What is flash fiction?
Flash fiction is a very short story, usually under 500 words, that delivers a complete narrative with a clear beginning, middle and end. It’s a great way to practice brevity and precision. It can be so short that it fits in a tweet!
Examples:
- Stories focusing on a single moment or event
- Characters facing a sudden dilemma or revelation
- Using minimal description but strong emotions
Tips:
- Keep the plot simple and focused
- Use strong, concise language
- Show rather than tell to maximise impact
Further reading: Flash Fiction Forward edited by James Thomas
How do I create a compelling character quickly?
In flash fiction, there’s little room for lengthy backstories. Use brief but telling details to hint at character personality and motivation. Character introductions should be just a few well-chosen words.
“Mira adjusted her cracked glasses, scanning the horizon like she’d done every morning since the sky fell.”
In one sentence, we get:
- A visual detail (cracked glasses)
- A hint of habit or resilience (every morning)
- A sense of worldbuilding or backstory (since the sky fell)
Examples:
- A unique trait or action that reveals character
- Dialogue that hints at deeper feelings
- A vivid physical description with emotional weight
Tips:
- Focus on one key trait or conflict
- Avoid multiple characters to keep clarity
- Let character actions drive the story
Further reading: The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction by Tara L. Masih
How can I create tension and conflict in so few words?
Tension is essential even in brief stories. Start the problem early and give a hint of what the character might lose, so the reader gets interested fast.
Examples:
- A sudden twist or surprise
- Internal conflict revealed in thought or dialogue
- A dilemma that demands an immediate choice
Tips:
- Begin as close to the action as possible
- Use strong verbs and active voice
- Avoid unnecessary exposition
Further reading: Flash Fiction International edited by James Thomas and Robert Shapard
How do I decide what to leave out?
Editing is crucial in flash fiction. Trim everything that does not serve the core story or emotional impact. (Sometimes you really do need to cut the first draft completely in half!)
Examples:
- Removing excessive description or backstory
- Avoiding side plots or subplots
- Cutting filler words and clichés
Tips:
- Read aloud to spot awkward or unnecessary parts
- Get feedback focused on clarity and pace
- Remember less is often more
Further reading: Sudden Fiction edited by Robert Shapard and James Thomas
How do I end flash fiction effectively?
A strong ending can leave a lasting impression. Aim for a punchy, surprising or poignant conclusion. (Try ending a story with a single word that says everything.)
Examples:
- A twist that redefines the story
- An emotional revelation or decision
- An open ending that invites reflection
Tips:
- Avoid over-explaining the ending
- Let the reader fill in some gaps
- Keep the tone consistent to the story
Further reading: Very Short Stories by Robert Olen Butler
Where can I submit or share flash fiction?
Many literary magazines and online platforms welcome flash fiction submissions. Sharing your work can help you grow as a writer. (I once found my first publisher through an online flash fiction contest.)
Online Magazines & Journals
- Flash Fiction Online – Publishes monthly and pays for accepted stories.
- Smokelong Quarterly – Known for very short, powerful fiction.
- Craft Literary – Occasionally accepts flash fiction (check submission windows).
- Pidgeonholes – Open to experimental and emotional work.
Competitions
- Bath Flash Fiction Award – Prestigious, international, and runs multiple times a year.
- Reflex Fiction – Quarterly contest with cash prizes.
- Bridport Prize (Flash Category) – Well-known UK-based competition.
- Ad Hoc Fiction – Weekly contest with public voting and publication.
Online Communities & Platforms
- Medium – Start your own publication or submit to existing ones like 100 Words.
- Twitter (X) / Threads / Bluesky – Share micro-stories with hashtags like #FlashFiction.
- Reddit – Subreddits like r/flashfiction or r/writingprompts are active.
- Write the World – A teen-focused writing platform (if applicable).
Tips Before Submitting
- Always read submission guidelines carefully.
- Look at previously published stories to match the style.
- Consider submitting to smaller or niche platforms when starting out.
Examples of flash fiction writing
The New Door
Ella stood on the cracked pavement, keys heavy in her palm. The house was smaller than she imagined, with peeling paint and a crooked mailbox leaning as if it had secrets to tell. But it was hers.
Inside, the smell of old wood and forgotten stories filled the air. She ran her fingers along the dusty banister, imagining laughter echoing through the rooms, her laughter someday. The walls whispered promises.
In the kitchen, she found a faded note taped inside a cupboard: “Home isn’t just a place; it’s the people you bring in.” A chill ran down her spine, but she smiled. Maybe this house already knew her story.
That night, as she lay on the creaky floorboards with the moonlight draped over her, Ella felt the house breathing with her. It was alive and waiting. She was no longer just buying a building. She was claiming a future.
The New Door is 192 words long.
Inheritance
When the doctors said he wouldn’t live past thirty, Jonah smiled. He had plans. He’d write, travel, love.
At twenty-nine, lying in a sterile room, he heard his mother’s voice on the phone. “He won’t need the house. Sell it. Take the money.”
She never visited.
After he died, the house sold for a fortune. The new owner tore down every wall Jonah had painted, every mark he’d made.
No one remembered him.
Months later, the buyer found a hidden sketchbook buried in the attic — pages filled with dreams, hopes, and warnings: “Don’t forget me.”
The buyer tossed it into the fire.
Jonah’s story died twice — once with him, once with their indifference.
Inheritance is 150 words long.
The Collector
Mr. Graves was proud of his collection. Rare antiques, stolen from every corner of the world. Each piece whispered of lives ruined, families broken.
One rainy evening, a knock came at his door. No one was there, just a small box with a note: “Your turn.”
Inside, he found a cracked mirror and a withered leaf.
That night, he woke unable to move, trapped inside his own reflection. The mirror showed every face he’d wronged. Their pain, their fury.
Days turned to weeks. Mr. Graves watched helplessly as his body withered, his legacy shattered.
When the neighbours found him, the mirror was shattered, but his eyes remained frozen in terror. The collector finally collected.
The Collector is 140 words long.
Further reading: Writing and Selling Flash Fiction by Robert Lee Brewer