Writing flash fiction: getting started

What is the course about?

Can you master the art of extreme brevity? The challenge of flash and micro fiction is to tell a complete story in which every word is absolutely essential. This course will help you to generate ideas for flash fiction, and teach you to peel away the frills and lace until you've reached the hard, clean-scraped core of a story.

Students like: "the suggestions and tools given to approach writing microfiction in different ways"; "the in-class wrtiting exercises"; "getting and giving feedback on our own stories in a group"; "developing skills and gaining confidence."

City Lit reserves the right to change course tutors from those advertised in this outline. In line with our refund policy we are unable to grant a refund on the grounds of a change of tutor.

This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone can be used if you don't have a computer but please note the experience may be less optimal.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.

What will we cover?

- Creative exercises will encourage you to unlock your imagination and generate ideas for flash fiction
- Issues of technique including plot, structure, point of view and character will be addressed
- You'll learn how to compress your writing and shape your stories to deliver the maximum impact
- You'll benefit from constructive criticism as you begin to revise your work.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- Identify the essential components of flash fiction
- Write a story with a clear beginning, a strong centrepiece, and a definitive ending; a story that makes its point and drives it home
- Provide insightful feedback on the work of colleagues
- Feel confident as you continue to experiment with flash fiction.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is an intermediate course for those with some experience of creative writing. Fluent written and spoken English is essential.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

In-class exercises including writing games, free-writing and experimental techniques for idea generation; small group discussion; tutor-led discussion.

All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.

For classes longer than one day regular reading and writing exercises will be set for completion at home to set deadlines.

City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Please bring a pen and paper.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

You can choose to continue your small fiction journey in Short story writing, Writing fiction, and Reading for writers: the short story. If you want to experiment with longer-form, why not try Starting your novel?

All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.