Flash Fiction

[What is Flash Fiction?

Flash fiction is a very short story that presents a complete incident, idea or emotional experience in a limited number of words. It usually focuses on one significant moment, uses only a few characters and ends with a surprising or meaningful line. It is also called microfiction or short-short fiction.

Rules for Writing Flash Fiction

• Keep it brief—usually 80–100 words for the prescribed activity.
• Focus on one important incident, moment or experience.
• Use only a few essential characters.
• Begin directly with the action; avoid a lengthy introduction.
• Include only details needed to understand the situation.
• Use clear, precise and vivid language.
• Build towards a conflict, discovery or emotional change.
• Use short dialogue only when it strengthens the story.
• End with a surprising, powerful or meaningful line.
• Give the story a short, suitable title and check its grammar.

Examples of Flash Fiction

Example 1

The Empty Seat

Every morning, Maya kept the seat beside her empty. Her classmates thought she disliked company.

One rainy day, a new girl entered the classroom, wet and nervous. There were no vacant seats except the one beside Maya.

“May I sit here?” she whispered.

Maya smiled and moved her bag.

Later, the teacher asked why she had always kept that seat empty.

“I wasn’t avoiding anyone,” Maya said. “I was waiting for someone who needed a place.”

Example 2

The Last Seed

The drought had turned the village brown. Ravi’s family had only one seed left.

“Save it for food,” his brother pleaded.

Ravi planted it in the dry earth and poured his last cup of water over it. For days, nothing happened.

Then, one morning, a tiny green shoot appeared. The villagers gathered around it silently. Each person brought a little water.

Months later, the tree produced hundreds of seeds.

Ravi smiled. Hope, he realised, is the only thing that grows when shared.

Example 3

The Unopened Gift

For ten years, Arun kept his father’s final gift unopened. He feared that opening it would make the farewell permanent.

On his thirtieth birthday, he finally removed the faded ribbon. Inside was an empty notebook and a note:

“Fill these pages with the life you are afraid to begin.”

Arun remained silent for a long time. Then he opened the notebook to its first page.

He had expected the box to contain his father’s past. Instead, it held his own future.

Writing tip: Do not try to narrate an entire life. Choose one moment that changes something, reveal only what the reader needs, and finish with a line that stays in the mind.]

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[Prepared by Sindhu P,HSST English,GGHSS Kallai]