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Flash Fiction by Bob Liddil
Wickipedia
describes Flash Fiction in this manner : "Flash fiction is
fiction of extreme brevity. The standard, generally-accepted length of a
flash fiction piece is 1000 words or less. By contrast, a short-short
measures 1001 words to 2500 words, and a traditional short story measures
2501 to 7500 words. A novelette runs from 7501 words to 17,500, a novella
17,501 words to 40,000 words, and a novel 40,001 words and up." I have been told, "The best way
to improve your writing is to write. No story is ever a throwaway, it can
be upgraded to a new marketplace on a moment's notice." Thus, this new section of the web site, featuring Flash Fiction I have written for contests and other purposes. This is a new take on an old story, a change of "point of view" if you will. A hanged man finds he is still conscious and aware as a ghost, after his death. His body has been sold; to whom and for what purpose gradually unfolds as the reader accompanies the narrator as he discovers what sinister doings are afoot. The story theme was "Scary Story" and
came about as a result of a personal challenge from a member of the writers'
group of which I have recently become a part. At 1550 words, it is not true
flash, but is included here for fun. The illustration is a modified Internet grab and is just for fun. Moving is always a little traumatic. New house, new neighborhood; for one little boy a new and different back yard with a garden, a very large pecan tree and the most unusual sandbox in the world. The challenge was specifically, "Backyard Adventure" and came about as a result of a personal challenge from a member of the writers' group which was to write a kids' story, narrated by a kid. I am not doing that well keeping to 1000 words. This one is 1114 words long. Close . . . The illustration is a modified Internet grab and is just for fun. It was a Christmas for wanting a Daisy Red Ryder BB Rifle, but clothes were a more practical gift. Then, after New Year's, Grampa came up with the ultimate weapon of mass destruction. The writers' group challenge was to come up with something that spoke either to or of the inner child, or the child I used to be. At 1390 words, it is not truly flash fiction by its rote definition. I just got lost in the telling of the tale. The photo came from Google Images As if Beelzebub doesn't have enough problems, what with all the sinners of the human world to punish, plus minions of darkness to manage. Now, a new vexation has come his way. The underworld has suddenly been transformed into a "blue hell. The Prince of Darkness must contend with Hell having frozen over. The challenge came from a friend of mine who dared me to place three elements into a story, Hell on ice, lawyers and Starbucks. I could never turn aside such an opportunity.. At under 1000 words, it is flash fiction. Finally ! I got one in under the limit. Part of the challenge was to write it in under two hours. The photo came from Wikipedia. The life of a merry maid can sometimes be not so merry. Melody has been assigned to clean house for the elusive Mr. Taminy, but he is nowhere to be found. Quite frankly, the house can stand tidying, so even in his absence, melody carries on. Some closets though, are better left unopened, and some mysteries are better left unsolved. Cleaning Service was inspired by my friend Scott Walden, whose day job is just exactly that - a cleaning service. At under 1000 words, it is flash fiction. The photo came from the Internet. Nothing is any closer to heaven than fishing. Big Dan and Marty know this better than anyone as they peacefully while away a lazy day with bobber, pole and bait. One thing is for sure, it's time well spent. At under 1000 words, A Fishing Tale is flash fiction. The photo came from the Internet. The Strange Case Of Louie The Mutt Louie The Mutt is just an ordinary bagman for an average New York mob. A thousand bucks of the boss's money goes missing and Louie catches the beef . Sal and the twins are assigned to drive The Mutt out of Manhattan into the Jersey countryside for his "last ride," but something goes awry. At under 1000 words, The Strange Case of Louie The Mutt is flash fiction. The photo came from the Internet. Mom says, "There are no Martians in Kansas, Butch," but young Butch begs to differ. He has heard the tales at 4-H and around the farm, of mysterious flying vehicles and disappearing cattle. Then one night it happened... At under 1000 words, Martians In Kansas is flash fiction. It was written for a writers' study group that specializes in pet stories from the pets' point of view. The photo came from the Internet The boy is at YMCA Summer Camp and facing a critical test: pass and he swims with the big kids, fail and he spends the summer with the little kids. now if only he can keep his swim trunks from coming off. At under 1000 words, The Test is flash fiction. The photo came from the Internet
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