Flash Fiction Advisory

Word-taming.

When writing a novel, it is often said that every word matters.

This is a lie.

Many words matter in a novel or even in short fiction, and, when going through the editing process, it may seem as if every word is being scrutinized.

The truth is that for work over 1000 words, practiced editing technique is more of a mine-sweeping exercise than a bomb-defusing exercise: you catch the ones in the way.

In flash fiction, you aren’t looking for trouble spots, you must rattle each word until it squeaks. Edit the story, assuming that each word isn’t quite right.

Flash Fic Advisory #3: Train every word.