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CONTEST ENDED – Thank you for submitting your stories!

#230: In a Flash

I’ve been reading a lot of flash fiction recently. It’s a great format for close study, as its compression forces writers to question the function of every sentence.

Since there are many lessons to be learned from reading, writing, and thinking about flash fiction, I thought we could make it the focus of this week’s contest. To be clear, this contest accepts stories between 1,000 and 3,000 words, but this week, I’m inviting you to try and stay as close to the lower limit as you can. Our usual word count range is still the official guideline, and stories that are closer to 3,000 words will not be disqualified — but I hope that with flash stories in mind, you’ll feel inspired to be as economical with language as possible.

Not sure how to begin? Check out our best tips for writing flash fiction.

This week's prompts

Write a story framed by a single scene: something happens, a flashback or inner monologue intervenes, and then the story ends with the rest of the original scene.

Narrative – 90 stories

Write a story in which a character achieves a new level of clarity about how they’re really feeling.

Character – 57 stories

Start your story with someone uttering a very strange sentence.

Dialogue – 52 stories

Write a story that hides something from its reader until the very end.

Mystery – 101 stories

Write a story in the form of a list.

Narrative – 62 stories

Stories

“Holiday To-Do List” by Cathy Ramos

Submitted to Contest #230

(Sensitive content: heavy drinking, unhinged behavior. A few swear words peppered here and there. It's the holidays, after all.)Holiday To-Do ListDay 1Go to bank, close mutual fund, transfer to checking accountGo to East Valley mall for siblings (Reference links they provided)-Lindsay - diamond tennis bracelet from Rothschilds, $750-Tasha - Dutch oven set from Posh Pantry, $728-Dean - Box of Cuban cigars, $763 -Donny - Bottle of Darach scotch, $730At the Smoke and Spirits shop, pick up Xmas dinner wine:-1 case of New Zealand Sauvigon Bl...

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“For Those About To Swing, A Bottle Salutes You” by Emanuel Diaz

Submitted to Contest #230

INTRO: DYONISIAN OPENING ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Introduction of the Illustrious Minstrels:Goyaa Unsung, the enigmatic crooner with a voice that echoes the sorrows of forgotten souls.Johann Robins, the virtuoso guitarist, whose fingers dance upon the strings like whispers in the night.Boston C.T., the maestro of rhythm, orchestrating beats that resonate with the heartbeat of a rebellious spirit.Coolly Magnum, the bassist, is a silent thunder whose low notes shake the very foundations of reality.Lurid Ph.D., the keyboard sorcerer, conjuring melodies...

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“Mountain Dogs ” by Edd Baker

Submitted to Contest #230

CW: Violence and brief swearing March fourth, 2024 - Things to accomplish, and various thoughts - Art's Jewelry Shop on the corner of thirteenth Avenue and Bram Street - Survey surrounding area. This includes: - Nearby and adjacent shops, stores, offices and restaurants - Go by Larry's for vehicle, as well as a few more details about the job. He has been quite sparse. For vehicle, preferably something with tread for the harsh Colorado winter, but also with speed in the event it is required - Find spare Uber or Lyft sticker. If I ...

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“Best Practises” by Kelita Sim

Submitted to Contest #230

Newspapers are very handy. You can do a lot with such a humble item:1. Reading:Of course, you can read them – if you’re that way inclined. Personally, I've never found the appeal of sitting on your backside all day and shuffling through just to make unsolicited commentary especially about people’s lives, and things that aren’t your business or in your control. But I digress...2. Pack delicate items:I may not read the paper for news, but I do watch the local news channel every day at every interval. I don’t read the paper because th...

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“The People v Reece Leach” by Dylan Martin

Submitted to Contest #230

Case Number: 010147858 Date: 24 July 2023 NAME OF DECEASED: Madelyn Leach, Female, 41, White CAUSE OF DEATH: Anaphylactic Shock NATURE OF DEATH: Accidental, Possible Homicide PRIMARY SUSPECT: Reece Leach, Male, 12, White ADDRESS OF OCCURRENCE: Benihana, 2105 Northern Blvd, Manhasset, NY 11030 REPORTING OFFICER: Michael Quackenbush, Shield No. 27846 RESPONDING EMT: Anne Eklund, EMS ID No. 6321-0191-0448 WITNESSES: Fynn Bachmann: General Manager, Male, 57, White Yūto Hamasaki: Head Chef, Male, 44, Asian Hachirou Egawa: Waiter, Male, 3...

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“Susan” by Webb Johnson

Submitted to Contest #230

I heard Susan. “Andrea, it’s so comforting to have you and Travis here.” Then, I realized it was Dolly, the only one of our three daughters who inherited her mother’s voice. I’m flopped in my TV chair. My eyes close. I hear quiet laughter, a jumble of shared memories, and a hush of sorrow. Appetizing aromas drift from the kitchen. The fridge and the cabinet doors open and close; tableware clatters. Familiar feminine voices confer about the buffet. Teenage cousins visit on the patio while their parents browse through our albums and chat a...

