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Flash Fiction and Story Plot

The document discusses key elements of plot structure that are important in both short stories and extremely brief flash fiction pieces. It notes that both require a beginning, middle, and end with events sequenced in a way that drives the story. However, flash fiction is extremely concise, often limiting descriptions and characters to only what is necessary to understand the core plot. The plot remains a crucial part of telling a complete story, even with extreme brevity.

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128 views16 pages

Flash Fiction and Story Plot

The document discusses key elements of plot structure that are important in both short stories and extremely brief flash fiction pieces. It notes that both require a beginning, middle, and end with events sequenced in a way that drives the story. However, flash fiction is extremely concise, often limiting descriptions and characters to only what is necessary to understand the core plot. The plot remains a crucial part of telling a complete story, even with extreme brevity.

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Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Flash

Fiction and
Story Plot
Story plot
- an important element of a story, is also present in flash
fiction.

- tells the reader how the story goes.

- It is basically the sequence of the events in the story.

- It is important to remember that the plot is what carries the


readers thoughout the story.

- Therefore, the plot should be related in sequence and every


event must be connected to the previous or the next one.
JAKE
by Jim Bartlett
Jake’s eyes snap open, and he quickly turns to the
side. But like his aching heart, the spot where Max
always sat on the couch remains empty. He takes
in a long, deep breath – really more of a sigh – and
squeezes his eyes closed, hoping that by slipping
into the darkness of a nap, he will temporarily
mask his sorrow.
For fifteen years they were inseparable. Always side
by side. The walks on the beach with the gentle
waves calling, the seagulls cawing. All those hikes
on the trail where the trees canopied over like
arches, wrapping them in a soft cool shade on a hot
sunny day. Even just a ride to the grocery store for
something Martha may have forgotten, they always
went together.
Though he knows that in some ways he should be
thankful for just having their time together – those
moments forever etched in his heart – and that the
sickness took Max quickly rather than dragging out
the pain for weeks, maybe even months, he still
feels cheated. That somehow he is missing years
that could have been.
Unable to sleep, he looks around the all too empty
room, letting his gaze fall upon the leash, which
still hangs from the peg by the door. It seems to
wait patiently, ever ready for that next big
adventure. As his eyes well up, he realizes for the
first time how much his grief weighs, how hard it is
to even rise with such a heaviness inside.
It is then he hears a shuffle from behind and turns
to see Martha standing in the doorway, her shoulder
resting against the frame.

“I thought you might be in here,” she says. She


looks down at him for only a moment before her
stare drifts to the couch. “I miss him, too, Jake.
More than you’ll ever know.”
There’s a faraway melancholy tone to her voice, but he
knows that her heart, like his, has a hole too big to fill.
His head drops and he gives off another long sigh,
which seems to prompt her to come over and kneel
down onto the carpet beside him. She slides a hand
under his chin and lifts it up, then tucks back his long,
floppy ears, such that their teary eyes can meet.

“I guess you do know, don’t you, Jake.”


FLASH FICTION
 A flash fiction, also known as short-short story, typically contains less than
1000 words which is most often used to describe short casual written
works. Although a flash fiction may be written in any genre, the most
famous ones are in romance, thriller, horror and sci-fi. Even with only a
number of words, a flash fiction also bears the essential elements of a short
story. The paramount of all the elements for this type of literature is the
plot.

 A flash fiction is similar to a short story is some ways. Both tell a complete
story with a beginning, middle and end with the elements of storytelling in
place. However, they, too, have differences.
Short Story Flash Fiction

is significantly shorter than a novel is a much shorter version of a short story

consists of 1000-10, 000 words in length composed of 100-1000 words in length

has a fleshed-out plot, well-rounded characters, has a well thought out plot and great characters, but
and a developed setting and theme. they don’t necessarily need to be fully developed

has one or a few characters and one or a few shouldn’t be more than one plot and one theme.
settings (limited in place and time, such as a day
or a couple of weeks) and expresses a single
theme, or message.

generally is more flexible. There is more space is punchy and to the point, a story of extreme brevity
to develop ideas, plot, character and theme; with the plot pared down to the core of the story.
there is at most, one plot and a small subplot or Every detail, every character gesture, every
a plot and a half. description counts; each word has its place. Take one
word away and the meaning is lost.
Characteristics of Flash Fiction
1. Story Structure: A flash fiction story is not the shortened version of a longer
story; it still follows the elements of plot, including a beginning, middle and
end, as well as a conflict and satisfying resolution.

2. Setting: Most flash fiction stories take place in one setting, as moving
between locations uses up too much space. It allows the writer and reader to
focus on the plot.

3. Characters and Backstory: Flash fiction pieces are plot-driven and include
no more than three or four characters. They may include some character
development, but too much backstory can use valuable space.

4. Description: One may think that flash fiction stories are short on description
to save space. However, a strong piece can balance vivid descriptions with a
quickmoving plot. Stories that lack description are not satisfying to read, and
a flash fiction piece should feel complete.
The PLOT

 the series of events and characters’ actions


that includes a beginning, a middle and an
end.

 The plot is the actual story


Two types of plot

 unified plot has a story that is realistic with a


central character and action and the story
happens in one place during a short span of time-
a day, several hours or even just for an hour

 An episodic plot, on the other hand, has a story


that happens in a much extended period of time.
There are three other ways to write a plot
PLOT – a movement in time

The plot is a movement in time when the story transpires on a particular period of time
such as an hour, a day, a week, a month or even a year.

PLOT - movement in casualty

The plot is a movement in casualty when the story is established on a series of casual
events that happen one after another. Here, the writer is to create a story based on the
principle of cause and effect that is, the first event sets off the second and the second
event sets off the third and so on. Hence, every new event has a casual relationship to the
old ones.

PLOT - a movement in dramatic tension

The plot is a movement in dramatic tension when the story has dialogue, action, details,
descriptions and scenes that amplify the tension and persuade the reader to turn the page
and continue reading. The techniques of foreshadowing, flashback and epiphany are
oftentimes employed in this type of plot.
The following are the components of a plot structure or parts of the
narrative.
a. Exposition – This is the beginning of the story, also known as the inciting
incident. This is where the author introduces the characters, identifies where
the story is happening, and establishes the main conflict. This includes events,
actions or even decisions that build conflict, pressure or disturbance to the
main character.

b. Rising Action – This is also known as the plot complication where the
writer fully introduces the conflict or the obstacle that will prevent the main
character, the protagonist, to achieve his goal.

c. Climax – This part is considered as the most exciting part of a story. This
part has the most tension or most exciting event compared to all other events
in the story. Also, this is where important decisions are made or important
things are discovered.
d. Falling Action – This point occurs after the climax as the
problems in the story start to work themselves out. The
excitement becomes less and less as the conflict is resolved.

e. Resolution/End – This is the solution to the problem in a


story. When a writer brings resolution to end the story, he can
end the story with either an open or closed ending. When a
writer uses a closed ending, the resolution is done by
answering all unanswered questions that were implied or
explicitly stated. A death is an example of a closed ending.
When a writer uses an open ending, he leaves the readers to
think, wonder or speculate what happens after the story has
ended.

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