The monthly highlight of a short story and flash fiction that have really stood out for me. There are also writing prompts inspired by the readings.
I hope you enjoy them and write great new words!
With love,
Flash Fiction
Mom’s new boyfriend is a liver fluke by Cole Beauchamp
This tiny story packs so much in and the boyfriend is so vividly bought to life. I love how the last two lines twist it round completely from feeling there’s no escape to knowing he’ll be gone soon.
Read it here in New Flash Fiction Review
Writing prompt: Create a new story where one of the characters is likened to an animal. How do the characteristics of that animal signify something about the character? Try and keep it under 100 words.
Pain Is What the Patient Says It Is by David Williamson
I found this story completely mesmerising and was compelled to read straight through to the end. I loved the imagery of the map etching on to the protagonist’s body and mind. How he was captured by the otherness of it, and then by the otherness of the hospital and religious rituals, and how otherworldly he seemed despite having a corporate job and a conventional family life. His father leaving is so fundamental to it all but referenced so lightly, and then he does the same thing to his children with what appears to be no remorse or even understanding of the impact it could have. I will be reading this one again!
Read it here in Short Story Long.
Writing prompt: Write a story where the protagonist becomes involved in something completely outside their normal life. Do they assimilate the two or does it lead to a breakdown or break apart?
Submission opportunities
It’s deadline day for the WestWord Flash Fiction Prize! Enter here.
Submissions are open on a rolling basis for Story Sunday and Short Story Spotlight.
Not had a story published before? The Unpublished Writer Edition is the one for you!