FLASH FICTION!

[Reffy]

Okay, so ya'll don't know my dirty little secret ... brace yourselves!

...

...

I -LOVE- writing Flash Fiction! *Phew* That feels better!

"But, Reffy! What is Flash Fiction?" ... *facepalm*
"And how is it dirty, Reffy?" ... *bigger facepalm*

Flash Fiction is basically an extremely Short Story ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_fiction ) The amount of words per Flash Fiction market varies. Some say its under 100 words; others 1,000 words. I usually just set myself a minimum target and then write. It is a good challenge. (Lowest I have found yet is 55-words! Which you'll get to see below!)

It feels dirty in a way because you can write it really quickly. Also, a lot of the descriptions are snipped out. There is no overly "flowery" stuff to be found here. Nitty, gritty and generally entertaining! Some are just stories, others are philosophical, a lot can be funny. There really is no "wrong" ... that is unless you intended to call a 5,000 word story Flash! heh.

"But why would you write such a short story?"

Why not? A lot of really good authors use Flash Fictions to figure out their characters for a major Novel! They set their characters up in a situation and start writing on it. The exercise usually provides a really good "snap-shot" in to what the character would do. It is also a lot of fun!

Bored, write a Flash Fiction. Got a weird idea, write a Flash Fiction. Want a challenge ... well, you get the idea!

Here's some tips to help anybody interested in giving this a try: (A lot of it says basically what I just said but whatever You might find it helpful!)

Spoiler:

So, anyways, I'm going to use this thread to show you my Flash Fictions! (No point posting them in separate threads considering some are only 55-words long!) I hope you enjoy reading them. Comments are welcome. More often that not the review is longer than the Fiction itself - don't worry if it is! I don't mind. (I'm currently trying to get published in the Flash Fiction market. I'd show you the one I submitted but there is rules about that kind of thing! )


I would also be -honored- to see other writers posting their Flash Fictions here! Don't be afraid or think it is silly! If you had fun or enjoyed it then that is all that matters!


"Writing a Flashy is akin to drawing a day-dream-doodle with a meaning. In the same way that writing a Novel is like painting a masterpiece." Reffy

[Reffy]

(This one is by far my favorite! 67 words)



Flash Fiction: Bus-Route Rain

Rain pelts the bus with rage. I sit, watching as it trickles down the window, washing away the dirt. I find myself selfishly wishing that troubles could be just as easily dissolved. Everyday a new problem arises and I stuff it into a little box in the back of my mind. Soon that little box will overflow.

I need a torrential-brain-storm.
(copyright Reffy)

[Reffy]

(Exactly 55-words!)


The Morning Coffee

The World zooms past in a blur; the merry-go round continues; day in, day out, relapses. But life is at a stand-still for the coffee drinker and the first sip of the blended roast. The sweet taste that lifts the morning haze. Today will be a good day; it was yesterday; it will be tomorrow.
Copyright Reffy

[Reffy]

(Exactly 55-words)


The Wish

You only get one wish in life and I used my wish at age ten. I wished I would get older quicker so I could eat ice-cream and stay up late. Now the days go by so quickly; I don't have time for ice-cream - only bills. I wish I had never made that wish!
(copyright Reffy)

[Kalon Ordona II]

The Wise Knight

The brightly armored knight rode boldly up to the cavern-cave's mouth. Grimly a dragon's head poked out, green and tired and most unpleasant. Stepping into the light it asked "Well? Why don't you run!"

"I thought you'd be taller."

(copyright Kalon)
(44 words)

[Reffy]

KO! I love it Beautiful punch-line (last line reveal!)

Did you just write that? Or was it something you've had for a long time but never shared?

[Kalon Ordona II]

I just wrote it now; it was very fun! xD

[Acid Varrakin]

Mine got a little long, but it's still under 500 words.

Spoiler:

You're right; that is fun! :p

[Reffy]

Oooo I like that Acid A little "flowery" for a Flashy but it suited the story

[JohnChristopher]

I can't press spoilers to reveal the words inside, so I'm missing out on somethings :p

I'd love to write some of these after reading everyone's (except for Acid...darn spoilers) so I'll probably post a few in the near future (:

[Kalon Ordona II]

Veni. Vidi. Calcavi.

Into the cobwebbed, dusted wood-plank room my searching soles arrive. In the dimness a sound attracts my vision, dust-mote clouds muting, rising, roiling, settling, waiting. From the corner a black shape at last approaches in challenge, pricking the dust with its feet. My feet are bigger.

