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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

“Kissing Fish” by Wake Lloire

Submitted to Contest #230

“It wasn’t the last time I’d kiss a fish in the back of a Model T, but it was the last time the fish turned out to be a princess.” I was used to Delilah making big claims under the influence of a few too many plastic cups of Baby Duck sparkling wine, but this one was a new one. I knew that Delilah hung out with me because I was a good listener and because most of her friends were dead. That might seem a little harsh, coming right out and saying it that way, but Delilah was not young. She was “catching the lip of 92” was how she’d said i...

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“Christmas is Coming ” by Kim Smyth

Submitted to Contest #230

“I wonder what the elves are building right now.” A writer has a great imagination, true, but this utterance in the middle of a presentation was met with some raised eyebrows and open mouths. Ella snapped back into reality as she gazed upon the faces of her clients, wondering why they were looking at her that way. “What?” Mr. Davenport cleared his throat and said, “What on earth brought that on, Miss Clark?” In truth, Ella wasn’t here at the meeting, she was thousands of miles away, thinking of her family in California. ...

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“Rilestone: Fulfillment” by Steffen Lettau

Submitted to Contest #230

Author's Note: This is more an excerpt from the Rilestone Series in the works. "Thousands shall march, from near and far, Fast held the rumors of war sewn; Kin born from Four, they stay where they are, Graves paved to those they own By the blood of the Morning Star." Rilestone stood up, having kneeled in deep prayer after his training was done. It was his voice, but it had sounded distant. He felt no malevolence, no presence of any sort from an ill being. He quickly smelled the air; no, no brimstone, so no Hellhounds nearby. What about...

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“Holiday Wonder” by Pryor Rose

Submitted to Contest #230

(This story contains curse words and mild sexual tension) “Oh stupid son of a fluffernutter avalanche. Blasted fluffy white shit.” Ember couldn’t help but growl out her frustration glaring towards the attendant. “I’m sorry ma’am but there are no flights at this time, the storm is set to last all weekend and into the better part of next week.” Sighing, Ember turned her head towards the word ‘CANCELED’ flashing in vibrant sanguine across the flight board. “Are you sure there are no private jets that can be rented out? I know pr...

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“Hidden in Plain Sight” by Jean Widner

Submitted to Contest #230

“I’m recommending the removal of your right eye.” “Come again?!?”, I blurt leaning forward in the grey leather exam chair. We’re at UCLA, my husband Kyle and I, at the Jules Stein Eye Institute. We’re receiving confirmation of the diagnosis I was given in Las Vegas the week prior. However, they don’t have the capacity to treat me, so I’ve been sent up the medical food chain to the top of the heap. They get me seen within a week. They’re in a rush. Which makes it even more frightening. I have a choroidal melanoma in my right eye. Wh...

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“Cinnamon Caramel Cream Nitro Cold Brew” by Abhijit Bharadwaj

Submitted to Contest #230

Cinnamon .. Cinnamon caramel Cinnamon Caramel cream Cinnamon Caramel Cream Nitro cold brew 6 words, the longest item on a Starbucks menu Also, the most expensive drink you can order I say these words softly so though saying a prayer. why was I saying these words? Well, I am practicing. So that when my turn comes, I shall be able to place an order for my drink, without any difficulty. Why would there be any difficulty to place such a “simple” order, in the first place, you may be wondering? To answer this, I will first take a deep b...

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“The Perfect Gift?” by Kuro Ninjo

Submitted to Contest #230

The clock showed 07.03 AM. Rob perched on the black living room sofa, tying his shoelaces as his mother came down the stairs. "You woke up early," She said in her brown sleeping robe, going to grab a glass in the kitchen. Her eyes were glancing at her son while filling the glass with water, wondering where he was leaving for this early Saturday morning. "Did work call you in today?"But Rob didn't answer. His eyes were empty, staring at his shoelaces which he just finished knitting."Rob?" Asked mother again."Yes?" He snapped from his day...

