Flash Writing: How to Write, Revise and Publish Stories Less Than 1,000 Words Long [Paperback]

Michael L. Wilson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1589396375 | ISBN-13: 978-1589396371 | Publication Date: October 1, 2004

Flash fiction is one of the hottest literary trends of the 21st century. Online magazines crave it, mainstream publications such as Esquire, The New Yorker, and Vanity Fair publish it, and many other markets and contests seek it. Flash Writing is your guide to writing, revising and publishing stories fewer than 1,000 words long. Learn how to generate story ideas, create characters, develop conflict, and establish setting and point of view for flash fiction. Then discover how to research, format, and submit your work to flash fiction markets. Shorter is better, and Flash Writing helps you learn how to create entertaining, publishable flash fiction.

Product Details

• Paperback: 184 pages
• Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589396375
• ISBN-13: 978-1589396371
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #869,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Flash Writing: How To Write, Revise And Publish Stories Less Than 1,000 Words Long, April 9, 2006

By 

Donna Johnson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flash Writing: How to Write, Revise and Publish Stories Less Than 1,000 Words Long (Paperback)

Mr. Wilson has done an excellent job conveying, encapsulated in just a few words, exactly what flash writing is and how to approach it, complete with marketing information. The only reason I've marked the review a 4 rather than a 5 is that I felt there could have been more detail in the informational craft section of the chapters without losing the clarity and overall effect of the concise explanations.

His chapters are divided and presented logically and the points are easy to follow. I believe this would be true for beginning writers who know nothing about flash fiction as it is for those who have published in the genre. I found the prompts and exercises in the DO IT! sections to be some of the most helpful I've ever used. They are quick inspirations that help hone technique. If writers learn to write excellent shorts, there is no place we can't go when tackling scenes and chapters in longer works.

Finally, I thought the appendices were very useful. Not only are there good selected readings that demonstrate the principles set forth in the book, but also the web and book sources for information are well chosen.

I would highly recommend this book to fellow writers who wish to improve their craft or find a little inspiration. For flash writers, I think it is as essential a tool as Damon Knight's Creating Short Fiction and Roberta Allen's work. Happy writing to all!

Donna Johnson

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great How To, December 16, 2008

By 

ransomme (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flash Writing: How to Write, Revise and Publish Stories Less Than 1,000 Words Long (Paperback)

This book is one of the best how to write Flash Fiction I have read. I didn't know exactly what flash fiction was. Not only did this book explain it, it also gave step by step suggestions on how to write it. The activities, writing execises and prompts help to inspire you to go for it.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Write your first story in a flash!, January 31, 2005

By 

Sammi Soutar (Columbus, OH) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flash Writing: How to Write, Revise and Publish Stories Less Than 1,000 Words Long (Paperback)

I used the techniques outlined in Flash Writing to write my first short story in years.

Each chapter packs the practical "how to's" with idea-provoking exercises. Whether you're looking to think up stories, get them down on paper or prepare them for publication, this book has the goods.

Michael Wilson's energetic approach will motivate you toward greater creativity and productivity. A must read for anyone serious about breaking into the flash fiction market.