The Insecure Writer’s Support Group ~ No#44

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time.

The co-hosts for this month are: Nancy Gideon,Bob R Milne,Doreen McGettigan, Chrys Fey, Bish Denham, and Pat Garcia!
Don’t forget to visit them and thank them for co-hosting!

Our Twitter hashtag is #IWSG

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This is the 21st century.

Everybody is busy.

Time is short.

Information is received in bursts.

We all know about shrinking attention spans and the culture of instant-gratification so I won’t even go there.
The way we absorb information has changed. Blame it on the Internet. Likewise, the way we read fiction today is not the same as before.
We need to keep open minds about the way we write… adapt to the changing times. To some degree. This means we cannot ignore the role of short fiction.

For a while, I’ve been wondering about the novella-in-flash.

I like the sound of it. Almost like giving the ‘step-child’ a fancy title. But that’s a topic for another time.

It’s also called a flash-fiction-novel or linked short story collection.

This work is a novella composed entirely of standalone flash fiction pieces organised into a full narrative arc. Really interesting. And tricky? According to the experts in this field, the novella-in-flash takes the brevity of FF and blends it with the arc of the novella.

As a flash fiction junkie, this really interests me. The thought is quite exciting. Now I’m not saying that we must ignore the novel.

An article about books boasted this title – Short Is The New Black. It made me smile. Remember, I don’t watch much TV, but appreciated the reference to that popular TV series. The article went on to talk about compression and economy of words. It also states that this is not a fad, it’s a trend. And we all know about trends. What’s hot today will be lukewarm tomorrow… and so it goes… *shrugs*

I’d like to investigate more though…

Do you write super-short pieces? Are you familiar with the novella-in-flash? Can you recommend any books that fit this genre?

Have you signed up for the Write… Edit… Publish… Flash Fiction Challenge? More info HERE.

Happy IWSG Day! I’ll start my visits later. (If you have coffee, then I’ll definitely make a turn at your place…)

32 Comments

  1. Medeia Sharif on August 5, 2015 at 10:54 am

    This is the first time I’m hearing of novella-in-a-flash, but in the past few years I’ve been reading more novellas, short stories, and flash pieces. Years ago I would tell people I only read book length novels and nonfiction, so things have changed.

  2. Yolanda Renee on August 5, 2015 at 12:12 pm

    I had not heard of the novella in a flash, but I’ve seen the continuing story done during my flash fiction challenges. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. I’m a flash junkie too, and shocked that I’m actually doing something that’s considered in the ‘now’! 🙂 I do it because it’s fun.
    Thanks for signing up for the WEP!

  3. Christine Rains on August 5, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    I haven’t heard of that, but it is intriguing. I do write flash pieces. They’ve helped me become a better writer. There are lots of great places to submit them to, too, and earn some writing credit.

  4. Carol Kilgore on August 5, 2015 at 1:33 pm

    This is new to me. I’ve written flash fiction – it’s fun! And I love reading it. But one of the reasons I like novels is their depth. I think some of what I enjoy about them could be missing in a flash-fiction one. But I don’t know that for sure since I’ve never read one 🙂

    Have a fantastic month!

  5. Julie Flanders on August 5, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    You’re so talented at writing flash that this trend sounds ideal for you. I hadn’t heard about it but it’s definitely interesting and makes sense.

  6. Nancy Gideon on August 5, 2015 at 2:19 pm

    No kidding, Michelle. After revising the first three books of the vampire romance series I’m getting reissued, I was stunned by how much my writing style has changed – by word count! Good luck on the Flash Fiction. I’m trying my hand at writing short in a four book anthology to be released separately then together. Times are a-changing!

  7. Alex J. Cavanaugh on August 5, 2015 at 2:22 pm

    Short is your thing, so you should be excited! I’m not good at flash fiction but I’m getting better at short stories.

  8. TB Markinson on August 5, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    I’m venturing into short stories soon, but haven’t tried flash fiction. But I do think they are the new trend. Like you said, time is limited, but people still want stories.

  9. Crystal Collier on August 5, 2015 at 4:16 pm

    Ooh! That does sound interesting. I adore flash fiction, when it’s done right. I actually have one piece in the works that is a novel in flash. It’s a different audience than my norm, thus the reason I haven’t put too much time into it, but it will be a dang fun project. I promise you that.

  10. L. Diane Wolfe on August 5, 2015 at 4:31 pm

    I’ve written short stories and I’m working on novellas right now, but I’ve never attempted flash fiction.

  11. Toi Thomas on August 5, 2015 at 4:44 pm

    Novella-in-flash is news to me, but I’d love to know more about it. It took a while, but I enjoy reading and writting short fiction.

  12. Melissa Maygrove on August 5, 2015 at 5:50 pm

    I’ve been considering publishing a flash fiction / short story collection, but I’d not heard of the type you speak of where the stories form a complete arc. Interesting concept.

    I enjoyed this post. 🙂
    IWSG #119 until Alex culls the list again.

  13. Loni Townsend on August 5, 2015 at 9:14 pm

    I’ve written a few flash pieces, though it’s more of a chore than a thrill. I think I’ll stick to my long-winded novels for now. 😉

  14. joylene on August 5, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    I don’t read much flash fiction, but every single movie, film, or tv series I watch has me on point in regards to dialogue, scene, setting, etc.. I think that’s why I shy away from flash. You have to trim, trim, trim, to get the opening perfect, then hold and maintain a compelling story from start to finish. Sounds like a lot of work. Haha, like writing a full novel isn’t.

