Description
Flash fiction has a tough job: to convey a universe of emotion in a bite-sized space. Each word must occupy its perfect place while leaving room for implication and for readers’ imaginations to bloom. The language must carry not only what appears on the page, but the weight of the piece’s silences. The reward for such concision is a lightning bolt to the reader’s heart.
Interrogate the flash form and generate new work in this introductory class with Jasmine Sawers. For the first three sessions, we will read and discuss published pieces with careful attention paid to craft techniques and do a writing exercise with the option to share drafts aloud. Participants in the first workshop will submit their pieces during week 3, while participants in the second workshop will submit in week 4.
All readings provided.
Week 1: What makes for effective flash?
Week 2: Orientation and “the establishing shot”
Week 3: Balancing broad brush strokes with essential detail
Week 4: Workshop I
Week 5: Workshop II
WHAT DOES THIS CLASS INCLUDE?
Outside reading: Jasmine will provide links or PDFs to a handful of flash pieces for study in the first three weeks. The readings will be brief as befits the flash form. Sample authors include Kathy Fish, Jacqueline Doyle, Jiksun Cheung, Lydia Davis, Jamaica Kincaid, Celeste Chen, and others.
