The biggest gold mine for flash fiction is real life.

Ever overheard a conversation so juicy you had to pause your playlist? Or witnessed a scene so bizarre you knew you’d be telling the story for years? Or watched two pigeons have a lively conversation?

Congratulations! You now have an unlimited supply of story ideas!

Real-life moments are packed with tension, humor, heartbreak, and weird twists—everything a good flash fiction piece needs. And the best part? You don’t have to make it all up. You just have to shape it into a compelling, bite-sized narrative.

Finding the Story in Everyday Life

Flash fiction thrives on the extraordinary hiding in the ordinary. Here’s where to look:

Overheard Conversations (Unwillingly, of course)

That couple arguing over pineapple on pizza? A hilarious breakup story in the making. The kid insisting his goldfish is an undercover agent? Pure flash fiction gold. Conversations are natural story starters, even when they are of other people. 

Example: “The barista handed her the coffee and whispered, ‘Don’t turn around. Your ex is behind you.’ She turned. He wasn’t. The barista grinned. ‘Told you not to.’”

Revisiting Your Own Memories

Ever fallen in love, embarrassed yourself, or had a moment of eerie coincidence? Mine your past for material, but tweak the details. The time you locked yourself out of your house in pajamas? What if it was on purpose?

Example:
“She waited outside in the rain, keys still inside. He was the only one with a spare. This was either going to be a reunion or the world’s worst mistake.”

The ‘What If’ Game

Take a mundane event and twist it. What if that lost wallet had a secret code inside? What if your neighbor’s cat was a spy? Reality plus imagination equals a great flash fiction prompt.

Example:
“He found a phone on the subway. The wallpaper was his own face, taken yesterday. He didn’t own this phone.”

How to Shape a Real-Life Moment into Flash Fiction

Now that you have a story idea, let’s mold it into something short, sharp, and striking.

Cut the Fluff

Flash fiction is all muscle, no fat. Keep only the details that drive the story forward.

Drop Readers into the Action

Start in the middle. Instead of “It was a dark and stormy night,” try “The headlights cut through the storm as she whispered, ‘This is a bad idea.'”

End with a Punch

Flash fiction doesn’t need a neatly tied-up ending. In fact, the best stories leave readers thinking.

Example:
“The love note wasn’t signed. But she recognized the handwriting—it was her own.”

Ready to Turn Your Life into Flash Fiction?

Real life hands you story prompts daily. Next time you hear, see, or experience something intriguing, jot it down. Then, twist it, trim it, and turn it into a flash fiction masterpiece.

Want to put this into practice? Take a real-life moment and write a 100-word story about it. Drop it in the comments or share it with me—I’d love to see what you come up with!

Love stories and wish you could churn out mesmerizing ones?

Join our 5-Day Story-Writing Bootcamp — One Story, All In.

Details and registration link here: 👉 https://wp.me/PcNapz-37

Mother of three adult humans. An idealistic, outspoken woman of scrupulous integrity, in love with words. A storyteller who enjoys crocheting tales. And a passionate bibliophile, of course.