[stylist] flash fiction

Tue Mar 18 19:57:54 UTC 2014

Flash fiction is fiction that tells an entire story in 1000 words or
less, typically anyway. Some forms may allow for more words, but it's
always a very short piece of fiction, but the end must have some kind of
resolution, some change in the characters.

It can be quite difficult because a writer must be very succinct and
concise and be economical with words. Strong verbs and nouns are the
driving force in flash fiction, though they should be the driving force
in any writing, smile, but due to the short format, you don't have much
to spend on lengthy descriptions and long sentences and dialogue.

Bridgit

-----Original Message-----
From: stylist [mailto:stylist-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of William L
Houts
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 1:51 PM
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [stylist] flash fiction

HI Chris,

I'm not really acquainted with flash fiction or what it's outlines are 
--maybe you would help me there-- but I enjoyed this piece anyway.

--Bill

On 3/18/2014 10:42 AM, Atty Rose wrote:
> I loved this piece. It was put together is vivid visuals.
>
> And humor too!
>
> I think though you should have a few more words about Miky. I thought
> at first it was the couple talking about him and had to go back and 
> re-read it to realize what was up. Since it is important to the story 
> I suggest a few more words on it.
>
> Well done!
> Atty
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Kuell" <ckuell at comcast.net>
> To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2014 10:35 AM
> Subject: [stylist] flash fiction
>
>
>> Greetings. Below is a 495 word flash fiction piece I'm getting ready
>> to submit to several of the markets Atty posted. All comments and 
>> suggestions are welcomed.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> We Three Kings
>>
>>
>>
>> By Chris Kuell
>>
>>
>>
>> Ashes to ashes, that's what the Bible says.
>>
>>
>>
>> I watch a gangsta-wanna-be dude and his Puerto Rican girlfriend
>> stroll out of the FoodBag close enough it looked like they were in a 
>> three-legged race. They come to the window, her skirt so short I can 
>> almost see the Holy Grail.
>>
>> "How much to Albany?" Gangsta-dude says.
>>
>>
>>
>> "That's a hundred miles, plus I gotta come back. Two-hundred fifty,
>> and I don't take checks."
>>
>>
>>
>> He flashes a wad as thick as a T-bone and the two of them tumble into
>> the back seat. I drive. They murmur conversation for two, then 
>> fire-up cigarettes. The dude keeps lighting an old-fashioned Zippo, 
>> then flipping the lid shut to snuff it out. Flick, clop. Flick, clop.

>> The sound is rhythmic, like the clapping of horse hooves on
cobblestone.
>>
>>
>>
>> "It's only the Guard," Mikey had said. How could I protest? He'd seen
>> me polishing the M-16; watched the shadows fall.
>>
>>
>>
>> Evening crept its way along the horizon. A bottle of clear sunshine
>> passed back and forth in the rear seat.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Six-months," Mikey had said. "Back in time to help put the dock in."
>>
>>
>>
>> The windows fogged. Tongues touched. I caught a glimpse of chocolate
>> nipple in the rear view mirror. How sweet it is.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Helicopters," Mikey had said. "Blackhawks."
>>
>>
>>
>> She catches me looking. Pushes Romeo away, re-buttons her blouse.
>> Flick, clop. Flick, clop.
>>
>>
>>
>> "It's unreal," Mikey had said. "Up high, it's like a bunch of
>> campfires. Makes me want to toast marshmallows."
>>
>>
>>
>> More murmuring, unpacking. Gangsta-dude sucks on a neon glass pipe.
>> The girl eats a Ho Ho.
>>
>>
>>
>> ""None of that shit in here."
>>
>>
>>
>> The exhale stinks of burnt plastic, molten garbage bags. Flick. Now
>> it's the girl's turn. Clop.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Extra-armor plating," Mikey had said. "Practically impenetrable."
>>
>>
>>
>> I pull over into the breakdown lane, tires rumbling on the gravel.
>> Gangsta-dude puts a piece behind my ear. The hard metal is 
>> undeniable. "Keep driving, Pops, or I'll make guacamole outta yo 
>> brains."
>>
>>
>>
>> The two soldiers were waiting for me at the front door. Uniforms
>> perfect, medals shiny, faces tight. You know its bad news when they 
>> come in twos.
>>
>>
>>
>> I push the gas pedal to the floor. Forty, fifty, sixty.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Okay, Pops, don't be stupid."
>>
>>
>>
>> Seventy. Seventy-five. Pressure from the barrel cuts my skull, helps
>> me focus. Eighty.
>>
>>
>>
>> "I'll blow your fuckin' head off."
>>
>>
>>
>> "Don't!" the girl screeches.
>>
>>
>>
>> All of this has happened before. All of it will happen again. That's
>> what the Bible says.
>>
>>
>>
>> Gangsta-dude is across the seat pulling at my leg, sweat beading off
>> his neck. Eighty-five. Ninety.
>>
>> A half-mile ahead, red lights blink on a broken-down natural gas
>> truck, just like the stars over Bethlehem.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Jesus," the girl cries.
>>
>>
>>
>> "Love you, Dad," Mikey had said.
>>
>>
>>
>> We will meet again at the banquet of all banquets. That's what the
>> Bible says.
>>
>>
>>
>> "I love you too," I say.
>>
>>
>>
>> One hundred and two.
>>
>>
>>
>> Upon impact, I finally understand. Heaven is a Supernova.
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Writers Division web site
>> http://writers.nfb.org/
>> stylist mailing list
>> stylist at nfbnet.org 
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> stylist:
>>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/attyrose%40cox.net 
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site
> http://writers.nfb.org/
> stylist mailing list
> stylist at nfbnet.org 
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> stylist:
>
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/lukaeon%40gmail.com

-- 
"Let's drink a toast now to who we really are."

           --Jane Siberry

_______________________________________________
Writers Division web site
http://writers.nfb.org/
stylist mailing list
stylist at nfbnet.org http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/stylist_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
stylist:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/stylist_nfbnet.org/bpollpeter%40hotmai
l.com