    Great post!

  15. Diane Burton on August 5, 2015 at 11:17 pm

    Haven’t heard of novella-in-flash. If you enjoy writing short, this sounds good. I have a hard time with short. I want to add in all the description, dialogue, etc. and it gets out of hand. 🙂

    Best wishes,
    Diane IWSG #95

  16. Michael Di Gesu on August 6, 2015 at 1:09 am

    Hi, Michelle,

    How are you? It’s been AGES! Love this concept, but I would imagine it would be very difficult to pull off, even for the Blurb King. LOL. Still LOVE MY TITLE….

    It would be fun to try though, that’s for sure.

    I definitely need to sign up for the WEP… it’s been more than ages since I wrote a FLASH FICTION piece. I LOVE to write them and I used to all the time.

    Thanks for the reminder!

  17. Lynda R Young on August 6, 2015 at 1:40 am

    novella in flash is new to me, but I do enjoy the occasional flash fiction piece.

  18. SittieCates on August 6, 2015 at 5:34 am

    Hi, Michelle! The title made me smile, too. 🙂

    Nope, didn’t sign up. Hopefully, I’d get to join more activities like this when I come back.

  19. Hilary on August 6, 2015 at 8:30 am

    Hi Michelle … the flash fiction in a novella sounds fun and as the others have said definitely up your street: good luck.

    Oh boy – our concentration has gone … and we don’t evaluate what we hear – and thus how much is learnt that is so biased. I’ve read three books … not a huge number … but I was so fascinated by them … I had to quickly read them to get the main gist and main information – now they’ve got post-it notes in them. I do read lots of other things too .. just need to work out a way to curate everything … cheers Hilary

  20. Samantha Redstreake Geary on August 6, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    I’ve recently written my first “novella-in-flash” for a big client in Canada *under consideration for a live performance*. The cool thing about this condensed episodic format, is that it can be readily adapted to fit numerous media venues, whether a YouTube serial *as in Uncharted*, TV series, or the stage!!

  21. Chrys Fey on August 6, 2015 at 2:25 pm

    Flash-fiction-novel does sound tricky. I can write 1,000 word flash fiction. I can write short stories. And I can write novellas. But I don’t think I would ever be able to combine them and create a flowing work.

    Have fun with it! I can’t wait to see what you create. 🙂

  22. Murees on August 6, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    There is nothing wrong with wanting to expand your flash-fiction empire. Though, it does sound tough. If there is anyone that can make a success out of the flash fiction novella, it is you, because you are awesome.

  23. Doreen McGettigan on August 6, 2015 at 4:13 pm

    I have not heard of this but it sounds challenging and exciting.
    I am planning to write a couple of short stories that can be linked together or stand alone over the winter.
    I haven’t done much flash fiction, I definitely need practice.

  24. Patricia Lynne on August 6, 2015 at 4:24 pm

    I hadn’t heard of that before, but I like the idea of it. Shorter reads are something I’ve been enjoying lately, so it’d be right up my alley as a reader.

  25. Pat Garcia on August 6, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    Hi Michelle,

    No, I’ve never heard of Novella in flash but it sounds interesting. Right now I am making a smilier experiment on Wattpad with a piece that started out as a short story. I haven’t done much flash fiction at all and the pieces that I have done and submitted were rejected, but I plan to keep on writing one or two maybe twice a year.

    I do know that Glimmer Train has a flash fiction contest. It might interest you. I have submitted to them and will continue to submit to them.

    All the best with your idea.
    Shalom,
    Pat Garcia

  26. Beth on August 7, 2015 at 2:14 pm

    wow never heard of this before!! it makes sense though, as attention spans dwindle a little each year 🙁 but prob a great exercise nonetheless!

  27. Nick Wilford on August 8, 2015 at 8:42 am

    I love flash fiction, but haven’t heard of this. I like the idea of a bunch of flash fiction connected by a common theme, and this is taking that one step further. Very exciting!

  28. Shannon Lawrence on August 17, 2015 at 8:22 am

    I used to write a lot more flash fiction, but not as much anymore. I do enjoy it, especially when challenged by a prompt. It’s just that I’ve been so focused on short stories that I’ve not given my attention to flash and prompts. I’ve not heard of novella-in-flash before. Sounds like a fantastic challenge!

  29. Dianne Salerni on September 1, 2015 at 4:08 pm

    I guess I’m always bucking the trend because flash fiction has never appealed to me and I rarely read short stories either. I need novels!

    Happy Blitz Day!

  30. Samantha Bryant on September 1, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    I do read a lot more short fiction than I used to. It fits in the corners of my life better than larger works.

  31. Corina on September 1, 2015 at 5:46 pm

    The novella in flash sounds really interesting to me! I will lol into it some more. It reminds me of a novel I once read which was composed entirely of “letters” to and from the main character and a number of others, along with invitations, announcements, obituaries, post cards, etc. There was no narrative. It worked beautifully!

  32. Marlene Moss on September 1, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    Flash is fun! I haven’t had time to write much over the summer, but I’ll look for some ideas like that to kick start me over the winter. Happy Blitz Day!

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