Flash fiction comes in and out of style but never really fades away. As long as humans have short attention spans or limited leisure time, flash fiction will have its place in the world.
In this guide, we’ll explore the exciting world of horror flash fiction, in particular.
Side note: The Deadlands story project is built around horror flash fiction. So if you like this concept and want to see it in action, be sure to subscribe.
What Is Flash Fiction, Exactly?
Definition: “Flash fiction” refers to very short stories that are typically under 1,500 words but strive to deliver a complete narrative.
A.K.A.: Flash fiction goes by other names as well, including short-short stories (or just “short shorts”), sudden fiction, micro-fiction, micro-story, etc.
Length: There is no universally accepted definition or standard length. Some sources define it as being less than 1,500 words, while others cap it at 1,000. But let’s not get hung up on this. Flash fiction is shorter than the average or typical short story, period.
What Makes It Unique or Special?
These stories are very short. We’ve covered that much.
But what else sets them apart? What makes flash fiction special, aside from its brevity?
Here are seven factors that make this form stand out:
- Focused storytelling. Every word matters in flash. There’s no room for filler. The story must get to the heart of the matter almost immediately. This forces writers to strip their stories down to the essential elements, while discarding the rest.
- Imagination required. Due to its length, flash fiction cannot deliver detailed world-building, character development, or plot. Instead, it relies on implication and subtext, leaving a lot to the reader’s imagination. It invites readers to fill in the blanks.
- Emotional punch. Flash fiction often delivers a single, powerful emotional moment or twist that lingers in the reader’s mind after the last word. This is the goal, anyway. This is what writers should strive for when working in this compressed format.
- Fewer boundaries. The compact nature allows writers to experiment. Writers can test out different story structures and styles, to create something unique. Inventiveness is welcomed and even expected in flash, but less so in the longer formats.
- Accessibility. Flash fiction offers a quick read rather than a long commitment. You can read these short stories in one sitting. This makes them ideal for readers with limited leisure time who still want to experience a thought-provoking story now and then.
- Twists and surprises. Micro-stories often deliver unexpected endings or twists. These little surprises leave readers with a lingering sense of wonder or intrigue.
- Modern platforms. Flash fiction’s compact form is perfectly suited to the digital world. Writers can share their super-short stories through blogs, newsletters, Medium, Substack, Reddit, and other channels.
Genre Focus: Horror Flash Fiction
Flash fiction spans all genres. You can find super-short romance stories, science fiction, fantasy, and more. But let’s focus on horror for now.
Horror and flash fiction go together like peanut butter and jelly.
In fact, most of the old-school ghost stories and urban legends we’re familiar with could be classified as flash fiction, because they’re often quite short.
Why It Appeals to Writers
Why would a writer want to practice the super-short story form? What’s the benefit of writing horror flash, as opposed to longer stories, novellas, or novels?
Here are some reasons why writers might want to explore it:
- Sharpens your skills: Flash fiction forces you to tell stories in small containers. It teaches precision, conciseness, and critical thinking—good skills for any writer.
- Provides an outlet: Some writers (like me) fill entire notebooks with their story ideas. Flash fiction gives you a way to explore and develop many different ideas.
- Fosters creativity: This format allows writers to experiment with unconventional ideas and narrative structures, without the commitment of a longer story.
- Improves editing skills: Flash fiction demands ruthless trimming and refinement. You have to reduce your story to the minimum required elements and discard the rest.
- Provides ammunition: Many publishers welcome short stories. You can submit your work to contests, anthologies, or digital platforms that focus on short-form content.
- Builds your portfolio: Flash fiction allows you to increase your output and submit more stories to magazines and publishers. This in turn helps you build your brand.
- Attracts readers: Specializing in flash fiction could help you distinguish yourself from other horror writers. (That’s one of my goals; I’ll report back with the results!)
Why It Appeals to Readers
Horror flash fiction benefits readers as well. In fact, you could flip most of the writer’s benefits mentioned above to see how these stories serve readers.
Here are some reasons why readers like super-short horror.
- Quick reads: Flash fiction packs a complete experience into just a few minutes of reading, perfect for readers with limited leisure time.
- Lingering impact: These stories can leave the reader with unanswered questions or implications that linger in the mind long after the final sentence.
- Literary smorgasbord: Flash fiction delivers a wide range of horror subgenres (psychological, supernatural, ghost stories, etc.) but in small doses.
- Makes you think: Due to their brevity, these stories can’t connect all of the dots for readers. They require you to flex your imagination and fill in the rest.
- Digital platforms: The short length of these stories allows readers to consume them through newsletters and other digital platforms.
- Memorable moments: Flash fiction usually focuses on a single event or moment, delivering it with vivid imagery or a surprising twist to make it memorable.
Best Practices for Writing Super-Short Stories
Flash fiction is a great way to practice and develop your writing skills. You only have to fill a small container, so you can hop from one idea or theme to the next for variety.
Here are some tips for writing horror flash fiction stories, from a guy who writes one of them every week.
- Keep it focused. Identify a single interesting concept or moment and build your story around it. Put it under the microscope to enlarge it for the reader.
- Avoid detours. There’s no room in flash fiction for extensive backstories or side roads. So stay focused. Set the stage, create a moment, and cause a reaction.
- Edit ruthlessly. Make each word count by stripping away anything that doesn’t serve or improve the story. You should end up with a lot of deletions.
- Imply the horror. Flash fiction often works best when the author sketches out the threat and lets the reader fill in the gaps with their imagination.
- Finish strong. Super-short stories need strong endings that linger and resonate. Structure the ending so that the story continues on in the reader’s mind.
The best way to excel at horror flash fiction is by reading and writing a lot of these stories. And that’s totally do-able, since most of them weigh in at less than 1,500 words.
Basic Structure for a Flash Horror Story
Earlier, we talked about the experimental nature of very short horror stories. They’re like snowflakes, with no two being identical.
This is often what attracts readers and writers to flash fiction in the first place: its unpredictable nature.
However, in the interest of guiding new writers, I’ve created a couple of basic models for the super-short horror story. Hopefully you’ll find them helpful.
Story Model #1
- Hook: A creaking floorboard awakens a lone figure in the dead of night.
- Setting: A dimly lit, family mansion filled with dusty antiques.
- Character: A young woman, haunted by a tragic past.
- Rising Tension: Strange noises echo through the house, shadows dance in the corners, and a chilling draft sweeps through the room.
- Climax: She confronts a horrifying figure in the mirror, a distorted reflection of her own fear.
- Resolution: The mirror shatters, revealing a grotesque, otherworldly entity that lunges toward her.
Story Model #2
- Hook: When I flip off the bedroom light, the shadow on the wall doesn’t move.
- Tension: I wave my hand. My shadow stays still. Slowly it turns its head, seeming to look in my direction. I back into the corner of the room, terrified. The shadow stretches and peels itself off the wall, its outer edges moving like smoke.
- Turn or twist: The shadow moves forward, towering above me, engulfing me. “Now it’s my turn,” it says.
- Aftermath: I open my mouth to scream, but the shadow pours into it like ink.
As an alternative to these models, you could also just start writing to see where it takes you. Get the idea down first, and give it shape during the next draft.
Also bear in mind that these element sometimes overlap, due to the compressed nature of flash fiction. In some stories, for instance, the climax and resolution merge to become one.
The main goal is to create an emotional effect for the reader—and that can take many forms.
