I enjoy reading and writing flash fiction (I tend to go for the 500 words to 750 variety). One of my favourite pieces is below.
JUST DESSERTS
At last I stop running. At last I rest under this ancient tree for a while and remember the idiocy that made me run for my life. I had the luxurious life I’d always wanted. One stupid mistake and I threw it all away.
The red apple was my big mistake. Sounds stupid, doesn’t it? How could one measly piece of fruit bring me down? But it did. Thinking back as I rest, I know now the apple smacked of not thinking things through, which is unlike me, and of meanness, which is my besetting sin. I’ve been poor. I never wanted to be that way again so I’ve always thought twice about unnecessary expenditure. I should’ve realised extra expense would’ve been worth it to stop me being saddled with a Goody Two Shoes of a stepdaughter. If I had been more thoughtful to the King’s wretched brat, just the once, I wouldn't be here now. I was Queen.
I should've remembered success happens when one undertakes a task properly. Knowing Snow White's fondness for desserts, (not publicized, she jealously guards her image, that girl is vain, you should’ve seen how snooty she was when I moved in), I should've baked a proper apple pudding, the luscious one with the caramel sauce, and poisoned her with that. The way that girl scoffed puddings there was no way any apple would've been left in her throat for that chinless wonder Charming to get out. Still my one amusing thought is given she likes her image to remain spotless he’ll probably be disappointed on their wedding night!
Something hard has just hit my head. I’m not moving. I know what the object was. I can see it where it stopped by my feet. If I need a sign of the way my luck is going, I’ve just received it. I was hit by another bloody red apple!
THE END
It didn't win but I loved writing it. It was one of my early attempts at flash fiction and I was just so pleased I'd managed to do it.
Most of my longer short stories are around the 1500 to 2000 words mark, as this is what most writing competitions call for. I like this kind of work as you've got a bit more room to develop character but notice "a bit". The whole point of a short story is you can't go on for too long, every word has to count. If a short story is meant to capture a moment in time, then a flash piece is what you capture in the blink of an eye.
JUST DESSERTS
At last I stop running. At last I rest under this ancient tree for a while and remember the idiocy that made me run for my life. I had the luxurious life I’d always wanted. One stupid mistake and I threw it all away.
The red apple was my big mistake. Sounds stupid, doesn’t it? How could one measly piece of fruit bring me down? But it did. Thinking back as I rest, I know now the apple smacked of not thinking things through, which is unlike me, and of meanness, which is my besetting sin. I’ve been poor. I never wanted to be that way again so I’ve always thought twice about unnecessary expenditure. I should’ve realised extra expense would’ve been worth it to stop me being saddled with a Goody Two Shoes of a stepdaughter. If I had been more thoughtful to the King’s wretched brat, just the once, I wouldn't be here now. I was Queen.
I should've remembered success happens when one undertakes a task properly. Knowing Snow White's fondness for desserts, (not publicized, she jealously guards her image, that girl is vain, you should’ve seen how snooty she was when I moved in), I should've baked a proper apple pudding, the luscious one with the caramel sauce, and poisoned her with that. The way that girl scoffed puddings there was no way any apple would've been left in her throat for that chinless wonder Charming to get out. Still my one amusing thought is given she likes her image to remain spotless he’ll probably be disappointed on their wedding night!
Something hard has just hit my head. I’m not moving. I know what the object was. I can see it where it stopped by my feet. If I need a sign of the way my luck is going, I’ve just received it. I was hit by another bloody red apple!
THE END
It didn't win but I loved writing it. It was one of my early attempts at flash fiction and I was just so pleased I'd managed to do it.
Most of my longer short stories are around the 1500 to 2000 words mark, as this is what most writing competitions call for. I like this kind of work as you've got a bit more room to develop character but notice "a bit". The whole point of a short story is you can't go on for too long, every word has to count. If a short story is meant to capture a moment in time, then a flash piece is what you capture in the blink of an eye.
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