Micro-fiction, also known as flash fiction, is a short story that is between 500 and 1,000 words.Use each sentence to move the plot forward in a flash fiction story.Pick an interesting theme and character to keep readers interested in your flash fiction.You need to edit your work after you have written your flash fiction.You can share your story with others when you are done.
Step 1: Pick a genre for your writing.
Romance, thrillers, horror, and science fiction are popular genres for flash fiction.Each genre has its own way of telling a story.To start thinking of ideas, Brainstorm the type of narrative you would like to write and read.If you enjoy writing thrillers or horror stories, try doing a flash fiction piece.Science fiction can be written for stories that take place in the future or have advanced technology.Writing romantic flash fiction is a good way to focus on a relationship.
Step 2: Pick a theme for your flash fiction story.
The main moral argument of your story is the theme.Love, family, death, and power are some of the themes you can use in your flash fiction.You can influence your character and plot by writing down what themes you want to use for your story.If you want your theme to be love and sacrifice, you can choose to write a story about someone who works all the time just to earn money for someone they care about.
Step 3: An interesting and flawed hero can be created.
Your main character needs to have goals and motivation in order to progress through your writing.Your readers can relate to them easily if their motives are believable.They aren't perfect and have difficulty achieving their goals if you give them some flaws.Since your flash fiction piece needs to be short, only focus on one character.Your hero may want to find sunken treasure, but they are afraid of the ocean.If you want your flash fiction to be readable, you need to give your character 1 goal.
Step 4: Your main character needs to overcome an antagonist.
The main force is the antagonist.It could be an internal struggle or another character.The outcome of your story should be directly affected by your antagonist.A wolf trying to hunt someone stuck in the forest could be your antagonist.Combine an internal struggle with an external struggle to make your flash fiction more complex.
Step 5: Pick a single moment in your character's life to focus on.
Since flash fiction is too short to get into the entire life of your character, you need to choose a single moment to write about.Pick an event related to the theme you chose to write about.It may be part of an everyday routine or a large change in your character's life.If your theme is about loss, you can write a flash fiction piece about how someone's daily routine changes the day after someone they loved passed away.
Step 6: An interesting hook in the middle of the action is what you should start your story with.
It takes a lot of words to write a flash fiction piece.Start when the event occurs instead of explaining how your character got into the situation.That way, you make the reader want to read the rest of the story.If you need to include exposition about your character, work it into their dialogue.
Step 7: The main character should deal with a single conflict throughout the story.
The conflict creates tension.Your main character has something to overcome so challenge them with your antagonist.Your reader will feel satisfied when your character is done.If your main character is wounded in the boxing match, it will be more difficult for him to win the fight.It can get confusing and wordy to use multiple conflicts in a flash fiction piece.
Step 8: It's possible to create a surprise ending.
The reader doesn't expect a surprise end to a flash fiction piece.The resolution to the conflict you told throughout your writing is done in a surprising way.Your readers will want to read it again if they feel satisfied with the story.The surprise needs to fit with the rest of the story.Readers would be dissatisfied if a monster was stopped from attacking by a meteorite.Since they are overused, do your best to avoid jokey twist endings.
Step 9: Use language that is easy to understand.
All of your character's actions are communicated through your writing.While still maintaining clarity, aim to write sentences with the least number of words you can use.Explaining the feelings or emotions tied to the events is a better way to do it.If your main character's childhood is relevant to the story, do not write, "Sarah was born in a bathtub in Kansas City and lived there through elementary school, when her father got a job in Tulsa."
Step 10: The character details should be revealed in each sentence.
Your reader will always get new information about you if you include your character's qualities and personality in your sentences.Your reader should learn something new about the character or plot in your writing.Don't include any sentences that are just descriptions.Your character's dialogue can help reveal information or progress the plot.
Step 11: After your climax, please include a few paragraphs.
Readers want to know how a character reacts, so flash fiction that ends just after a surprise may leave them dissatisfied.Let your reader know the outcome of the revelation in the last 1-2 paragraphs.
Step 12: It's a good idea to give your flash fiction a title.
The main ideas of your story should be reflected in your title.To make your title, combine your theme and elements of your story.Your reader is more likely to remember something if it is easy to read.If you didn't include a back story, your title can help.If you are writing a story about a husband doing the routine of his wife who passed away, you may call it "In Her Footsteps."
Step 13: Don't say words that are not needed for the story.
Make note of any sentences you can write with less words by reading through your work.Don't use words like "very," "quite," and "Actually" when writing your story.When you make edits, read through your story again to make sure it still makes sense.Unless you need it to add emphasis, get rid of any information that is repeated.The thesaurus can be used to find words that are stronger and less common.
Step 14: If you want other people to read and critique your story, give it to them.
Pick a few people you trust to read your flash fiction.Tell them what feedback you are looking for, such as if the story is clear or interesting.Take notes when you are done and listen to what they have to say in your next revision.If your reader is confused, be prepared to answer questions about your story.If you can, talk to a writing professor or teacher to see if they have any plans to change anything.
Step 15: Until you're happy with your piece, make changes.
If you want your flash fiction to use the least number of words, you have to rewrite it.Ask for feedback after each edit so you know what to do next.You will always find a flaw in your story if you become too much of a perfectionist.