The Beauty Of Flash Fiction

 Flash fiction is a form which is deceptively complex.

The beginning of every flash piece is like setting down an untraveled path towards an unknown destination. You keep putting one foot in front of the other, yet you have no idea what’s around the corner.

What triggers the story: a line of dialogue, a picture prompt, a single word, the line of a song?

What genre will emerge? A slice of humor, a slip of fantasy or a sliver of horror?

Whose point of view? A child? An object?

What types of ideas will come out? Extended sentences, like a throng of impatient learners, rushing through the school gates at the end of a long and tiring week. Or short phrases. Tip toe. Wary. Exploratory. Scanning the corridors of a new flash adventure.

Who knows? Writing flash fiction presents infinite possibilities which outnumber the sand grains scattered across Arabia.

And that is what I love about flash fiction – the unknown, the thrill, the risk.

In good flash fiction, most of the story occurs in what isn't there. We are talking about fiction that utilizes negative space. It’s a beautiful enigma that hints... leaves you wondering...

Expect to be taken by surprise as you savor this tasty morsel which is short on words but long on depth. It’s concise. Squeezes out any excess, yet maintains the succulence. Hacks away at the clutter until the core is revealed.

If you’ve hit a dry spot, it revs up your creative processes. It’s easier to maintain your focus for tiny word bites, than over a full-course meal of chapters and verses.

Language becomes precise and sparse. When we are forced to write within a limited frame every word becomes charged with intention and meaning. Pay close attention to detail and examine every single syllable in every word.

The fiction reaches out and grabs! It can be a gut punch or a passionate kiss, but the reader must feel something.

Imagine this scenario. You experience a fleeting moment of inspiration... maybe you’re in the shower, or just relaxing at the beachfront, minding your own, and an idea sneaks in. You plan to ignore it, but it anchors itself firmly. It refuses to disappear. However, you have no desire to extend this into something longer.

Don’t disregard it.

Seize the moment. Jot down the idea. See where it takes you.

Enjoy the ride!

Maintaining Health and Creativity as a Writer

By Elizabeth S. Craig

Image by olga volkovitskaia from Pixabay

This post covers a topic that I think a lot about, especially at the beginning of each year. It seems like, at the start of the new year, there's a lot of advice out there about driving ourselves forward and getting our goals accomplished. I'm very goal-oriented too, but I've learned through the years that balance is incredibly important.

Ergonomics Matter:

Invest in a comfortable, ergonomic writing setup. This includes a good chair, a desk at the right height, and proper positioning of your computer screen. Your body will thank you for it in the long run. Believe me. I had months of PT, years ago, for sitting on a sofa while writing (with my feet up on the coffee table. Apparently, this is very bad.)

Take Regular Breaks:

This is one I continue reminding myself to do. Try the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and look at something 20 feet away. This helps reduce eye strain and gives your body a chance to move. I also will look at something far away, something mid-range, and something close-up.

Stay Hydrated:

Keep a water bottle at your writing desk and make a habit of drinking regularly. Staying hydrated can really help with focus and energy.

Incorporate Movement:

Schedule short exercise breaks into your writing routine. This could be a quick walk, some stretches, or a few minutes of yoga. Physical activity can boost creativity and help prevent the negative effects of prolonged sitting. If we're writing a lot, we're usually sitting a lot.

Set Boundaries:

Establish clear work-life boundaries, especially if you write from home. Have set "office hours" and resist the urge to check your writing projects during personal time. It's something I struggle with, but I always try to wrap things up each day by 4:30 pm.

And always remember to be kind to yourself. I'm definitely the person who's toughest on me in my life, and I'm probably not the only one in this boat. Don't push yourself too hard. Understand when you need to take a break . . . whether it's for a day or longer.

What tips for self-care can you add to this list? Are there any you struggle with?

Bestselling cozy mystery author Elizabeth Spann Craig is a library-loving, avid mystery reader. A pet-owning Southerner, her five series are full of cats, corgis, and cheese grits. The mother of two, she lives with her husband, a fun-loving corgi, and a couple of beautiful fluffball cats. Follow Elizabeth and learn more about her books by visiting her website.

Insecure Writer’s Support Group and Reedsy Creative Writing Prompts

It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.

The awesome co-hosts for the January 8 posting of the IWSG are Rebecca Douglass, Beth Camp, Liza @ Middle Passages, and Natalie @ Literary Rambles!

January 8 question - Describe someone you admired when you were a child. Did your opinion of that person change when you grew up?

Looking forward to your answers.

Reedsy Creative Writing Prompts Takeover!

The IWSG is taking over Reedsy’s Creative Writing Prompts this week. There is $250.00 at stake!

For our takeover, we’ve created five prompts to kickstart your post-holiday reflection and creativity. We can’t wait to read what you come up with! As a bonus prize, the winner of this contest will be given the opportunity to be featured as a guest on the IWSG blog; share their take on a subject about writing, and introduce their books in print or any works in progress.!

Prompts:
1. Center your story around someone who receives a gift or message that changes their life forever.
2. Create a character who is spending their first holiday alone.
3. Set your story in a place where everything should be familiar to your character(s) but isn’t.
4. Write about an unexpected guest who changes the traditional get-together.
5. Write a story that includes the line “I should have known better.”

Contest ends in a couple days, so hop on over to Reedsy’s Creative Writing Prompts now!

Did your admiration change? Entering Reedsy’s contest? Who is ready for a shiny new year and new goals?