Class

The Craft of Flash Fiction

Flash fiction is an incredibly versatile form. For beginners, it is a medium to learn the ins and outs of narrative structure and storytelling on the small scale of a 300–1,000-word story. For intermediate students, it challenges the habits writers fall into as they find their voice and style on the page, encouraging them to learn new techniques. And for advanced students, it hones writing skills that can often be overlooked in longer pieces, such as cutting filter/filler words and incorporating seamless exposition and backstory.

Before coming to class, you will read five flash fiction pieces, each with its own unique perspective and creative use of the form. We’ll spend a third of the four-hour course discussing these stories—the techniques used to create a full narrative arc in a short word count, noticeable differences between these stories and longer-form works, and stylistic choices that stand out. The remaining two-thirds of the class will be a writing workshop: you’ll each draft your own flash story, read it aloud, and receive oral feedback from fellow students and the teaching artist.

Please complete this request form at least two to three weeks in advance if you have any accessibility requests for this class. This class takes place in-person, at the Loft at Open Book. Please see the Loft’s website for the most up to date information about the Loft’s COVID policies.