Print.
Most people believe that graphic novels are just an art book with minimal text. They believe it is just for entertainment for kids or young adults. They think that graphic novels are just like comics. But to get to the point, graphic novels are just like all the other novels. They are a piece of literature that tells a story and pulls out the reader’s imagination, so that they feel that they are a part of the story or can even relate to the story. Graphic novels have changed and developed into such remarkable pieces of literature and should be accepted by all scholars to be placed in that category. According to John Ridley, “There are still some people out there who believe comic books are nothing more than, well, comic books. But the true cognoscenti know graphic novels are-at their best-an amazing blend of art, literature and the theater of the mind”.
Miline, Ira Mark. Short Stories for Student. Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Short Stories Volume 8Virtual Reference Library. Detroit, Mich: Gale. Web. 13 Jan. 2010.
Allen, Orphia J., Short Story Criticism. Vol 16. Ed. Thomas Vottler. Detroit, MI: Gale Research, Co., 1990.