Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Really short stories

This is topic Really short stories in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Axi (Member # 2247) on :

I recently participated in a contest of "really short stories". (I don't know how you call that. In spanish they're called "relatos hiperbreves". Something like "hyperbrief tales" <*shrugs*> ). They have to be shorter than 20 lines. In some contests, the limitation is even bigger, "no more than 100 words".

After thinking "too much" (about the implications in the structure), I wrote something and submitted it. But I was wondering, what do you think should be the approach to such kind of stories? (Is this genre usual in the US?)

(Edited to add: "Happy New Year to you all", and "I'm really happy to have discovered such a place of interesting discussion and people" )

[This message has been edited by Axi (edited December 31, 2004).]

Posted by JBSkaggs (Member # 2265) on :

We have a form called Flash fiction which is usually 100 to 500 words (sometimes a 1000)

It is pretty popular.

[This message has been edited by JBSkaggs (edited December 31, 2004).]

Posted by ChrisOwens (Member # 1955) on :

I prefer novels. Better yet, a good meaty series.

An isolated short story sometimes is a bit hard to get into, because by the time I understand the characters and what's going on, it's time for the story to end.

But that's just me. What's the attraction for readers in regards to flash fiction?

Posted by Axi (Member # 2247) on :

JBSkaggs, thanks for the definition (flash fiction)

. In fact I did some research on the web, and the contests I participated in would classify as micro fiction, I believe.

Chris, the thing I value most about micro/flash fiction, is the ability of the author to "capture a moment". Not enough place to build characters or situations, the writer can concentrate on things he/she usually forgets because in a long story there's so much to say.

Just my opinion.

Posted by mikemunsil (Member # 2109) on :

I have participated in flash fiction and find that it is extremely useful to spark new ideas and/or to set a scene.

IMHO the greatest benefits of flash fiction are for the writer rather than the reader.

That said, I once read an extremely short piece by a Hatrack writer (can't remember who, perhaps Eric James Stone?) that I greatly enjoyed.

Eh, Axi, bienvenido a Hatrack. Ojala que le gusta. Ciao.

mikemunsil

[This message has been edited by mikemunsil (edited January 01, 2005).]

Posted by Axi (Member # 2247) on :

Thanks Mike, good spanish