Fifty Word Fiction
Carrie McMillan told me one afternoon about a homework she had just set for her Year 9 English class: They had to write a piece of fiction in fifty words. I said it was impossible but dashed off to try my hand at it anyway. Fifteen minutes later I had my first fifty word fiction written, and a day after that I stuck up this website. Well, that's the fun of the Web, isn't it? Think it, make it, do it.
Alistair Fitchett
Quick tips for fifty-word-fiction:
Imply the setting. Ignore transitions.
(No "After a long and awkward conversation over chop suey, they got up and went outside to look at the moon, where she..." Just "Dinner was painful. Later, in the moonlight, she...")
Here's an excellent online article on Writing Flash Fiction: http://www.heelstone.com/meridian/meansarticle1.html
Et moi aussi. er, um.... sorry, still in French mode... And I am honored as well. :-D
Thank you, Dr. Arnzen. I am very honored.
There are a handful of these microfictions in my upcoming collection, 100 JOLTS. I think it's great practice at writing tightly. I liked the flashers I saw on Cochran's and Kilgore's site.
Ironically, my fiction writing class is currently writing 500 word fictions! Hope some of those students will share on their blogs, if they have them.
It seems like it would be an excellent exercise in getting a point across quickly, but I'm a bit confused by the example provided...
A little help?