The Skinny History of the Short Short Story
Here’s the skinny: Back in the 1920s, flash fiction became known as the short short story because it’s, well, short. Very short. So short that they could give my vintage men’s blazer a run for its money. Also, I have a soft spot for the twenties—furious jazz, flapper dresses, roaring fiestas—but that’s another story. (The pun is always intended.)
The short short story, often characterized by its brevity and concise narrative, encapsulates a complete tale within a few hundred words. This form allows authors to explore a specific moment, an emotion, or a concept in a focused manner, often leaving a lingering impact on the reader. With limited space, every word and detail must be carefully chosen to convey depth and resonance. This economical storytelling can lead to profound insights or unexpected twists, challenging readers to glean meaning from what is left unsaid.
Ultimately, the power of a short short story lies in its ability to evoke thought and emotion swiftly, making it an art form that captures the essence of human experience in a fraction of the time.
Wondering how to write a short short story?
According to MasterClass, there are three things that short short stories have in common: brevity, a complete plot, and an element of surprise. From what is left unsaid, readers are left to read between the lines. There’s a famous flash fiction story from the nineteenth century that bubbles over with emotion in just six words:
“For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”
How can you not get in your feelings when you read that?
Anyway, this is my collection of fierce, fleeting flash fiction pieces. They’re all, if not under 1,500 words, then at least super short & sweet (cue: Sabrina Carpenter) so you can easily binge one, two, three in a single sitting. Think of them like the salty potato chips of the literary world; easy to consume and hard to quit. Bonus: They’ll go straight to your brain before they even think about hitting your hips.
If you like what you read, let me know.
—ᴍᴍᴍ