Have you heard of 55 Fiction? It’s a flash fiction contest run by a newspaper out in California every year. Flash fiction is stories that are extremely short, like 6 words to 1,000, sometimes more, depending on who’s asking.
Every year, my writers’ group submits stories to the newspaper in California: New Times, San Luis Obispo, for the curious.
We have had at least one winner, which is awesome (yay Carol)! I have only ever submitted one, and it wasn’t chosen. I thought it was a good story, but the more I read it, the more flaws I find. We are meeting again soon to discuss our stories for this year because the deadline is approaching (June 10th if you want to have a go). I must brainstorm until then. I now have the benefit of experience, so that helps.
Here’s last year’s submission (titles don’t apply to the word count, but they must be under seven words long):
What Happened Last Night?
Groaning, I awaken from a heavy slumber. Hazy images slide through my mind’s eye: Dinner. Laughter. Beautiful green eyes. Soft, full lips. Hands exploring secret places.
Gliding across my teeth, my tongue catches on something sharp. I have fangs?
Sunlight through the curtain brings searing pain. Recoiling, I shriek.
“Are you remembering?” she purrs.
“Vampire!”
Have you ever written flash fiction?
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