What Is Flash Fiction?

Flash fiction is a form of storytelling in which brevity is the key. Unlike traditional short stories, which can span several pages, flash fiction condenses a full narrative into an ultra-short word count—usually under 1,000 words. Many flash fiction competitions and publications set the limit even lower, at 100, 200, or 500 words, requiring writers to distill the essence of a story into just a few carefully chosen sentences.

I have personally written a few 55-word micro-fiction. Let me know in the comments if you’d like to read them.

Flash fiction teaches us that a single moment, captured well, can tell a lifetime of stories.

The goal of flash fiction is to capture a powerful moment or idea in as few words as possible, leaving a lasting impact on the reader. It often centers around a pivotal event or a twist ending that adds depth and intrigue, allowing the reader to fill in the gaps with their imagination. Flash fiction’s ability to convey meaning with brevity has made it a popular format for both aspiring and established writers looking to hone their storytelling skills.

Flash fiction is the poetry of prose—lean, precise, and powerfully evocative.

Example of a Flash Fiction Story (100 Words)

Here’s a quick 100-word story to illustrate the concept of flash fiction:

Story 1: The Promise 

She hadn’t been back to the old house in years. The peeling wallpaper, the creaky floorboards—it was all frozen in time. She opened the jewelry box on her mother’s dresser, its tarnished silver dull in the dim light. There, among faded letters, lay the key, a promise she’d made to her mother as a child. I’ll never leave you, Mama. 

But she had left. Life had whisked her away. But the promise, that tiny key, weighed heavy in her hand. With a sigh, she slipped it into her pocket, carrying the past in her heart, into all her tomorrows.

This story contains a full narrative arc—a return, a discovery, and an emotional conclusion—all within a small word limit. It shows how flash fiction can encapsulate a complete story while leaving room for the reader’s interpretation.

Here are two more:

Story 2: The Letter

She sat in the dim light, staring at the envelope. It had been years since she last heard from him. Her fingers trembled as she opened it. The words were simple: I’ll always be with you, even when you can’t see me. The weight of the message settled heavily in her chest. She hadn’t expected a letter. She hadn’t expected anything at all. But here it was. As she ran her fingers over the paper, a sense of calm washed over her. He was gone, but somehow, in some way, he was still here—always with her.

Story 3: The Decision

Sarah paused at the edge of the bridge, the wind tugging at her clothes. The choice was in her hands: take the leap or walk away. In the distance, the city lights flickered like stars, a reminder of everything she could leave behind. But something held her back—the voice inside that whispered, You have more to live for. Her heart pounded as she stepped back from the edge. She wasn’t eady to say goodbye, not yet. The future was uncertain, but she knew one thing for sure: she could always choose to start over. And today, she chose life.

5 Tips for Writing Flash Fiction

Writing flash fiction is both an art and a skill. It isn’t easy to be brief yet say all you want to. As they say, brevity is the soul of wit.

In the brevity of flash fiction, we find the purity of storytelling distilled to its essence.

Here are five tips to help you master the craft:

1. Focus on a Single Moment or Idea

Flash fiction works best when you zoom in on one specific moment, idea, or feeling. Because you have limited space, resist the urge to tell a long or complex story. Instead, focus on one event, a slice of life, or a single revelation. For instance, you might write about the instant someone realizes they’re in love, or a moment of regret that changes someone’s outlook.

2. Use Strong, Vivid Imagery

With few words to work with, each word must count. Make your writing as vivid as possible by using specific details and strong imagery. Choose nouns and verbs that create a mental picture for the reader. For example, instead of saying the house was old, describe it as the house sagged under its own weight, each floorboard groaning with memories. Evocative language brings your story to life.

3. Cut Everything That Isn’t Essential

One of the challenges of flash fiction is deciding what to leave out. After you’ve written a draft, go through and remove any word or phrase that isn’t absolutely necessary. Flash fiction relies on economy, so you want to leave only the essential words that convey your story. Ask yourself: Does this word add meaning or impact? If not, cut it.

4. Give the Reader Room to Imagine

Flash fiction often works through suggestion rather than explicit detail. Don’t feel the need to explain everything—allow the reader to fill in the gaps. For example, if your character’s actions or a single line of dialogue can suggest an entire backstory, trust that the reader will understand. This gives your story depth without adding more words.

5. Aim for a Surprising or Thought-Provoking Ending

A powerful ending is often what makes flash fiction memorable. Whether it’s a twist, a revelation, or an emotional conclusion, aim for an ending that leaves the reader thinking. Since flash fiction is short, readers will often read it in one sitting, and a strong ending can amplify the impact of the whole story. Think of your ending as the final piece that pulls everything together, giving new meaning to the words that came before it.

Flash fiction is a fantastic way to sharpen your storytelling skills, encouraging you to craft narratives with precision and purpose. Whether you’re a new writer or an experienced author, this form of writing can open up new creative avenues and challenge you to see just how much you can say with very few words.

By using these tips, you’ll be well on your way to crafting memorable flash fiction that resonates with readers long after they’ve finished your story.

Want to try your hand at writing flash fiction with other enthusiasts? Sign up for our newsletter, Indelible Ink, so you can join the next FREE batch of #30Days30Stories Daily Writing Challenge, where you will write a 100-word flash fiction everyday!

To read the FAQs of this program, click on THIS.

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.