What’s the Difference Between Flash Fiction and Short Stories?
Mostly, it’s length. Flash fiction are stories that are usually under 1,500 words. That means you’re not getting in-depth setting or character development, but don’t worry, you will still be entertained.
Short stories range between 1,500 and 7,500 words. This extra allowance for word count allows the writer to better develop both character and setting. Most people are familiar with short stories, but the term “Flash Fiction” throws them off.
What is Flash Fiction?
Flash fiction, sometimes called sudden fiction, or short, short stories among other names, is a loose term for stories roughly 300 to 1000 words long, though they can be as long as 1,500. Though the term “Flash fiction” was coined in 1992, the art goes back over 2000 years to Aesop’s Fables. Authors around the world have and continue to write these shorter stories and the style has
increased in popularity with the internet and our busy lives. The style lends itself to a variety of styles, including literary, science fiction, dystopia, and experimental.
Flash fiction offers an immediately immersive experience that draws you in and takes you on a short, but often intense, ride.
Though readers might think it easier to write a short, short story versus a longer story or even a novel, that isn’t always the case. Narrowing the subject to such a small package requires an economy of words, ideas, and description. The key is to tell a complete story without confusing or losing the reader by the omission of information. It requires the writer to choose which details are imperative for the story, leaving other details as implied.
For readers, sudden fiction offers the opportunity to enjoy a short story when there isn’t time for a longer tale. The style also allows the reader to use their imagination to fill in the blanks.
Scroll down to find some of my own sudden fiction for your enjoyment. Check back, as I will add new ones as the mood strikes. I’ve also included links to various other sites that publish short shorts and an exercise if you’d like to try your own hand at flash fiction.
Why Read Flash Fiction and Short Stories?
If you’re like me, you love losing yourself in a good story, BUT. . . your life is busy, and it’s hard to find the time to read a whole novel. That’s where short stories can save the day.
Short stories give us the opportunity to sneak away and experience someone else’s life for a little while before we get back to the housework. They give us a break from finding those socks that parachuted out of the dryer for parts unknown, math-loving dishes that can’t seem to get enough of multiplication, and that unexplainable science experiment in the fridge. Oh yeah, don’t touch that thing, it might explode.
On this page, I’ll RANDOMLY post short stories for you to read—for FREE! And who doesn’t like free? You say you don’t like free? Let me give you the name of a good counselor.
“What are these short stories about?” you ask.
Don’t you just wonder? I know I do. Just kidding—kind of. They’ll be about Jagged Journeys. About people from all walks of life, from various cultures, and but not always set in history—though not always. They are stories of people who face problems, obstacles, and situations some of us have, will, or hope we never have to experience. Sometimes we’ll applaud them. Other times we’ll scream, “NO, DON’T DO IT!” Sometimes, they just might surprise us.
Grab a cup of your favorite drink and settle into a comfy chair and enjoy a story or two. If you’ve read all I have posted, I hope you’ll sign up for my e-zine, Jagged Journeys and receive a new short story emailed to you once or twice a quarter. See the sign-up at the bottom of this page. You’ll also receive notices about upcoming books and other great offers.
Happy Reading,
Ida Smith
Not Much Time
Flash Hiction
by Ida Smith
On a winter’s night, a young woman braves the bitter cold. She only has a short time to perform the most important mission of her life.
Her only comfort was the cold night—it meant Clyde was at the tavern.
No One Must Know
Flash Fiction
By Ida Smith
Anna Bell stared at her reflection. Could she do this? Could she hide the truth? Was she smart enough to convince them she was innocent? That she knew nothing?
Stitching the Future
A Short Story
by Ida Smith
The first time Christina made the mistake she worried all week she would get caught. Now, today, with Mr. Hagen hovering, her finger shook. The sewing of men’s drawers embarrased her; it made hercheeks flush. Now, the mistake from last week reappeared in her thoughts. Mr. Hagen’s large paunch pressed against her shoulder, his form blocked the setting sunlight that filtered into the sweatshop cluttered with tables of sewing machines and stacks of garments, the floors littered with scraps of material.
Christmas Detour
Flash Fiction
by Ida Smith
Valerie tightly scheduled her day’s activities until a sapphire scarf led her on an unexpected detour.
Valerie’s day, if not the whole season was meticulously scheduled, there was little if no room for unplanned detours.
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