What I heard and remembered to take notes on in Week Two of Fast Flash Fiction at the Santa Fe Community College were. Much of last night’s class was about editing one another’s work and what else to remember as I re-read and revise my own stories. Number 3-6 are cited from a handout given (citation needed):
- Anticipation | Hold someone on the edge of their seat until they are almost impatient.
- Beautiful moments | “I take out beautiful moments in each piece.”
- Personify objects/emotions | in ways that the reader won’t expect.
- Unfamiliar similes | will jump out at readers in positive ways.
- Conflicting images | take what readers expect in a character and turn it upside down by choosing conflicting images.
- Metaphors | are often what can propel or kill a story.
- Surreal | make it work.
- Stick to your core | “[There are] parts of your piece that you are going to hold onto with dear life. You have to remember that your voice is your voice.”
There were also a few quotes that resonated:
You want every paragraph to matter.
I create stories from what I remember in childhood, and change the ending.
Use adverbs sparingly. I love adjectives.
washing dishes: a father’s glimpses 