Just like a flash of lightning, flash fiction stories can come and go in a moment, flipping the reader’s imagination as it does. These snappy stories take a lot of style, skill, and savvy word choice to perfect. Plenty of writers will try and take on the flash fiction form during their writing careers; however, the short-short story requires lots of planning and editing, and if you’re not sure how to write flash fiction stories, you’ve come to the right place. What is flash fiction, and how do you write it? In essence, it is a story that contains a whole narrative complete with plot, characters, and settings, in fewer than 1,500 words. As such, it’s a form that depends on efficient use of language and storytelling, without harming the story’s flow and impact.
Writing flash fiction takes practice, but the form has produced some of the most compelling tales in the literary world. Today at What We Writing, we’re discussing how to write flash fiction stories, exploring some classic flash fiction examples, and introducing you to some great flash fiction outlets where you may find yourself being published one day! But first, let’s answer: What is flash fiction?
What Is Flash Fiction?
So, what is flash fiction? Flash fiction is a type of fiction writing that is marked by how short and sweet it is. Flash fiction is usually kept below a strict word count, with the goal of delivering a whole story in as few words as possible. Some flash fiction can spin a whole story in just a few words.
Flash fiction traces its origins back to the time of fables and parables. The form became more popular in the nineteenth century on the back of writers such as Walt Whitman, Kate Chopin, and Ambrose Bierce.
Flash fiction also has a number of terms it is referred to in the writing world; these include micro-fiction, postcard fiction, short hand fiction, as well as others. And it more than lives up to these names, delivering stories just like a flash of lightning!
Flash Fiction Word Count
Like all literary terms, there aren’t any strict rules about how long a flash fiction story has to be. That being said, the guidelines usually followed by publishers and literary journals are as follows:
| Flash Form | Flash Fiction Word Count |
| The Six Word Story | 6 words |
| Twitterature | <280 characters |
| Minisaga (also known as dribble) | <50 words |
| Microfiction (also known as drabble) | <100 words |
| Sudden fiction | <750 words |
| Flash fiction | <1,500 words |
What is flash fiction, aside from being a stripped-back story? Let’s explore the goals and characteristics of flash fiction writing.
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Aims Of Writing Flash Fiction
Flash fiction needs to achieve the same things as any other fiction story, namely, a complete story with well-developed characters, a complete plot, and complex themes. The story needs to feel finished in fewer than 1,500 words.
Despite their short length, flash fiction stories still need to have depth to them. If the reader gets to the end of the story without giving it any further thought, then the story hasn’t been able to hook them effectively. The length shouldn’t subtract from the story’s value.
So, how does flash manage to be both brief and complex? Let’s take a look at all the ways flash minces words, with some of the best flash fiction examples following on.
Techniques And Examples Of Flash Fiction
All the best flash fiction stories use most or sometimes all of these techniques. Before we take a look at how to write flash fiction, take a look at these techniques, as they guarantee to make your drafts feel that much easier to write and edit.
Show, Don’t Tell
Show, don’t tell is one of the most important rules writers use to transmit an experience through imagery and description, as opposed to stating an experience plainly to a reader. It can be summarised best by this famous Anton Chekhov quote: “Don’t tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light on broken glass.”
Flash fiction example: Things I’m Holding For You by Kayleigh Shoen. Rather than claim “my date was abusive,” the narrator constructs a character profile by showing his many blunders. This ends in a damning depiction of a man burdened by his own toxic masculinity, whilst also saying something about the narrator: why does she hold onto these things, despite all-but-admitting that he’s an awful person?
Writing Scene vs. Summary
In fiction writing, we classify a passage of text as being either a scene or a summary. A scene is a close look at an important event in the story; alternatively, a summary skims over the details whilst presenting the most crucial information. In flash fiction writing, there is typically very little summary, and there is normally only one or two scenes.
Flash fiction example: As the North Wind Howled by Yu Hua. The story only consists of two scenes: when the narrator’s door is kicked down, and when they arrive at their friend’s house. Each scene forces the narrator to confront certain choices and observations, which builds the story’s mood and characterisation.
