Flash Fiction Contest (submissions no later than July 21st)

Please Join TWA on August 5th for a Flash Fiction Contest!
Questions? Email critique@tampawriters.org

How it Works:
• All dues-paying members are welcome to submit
• Entries must be 1,000 words or fewer
• The word flash must appear in the piece
• We accept all genres other than horror and erotica
• Each submission will receive 3 scored rubrics from anonymous judges
• No author names will appear on the pieces
• The three entries with the highest scores will earn prizes
• If tied, a fourth judge will rank the highest scoring ties
• Submissions open July 7, 2020 at midnight
• Submissions close July 21, 2020 at midnight
• THE FIRST 20 SUBMISSIONS will be accepted, so do not delay!
Everyone Can Participate!
• Entries will be posted with rubrics within the TWA website
• All members can read the submissions and fill out rubrics
• On August 5th, we will refer to the rubrics while critiquing the entries
• See how your scores correspond to the judges’
TWA Flash Fiction 2020 Submission Instructions:
• Format with industry standard guidelines
• One-inch margins, indent half an inch
• Indent with tool bar, not tabs
• One space after period
• Double space sentences
• No extra space between paragraphs
• Use only one font, TNR 12-point
• Submit 1,000 words or fewer, include the word flash in your work
• Work may be declined or returned with a limited time allowance to make formatting corrections at moderator’s discretion
IMPORTANT
• DO NOT put your name on your entry document
• DO ADD A TITLE to your entry document
• Send entries to critique@tampawriters.org
• In the subject line, write FLASH, your NAME, and the TITLE of your entry
• Like this: Flash Annette Masters Violets in Spring
• Don’t forget to use the word flash in a sentence!

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Tips for writing flash fiction

What is flash fiction?
• Flash fiction is a super short story, usually fewer than 1,000 words, sometimes much shorter
• Although it is short, it includes an emotional punch
• Most flash fiction follows a traditional story format: a beginning, middle, and end, but some offer a variant of that structure
• Good flash fiction evokes an emotion, a realization, or a new idea to ponder

Why should you write flash fiction?
• Flash fiction teaches writers to be concise
• Saying more with fewer words is a skill that creates better storytellers
• Decreased word counts encourage writers to fine-tune dialogue; every word must work to move the story forward
• Flash fiction is quick to write, so writers experience that sense of accomplishment, a good motivator for future projects
• With so few words, writers are compelled to hint at characterization, setting, and backstory; let readers use their imagination to fill in the blanks
• There are many writing contests that feature flash fiction

How can you write good flash fiction?
• Start close to the climax; there is no time for lengthy exposition or character backstory
• Begin the story as close to the end as possible
• Create a powerful ending; let the last line give the reader something new to contemplate
• In flash, the story might end in full resolution, or it might end in in a cliffhanger; either way, give the reader something to think about
• Limit your characters; with little time for development, one, two, or (maybe) three is best
• Use sub-text; readers don’t want to be spoon-fed; allow readers to make inferences
• Offer hints of backstory and setting; readers will extrapolate
• Go online and read great examples of flash fiction