Thursday, August 16, 2018

Flash Fiction by Diane Burton


I've heard of Flash Fiction, but had no idea what it is.

According to definitions, flash fiction is a fictional work of extreme brevity. So, very short, short stories. It could include poetry and narrative. I learned all that after signing up to write such a piece. One thousand words max. The prompt: a change of heart. Did I know what I’d gotten into? Nope. But I did it anyway.

In December, here on The Roses of Prose blog, we write holiday stories for your enjoyment. When I wrote my first one five years ago, I hadn’t written a short story since high school. I write long stories. Full-length novels, 100,000 words long (about 400 pages). I accepted The Roses' challenge in 2013 and every year since. I've had a blast.

The first story, “Christmas in Space,” turned into a novella, Mission to New Earth. The following year’s story is the reward for anyone signing up for my New Release Alert (newsletter). The next two years, the stories dovetailed nice—one beginning where the previous one ended. I turned those into a novel, Romance Rekindled. I just can’t leave an idea alone. 😊

So when Insecure Writers Support Group (an online group that posts on the first Wednesday of the month) joined up with Write…Edit…Publish (both are blog hops) I thought why not? Write a 1,000-word story that indicated a change of heart. I’d never written anything that short and what could I say about anticipating something then changing my mind (or the character’s mind)?
 
Hawaiian Island credit: Wikipedia
Have you ever wanted something so intensely, but when you got it you didn’t like it or it wasn't what you'd thought it would be? Or you looked so forward to a vacation that turned into a bust? Well, that I could identify with. When I was in my 20's and single, I taught with a girlfriend who visited Hawaii every summer. She’d even lived there for two years. We made plans to visit the islands. But when I got there, she said she’d done everything and wanted to spend more time with her boyfriend. I was, more or less, on my own. Lest you think she was totally uncaring, her friends offered to take me anywhere I wanted to go on Oahu. But I’m sure you know how hard it is to ask people to drive you places. (In hindsight, I should’ve rented a car.) So, I took a bus trip on Kaui, rented a car on Maui, and she met me on the Big Island (where she’d never been).

Now here’s the thing: I’d never gone on a vacation by myself before. I’d never even flown by myself. To say that touring the islands on my own was not how I thought that trip would go. But, you know, I learned a lot. I talked to strangers. I visited sites I wanted to see. And I learned I could do it. Was I scared being alone? You betcha. Am I glad I did it? You betcha. 

Remember Vonnie's post a couple of days ago, when she wrote about her adventures in Europe. I could identify with traveling alone.

I used that experience for my piece of flash fiction. Embellished it somewhat. LOL Wish I’d had that handsome “surfer dude” escort me around the islands. Yesterday was the day to post. You can find my flash fiction titled (oh so ingeniously) “Hawaii” on my blog.

Can you guess what I’m going to do next? Yep. Expand it into a long short story or even a novella. Why waste a perfectly good idea?

Diane Burton combines her love of mystery, adventure, science fiction, and romance into writing romantic fiction. She blogs here on the 16th and 30th of each month. She shares snippets from her stories every weekend on her blog.  Her latest release is NUMBERS NEVER LIE, a romantic suspense, available at Amazon, free on Kindle Unlimited.

19 comments:

Andrea Downing said...

Oh, this really rings with me, Diane. Every time I head out to WY (twice a year) I am going round the Grand Teton Park and Yellowstone on my own, but after 5 years I finally made an actual vacation of it stopping for 2 nights at the hotels in Yellowstone. I was amazed at how comfortable I was eating on my own--something I hate to do in public. As for flash fiction, I, too, have just entered a competition--500 word short story. Boy, that was tough! Good luck with yours!

Margo Hoornstra said...

Wow! You remain an inspiration to me. Going over to read your short.

Jannine Gallant said...

It sounds like you had a fun adventure! I don't mind doing things alone. I've driven cross-country by myself, but I've never gone on a vacation-vacation alone. Good for you for making the best of it!

Vonnie Davis said...

You're an inspiration, all right. I love people who venture out. Shows grit. As for flash fiction, this is how 50 Shades evolved. Diane...author of Hawaii's 49 Shades. Whoot!

remullins said...

I've often wondered how I'd do traveling alone. Glad to hear it went well for you. I also like your idea of turning the Christmas story into a novella. I might do that with what I'm working on now. :)

Leah St. James said...

I've never done much vacation traveling -- mostly trips to visit family and for kid-related things -- and never alone. At this stage in my life, I think I might actually enjoy some solitude though! LOL! Like others said, good for you for making the best of a disappointing start. Love the flash fiction! I can definitely see a whole book from it.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Andrea. I'm not comfortable eating alone, either. But I must have on that vacation. I think now that I'm older I wouldn't mind that aspect. I could people watch. Grist for more stories. LOL

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Margo.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Jannine. I didn't set out to do that vacation alone. I fell into it. At the time, teachers weren't paid very well--still aren't. So I couldn't waste all the money I'd already spent.

Diane Burton said...

LOL, Vonnie. That's a great idea. I so admired you for that European vacation. In fact, your post reminded me of my Hawaii trip.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Robin. When I think of all the things that could've happened on that trip, I shudder. But, hey, young and optimistic. Expanding a short story can be fun but also a challenge. I hope you do.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Leah. When I was in my 20's, I traveled a lot with friends and my sister. But the Hawaii trip was so different. After we were married, Hubs and I traveled some, but when the kids came along things changed. We did more kid-friendly things. When we moved away from family, our vacations meant going back to visit. So, I see where you're coming from.

Rolynn Anderson said...

Love the description of your story-journeys. I agree about never wasting a good idea! As for living alone and traveling alone...both experiences make us take risks and meet new people. I push myself all the time that way.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Rolynn. I mentioned writing this to my Hubs (whom I just met before I left for Hawaii). I agree--that trip "forced" me to be adventurous, to push myself, to take risks.

Alicia Dean said...

I read your story, what a fun little challenge. Yes, I can definitely see you turning it into a full-blown story. :) Great job!

Denise Covey said...

Hello Diane. So great that ‘Hawaii’ is going to grow into something far bigger. I agree. Why waste a perfectly good idea. I’ll be interested in reading the full story.
Thanks for sending me the link to your post.

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Alicia. It was a fun challenge--even if I didn't know what I was doing. LOL

Diane Burton said...

Thanks, Denise. I'm so glad I did the challenge. I plan to do the one in October. The prompt is Deja Vu. I'm already thinking about what I can write about.

Nilanjana Bose said...

Hi Diane, and how cool that you will develop your flash to a longer piece of fiction. Writing to a short word count has a rigour and a thrill, develops the writing muscles like nothing else.

Hawaii was a very interesting tale - change of heart leading to independence and the possibility of a new friendship or maybe even romance. Certainly a solo holiday is a learning experience. All the very best in fleshing it out! Looking forward to reading you in October.