Stamp! Grind. Grind.

I came. I saw. I trod.

(copyright Kalon)
(55 words)

[Guest]

NO HOMO

Two people sitting at a small table. Eating in silence. One is GEORGE, the OTHER is PHIL.
PHIL says: "I had a dream about you last night."
GEORGE picks at his food. He forks a baby carrot into the mashed potatoes.
"What kind of dream?"
"You and I were sitting on a sofa in the woods."
GEORGE looks up, startled.
"You mean together?"
PHIL says yes.
"Were we touching thighs?"
PHIL says yes.
GEORGE shoves his chair from the table and stands up. He's flustered. His face is red and his breathing is shallow.
He says: "GODDAMNIT PHIL, I KNEW YOU WERE A HOMO!", and storms out of the room.
PHIL makes a sour face. And then proceeds to eat GEORGE'S baby carrots.

[Blackrock]

Something I quickly wrote while waiting for a tedious half an hour to pass.


Edge of Steel

Spring. The cherry blossoms are in full. The wind blows lazily from the west, soft and shy, like a virgin's kiss. Every now and again, a stronger gust makes itself known, sending countless blossoms, in various shades of white and pink, racing through the grove.

He stands before me, clad in steel and honour. His face is a mask, peaceful and emotionless. I carefully draw the blade from its sheath; the steel grinds against the treated wood. He does the same, our movements are fluid and precise.

The swords are raised, I take a step forward. So does he. I stare into his eyes, he stares into mine. I gaze into his soul, he gazes into mine. In this moment of complete stillness, even the grove seems to grow silent. For this is the moment when the outcome is decided.

And then there is movement.

Steel meets hardened steel, will meets iron will. The blades are locked and then I pull back. So does he. A short pause, another moment passes and then the dance of swords resumes. He brings his blade down on me in one quick strike. I step to the side and bring my sword across his stomach, in one swift, fluid motion.

The body falls, spilling red across the white and pink. I angle my blade towards the ground and wait. The blood quietly drips from it, until it is clean. The blossoms around us have taken on a darker hue.

The wind blows from the east and it whispers the song of death.

(261 words)

[Sy23]

The editor was desperate, "Our masthead promises twenty stories every issue," he moaned, "each one containing Religion, Royalty, Sex-interest and Mystery. I've just done the layout for the latest issue, and there's only nineteen! And to make it worse, there's only a few lines of space. I can't afford to drop any of the ads - what the ^%$% am I gonna do?"

"Fear not," said the mag's finest writer, and scrawled the following:

"Good heavens," said the Queen. "I'm pregnant. Who done it?"

[Kalon Ordona II]

Naming the Sword of Fate

"To get to the Forbidden Forest, you have to cross the Forbidden River at the Forbidden Crossing. Once inside the Forbidden Forest, you must make your way along the Forbidden Road to the Forbidden Castle, which is guarded by the Foreboding Dragon."

"Right, so-- wait! the what kind of Dragon?"

"Foreboding."

"Oh. Really? Hmm."

"What is it now?"

"Sorry, it's just that it seemed out of place. Sure it's not the Forbidden Dragon?"

"Don't be silly; there's no such thing as a Forbidden Dragon."

"Well... if you say so."

"Can I continue with your instructions now?"

"Oh, sorry. Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Yes, please."

"That's better. Now, you have your sword?"

"Yes, but... all of a sudden I don't think it will work."

"What do you mean? You've augmented it with the Jewel-Cave's Tear, the blood of the Red Dragon of Flame, the Crystal Light of Ynq, and even virtue from the Purplejuiceberries of Ypt! It is forged of Hardmetal! It has been sharpened by the teeth of the White Dragon of Sparkles! And if that weren't enough, it has been blessed by the Seven Triangular Wizards of the Circled Square, the King of Highspots, and even the Goddess of Fast-Thinking! How can you possibly feel that your sword is inadequate?"

"I just think it should have some sort of title... or something. Is there a Forbidden Sword, for example?"

"That is forbidden."

"Aren't the crossing and the river and the forest and the road and the castle forbidden?"

"That's different. You would actually have to wield the Forbidden Sword."

"...That actually makes sense. Dragon-Steeth! Hmm... Oh very well, then! I shall achieve victory with my naaaameless sword."

"You don't sound very happy about it."

"I'm not. Say I win, what will the bard's say? 'He struck down the Forbidden Evil of Doom with his... Sword!' How could I live with myself?"

"You are so impossible. Fine. Fine! What do you think your sword should be called?"

