As a writer dabbling in flash fiction, you’ve probably asked yourself What stays, and what goes?
Writing flash fiction is like packing for a weekend getaway with only a tiny carry-on—you have to bring the essentials and leave the “just in case” items behind.
In his classic, Three Men in a Boat, the inimitable Jerome K Jerome said (I am paraphrasing), “Think not of what you could do with, but of what you can’t do without… and only carry that.”
That applies perfectly to flash fiction, as it does to life.
Let’s learn how to practice word economy to make our words sing.
What to Cut: Trimming the Literary Fat
Adverbs: The Guilty Party
If your verbs are doing their job, adverbs become unnecessary clutter. Instead of saying, “He ran quickly,” try “He sprinted.” See? Efficiency in action.
Long-Winded Descriptions
While a lush, flowery description has its place in novels, flash fiction demands laser-focused precision. Instead of:
“The crimson sun dipped languorously behind the hills, painting the sky in a vibrant palette of fiery orange and soft lavender hues,”
go with:
“The sun bled into the hills.”
Backstory Overload
You don’t have the luxury of lengthy character histories. Focus on the now. Readers will fill in the blanks if you give them just enough.
Unnecessary Dialogue Tags
If it’s clear who’s speaking, ditch the “he said, she said.” Trust your readers—they’re smart!
What to Keep: The Golden Nuggets
Strong Verbs and Nouns
Think of your words as premium real estate. “He looked angrily” wastes space where “He glared” fits snugly. Not only for micro-stories but even otherwise, avoid using adverbs like you had to pay a thousand buck for each one you use.
Conflict and Stakes
Your story needs tension, in bushels. Even in 100 words, your protagonist must want something and face obstacles.
A Haunting Last Line
The closing sentence of flash fiction is the mic drop. It should linger, provoke, or twist the reader’s perspective.
Implied Depth
Flash fiction shines when it hints at a world beyond the story. A well-placed detail can make your narrative resonate far beyond its size.
The Rule of Flash: Less is More
When in doubt, read your piece aloud. If a word doesn’t move the story forward or deepen its impact, kick it out. No hard feelings, nothing personal; it’s just business. Take them all out for dinner if you still feel guilty.
Example: Word Economy In Action
Poorly Written Flash Fiction (Overly Verbose)
As the fiery sun began its long, slow descent into the horizon, the sky above the quiet, empty beach transformed into a canvas splashed with vibrant hues of orange, pink, and gold. Marla, with her heart heavy and her thoughts jumbled, meandered slowly along the shoreline, her bare feet sinking softly into the wet, grainy sand. She clutched a stone in her hand—small, smooth, and unremarkable, yet somehow deeply symbolic of all the pain, setbacks, and disappointments she had faced in her life. Tears welled in her eyes as memories of her unfulfilled dreams and failed relationships surfaced unbidden, threatening to drown her spirit. Slowly, she raised the stone and, with an air of finality, hurled it into the rolling waves. The splash echoed faintly, and as the ripples dissipated into the vast ocean, Marla felt an unexpected release, as though her burdens, like the stone, had been swallowed by the sea.
Word Count: 157
Revised Flash Fiction (Streamlined and Impactful)
The sun dipped low, painting the beach in gold. Marla’s footsteps pressed into the damp sand as she twirled a smooth stone in her fingers. It held the weight of her failures, the echoes of shattered dreams. Tears stung her eyes, but she gripped the stone tighter, its coolness grounding her. With a swift motion, she hurled it into the ocean. The splash was small, but the ripples spread wide. As they vanished into the vastness, she stood still, letting the pull of the waves wash away the grief she thought would never end.
Word Count: 100
Key Changes
- Removed Redundancies: Cut repetitive descriptions like “slow descent” and “meandered slowly.”
- Condensed Imagery: Simplified details of the stone and the sky without losing their emotional resonance.
- Tightened Emotional Arc: Combined Marla’s memories and the symbolic release into fewer sentences with greater impact.
- Enhanced Pacing: Shortened sentences create a rhythm that mirrors her emotional release.
This revised story demonstrates how precision in word choice elevates the power of flash fiction!
Your Turn to Cut the Fat
Writing flash fiction isn’t just about brevity—it’s about mastering precision.
Ready to test your skills? Write your own micro-fiction and share it with me on LinkedIn or Instagram using #WriteWithDagny. Let’s see what brilliance you can pack into just a few word.
Who knows? You might just spark the next viral literary trend.
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.