How to Write Flash Fiction in Four Steps

Write engaging short fiction by ditching conflicts and resolutions

One of my favorite forms of fiction to write is flash. Flash fiction is a type of writing that is very short, typically 500 words or less. I find the challenge of packing a lot of story into a small amount of space to be fun and engaging.

The length of flash fiction also makes it perfect for publishing here on Medium. But, how can you write an engaging story in under 500 words? I’ve found the ideal plot structure to create entertaining, short-form fiction. And, I’m going to tell you how to use it. So, let’s get started.

For our story, we will use the four-part structure based on the Asian for part story often called Kishotenketsu.¹ The four parts of that structure are Introduction, Development, Twist, and Conclusion.²

A Word on Asian Story Structure

Before we start let me state that I am not an expert on the Asian four-part structure, and the four steps I list below don’t conform to that structure. This article outlines a process that I developed for my own purposes when writing flash fiction. I borrowed from the four-part structure³ based on my limited, and incomplete knowledge of the form.

By following the process, you will not write a proper story based on Asian story structure. Also, please do not take this article as an expert analysis of Asian story structure.

If you would like to learn the proper Kishotenketsu structure please read this article by author Kim Yoon Mi. I reference her work several times throughout.

I’ve also listed references at the bottom of this article for more information on Asian story structure.

Step 1- Introduction:

You have about one hundred words to write the exposition of your story. In the exposition, you will introduce your characters and setting. Introduce your reader to one or two characters, but don’t exceed three. Tell us what these characters are doing and where they are. For now, focus on the characters and give us small details about the setting, enough to establish the genre of your story- i.e., a space station if you’re writing SciFi.

Step 2- Exposition:

Expand a little more on the setting here. Tell us more about where your characters are and why they’re there. What kind of situation are they in? How does this affect their interactions? Give yourself a few more words for this section, maybe 150.

Step 3- Climax:

This part is a narrative twist and the payoff to your story. Notice we don’t use the word conflict. Conflict implies that there is some sort of struggle going on.

Your climax can be something good or bad, but it should affect the characters in a significant way. This is your chance to show off your writing skills, so take your time and make it count. Two hundred words should be more than enough.

Kim describes the climax of the four-act structure like this:

… Introduce the characters and the problem … with the emphasis on the characters. Then show how the problems … obstruct them [the characters] in their everyday life. Then … put in something that you didn’t expect to happen, or a revelation about the past that makes everything before change and reveal the core of the problem. — Kim Yoon Mi

Subvert your readers’ expectations here. Take an element of the characters or setting that you’ve established and flip it on it’s on its head. The happy couple that has been married for 50 years is actually a pair of serial killers. The peaceful mountain your characters are climbing becomes an erupting volcano.

The possibilities are endless, so take your time and create something truly unique. Just be sure that it makes sense in the context of your story.

Step 4- Conclusion:

Notice this is a conclusion, not a resolution. In flash fiction, we don’t have to provide readers with a satisfying ending; we can simply leave them with something to think about. So ends our tale; what did you think?

And, in 500 words, you probably don’t have time for a resolution anyway, so leave your reader with something to ponder. Perhaps your killer duo escapes justice. Will they kill again? Do our stranded hikers make it off the mountain alive? Your readers can decide.

Here’s how Kim explains it in her article:

The conclusion isn’t always a resolute solution to everything…It’s more like wrap up for that particular issue, while indicating the story still goes on beyond that… — Kim Yoon Mi

The nice thing about flash fiction is that they are fun, and you can knock out a punchy little tale in a short time. If you enjoy a flash fiction piece, you can revisit it later. Expand on your premise to create a full-length work like a short story or novel.

If you’d like to read more about flash fiction check out this article I wrote for the Well-Storied blog.

If you’d like a structure that’s well-suited for short stories, check out my article on Dan Harmon’s Story Circle.

And, as always, keep writing!

References:

¹ Worldwide Story Structures: 김윤미 Kim Yoon Mi Author

² “Ki-sho-Ten-ketsu” is “KA-ME-HA-ME-HAA!” 4 part construction practicals

³ The History of Korean Literature: From Ancient Times to the Late Nineteenth Century by Ko Mi Sook, Jung Min, Jung Byung Sul

How to Write Flash Fiction in Four Steps was originally published in The Writing Cooperative on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.