Truncation
Flash fiction language needs to be frugal, snappy, and to-the-point. Flash authors are usually some of the most ruthless editors in the business, truncating their sentences and ditching entire paragraphs in one fell swoop.
Flash fiction example: A Telephone Conversation by Mark Twain. While the first few paragraphs are decently wordy, Twain’s story cuts down on words by formatting its telephone conversations like a play. This allows Twain to juxtapose out-of-place ideas next to each other, making this a finished, funny story.
In Media Res
Most flash fiction stories open in media res, meaning they start in the middle of the story, rather than the beginning. This technique of writing a plot helps save on words by skipping over many of the details that the story needs to be told effectively.
Flash fiction example: Everyone Cried by Lydia Davis. The story opens in the middle of its moral: all adults want to be kids, sometimes. Though there isn’t a clear plot outlined in the story, it incisively points out the irony and duality of adulthood.
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Figurative Language
Flash steals a lot of its techniques from poetry, especially in terms of figurative language and literary devices.
Flash fiction example: Sticks by George Saunders. This story is brimming with metaphors, symbolism, and image-led narrative. The reader experiences the story through a father’s psychosis as he communicates through the way he decorates a pole. Each image is a representation of the father’s gradual decline, showcasing its ironies in short bursts of intense feeling.
Symbolism
Symbolism is the term used to describe the use of concrete objects to represent abstract ideas. Most flash fiction stories feature a lot of symbolism, allowing the writer to condense a wordy concept into a symbolic object.
Flash fiction example: A Haunted House by Virginia Woolf. This prose poem advances its narrative through its corporeal symbolism. From empty hands to the heartbeat of a home, the heavy symbolism layered throughout the story helps contain its concise, hyperbolic emotion.
Trusting the Reader
Because flash fiction is so snappy, authors don’t have much space for setting up the world the story takes place. Because of this, writers may feel inclined to keep unnecessary or fluffy descriptions and bits of worldbuilding, skipping over crucial moments of characterisation or dialogue. However, the best flash fiction stories are the ones that trust their readers to understand what’s going on and surrender to the mystery of what they don’t know.
Flash fiction example: My Dead by Peter Orner. The narrator is difficult to trust to begin with. Why would you drive with a stranger to visit a seance, especially if you have no one you want to contact? Yet the narrator’s passiveness becomes a lens to explore spirituality and self-sabotaging habits from, producing something haunting in the grey, liminal spaces of existence.
How To Write Flash Fiction: Step-By-Step
Writing flash fiction can feel intimidating at first, but the beauty of the form is that you don’t need a sprawling plot or endless worldbuilding – you just need a sharp focus and precise language. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to writing flash fiction that will help you create powerful short stories in just a few hundred words.
1. Pick a Single Moment, Emotion, or Change
Flash fiction thrives on focus. Instead of cramming in multiple plotlines, choose one moment in time, one key emotion, or one small but significant change in a character’s life. The tighter you focus, the more impactful your story will become.
2. Choose Your Point of View & Tense
Decide early on whether your story works best in first, second, or third person, and whether it should be in the past or present tense. These decisions influence tone, pacing, and intimacy – all crucial in such a short format.
3. Draft Without Worrying About Length
For your first draft, forget the word count. Allow the story to unfold naturally and get all your ideas on the page. Editing will come later – and, in flash fiction, that’s exactly where the magic happens.
4. Ruthlessly Cut Until Every Word Counts
Once you have your draft, edit with precision. Remove any filler words, unnecessary descriptions, or anything that doesn’t serve the story’s core. In flash fiction, clarity and economy of language are everything.
5. End with Impact
Whether it’s an open-ended question, a surprising twist, or a lingering emotional punch, your ending needs to resonate beyond the final sentence. The best flash fiction leaves readers thinking long after they’ve finished.
Tip: If you’re looking to master flash fiction fast, write three different stories using the same prompt – each with a different POV or emotional tone – and see how small changes completely reshape the narrative.