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“Rocking Chair Traditions” by Savannah Massey

Submitted to Contest #230

I am sitting on my grandparents’ porch, in the rocking chairs that had been passed down for generations. The armrests had been worn down by deep conversations over whiskey and cigarettes. Those were the not so old habits my grandfather warned me about. My eyes traced through the jagged grain of the wood, up and down the lines dating it back. The wood had been smoothed by the passing years, like running water through the Grand Canyon. I splinter my fingers by picking at the wood. I would much rather have to spend hours picking wood chips from...

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“Held Hostage” by James Turner

Submitted to Contest #230

The group assembles outside the door of the solitary, dark room at the end of the hall. This has to be done quickly, and immediately, or there will be no chance at all. They want to avoid a fight. * I can hear their whispers. They are outside my room. They keep their voices low, but I can hear one of them saying my name. I know who she is; reminds me of my oldest niece in some ways, but not the ones that matter. It’s dark in here, and I wonder what I might do as they enter. Make no mistake, they come and go as they please, sometimes qui...

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“Moms and dresses” by Arch R

Submitted to Contest #230

Bindu checks her watch again; it had only been four mins since she last looked. She readjusts the strap so the watch would fit more snugly on her wrist and the studded C would gleam for a momentary adrenaline jolt. Didn’t work. Her topor-soaked eyes trace the glimmering aisles, everything a blur of textures and colors like in a psychedelic-induced dream. Staring out the front of the store, she sees a woman and a girl admiring the cerulean-colored dress on the busty silver manequin. The woman’s eyes travel down the length of the dress and the...

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“Below the Waterline” by Richard Allen

Submitted to Contest #230

Below the Waterline I vowed to eat my lunch with the residents. This vow naturally meant I had to eat shelter food. No Subway bags or burgers from Wendy’s. I’m not sure if I can swallow today’s offering which resembles spaghetti. Pasty noodles glued together by gray chunks of what is probably meat. My skin is pale and most of the residents at the shelter are people of color, but it doesn’t matter. I listen. That’s what I’m here to do. I change light bulbs, process donations, and I listen. When I asked residents about the race riots...

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“Dust” by Chris Pye

Submitted to Contest #230

Dust from the rocket choked the street. It choked the huddled women, silenced the screaming children and stuffed the nostrils of the dogs shivering in the alley ways. Dust roiled from pulverised stone, from houses that had once been homes, with bedrooms where love was made and kitchens where families had gathered. Powdered lives drifted in the heat, shutting the mouths of angry men. The young woman writhed like a desert demon from the rubble, coughing and spitting. Debris spilled from her black hair and robe. She stagger...

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“Remembering Heaven” by Matt Arledge

Submitted to Contest #230

Remembering Heaven It was 4AM on a Saturday when my daughter Alexandra and I couldn’t wait for Papa to be home. Dad was usually on time for outings like this that we had planned but he was running late to pick us up. He had been at a business meeting in Las Vegas. When he showed up Lexi and I were completely ready to go with bags packed and huge smiles on our faces. We needed to get up that early to beat the traffic of the later morning. We loaded up the truck and I had never seen Lexi so happy. Our trip was planned to go to Seattle to go in...

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“A Penny for Your Prayers” by Curtis Doucette

Submitted to Contest #230

The mall was dead, the addicts sheltering in its husk called it the Yoke. Andrea Sands called it the Capital Hill Mall. The name was right there on the building, the dismantled letters left a faint outline spelling it out.She and Beverly entered the abandoned mall, their footsteps trickled down the corridor, their cheap, plastic high-res jackets glimmered in the dim light. Dirty needles rattled around in their yellow disposal bins as they shuffled through. They weren’t supposed to be here, this wasn’t on their route, but Beverly was kind eno...

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“First to Slay a Giant” by J. S. Bailey

Submitted to Contest #230

An arrogant hunter drops a severed giant's head onto the tavern counter with a thunk. "How shall I receive my reward?" he asks. A large bald man had been polishing tankards behind the counter. He turned at the question the hunter posed. A thick brown beard with three thin beaded-braids hangs from his chin. "And how, may I ask, did you come across this–" he glares at the greyish head leaking on his counter, "–beast," he snarls. The arrogant hunter leans on the counter, planting himself to speak of his deeds. "Now that's a tale that will for...

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“Finally” by Ingrid Rylander

Submitted to Contest #230

FINALLY by INGRID RYLANDER Finally, this day has come to an end. I do my usual walk with Luke, down Saint Paul's Street, head towards the port and the beach, crossing the main street, which for once I'm able to cross without having to wait, and walk along the gravel path. Dragging my feet, l let Luke stop and sniff every weed, every little pee-stained stone, enjoying the silence and the chilly air. The slow pace suits me, lat...

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$250

Prize money

362

Contest entries

108

Stories

Ended on 23:59 - Dec 29, 2023 EST

Won by Ethan Zimmerman 🏆

Title: The Lop-it-off-a-me List

Submissions must be between 1,000 - 3,000 words and will be approved and published on Reedsy Prompts within 7 days of the contest closing.

Read the full terms & conditions or check out the FAQ if you have any questions!

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