F is for Flash Fiction

If you’ve been following this blog for a while (even over a week), then you will notice every Friday I have Flash Fiction Fridays. Basically, flash fiction is a very, very short story. It needs plot, character(s), conflict, and setting. The conflict doesn’t need to be resolved, and it is often just beginning in a flash fiction piece. There is little to no back story in flash fiction. Whereas a novel is a huge span of time for the most part, a short story is a moment in time, flash fiction is a second(s) in time. In general, flash fiction is under 1,000 words, but some consider it under 300. For my flash fiction pieces, I try to hover around 500 words.

I enjoy writing flash fiction because it has taught me the valuable lesson that every word counts. By writing it, I’ve found that I can shave off words in anything I write if I think about it. It helps tighten longer pieces, and it’s great creative/writing practice.

With mentioning flash fiction, I bring you to my first blogfest. Yes, I’m holding a Flash Fiction Blogfest to celebrate close to 250 followers and flash fiction.

What the blogfest will entail:

1. You write a piece of flash fiction 500 words and under. It can be any genre, but it must be prose (sorry, poets).

2. On Friday, May 6, 2011, everyone who joins will post his/her flash fiction piece on his/her blogs. We’ll jump around and read everyone’s fun posts. It gives you almost a month to create something.

3. Over that weekend, I’ll judge everyone flash fiction piece and pick six finalists.

4. Then I’ll announce the six finalists and everyone will have a week to vote for their favorites. The top three will win prizes.

Now you’re probably wondering what those prizes are:

1^st place: $25 gift card to Amazon

2^nd place: A Writer’s Kit with multicolored pens, notebook, and sticky notes

3^rd place: A book I've reviewed. (whichever is cheaper - electronic or print version of one book I’ve reviewed, your choice) For a list of books reviewed, click here. 

These prizes are just eligible for US residents, but I don’t want my international friends feeling left out.

If you are from another country and win, here are your prizes:

1^st place: 50-page manuscript critique or $25 Amazon Gift Card if you are in one of the countries that accepts them*.

2^nd place: 10-page manuscript critique

3^rd place: A PDF copy of Once Upon a December Nightmare and Raven and the Writing Desk 2010

So, what do you need to do now. Join the linky thing below and comment on this post. I’d appreciate it if you spread the word as well. As mentioned above, it’s my first blogfest, so if you have any suggestions to help it go smoothly, I’d appreciate them.

P.S. I am signing up, too, but I won't win any prizes except for getting a chance to read some great flash fiction. *grins*