If you like to write suspenseful stories, try doing a thriller or horror flash fiction piece. For stories that take place in the future or have advanced technology, write science fiction. If you want to focus on a relationship, consider writing romantic flash fiction.
For example, if you want your theme to be love and sacrifice, you may choose to write a story about someone who works all the time just to earn money for someone they care about.
For example, your protagonist’s goal may be to find sunken treasure, but they’re afraid of the ocean. Only give your character 1 goal for your flash fiction or else your piece could get too long or complicated.
For example, your protagonist could be someone stuck in the forest and your antagonist could be a wolf trying to hunt them. Combine an internal struggle with an external struggle to make your flash fiction more complex.
For example, if your theme is about loss, you may write your flash fiction piece about how someone’s daily routine changes the day after someone they loved passed away.
For example, you may write something like, “Jess walked out into the rain after midnight, thinking of ways she could win back all of the money she had lost at the poker table that night. ” If you need to include exposition about your character, work it into their dialogue.
For example, if you were writing a story about a boxing match, you may have your antagonist wound your main character so it’s more challenging for your protagonist to win the fight. Don’t use multiple conflicts in a flash fiction piece since it can get confusing and wordy.
Make sure the surprise fits with the rest of the story. For example, readers would be unsatisfied if a meteor fell out of the sky and stopped a monster from attacking. Do your best to avoid jokey twist endings since they’re overused. [8] X Research source
For example, if your protagonist’s childhood is relevant to the story, do not write, “Sarah was born in a bathtub in Kansas City and lived there through elementary school, when her father got a job in Tulsa …” Instead, say something like, “Sarah reflected on her brief and unfulfilling childhood as she waited for a taxi. ” It’s okay to use more than 1,000 words while you’re writing your first draft since you’ll be editing them out later on.
Use your character’s dialogue to help reveal information or progress the plot as well.
Your title can help describe any backstory that you didn’t include. For example, if you’re writing a story about a husband doing the routine of his wife who passed away, you may call your story “In Her Footsteps. ”
Get rid of any information that’s repeated unless you need it to add emphasis. Use a thesaurus to find words that are stronger and less common.
Be prepared to answer questions about your story in case your reader is confused. Talk to a writing professor or teacher to see if you can to see if there’s anything they would edit.
Don’t become too much of a perfectionist or else you’ll always find some flaw in your story.
