Writing groups take many shapes and sizes. Frequency of meetings, general purpose, size, and requirements all vary from one group to another. Many writing groups exist for more than manuscript exchanges, special events, and critiques. I found myself leading the charge in organizing a writing group in which the members were interested in readings and assignments. We took turns finding short stories to read for our meetings which we would then discuss. One of the main features of this group was the prompt-driven writing assignments. We would find prompts–words, quotes, photos, or videos–to use as a springboard for very short works we could read for the group, and get feedback. These pieces, of course, were flash fiction.
Group members would show up to meetings with flash fiction pieces between 100 and 300 words, depending on the word count given the week before. Our group was small, with only about seven members, so we all had the opportunity to read our stories and get feedback from everyone in the room. It was always interesting to see how many different interpretations of a single prompt were present in the room, week after week. It challenged us to think differently, try new approaches, and even compete for the most unexpected prompt use.
Introducing flash fiction to your writing group is easy, and should be a breeze to sell. It has so many great benefits for the writer, and works perfectly for a group that has a limited meeting time. When you work solely with longer works, members end up with too much at-home work to do, or meetings become focused on one member, and everyone has to wait a long time for it to be their turn. Writing flash fiction gives everyone something to work on, and leaves room for everyone to give and receive feedback from several group members.
If you’re not already doing something similar, here’s a few tips to help sell writing flash fiction to your writing group:
- It will encourage less active members to participate in group activities as they will always have their own piece to share.
- It allows everyone to benefit from constructive critique rather than putting the focus on dozens of pages by a few people.
- The exercises will keep all group members writing between meetings.
- There is something to look forward to at every meeting. People will have favorites, and everyone will almost see the readings as an entertainment segment.
- Flash fiction can help group members test out story ideas without having to outline or draft longer pieces that could require a significant amount of work to get up to par.
- It doesn’t take a long time to write a flash fiction piece for a group meeting and critique
- It could become a friendly competition, complete with small prizes on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual basis.
- The groups’ works of flash fiction could later become a collection you can publish together.
When your writing group agrees to add this to the agenda – and they will – be ready to take the lead. Prepare by finding great prompts. Subscribe to word-of-the-day lists, save those great quotes your Facebook friends share, and look for interesting photographs on the internet. Even song lyrics and snippets of overheard conversation can be great story-starters. Remember that prompts don’t have to be used in any particular way unless it is stipulated. There can be thousands of interpretations of one photograph. To make it more interesting, if you are using a quote, you can make it mandatory for all flash fiction pieces to begin or end with it. In most cases, you’ll probably want to leave it open.
Flash fiction has innumerable uses, and what better space to take advantage of them than in your writing group? It’s great practice in self-editing, minimalist writing, quick scene setting and characterization, and making the most of every word. As we’ve mentioned before, it’s great for getting ideas on paper and testing out new techniques. There are a million reasons to give it a try, and zero reasons not to go for it. Talk to the other members of your writing group, and watch the excitement build at the prospect of writing a new piece of every week, sharing it, and getting feedback. It’s like winning three times. Who could turn down an offer like that?’
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Alicia Audrey is a writer, editor, blogger and social and political commentator living and working in Nassau, Bahamas. She enjoys writing flash fiction, and is currently working on a women’s fiction novel entitled The Whispering Willow. She prides herself on keeping the local post office open by sending far too many penpal letters and packages to friends and strangers alike on a weekly basis. Her favourite things include journals, tea, cupcakes, sarcasm, challenges, and autumn. She tweets her musings to everyone, but no one in particular, as @_AliciaAudrey.
