Flash Fiction & Nonfiction
Flash Fiction & Nonfiction is an Intensive, meaning it happens in a short time span (1 day in NYC, or 2 days on Zoom, or 3 weeks online). The course includes a mixture of lectures and exercises. It’s open to writers of any level. Farther down, you can view a syllabus for this course.
Flash storytelling is like a strike of lightning. So fast, but it leaves a lasting memory.
Flash refers to stories—fiction or nonfiction—that range from a paragraph to a couple of pages.
What kinds of ideas work best for flash? How do you put all that power into a small container? Are there any special techniques that apply? Where can you publish works of flash?
You’ll find these answers in the class. You’ll also generate a handful of flash fiction or nonfiction ideas. And develop a complete flash story.
Whether you write true or made up, very short or super short, we’ll show you how to light up the page.
Notes
This course encompasses both fiction and nonfiction.
Make sure to explore (and perhaps submit to) Gotham’s own flash literary magazine: The Razor.
Upcoming Classes
Syllabus
This course gives an overview of how to write flash fiction or nonfiction, giving you a chance to generate ideas and write a complete flash piece. Course components:|
Brief lectures
Writing exercises/writing time
Topics:
What is Flash?: Length and impact.
Key Elements: Idea, structure, protagonist.
Tried and True Forms: Three effective forms for flash.
Special Techniques: How you give flash its command and economy.
Revision: How to strip it down to the essence, then apply a coat of polish.
Flash Finish: Finishing and sharing stories.
Note: Content may vary among individual classes.