"It won't do if I name my own sword. That'd be... self-serving."

"Who should name it, then?"

"Well... I was hoping maybe you could..."

"I will not! Participate in something so silly? I don't think so!"

"...that is, assuming you could come up with a name that's good enough..."

".... .... You doubt my ability to conjure a Name of Doom?!"

"...maybe a little...?"

"Doh! How dare you! How about this?! Your sword shall be... Mister Sword."

"...are you in earnest?"

"Of course I am."

"Mister Sword? It doesn't even have a 'The' to it."

"The Mister Sword, then."

"'He struck down the Forbidden Evil of Doom with The Mister Sword.' .... No, I'm afraid that won't do. We could go back to the Wizard of Ghoulash's house..."

"That impossible, miserable excuse for a chef?"

"Well he did come up with Ghoulash, didn't he?"

"Fine; if you like him so much, what about the Sword of Ghoulash?"

"...No."

"The Purplejuiceberry Sword?"

"...No."

"It has got purplejuiceberryjuice in it, you remember."

"Yes, I know. No."

"How can you 'know know?'"

"No I mean I know, but no."

"No you don't know?"

"No! Just no!"

"Oh, I see. Well what sort of name do you want, then?"

"A Name of Doom, like you said. With a 'The.'"

"Something better than Mister Sword?"

"Yes. Something much, much better than Mister Sword."

"Master Sword?"

"That's just the same thing."

"Gah! Alright, alright! Let me think.... What about... The Sword of Doom!"

"Too ominous. It sounds like I might get cursed."

"The Sword of Happiness?"

"Nah, that sounds like it won't do any harm."

"The Very Harmful Sword."

"No."

"The Dangerous Sword of Fatality!"

"...Feels a bit contrived, don't you think?"

"Of course it does! I'm making these up on the spot!"

"Just come on! Best name you got!"

"All the best names I can think of are already names of other swords."

"Fine, let's go back to the Wizard's place."

"No! He'd just name it after some yet-unimagined food!"

"It's better than wasting time here."

"The Fairy Sword!"

"I'm going."

"The Human Sword!"

"That's just silly. Nobody would take me seriously."

"The Dragon Sword!"

"Nobody would believe it."

"The... The Sword of Fate!!"

"Oooh... not bad.... Not bad at all!"

"The Recommended Sword of Fate! It'd be the opposite of the Forbidden Evil of Doom."

"Ehh, yes... but I think that's going a bit too far."

"Fine, then; Fate it is. I hereby name this sword The Sword of Fate."

"Ahhh. Splendid. I feel much better now."

"Fantastic. Are you ready to go, now?"

"Yes, I think so."

"Finally!"

"What?"

"Oh, nothing. Off you go, then."

(copyright Kalon)
(769 words)

[Circe]

I think my favorite so far was Edge of Steel by Blackrock. I think it was the second sentence in the third paragraph that told me what was actually going on. I absolutely love how the mannerisms and mindset were all that was needed to make clear not only the characters, but the conflict itself. An excellent example of word conservation benefiting a piece more than purple prose ever could.

That said, I have a contribution of my own. Written in about two minutes after being issued a challenge in October, I give you:

Bingo
The hall was quiet. More quiet than a bingo hall should be. The lights flickered above me, casting ghoulish shadows against the wall and tricking my mind into seeing phantoms that were not there. Bodies lay about me, limbs akimbo in the staccato darkness, their faces contorted in masks of fear and agony. I looked toward the podium where the bingo caller lay. Where his face had been now lay only a bloodied cavity, dark and wetly glistening when the light revealed it. I looked down at my hands, their familiar gray now painted gory blackish-red, and slick with the vital fluids of the octogenarians strewn about me. I wished that I could control the lust and hunger that forced me to destroy such pretty things, but as I licked the blood from my claws, I knew I didn't mean it.

Copyright Circe
(141 words)

[Sy23]

I hope Circe doesn't pay a visit to a club with poker machines next!!!!

[Circe]

Motes of dust and smoke drifted on lazy air currents through the crimson satin and velvet lined gaming parlor. It smelled like a burnt, snuffed out candle, among other things. I picked my way cautiously through the sea of broken bodies, shotgun at the ready should anything that aught not to be moving show signs of ignoring reason. The blood spattered throughout the parlor added a glistening sheen to the satin and velvet, and the fragments of bone looked so much like confetti that I had to smile; they knew how special today was. I always told myself that I would get an extra special treat if I ever made a royal flush. Well . . . . Hello Jackpot!

(120 words)

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How's that then?

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