tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66493119413805916102011-07-30T16:12:18.747-07:00Tips for writing and publishing your flash fiction.Linda Courtlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06773494842656021840noreply@blogger.comBlogger31100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649311941380591610.post-54543259816323461422009-12-06T13:06:00.000-08:002009-12-07T18:54:49.971-08:00Are you new to flash fiction? Not sure where to send your first story?<br /><br />Check out these fun and friendly sites, with some of the highest acceptance rates for new story submissions:<br /><br /><a href="http://sixsentences.blogspot.com/">Six Sentences </a><br />That's right. Six sentences. See what you can do with them.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.short-humour.org.uk/writersshowcase/writersshowcase.htm">The Short Humour Site</a><br />Humorous stories, in 500 words or less.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.gwthomas.org/flashshotindex.htm">FlashShot</a><br />100 words or less. For lean, mean, story-telling machines.<br /><br /><a href="http://ficmusings.blogspot.com/">Fictional Musings</a><br />Any genre, 700 words or less.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.alongstoryshort.net/">Long Story Short</a><br />Up to 1000 words. Give them all you've got.<br /><br />Each of these online markets publishes a mix of new and experienced writers. Go ahead, send them a story. I did.<br /><br />And remember to read and follow the submission guidelines on each site.<br /><br />Good luck!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6649311941380591610-5454325981632346142?l=flashfictionwriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Linda Courtlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06773494842656021840noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649311941380591610.post-82296033435714490752009-12-06T12:20:00.001-08:002009-12-07T18:54:53.351-08:00Flash fiction is a rapidly expanding literary form with many faces.<br /><br />These ultra compressed stories, usually limited to 1000 words, are also known as sudden fiction, skinny fiction, short short stories, micro fiction, and more.<br /><br />But word count is not the only defining factor. These stories are complete. They have characters and conflict; a beginning, a middle, an end. They are tightly woven tales, slyly reaching for your emotions.<br /><br />When a hot flash touches you, it leaves a lasting impression.<br /><br />The goal of this blog is to share what I've learned about writing and publishing flash fiction over the last few years.<br /><br />And to help you reach out with your own stories, and touch others.<br /><br />Happy writing!<br /><br />Linda Courtland<br />Author, "<a href="http://lindacourtland.com/">Somewhere to Turn: stories</a>"<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6649311941380591610-8229603343571449075?l=flashfictionwriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Linda Courtlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06773494842656021840noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6649311941380591610.post-57293904756845131462009-12-06T12:06:00.000-08:002009-12-07T08:21:39.328-08:00Want to publish your flash fiction?<br /><br />Follow these five tips to make your stories stand out to editors:<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Kill the Adverbs </strong>– Get rid of as many modifiers as possible. Slash them with red ink and pack more action into your story.<br /><br /><strong>Keep it Simple</strong> – Use short sentences. Keep proper names to two syllables. Use “said” in dialog tags.<br /><br /><strong>Use your Emotion</strong> – Stir up your senses while you write. Use rock ballads, patchouli incense, dark chocolate, or whatever moves you. Then transfer that passion to the page.<br /><br /><strong>Laugh a Little</strong> – Comic touches can set your story apart. Check out how I tackled tough environmental issues by hiring dolphins to work in office cubicles: <a href="http://LindaCourtland.com/Story_of_the_Month">Day Job of the Dolphin </a><br /><br /><strong>Name your Baby</strong> – Pick a title that will stand out in an online Table of Contents. Be clickable. Go for something unusual or provocative.<br /><br />Now, start writing...<br /><br />(These tips first appeared in my guest post on John Gorman's fabulous <a href="http://jgpapercut.blogspot.com/">Paper Cut </a>blog.)<div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6649311941380591610-5729390475684513146?l=flashfictionwriter.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>Linda Courtlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06773494842656021840noreply@blogger.com0