Writing – Flash Fiction

I came across an interesting challenge a couple months ago.

It said every writer should try working in six different writing forms.  The idea was that we should challenge ourselves.

To stretch creatively by stepping outside of our usual forms.

If memory serves it showed up in a forum that focused mostly on long-form writing, which would explain the choices.  They are:

• Poetry
• Six Word Story
• Flash Fiction (50-1k words)
• Short Story
• News Article
• Opinion Piece

I’m always up for a creative challenge, so let’s give it a try.

This month I’m trying my hand at Flash Fiction.  Now some folk who have read my short stories will complain that I write a lot of flash fiction already.  That’s not the way I think of them so I’m going to ignore that charge.  The reality is that trying to get a clear definition of flash fiction is much like nailing jello to a tree.  In the original challenge (above) you’ll see that it’s anything from 50 to 1,000 words.  That’s ludicrously large from my point of view.  I needed a word count that I thought would offer both a challenge and enough room to make it interesting.  Why 100 words?  Why not?  Above that and you’re moving into the realm of the “short short”.  Any less than that and I find the storytelling a little thin.

So here’s my attempt (with an Afterword!)

Flash Fiction – 100 Words

Every day begins as a mystery. Drive to the building. Get there on time, get there on time!

Sign in, pick up a packet, a key, and ID badge. Out into the hall. The young people mill, huddle, and clump. They laugh, shout, or stare into a distance beyond. They don’t see you. Adapt, glide, moving toward your destination. Check the room numbers and the hall signs. This hall? No, the next.

Juggle your backpack, lunch, and the keys. Open the door. Find the lesson plan. Honors class, period three!

Mystery solved. An easy day.

“Hey, we got a sub!”

 

I’ve been substitute teaching for just over a year now, and it’s an interesting kind of gypsy life.  This is the second story I’ve written about it.

Feel free to jump right in.  Let me know what you think.

Peace

J