Microfiction

Microfiction is the term used for very short stories. Sometimes called nanofiction, there is no official definition. Wikipedia doesn’t give microfiction its own entry, but wraps it up within Flash Fiction.

Flash Fiction is the name given to short stories, usually between 300 to 1,000 words in length.

Microfiction stories are even shorter, with 100 words or less. In some cases, microfiction is confined to 140 characters or less. 140 characters is, of course, the maximum length of a Tweet.

Some people have taken it even further. How about a story of 6 sentences, or 55 words or 25 words exactly? Or even less; try telling a story in 6 words?

What is so great about microfiction stories?

1. They can be read quickly; while waiting for the kettle to boil or for your email to download.
2. Fitting neatly on a computer screen, they are custom-made for bloggers.
3. If really short, you can send or receive them as Tweets.
4. They are great fun to read.
5. They are challenging to write.

How do you write microfiction stories?
Easy – just like all stories – with a beginning, a middle and an end. And without ‘fluff’ or unnecessary verbiage.
Here is a useful editorial describing how you measure the success of a flash fiction / microfiction story: Writing.com newsletter, 19th Nov 2010

Are you ready for a challenge?

Challenges:

Create a perfectly formed story in Six Sentences.

Collect your daily assignment from Microfiction.

Or write against the clock at Six Minute Story.

And if stuck for inspiration, try Adam Maxwell’s Writing Prompt Generator.

Here are examples of people writing Microfiction stories consisting of 50 words exactly:
Lisa Falzon and Andrew Looney.

You can read some of my attempts at microfiction on this blog.