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“Two Passing Strangers” by JOHN SIKO

Submitted to Contest #230

TWO PASSING STRANGERS In the back of the deuce-and-a-half mud-covered truck sat twelve members of Able company, identified by the screaming eagle on their sleeve as members of the 82nd Airborne. They are tired, dirty, hungry, and need a shower. One of the tired and dirty GIs was Stanley Dombrowski, a draftee from the south side of Chicago. This group returns from a ten-day skirmish with Charlie in a delta rice paddy. Stan is not only returning from the battle but is returning from his yearlong tour of duty in Nam. H...

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“Archangel” by Sara Sorbet

Submitted to Contest #230

I softly stroked his hair while he looked up to my eyes and smiled slightly. He brushed his jawline against my collarbone, his stubble rubbed on my skin, evoking a sensation I have been yearning for. I playfully moved away and he tightened his hug. I felt so safe at that very moment, where time seemed to stand still, and the worries that had weighed on my mind were washed away like scribbles on a sandy beach. I revelled in the safety of his arms, each heartbeat echoing a reassurance that I hadn't known I needed. His smile widened as if mirro...

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“Killer Hamster” by Bobi Neher

Submitted to Contest #230

Astrologers and soothsayers, I wish they would all return to their medieval caves and stop interfering in real life. The witches pick out the worst and make it more important than everything else. I heard a whisper in the wind saying, “What is important to you?” Those seers ruin the lives of innocent people because their facts must be the only facts that can exist. If you don’t believe their "facts," you must die. If you refuse to change your life to fit their lies, then you must die. If you won’t drink their concoctions and eat their wi...

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“Gate Crasher” by BE Jackson

Submitted to Contest #230

You’re not supposed to be here on Thursdays. I haven’t been watching you all this time—your daily activities—not to know your family’s schedule. Monday is family movie night at home. Tuesday is your dad and Sara’s date night and you’re with Reba the babysitter. Wednesday is the art class. Thursday is T-ball at the Y, for Pete’s sake. Friday is a half-day at your school and then the drive to weekend here at the beach house. Saturday is the family picnic on the public beach and Sunday? That’s pancakes at IHOP and the drive home. Like. Clock...

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“Chance Encounter” by Diana Moor

Submitted to Contest #230

It was a cold Wednesday in October, right after the sun had set. I was on my way to visit my mother, who lived an hour outside of town. My car broke down five minutes out, right at the edge of the forest that surrounds her property. My phone had also been broken earlier that day, when someone running through a crowded sidewalk knocked it out of my hand; so I couldn’t call anyone. Nothing for it then, I suppose I could use the exercise. The trees were sparse, and the moon was full and unclouded tonight; it should be safe. ...

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“Conversations With a Man in My Fridge” by CG Casci

Submitted to Contest #230

Reference to Torture and Imprisonment Slowly, I edged the fridge door open. I peeked through the gap to see if there was a man in my fridge. As suspected, there was. My father bought the apartment in Paris before he was exiled. It is spacious and beautiful and looks down on a courtyard with a pond that catches the afternoon sun. The kitchen is appointed with German appliances and Italian marble, and next to it is a utility room where the concierge drops off parcels without entering the apartment. And the fridge has a door at the back ...

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“First Date” by Brian Haddad

Submitted to Contest #230

Things weren't off to a great start. Edward could feel cool beads of sweat surfacing on his brow. He chuckled nervously and looked into her distant, glassy eyes. His stomach churned and he felt as though he were falling, his arms and legs flailing as he desperately sought to catch himself. "I'm really glad you're here with me," he said haltingly, watching her eyes for any indication of reciprocation or even understanding. It felt as though an elephant was standing on his chest and his mind was racing, frantically searching for any possible...

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“A Girl's Best Friend” by Samantha Dearn

Submitted to Contest #230

Siggy watched through the small opening of the door for his tiny human to come to bed. Christmas Eve was always a late one - she never wanted to go to sleep, too excited for what the next morning would bring. His ears pricked as her parents finally told her that ‘Santa won’t come if you stay up for much longer,’ and her little feet were running up the stairs faster than he could imagine. His tiny plush heart swelled at the thought of seeing his little monster once again, getting to cuddle with her for their favourite part of the night - stor...

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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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