Should Flash Fiction have a beginning, middle and end?
Thanks to club member Preston Randall for this intriguing question. What are your thoughts?
Can you think of some examples of shortlisted flash fiction stories that have a beginning, middle, and end? Examples that don’t have all three sections? What’s your preference?
Many of the greatest poems are simply a moment in time, and don’t necessarily have a beginning, middle and end. Should Flash Fiction be more like poetry or more like complete stories? Should both formats be acceptable?
We look forward to hearing from our talented writers and readers!
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThank you,
Preston Randall, for asking this very intriguing question. It will be interesting to see what everyone has to say!
Yes. Ideally an brief intro, some meat, then, if it can be achieved, a sting! Failing the sting, an end that leaves one happy, sad or pensive.
Flash Fiction is a complete story so therefore must have a beginning, middle and end. Some story websites even stipulate this is a requirement.
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI think your last sentence is pertinent. Some sites stipulate it as a requirement, but perhaps that squashes some authors creativity. Others are more open. I think we have to allow for different styles sometimes. If we all wrote to particular rules I think the readers would perhaps get bored after a while because we’re not allowing them the opportunity of creative thinking if we are too strict.
I’ve always felt it to be more impactful or satisfying when there is some form of beginning, middle and end. I still appreciate good descriptive writing that doesn’t follow this format, but have noticed some stories in this site that I think would benefit from a more defined structure. As a new member, I’m trying to be careful about how I phrase my comments, and I did wonder if the Voice.Club Team… Read more »
Hello Preston – You asked for a “list of suggestions”. As several people have pointed out, we avoid any stringent rules that might squelch creativity. But we have written several posts about writing that might help new writers or inspire more experienced ones. We have also just opened these up for comments: Finding Your Voice – Instructions for Living a Life Painting Word Pictures With Nouns Show Don’t Tell – Invite the… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThis is excellent! Thanks so much.
My answer, and my preference, is influenced by the number of movies I’ve watched, each having a beginning, middle and end. Although some of the most memorable actually begin at the end followed by flashbacks… ‘All About Eve’ and ‘Double Indemnity’ come to mind. So, yes, I do believe flash fiction should follow the same format.
I think that, in essence, flash fiction does need all three but, as with any story, the ending can be left so that it leaves your audience wondering a little. I think that, sometimes, a reader will think more about a story after they’ve finished it if there are still some questions that haven’t quite been answered. The reader can use their own imagination and fill in some of the blanks themselves… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI hate to be that person but… yes and no. I do appreciate that it is more impactful or satifying with a beginning, middle and end. With that being said, leaving the reader to use thier imagination isn’t necessairly a terrible thing… Those that continue their flash in parts is an example I’d use. The story carries on with each new installment. A story without a proper ending is what i’d call… Read more »
I don’t disagree, but you’ve also brought up an interesting point. Personally, I would consider a flash fiction in instalments to be in a separate category from “regular” flash fiction. However, regarding the ending, I think that leaving some sort of mystery or openness to interpretation often adds a richness to the story. But then, it really depends on what comes before and how the story has developed.
Thanks for your comment. I still believe flash fiction in installments to be flash, nevertheless. I only used it as an example because there are writers on this site that have done just that. I see a real plus for having things left somewhat open-ended for this very reason. Just to reiterate yes, a beginning, middle and end makes sense in many instances. There just is something to be said for a… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleOnce I would have said that all stories need the start, middle and end but I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t left a few open endings in some more recent stories. It sounds like I’m sitting on the fence but it really does depend on the story. Sometimes I have to know that the couple end up together, or the bad guy/girl gets hit with Karma but every now and… Read more »
One lovely aspect of being creative artists is that each one of us can form our own ideas of what Flash Fiction should be and write accordingly. In my world view, Flash Fiction is an art form in a class by itself – not just watered-down, words-deleted versions of longer stories. The general consensus is that any story with 1000 words or less is Flash Fiction. But 350 word stories and especially… Read more »
Thanks for the reminder of that fun story. It was great to read it again! I’m afraid that if I was in Angelica’s place, I would have to fall. Now, is that an ending or a new beginning. I love how playful and creative we can be, stretching those muscles. I think that’s why I also try to write several stories but in different genres for each prompt—that can often challenge the… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleThanks, Fuji, for your extremely interesting thoughts on this. As I’m reading through all the comments, it occurs to me that we all have very different ideas about what constitutes a “beginning,” “middle” and “end” – none of which are “wrong.” For example, I read through “Trouble in Paradise” which I thought was brilliant. In my analysis, though, I do see a structural beginning, middle and end, and I would have found… Read more »
Well, well, Preston – you have me looking at my own stories differently. I think you are right – we probably all have different ideas of what a “beginning”, “middle” and “end” really are. And no doubt, all of our ideas are correct! Each of us can decide for each story whether or not we accomplished what we wanted to say, regardless of what structure we use. Thank you so much for… Read more »
You’re very welcome, Fuji! It’s so refreshing to be able to have such an interesting and open discussion in a safe, non-toxic environment. Regarding “Baby Shoes”: Yes, I do feel it has a beginning, middle and end in the following sense. “For Sale” sets the scene and creates tension. “Baby Shoes” answers the question of what is for sale, and “Never Worn” is the surprise ending that both satisfies and raises additional… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleLove these examples Fuji! I’m with the majority in that I believe it can be perfect either way. Writing is art and, at least in my case, I think we write primarily for ourselves! Whilst there is something really satisfying about having a nicely wrapped story, I personally love open ends. I find it engaging to be left with questions, and room to explore my own ideas on a piece of writing,… Read more »
I too remember this story, Fuji! As I do so many of yours. I have to agree with Preston’s response, as it struck me too that there was a beginning, middle and end to it. I guess we all do view these definitions differently.
Both are “correct” since in writing there is no right and wrong, there is work. Let’s remember that an author writes BECAUSE not FOR. Ergo, an author writes because s/he has a need to express herself/himself and present her/his work to the world to enjoy it, not to evaluate it (of course each reader will have the “right” of an opinion). An author does not write for someone specifically. There is a… Read more »
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To Leave Comments - Please SignIn with GoogleI absolutely believe every story needs a beginning, middle and end. That is what makes Flash Fiction so challenging. Every word counts. You can describe a picture but if you do not include how it makes the viewer feel, think and act, half the story is missing.
I think that every writer should be left to flow with his creative style. Although stories with a beginning, middle and end give a wrapped package, open-ended stories are also a delight. I love situations when I’m left to peruse a story. I have some issues with editors where they’re straight-jacketed holding tenaciously to the three-rule format. I ask myself, “Why are they putting me in a box?” Probably, that’s why most… Read more »