How To Publish Flash Fiction
Are you ready to put your flash fiction stories into print? Once you’ve polished off your story, it’s time to share it with the world. There are plenty of flash fiction magazines, contests, and online platforms eager for short, powerful work. Here’s a curated list of reputable places to submit – including word count limits and submission guidelines – to help you find the perfect home for your story.
| Publication | Limit | Window | Notes | Website |
| SmokeLong Quarterly | Up to 1,000 | Year-round | Highly regarded; publishes interviews with every author | smokelong.com |
| Flash Fiction Online | 500-1,000 | 1st-21st each month | Pay pro rates; broad genre range | flashfictiononline.com |
| The Citron Review | Up to 1,000 | Seasonal | Accepts fiction & creative nonfiction; language-driven focus | citronreview.com |
| Vestal Review | 500 or fewer | Twice yearly | One of the oldest flash-only magazines | vestalreview.net |
| Journal of Compressed Creative Arts | 600 or fewer | Aug-Dec | Specialises in highly distilled narratives | compressedjournal.com |
| Fractured Literary | Up to 1,000 | Rolling + seasonal | Emotional, character-focused pieces | fracturedlit.com |
| Wigleaf | Under 1,000 | Late summer-fall | Fresh, daring, and boundary-pushing | wigleaf.com |
| Bath Flash Fiction Award | Up to 300 | Multiple times a year | Prestigious contest with cash prizes | bathflashfictionaward.com |
| Micro Madness | Up to 100 | Seasonal | Often tied to National Flash Fiction Day | nationalflashfictionday.co.uk |
| 100 Word Story | Exactly 100 | Year-round | Themed contests and extreme brevity challenge | 100wordstory.org |
Pro Tip: Always read a publication’s latest stories before submitting. Matching their tone, style, and themes can make your work stand out in the slush pile.
How to Choose the Right Flash Fiction Market
Not every flash fiction magazine is going to be the right fit for your story. Before you hit that “submit” button, consider these quick steps for finding your ideal publishing home.
1. Read Recent Issues
Every publication has its own unique voice, themes, and stylistic preferences. Spend some time reading the last few issues to see if your story matches their tone.
2. Check the Word Count
Some markets specialise in 300-word microfiction, others prefer 1,000-word stories. Submitting outside the limit is a sure-fire way of being rejected.
3. Match Genre and Style
Even general literary magazines may lean toward certain genres – realistic, surreal, speculative, or experimental. Target markets that already publish work like yours.
4. Look for Pay Rates and Rights
Some magazines pay professional rates, others offer contributor copies or exposure. Make sure you’re comfortable with the terms before submitting.
5. Note Submission Windows
Many flash fiction magazines are open only during certain times of the year or reading periods. Planning ahead helps to prevent missed opportunities.
Tip: Keep a spreadsheet of your submissions with notes on each market – it saves time and helps you keep track of what’s working.
Wrap Up
Flash fiction proves that a story doesn’t need to be long to leave an impression. With just a few hundred carefully-chosen words, you can capture a character’s world, evoke deep emotion, or deliver a jaw-dropping twist that lingers in a reader’s mind.
The key is practice. Start small, experiment with different voices and perspectives, and don’t be afraid to take risks. The more you write, the more you’ll understand what to leave in and, just as importantly, what to leave out.
Your challenge: Set a timer for 30 minutes, and write your own flash fiction piece. Then, share it with a writing group or trusted friend. The feedback you receive will be as valuable as the writing itself.
Brevity is a constraint, but it’s also a creative spark. Mastering it will sharpen your storytelling skills across every genre you write.
James has been passionate about storytelling ever since he could hold a pen. Inspired by the epic fantasy and historical dramas he devoured in his youth, his work now centers on dark, psychological tales featuring intense, introspective characters and atmospheric, gothic undertones. In 2025, he founded What We Writing to share his creative journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way with fellow writers and passionate storytellers.
