Flash Fiction and Canadian Living

Life in contemporary Canadian society is getting busier by the moment. People are finding less time for recreational or creative activities, and quick fixes seem to be the popular method of everyday life. Therefore, it is easy to understand why flash fiction was created. But what is Flash Fiction? Flash fiction is the term applied to a very short piece of creative writing. A flash fiction story is usually about a single act which can run between 300-1000 words long. Flash fiction is a relatively new sub-genre of creative writing, and can be found in magazines, and more commonly in ezines. These quick jolts of creativity can be read quickly, and can be easily submitted or added to an online magazine. Moreover, flash fiction stories are cheap to produce. However, flash fiction can be no easier to write than an exceptional poem. The novice creative writer might think that the shorter length stories would be easier to write. However, writing flash fiction requires focused thought. A good flash fiction story combines the elegance of a great poem with the elements of a good novel.

There are certain elements of every good flash fiction story. First, writers look for the smaller detail in the big picture. To discuss a boy's trip to see his long-lost brother, you'd need a short story, novella or novel. However, a flash fiction writer might write about the boy packing for the trip, or the exact moment when he meets his brother. Second, there is little room to write about character history in a flash fiction story. A good flash fiction tale will usually have its preamble in the first paragraph. Third, most good flash fiction stories will focus on one strong image. It could be anything from a horrible disaster to a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as long as it makes the audience's eyes open wide. Fourth, flash fiction stories have some sense of mystery to them. A great flash story will keep the audience in the dark until the end, where all will come to light. Fifth, as mentioned before, the successful flash fiction story will include such poetic devices such as metaphor, alliteration and novel devices such as plot twists, etc. Though by definition flash fiction is extremely short, it is not a genre that embraces incomplete storytelling. An instructor once told me that a complete story is simply one with a beginning, a middle, and an end. The goal of flash fiction is to tell a complete story. However, like poetry, every word in a flash fiction story is absolutely essential. Once a flash fiction story is finished being written, the audience is given a piece of compact literature that really packs a punch.

Canada is a diverse country full of diverse cultures. If subject matter is what makes Canadian literature Canadian, perhaps Canadian writers should look at flash fiction as a medium in which to express uniquely Canadian experiences. Flash fiction offers the writer a focused look at pure subject matter without restricting itself to a particular form. Moreover, the delicate handling of word choice is a perfect amplifier to express unique Canadian voices. Flash fiction remains to flourish on the internet, and with the cost of editorial space, the genre will continue to be seen in small print magazines. So, fellow Canadians, grab a pen and start writing!

If you would like to read or submit flash fiction stories, you will find various references below.

The Insolent Rudder: http://www.insolentrudder.org/

Ascent: http://www.bcsupernet.com/users/ascent/p...

Sigla Magazine: http://www.siglamag.com/flashfiction/ind...

The Green Tricycle: http://greentricycle.com/main/guidelines...

The Vestal Review: http://www.vestalreview.net/

For a comprehensive Canadian listing of online literary publications:

http://www.geocities.com/archadar/Nanaim...

For help finding print publications that accept flash submissions:

http://www.writersdigest.com/

Other Resources:

Open Windows: Canadian Short Stories. Edited by Kent Thompson, 1988.
Sudden Fiction (Continued): 60 New Short-Short Stories. Edited by Robert Shapard, James Thomas, 1996.
Fast Fiction: Creating Fiction in Five Minutes. Roberta Allen. Cincinnati: Story Press, 1997.
Flash Fiction: 72 Very Short Stories. Edited by James Thomas, Denise Thomas, & Tom Hazuka. New York-London: W. W. Norton & Company, 1992.