💬 Flash (Historical) Fiction Writealong

Will you join me in this challenge?

What is flash fiction?

Though interpretations differ on the precise differences between a short story and flash fiction, everyone agrees that the latter is short.

Like, really short.

Writers.com gives the following definition:

It’s a story that delivers a complete narrative, with plot, characters, and setting, in fewer than 1,500 words. As such, the form relies on an efficient use of language and storytelling, without inhibiting the story’s flow and impact.

Flash fiction is having a moment here on Substack.

Erica Drayton

, for example, is the queen of 100-word stories. She posts a 100-word story every day on Substack, with a prompt for readers to join her with their own 100-word stories.

Andrew Horan

releases three to five stories per week on his serial

Centenary: 100-Word Stories from Living Well Towers

. It’s described as ‘a serial novel unfolding in 100-word stories set in a fictional high-rise senior community in Southern California.’

Grim Flandango

, whose serial fiction Joy City Blues is featured HERE on my directory of serials on Substack, says,

I love writing flash and microfiction because it demands you pare down everything to its purest form. You have to find ways to convey feelings of thoughts without having the luxury of being able to take your time with it.

What does this have to do with history?

During October, I’ve taken time off writing my own fiction to focus on research for my upcoming serialised novel. Hild’s Tale, released exclusively on Substack from 14th October 2024 onwards, will tell the story of an early medieval woman who defied the social and gender norms of her time to become one of the most powerful women, nay people, in seventh-century Britain.

This has given me the opportunity to dive into themes I wouldn’t usually have space for in my posting schedule - such as community challenges, just like this one!

I personally love a community challenge, and have taken part in many during my time so far on Substack.

So here is our very own, especially for history lovers!

What’s the deal?

1. Choose from one of the following prompts, all derived from popular themes on

   Telling Their Tales
   :

   1. Adventure

   2. Heartbreak

   3. Feminine frustration

   4. Masculine emotional vulnerability

   5. First love

2. Set your story at any point in history (pre-2000).

3. Write your own piece of flash fiction, between 100 and 1500 words.

4. Share it with the world! (details of how to get your story featured with our worldwide readership, see below!)