A moment of clarity, from Julie Duffy
The Prompt
Write a Flash Fiction story in 500 words, inspired by a vivid, or transformative, or reflective moment (like the one in the photo).
Tips
- Have as vivid a moment as you can in mind as you start your story.
- If you use this picture, brainstorm what happened in the moments before the the shutter clicked. Where are they going? Where have they been? What’s causing that facial expression? Is it sincere? Who’s taking the picture?
- What happens the moment after the photo? Who cares about that? (Whose story is this?)
- Whose voice will you tell it in? The photographer, writing it up later for the notes for his exhibition? The subject (first person, present tense? Told from the future). Some omniscient narrator? Will they be trustworthy or untrustworthy?
- If you’re stuck on how to write a flash fiction story, listen to the episode of the StoryADay podcast with Windy Lynn Harris, where she shares 7 ways to approach flash.
- If you’re not sure what makes a short story flash, check out these StoryADay Flash Fiction Essentials
If you share you story somewhere (and here’s why you might not want to) post a link here so we can come and read it.
Leave a comment to let us know what you wrote about today, and how it went!
Julie Duffy
Julie Duffy has always been verbose (something she often got in trouble for at school) which might explain why she is such a fan of the puzzle that is short fiction.
Join the discussion: what will you do with today’s prompt OR how did it go? Need support? Post here!
