Flash fiction
Flash fiction is a complete story told in very few words, usually under 1,000, that implies more than it states and relies on a single moment, image or turn.
"For sale: baby shoes, never worn." Six words, a whole sorrow. The story is not on the page. The reader makes it. That is flash fiction at its smallest.
What it does
- Starts late and ends early. There is no room for setup, so the story begins in the middle of a moment and stops soon after the turn.
- Implies the rest. What is left out matters as much as what is said. This is subtext working hard.
- Uses precise detail. One exact image stands in for a paragraph of description. See show, don't tell.
- Lands an ending. A last line that shifts the meaning of everything before.
Named lengths
- Drabble: exactly 100 words.
- Micro fiction: under about 300.
- Sudden or short-short fiction: up to 750 or 1,000.
Why it matters to a writer or editor
Flash fiction is a master class in compression. A writer who can tell a story in 300 words learns what is essential. For an editor, a flash piece is edited word by word: every line is asked whether it earns its place. The first line must hook the reader, and the last must land. Compare the novella at the other end of the scale and the prose poem as a neighbour. See hook for the opening.
Frequently asked questions
How long is flash fiction?
Usually under 1,000 words. Named lengths include micro fiction (under 300), drabble (exactly 100) and the six-word story.
What is the six-word story?
A tale in six words, famously attributed, perhaps wrongly, to Hemingway: 'For sale: baby shoes, never worn.' It implies a whole history.
How is flash fiction different from a prose poem?
Flash fiction tells a story with a change in it. A prose poem is driven by image and mood and may have no plot.