The secret to flash fiction | How to find story ideas

If you’re looking to write flash fiction (or any kind of story) that has an impact on your reader, this is the secret to how I try to do that.

CORRECTION: At 4:50 the word should be 'Saudade' not 'Suadade' I got that wrong!

It’s not always possible or appropriate to have plot twists that are clever enough to shock or to move a reader, but speaking to them in this language of indefinable but universal moments is how I try to leave them feeling slightly different than when they found my story and that’s what I love most about writing flash fiction.

0:00 - Defining the secret
1:00 - My top piece of advice
2:30 - Examples of the secret
4:29 - Definitions from around the world
5:23 - A moment-led story
9:20 - If you want to move a reader
10:02 - More details

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[julianmirano]

We all feel these moments. The trick is that when you feel that moment you have to note it and turn it into a story. Love that.

[AlexRider]

It reminds me of the writing equivalent of a photograph. Or maybe a small collection of photographs. Captured moments in time.

[KingAdeft]

I've only thought about flash fiction recently and I'm realizing how beautiful it is. I always that it was too hard and not worth it, but now I see how beautiful words can be even though there are very few. Great video and thanks for giving honest advice.

[j.gverse]

Dude. I love it when you talked about atmosphere. It's so true!!

[opollitico]

you have this innate worldliness to your writing style, it's so inspiring to listen to. it's like, you can just paint a picture in what, like a few sentences?! crazy. I also get what you mean with the presence feeling, that just intangible thing, yeah, like a presence. it is a language thing too. this is easily the most nuanced video you've made, and I'm here for it! as an attempting novelist, this is definitely something that I will keep going back to for reference. I'm not the only one who's felt this way when you drop the keys on the worktop before moving out, only to find the cold air outside somehow feels more uncertain in the time between moving to your new home and travelling there. btw, uitwaaein = is a direct translation of dutch which means in English 'to blow out', but to you, me and your subscribers, in more painterly and writer-ish terms, is the act of going out for a walk in the fresh air, almost for emotional relief or something like that. I love untranslatable words!

[AwakeArise]

Love this Kieren. Always thought I should use failed novel ideas for flash but I think they are better for short stories, and this approach is the way forward for flash

[MeredithPhillipsWrites]

I clicked over to read the rest of that story so fast 😂 *You are such a good writer!!!*
This is a great video (both the content AND the freaking editing). I know exactly what you mean about those seemingly small "moments" that end up being the things that really stick with you through life.

[kimnmtime]

i appreciate this very much ❤️ my flash fictions are missing something and what you 'conveyed' - feeling, and the extracting of the depths of seemingly simple moments, is a guide for me to improve, if that makes sense. TY

[jeffdavidson]

What a great video! I sometimes struggle in my stories with too much exposition, too much "narrative" as you say. I do (at last) interject dialogue, but I know I need to get to the point, sooner. I have to remember the audience. We are all suffering from a short attention span. What's interesting to me might not be interesting to the audience. I am amazed you could tell a whole story in 1, 000 words. I would take double that, just for one chapter. I used to write short stories. Now, I'm more of a novel guy. I wonder if I have lost my touch, to write short stories. But look, I appreciate this video, very much, it's something of a reality check for me to remember the audience and get to the point, quickly. All writers should want their audience to be completely captivated, rapt, and hanging on every word, anxious and excited for what comes next. I know we are all our own worst critic, but you video has awakened me to the truth that I need to get to the point, sooner. Thank you for that. I needed that. Thank you, Kieren. Nicely done!

[writeitdown]

Fantastic. I love the idea of foregoing narrative, at least initially. Trying to make a story feel like a moment in time I think is one of the greatest things fiction can accomplish. I love flash fiction too just because of how focused and condensed it has to be. I think it's that focus and compression that makes the initial feeling you're trying to convey actually feel like something to the reader.

[julianmirano]

Going through all your videos, sorry man. Too good.

[Voice.of.the.Fire.Ministries]

Another brilliant piece of work, great job! Is there anyway you can take us through the process of your writing? Like step by step?

[mightandmercy]

Love this approach. It works for me too. A good ideas and then just write. Edit later!

[jodok]

As a planner, this concept sends me into a panic. But I'm experimenting with a balance between the two. And, significantly, what order of going between the two gets the best of both worlds. Maybe this works better for really short works?

[nunooliveira]

Hi Kieren. Great content. New subscriber here. But... in Portuguese, the correct word is "SAUDADE" and not "suadade". Keep up the good work.

[kbvca]

Flash fiction is a version of poetry. It's where the words carry the reader and not the character or the plot.

[bruceevans]

I'm still wondering what was in those envelopes in the glove box.

[ListaGamesLP]

The storylink leads to an error. Could you update the link, please? I would love to read it :)

[Voice.of.the.Fire.Ministries]

How do I write say a micro flash fiction with 50 words?

[lookbeneaththesurface]

Thanks for the advice, and I'll definitely be finishing that story! I'm intrigued!