Had an idea for a writing exercise. Thought I’d post it here—see if it sticks.
It’s called . . .
The 500 Word Flash Fiction Dash!
Here are the submission guidelines:
Step #1 Read the newest flash fiction story in the line-up.
Step #2 Cut & paste the flash fiction checklist (provided below) into a
reply window, or use a critique format of your choice.
Step #3 If you are using the checklist, post the key points that you feel
were achieved in the story you read. The thumbs up smilie is
useful for this purpose.
If you use a line edit or summary style critique, try to keep your
response shorter than the 500 word story you are critiquing.
Step #4 Post your (500 words or less) story—open themes for now.
A few rules . . .
#1 You MUST post a critique to receive a critique. However, if you want to
critique the next story in the line-up, and then post your story later,
that’s fine. Hopefully, everyone will use an honor system regarding
their number of submissions vs. critiques.
#2 Use The 500 Word Flash Fiction Dash Discussion thread to post general or
particular comments, suggestions and issues pertaining to the 500 Word
Flash Fiction Dash thread.
#3 Follow established critiquing rules of etiquette. Focus on the story—not
the writer, be fair—i.e. play nice, be honest and keep an open mind.
Everybody who submits their story for scrutiny ALWAYS has the option to
utilize or disregard the feedback they receive.
#4 If you are seeking a consensus of opinions regarding your story, multiple
submissions of the same story (whether you have revised it or not) are
allowed. Just remember to critique a new story each time you resubmit
your story.
Inevitably some critiques will get cross posted. And some stories may
accumulate a higher number of crits than others. You can always bump
your story back into the line-up if it gets left behind—honor system
applies.
Checklist for Creating Compelling Flash Fiction
illuminates a single moment in time
conveys a complete story—with a beginning, middle & end
contains a well developed character and/or characters, setting, situation & theme
begins in the middle of the action and moves swiftly to the story’s resolution
encompasses a verbal, physical and/or mental conflict, difference of opinion or general sense of story tension
provides a satisfactory story resolution and/or change in the protagonist
enlightens, humors, saddens and/or ruminates in the reader’s mind
utilizes tight, active sentences, strong verbs and concrete nouns
avoids unessential modifiers and details not directly related to the story
avoids unnecessary exposition, redundancies and cliche themes
avoids grammar, syntax and spelling errors
avoids the structure of a slice-of-life depiction and/or literary sketch by deriving its story shape from a conventional story telling tradition, true experience, anecdote, speculation and/or an experimental forms, dreams, fables, letters, flashbacks, interior monologues, paradox etc.
FYI—this thread was launched using less than 500 words
It’s called . . .
The 500 Word Flash Fiction Dash!
Here are the submission guidelines:
Step #1 Read the newest flash fiction story in the line-up.
Step #2 Cut & paste the flash fiction checklist (provided below) into a
reply window, or use a critique format of your choice.
Step #3 If you are using the checklist, post the key points that you feel
were achieved in the story you read. The thumbs up smilie is
useful for this purpose.
If you use a line edit or summary style critique, try to keep your
response shorter than the 500 word story you are critiquing.
Step #4 Post your (500 words or less) story—open themes for now.
A few rules . . .
#1 You MUST post a critique to receive a critique. However, if you want to
critique the next story in the line-up, and then post your story later,
that’s fine. Hopefully, everyone will use an honor system regarding
their number of submissions vs. critiques.
#2 Use The 500 Word Flash Fiction Dash Discussion thread to post general or
particular comments, suggestions and issues pertaining to the 500 Word
Flash Fiction Dash thread.
#3 Follow established critiquing rules of etiquette. Focus on the story—not
the writer, be fair—i.e. play nice, be honest and keep an open mind.
Everybody who submits their story for scrutiny ALWAYS has the option to
utilize or disregard the feedback they receive.
#4 If you are seeking a consensus of opinions regarding your story, multiple
submissions of the same story (whether you have revised it or not) are
allowed. Just remember to critique a new story each time you resubmit
your story.
Inevitably some critiques will get cross posted. And some stories may
accumulate a higher number of crits than others. You can always bump
your story back into the line-up if it gets left behind—honor system
applies.
Checklist for Creating Compelling Flash Fiction
illuminates a single moment in time
conveys a complete story—with a beginning, middle & end
contains a well developed character and/or characters, setting, situation & theme
begins in the middle of the action and moves swiftly to the story’s resolution
encompasses a verbal, physical and/or mental conflict, difference of opinion or general sense of story tension
provides a satisfactory story resolution and/or change in the protagonist
enlightens, humors, saddens and/or ruminates in the reader’s mind
utilizes tight, active sentences, strong verbs and concrete nouns
avoids unessential modifiers and details not directly related to the story
avoids unnecessary exposition, redundancies and cliche themes
avoids grammar, syntax and spelling errors
avoids the structure of a slice-of-life depiction and/or literary sketch by deriving its story shape from a conventional story telling tradition, true experience, anecdote, speculation and/or an experimental forms, dreams, fables, letters, flashbacks, interior monologues, paradox etc.
FYI—this thread was launched using less than 500 words
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