Writing Flash: Fiction and Nonfiction

This one-day workshop will explore techniques for writing crisp, lean, and publishable flash fiction as well as examine all aspects of the form: What does it offer readers (and writers) that the satisfaction of longer narrative may not? What structural techniques do flash stories use to evoke character, conflict, place, and resolution in so few words, while often  packing such a strong punch? How do we build narrative arcs from beginning to end in such small spaces? How do form and content work seamlessly towards the same goal? We’ll begin our exploration by looking at the one-sentence story and warming up with several short, fun exercises. The day will include a full craft presentation, handouts, group discussion, lots of writing prompts and time to write, as well as a look at a number of successful flash fictions in their entirety in order to investigate the strategies they use. Students will leave with an in-depth understanding of what makes a flash story successful, a knowledge of publishing and contest opportunities specific to flash fiction and nonfiction, as well as three first drafts of their own flash pieces. Open to all levels and genres.