It’s fair to say that I like my fiction with a bit of depth. I don’t mean War and Peace kind of depth, or The Bible (Seriously? Some people out there still think that’s non-fiction?), but I like a good yarn with layers, ideally a few twists, and characters that feel real, even when they’re a little larger than life. As an author, I’m sure this is part of the reason I find it so hard to write short stories. And yet I like them, and I always admire a writer who can produce an effective short story.
I’m even more impressed, then, when I read flash fiction. At least, I am when it’s well written. As I understand it – and I’m no expert in these matters – flash fiction can be anything from a few words to a few hundred, so it can be very difficult to convey much in the way of a story with so little to play with. Very often, flashes will be suggestive rather than explicit. Sometimes, they get across a state of mind or being rather than a whole story. Whichever route is taken, for that writing to stir something in the reader – for example, senses of loss, fear or exhilaration – means the author has done their job.
Probably the most famous flash fiction reads: ‘For sale: baby shoes. Never worn.’ Attributed to Hemmingway, though there are some doubters, this conveys so much and is a masterpiece of the genre.
![On the Edge of a Raindrop by [Sarah Brentyn]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51pydWPJSbL.jpg)
Frankly, Sarah Brentyn’s work easily stands alongside this. Her ability to capture the essence of an emotion or a moment in so few words is staggering. In a single line, she can encapsulate something that I and many other authors would struggle to do in several pages.
Like her first book, Hinting at Shadows, this is a book to savour and not rush. When you’re confronted with stories or essays that cover only a page or even a few lines, the temptation is to read one and then leap on to the next. Don’t. Read one and reflect on it. The whole book is only 48 pages long, but what it contains is volumes and it should be read as if that’s the case.
Take your time. Savour each morsel as it’s fed to you. It’ll be more satisfying than you can imagine.
If you’ve been tempted by this (and you really should be), here are the Amazon links to buy a copy:
Graeme…wow. Thank you so much. I’m always delightfully surprised and super grateful for reviews but I do love when someone who is uncertain about flash or prefers longer stories/novels enjoys my work. This is brilliant. 🙂 Thank you!
It took me a while to get round to it – both reading, then reviewing the book – but I loved it. Not in the way I would a novel, of course. You can’t get swept into a character’s life or their situation in the same way. But your writing is just so captivating I felt the need to take my time with it. Like Hinting at Shadows, it’s a fantastic book.
Incidentally, off the back of this review, an author I know (a proper one, with a publisher a contract and all that kind of stuff) has bought a copy. I’ve got a feeling she’ll thank me for introducing her to your work.
Congrats to Sarah – well-deserved!
To be fair, Teri, I haven’t given her an award, just my honest opinion – however valuable that may be. Personally, though, I do think she’s a terrific writer and deserves a higher profile than she currently has.
Thanks for dropping by and giving your support.
I’m so glad you loved it. Flash isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. I thoroughly enjoy writing it and am just thrilled when anyone enjoys reading it. (Ooh… I may have a new potential fan! 😉 Thank you for that, as well.)
Your review is spot on. Here: ‘flashes will be suggestive rather than explicit. Sometimes, they get across a state of mind or being…’ That and stirring up (hopefully) strong feelings in the reader. Also, I can’t really tell people how to read my books so I’m happy about your suggestion to read slowly–read and reflect. Perfect.
Of course I loved it! I could go on about how masterfully (or should that be mistressfully?) you write, but I’ll only end up repeating myself.
As for the suggestion of how to read it, that’s what worked for me. I remember starting Hinting at Shadows and leaping from one story to the next, then realising I wasn’t allowing the words to really filter through. So I started again and slowed it right down.
Glad I’ve added some light to your life, but I’m only reflecting what’s already there.
Thanks, Teri! 🙂 (Feels like an award–both the review and these comments.)