Think big, write small with microfiction

By Ann Sihler

For something new in 2016, try writing microfiction. This super-short form of storytelling has been around for decades. (Think of “For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn,” which has perhaps incorrectly been attributed to Hemingway.) But microfiction seems to be surging in popularity now. For readers, good microfiction delivers a complete, cohesive story in one satisfying bite. For writers, it can be an enjoyable challenge that hones their skills in telling stories, choosing vivid words, and editing work down to its essence.

How short is microfiction? Everyone has a different answer, but generally microfiction is between 50 and 300 words long. Many markets describe it as less than 100 words. That puts microfiction between flash fiction (which is 200 to 1,000 words) and even shorter forms such as nanofiction, Twitterarture, and six-word stories.

Unlike vignettes and poetry, microfiction is a complete story, with a beginning, middle, and end and traditional story elements such as setting, atmosphere, characterization, plot, and conflict. Yet microfiction also is brief and intimate. Often it plays against reader expectations, leading to a twist or surprise ending. This surprise element makes the microfiction form well-suited to speculative fiction (i.e., fantasy, horror, or science fiction), where the situation may not be what the reader expects—or was led to believe in the first part of the story. Humor, originality, and unusual or surprising situations are valued characteristics in microfiction and often appear in final published pieces.

Microfiction may be quick to read, but don’t expect it to be easy to write. Most pieces require a lot of editing, and it can take a while to get the hang of the form. You may naturally have a flair for it, but if not, find a mentor or microfiction-focused writing group. Traditional advice such as “show, don’t tell” holds for microfiction. It also is helpful to imply, rather than state or summarize. You are seeking to present a select number of vivid words and details that resonate with readers, who can fill in the rest—just like our eyes fill in the missing information and create a complete scene when we drive by a slatted backyard fence. And make sure you have a great hook to draw readers in.

For literary examples of microfiction, read Microfiction Monday Magazine or newcomer A Quiet Courage. Enjoy!

Writing prompt:

Favorite fairy tale

When you were a child, what was your favorite fairy tale? "Cinderella"? "Jack and the Beanstalk"? "The Ugly Duckling"? Write a modern, micro version of that fairy tale.

Nerdy Words: Farther or further?

By Ann Sihler

Dictionaries, editors, and style guides disagree about whether “farther” and “further” can be used interchangeably. If you want to be on the safe side, stick with “farther” for physical distance and use “further” in the sense of more, greater, beyond, or in addition. For example, a car probably would take me farther than my bicycle will, but we would have to discuss that topic further before I would consider owning a car.

Fortunately it’s easy to remember the difference in usage between “farther” and “further” because “farther” has the word “far” in it. Another mnemonic is writer Ken Kesey's bus “Further.” He and his Merry Pranksters covered some physical ground in that bus, to be sure, but they were more interested in expanding their minds. Hence the name “Further."

Where will your writing take you? Farther? Or further?