Short Story Fiction

I have been amazed at how short story writing has evolved over the last few years. Once the testbed for authors to try short, sharp tales of mystery and suspense, it has now become a vehicle for writers to challenge their own discipline and economy of words.

Short stories or novellas do still exist in their pure form. In some cases, it is a way for new authors to get visibility before embarking on a career which takes them into the mass market. In other cases, it is a way for existing authors to get stories out of their system if this is the best way to maintain the reader's interest.

A good example of this is the collection First Thrills. On the surface it looks like it's written by Lee Child. In reality, it's a chance for new authors to showcase their talents with a fatherly helping hand by one of the most commercial authors writing today. The collection has its ups and downs, but there is some really good, creative fiction in there.

Flash Fiction is becoming increasingly popular. The idea of Flash is to present a tale with a specific word limit. Rules are simple: define a setting, at least one character, introduce conflict and resolution.  Flash Fiction is designed to give the reader a quick fix: something to read on a coffee break in today's hectic and stressed out world.

500 words for a Flash Fiction story seems about the average. A normal reader can read and absorb a story in a few minutes. Because of the economy of scale, the phrasing and structure of the fiction has to be perfect. Any ambiguities are easily spotted, and flaws noted.

The most miserly Flash I have found is the wonderfully challenging Flash 55, where published author Austin Briggs runs a monthly competition for writers to tell a story on a chosen theme in no more than 55 words.  Austin's site is a treasure trove of information and well worth a visit. I am so proud to have won the September competition with my 55 word story Teacher's Pet.

When I first started reading short stories as a child, one description stuck with me about the different forms of writing. A novel pulls you in to a relationship like a lover; you have ups and downs, and work your way through them; whereas a short story is more a one night stand, good for a quick fix, but not to take home to meet the parents. I guess the Flash equivalent is a swift peck on the lips from an exotic stranger - a quick tingle and off to the next one!

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I am now a Blogger. Mark Brown has stumbled into the 21st Century at last.


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