Eric McKinley @ FlashFiction.Net: Flash Density
I entered a flash fiction course thinking I knew what flash fiction was. Wrong. See, I thought flash fiction meant short, short stories. A fully realized short story that just happened to be small in size but not in stature.
Turns out that’s true and not true at the same time. Now, I’m wrestling with terms and definitions. Is flash fiction a composite? Is it a snapshot of a story? Is it a scene? Half a scene? A barely noticeable look away from the camera? Is it poetry disguised as prose? Is it for those who’d rather not be bothered with developing plot and character? Do I appreciate and enjoy it? Can I appreciate flash if I can’t define it?
Or, is it plot based, straight ahead stories, you know, with characterization and people feeling and talking? Is it the same as the food I was raised on?
Which is it?
How does flash differ from:
Micro fiction?
Short, short fiction?
Prose poetry?
Quick fiction?
How do these classifications not get in the way of producing meaningful stories?
Who decides? What does it say if those who decide aren’t the same people sitting in rooms by themselves putting down words?
When is it okay for art to be theoretical?
I am dense.
About the Author
Eric McKinley is a Philadelphian. He is soon to finish an MFA in Fiction at Rosemont College. He writes a story every now and again. His work has appeared or is forthcoming in various print and online journals. Samplings can be found here.
posted on 9 Oct 2009, 1:32 PM
Great post Eric! You summed it up well.
posted on 9 Oct 2009, 1:49 PM
There is nothing wrong with being dense. We learn the most when suddenly we realize that we have no clue what is going on. One way for the classifications to not get in the way of writing is to pay attention and take note of them, then forget all about them and just write.
Can you appreciate flash without defining it? Well, can you appreciate to be alive without a need to understand why?
posted on 11 Oct 2009, 10:09 PM
Thank you, Anne.
posted on 4 Nov 2010, 11:16 AM
Ok This is only my working definition of flash fiction so forgive me if you disagree.Flash fiction to me is any work that tells a story completely in 250 -500 words.Can you take that story at some later date and decide it's more yes.I found a prompt online that said set a timer for 30 minutes and write about a ringing cell phone. I type 1 handed so 30 minutes for me equals out to 330 words a flash size story.I like it and i may pull it out again when life calms down and make it a longer story becuse I think it has that potential. But right now I can only fit flash in my day. One teacher said that a writer is defined by the fact that u sit and come up with something every day.
posted on 11 Oct 2009, 10:11 PM
Good points, Gabriel, particularly the one about writing through classifications.