“Here is the demand of the flash form: to find in compression what cannot be found otherwise, to view the constriction of time and space as a need for urgency and profundity.” – Randall Brown

I’m delighted to announce that I’ll be facilitating a one-day course with the wonderful Big Smoke Writing Factory in January. Introduction to Flash Fiction takes place on Saturday, January 28th in Dublin City.

The full course outline is below. The cost is €60 and booking is available here.

Course Outline:

Flash fiction (very short fiction, up to a maximum of 1,000 words) distills the elements that make fiction great into its most potent form, rewarding us with memorable characters, clever storytelling, and prose that sings.

In this one-day course, participants will explore practical examples of flash fiction that works. We will examine stories that employ the literary elements of longer stories: setting, plot, point of view, and dialogue; in addition to stories that take a more experimental approach. As a result, participants will get a sense of the scope and infinite possibilities of writing in this form.

We will also discuss the best places both to read flash fiction and to submit work for publication. This is a practical workshop, so most importantly, participants will have the opportunity to share their work in a supportive environment and receive constructive feedback.

This course is suitable for beginners, or those already writing flash fiction looking to further develop their skills.