Wherein Lila takes over to talk about flash fiction.
It is in the nature of flash fiction to act as a small piece of a greater whole. It stands as an independent story but nevertheless hints at something deeper. A deeper character arc beyond the 1,000-word slice of perspective. A more complex fantasy world. A thousand circumstances leading up to this snapshot moment. A million possibilities of what lies ahead.
When brainstorming a flash fiction, considering the broader scope opens up SO many possibilities of how you might approach the story. Plus it helps you flesh out everything from characters to setting in your mind so your readers can have an all-the-more enriching and emotional experience in your well-thought-out story.
Considering how your flash fiction might relate to the broader scope of things (think of your flash like a journey within a journey!) provides you with a multitude of possible angles and snapshot moments to choose from. Let’s talk about a few of them!
First, you could write what I like to call THE CHAPTER ONE. Let’s say Bob, an orphan abused by his mean orphanage headmistress, is your main character. Due to his maltreatment, he doesn’t think he’s worth anything or can amount to anything. You could open the flash story with Bob locked in the cellar with the rats, sniffling and lamenting his life. Just like the first chapter of a larger story, you develop the “normal world set-up” before striking the match of change in his life.
Maybe a fairy shows up in the cellar, helps him escape the headmistress’ clutches, and hints that a much deeper purpose awaits him in the world beyond. (By considering the broader scope, you happen to know that he travels across land and sea fighting evil monsters until he finally becomes king of a faraway island. Believe it or not, simply knowing that will subtly enrich the story.) But that’s how this story ends! Both you and your readers knows there’s more to Bob’s life (you know more than they do, but still), and yet the story is complete. We root for poor, abused Bob as he faces the challenge of escaping the orphanage, and when he acquires his freedom we feel content. Although it hints at further adventures, it has a beginning, a middle, and an end.
Or you could turn the tables and write THE CLIMAX instead. These tend to be the most action-packed flashes, requiring the most concentration on the reader’s part. You as the writer must explain what happened before the story began without info-dumping but without confusing the reader too much. With a climax-type flash, you thrust your reader into the middle of an adventure that’s been going on for some time.
You open with a scarred, travel-weary Bob locked in the dungeon of a tyrannical king on an island country far from his boyhood home. Maybe he’s a young man instead of a young boy. Whatever Bob has been trying to do to stop the evil king, he’s failed. You have to explain as concisely and naturally as possible what has led Bob to where he is now, and then move into the brilliant plan and action that will save him and prompt him to victory. Pacing is tricky here because you only have 1,000 (or fewer) words of story to work with. So keep it simple.
Maybe his fairy friend flies in through the cell bars and listens to him spill some of his previous troubles in a few heavily emotional lines of dialogue. This is a great utilization of what you already know about the Broader Scope of Things. (Teensy tip: Body language + dialogue is a valuable tool for connecting readers to characters quickly!) Then the fairy surprises him with a way of escape and victory. Action ensues, probably interrupted by some kind of twist, and then the story ends with Bob’s victory. Maybe the last couple lines are someone’s revelation to him that his defeat of the king means he gets to be king next.
Instead of - or maybe along with - the mysterious weight of what comes next (chapter one), we feel the mysterious weight of exactly WHAT happened with Bob before this story began. Mixed, of course, with the contentment of seeing a challenged hero come out victorious.
ONE ASPECT is my less-than-stellar name for the kind of flash fiction that explores one particular object or aspect of a broader story. Think unique formats - diary entry, letter, space log, POV of an AI or inanimate object, etc. Sometimes the general plotline, or a hint of it, is included in these types of stories, but I’ve found that’s not the primary focus. The primary focus is milking the unique format or POV for all it’s worth. Readers love it, and for good reason! It’s fascinating and engaging.
Maybe after Bob becomes king, he writes a letter to the headmistress of his boyhood orphanage. To give the letter format a story-like structure, consider how you might develop the tone or theme of the letter throughout. Maybe Bob begins by bitterly describing to her how miserable she made life for him. The twist could be when he chooses to forgive her. Then, to protect all the boys suffering under her “care” like he did, he tells her he’s going to send somebody to take over the institution. You know, to give her a much-needed break. ;D (I love the possible sarcasm in this!)
So you see all the ideas that crop up simply by brainstorming the broader scope. Maybe you get all three of these ideas - maybe more - and decide to write all of them. Or maybe you plan to write only one of Bob’s stories and realize that one of these ideas in particular would be best suited to your writing style and voice.
All this is to encourage you in a new approach to flash fiction - exploring the broader scope of things. The behind-the-scenes. The next chapter. The larger journey beyond its 1k-word snapshot.
It’s particularly fun writing a backstory flash for your novel, because then the broader scope (ahead of the short story, anyway) already exists, ready to be explored from a new angle, perspective, or format.
Exercise time! What other flash fiction ideas can you come up with for Bob’s epic journey? Let’s have some plot bunny fun in the comments below!
A HUGE thank you to Lisa for featuring me on her blog today. :D
The Lord’s Truly,
Lila Kims
Fantastic post! I struggle with flash fiction, so this helped a lot.
ReplyDeleteAh my GEEZE, Lila, you've got the greatest ideas ever and I'm. In. Love. *-* I enjoy flash fiction to the max, but often find myself floundering in complete helpless clueless oblivion when it comes to figuring out a sufficient plot line. >.<
ReplyDeleteMost of the time, they turn into brain dumps for all my thoughts on some certain subject and end up deviating completely from any true outline - SO THIS WAS IMMENSELY HELPFUL and I THANK YOU!! *Standing ovation*
Oh, and lets not forget the absolute gorgeousity of this post. I love your writing style so much!!
Thanks so much for having Lila over, Lisa; and thank you Lila for this amazing post!!
~ Lily Cat (Boots) | lilycatscountrygirlconfessions.blogspot.com