What is the main difference between Flash Fiction and just a creative fiction sh

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   Faith Reaperposted 10 years ago

   What is the main difference between Flash Fiction and just a creative fiction short story?
   
   I am wondering exactly what is the difference between Flash Fiction and a regular creative fiction short story ... is it just that Flash Fiction is a lot shorter or a certain amount of words? 
   
   

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   Just Ask Susanposted 10 years ago

   Flash Fiction usually is 99 words to 1000 words and a short story is 500 to 10,000. I love writing flash fiction and there's a place where I do so once a week online. Let me know if you'd like to join us and I'll send you the link.

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      Sharonlee Gposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I'd love to join an online flash fiction group! One of my favorite genres.
      
      Peace & Bleasings

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      Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Susan,  thanks for clarifying that for me.  Oh, wow, that would be great!  I work in the city and have an hour commute, so home late most nights, so Flash Fiction would be fun and fast!  I appreciate you.

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      grand old ladyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Hope I can also join your flash fiction group. Haven't tried it yet, but wanna go for it.

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   chef-de-jourposted 10 years ago

   Flash fiction developed out of the shorter short story and can be anything from a paragraph - 50 words - to 500 - 1000 words. Flash fiction reflects the age we live in - too busy to write a short story of 3000 words? Flash it, that is, reduce it to 500 words because our attention spans are getting shorter by the minute!!

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      mabelhenryposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Now that's spooky that the attention spans are getting shorter rather than expanding. With all of the good information on the planet that is an astounding observation. Reading increases the ability to hear and listen in depth and is necessary.

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      Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      @ Hi chef-de-jour, Oh, I understand now ... yes, sadly, we are always in a flash mode.  Thank you for answering!  @ Hi mabelhenry, wow, great insight into reading and our attention spans not expanding.  Now, that you mention it, it is a bit scary.

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   shanmarieposted 10 years ago

   Good question to ask. I thought it was shorter, but didn't know word count. Interesting!

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      Faith Reaperposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Me too! Now I realize that I have been reading Flash Fiction a lot on here.

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   cam8510posted 9 years ago

   sorry I didn't see this question 9 months ago Faith.  Flash fiction is shorter, yes, but that isn't the only or even the main difference, at least to me.  And this in no way is meant to detract from Susan's answer.  I'd simply like to add to it. 
   
   Flash Fiction is about word conservation which of course leads to shorter stories.  In longer forms, such as short stories, novelettes and novels characters and setting are more fully developed.  In flash fiction, the focus is on plot.  The writer gives only the absolutely necessary information for the reader to fill in the rest.  This produces a unique relationship between the writer and reader.  It is a relationship of trust.  The writer trusts the reader with his story, trusts the reader to be able to come to the intended conclusions.  The reader trusts the writer to produce a story that gives enough information to make the story truly satisfying. 
   
   A FF writer focuses on essential words.  Adverbs are almost completely out.  Adjectives are used sparingly.  Verbs are the main tool for showing action.  My own stories over the last two years show a slow transition along these lines, a transition I am still working on. 
   
   So FF is not simply a shorter version of a short story.  It involves a different kind of crafting that would not work in longer fiction. 
   
   I hope this adds something to the discussion.

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      Faith Reaperposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Chris, thank you for helping me to understand FF so much more. I knew it just couldn't be word count! I love that "unique relationship" and "different kind of crafting". Your answer is truly best ...but alas too late, but great! God bless

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      Madeleine Claysposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Very interesting indeed, and makes a lot of sense. Great information to know - thank you.

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      cam8510posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Madeleine, I'm glad you found this question Faith posted. Welcome to HubPages. I hope to see some writing from you in the near future.

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   APPettyposted 7 years ago

   Flash fiction is what's known as microfiction, fiction that is shorter than a short story. This can be as little as 6 words up to 1,000 words. Chris Mills is spot on with saying flash fiction takes a different type of crafting to master.

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      Faith Reaperposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Hi AP ...Thank you for answering and, yes, Chris knows his stuff.  You should check out his flash fiction.  He is an amazing writer.

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