Writing with Knost : Writing with Knost Short Story Series
Writing Flash Fiction : Writing Flash Fiction
1. Before you write, know what your story is going to be about. : 1. Before you write, know what your story is going to be about. You should have a clear theme in your mind while you are writing.
2. Keep the number of characters down to the bare minimum. : 2. Keep the number of characters down to the bare minimum. Every new character adds a new dimension to your tale and will require
words to introduce, describe and resolve any conflicts.
3. Focus your story plot along one subject. : 3. Focus your story plot along one subject. Write the theme of your tale down and keep it near you while you write.
4. Focus on one powerful image : 4. Focus on one powerful image Effective flash fiction stories deal with one event or time
period in a character's life.
5. The small idea : 5. The small idea Look for the smaller ideas in larger ones.
6. Pick each word carefully. : 6. Pick each word carefully. You do not need a long, involved description of the character's
bedroom in a flash fiction.
7. Do not forget to use emotions to move your plot forward. : 7. Do not forget to use emotions to move your plot forward. Emotion is a powerful writing tool, one that writers sometimes forget about.
8. Bury the preamble in the opening : 8. Bury the preamble in the opening When you write your story, don't take two pages to explain all the pre-story.
9. In medias res : 9. In medias res Start the story in the middle of the action.
10. Make the reader guess until the end : 10. Make the reader guess until the end A little mystery goes a long way.
11. Use allusive references : 11. Use allusive references By using references to a commonly known story you can save
yourself all those unnecessary words.
12. Use a twist : 12. Use a twist The twist ending allows the writer to pack some punch at the end of the story.
13. When you edit, do so with a sharp eye. : 13. When you edit, do so with a sharp eye. Now is not the time to become sentimental about your words, now is
the time to cut the ones that are not expressing your story theme.