When is a short story so short that it becomes a different type of story? What is the difference between the short story and microfiction? And what is the relationship between brevity and narrative? This practical creative writing course considers the burgeoning genre of flash fiction, exploring the spectrum of brief narratives, including microfiction, drabbles, nanofiction, twitfic and the short-short, and their place within modern society and technology. It will provide an overview of publishing opportunities and practical tips on approaching magazine and competition submissions.

• Demonstrate an understanding of flash fiction and related genres.
• Demonstrate an awareness of the fundamental terminology and concepts of creative writing in relation to flash fiction.
• Produce flash fiction of their own on a consistent basis and read and discuss it in a workshop context.
• Write reflectively about their own craft.
• Respond constructively to their peers’ writing and gain self-awareness regarding their own.

There will be two-hour meetings once a week (20 contact hours in all) which will include discussions, exercises, craft lectures and workshops. Learners will be encouraged to read texts introduced and obtain feedback from the tutor and other members of the group. Online provision will be made available through Learning Central with relevant links to resources and class handouts and PowerPoint presentations. Learners will produce flash fictions and other short genres, as well as reading and discussing the work of published writers. The university’s Virtual Learning Environment, Learning Central, provides a useful resource for course materials, lecture slides and additional reading.

• The ability to respond sensitively and constructively to peers’ writing.
• The ability to develop self-awareness around writing strengths and creative process.
• The ability to communicate ideas and experiences with vividness and clarity.
• The ability to communicate ideas and arguments effectively in written and verbal form.
• The ability to work effectively with others in groups and to learn collaboratively through discussion and interaction.
• The ability to use information technology resources to assist with portfolio presentation.

How the module will be assessed

Type of assessment  % Contribution Title Duration  (if applicable) Approx. date of Assessment Submission

Critical Commentary 20% 

Critical Commentary to accompany the portfolio. Students will be encouraged to keep a reflective journal throughout the module. Entries in this journal will form the basis of a critical commentary (c. 300 words) to accompany the piece(s) in the portfolio. N/A    Ongoing throughout the module. Submission shortly after end of the module

Portfolio  80%

Creative Writing Portfolio

The basis of assessment will be a portfolio of creative writing consisting of each student’s best work produced on this module (up to 1500 words). This portfolio may consist of a range of flash fictions or one piece of up to 1500 words, in agreement with the tutor. N/A  Ongoing throughout the module. Submission shortly after end of the module

The module will be based around workshops, which will include regular peer and tutor feedback. Sessions will include:

• Creative writing skills: fundamental terminology and concepts relevant to Flash Fiction.
• Exploration of contemporary trends, styles and developments in Flash Fiction, including microfiction, drabbles, nanofiction, twitfic and the short-short.
• Discussion of published examples of Flash Fiction.
• Revision, feedback, and reflection.
• Publishing Flash Fiction: open calls, competitions and other avenues.

Essential Reading:

Bath Flash Fiction Award, To Carry Her Home: Bath Flash Fiction Anthology Volume One (Ad Hoc Fiction)

Tiff Holland et al, My Very End of the Universe: Five Novellas-in-Flash and a Study of the Form (Rose Metal Press, 2014)

Tara L Masih, ed. The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction: Tips from Editors, Teachers, and Writers in the Field (Rose Metal Press, 2009)

James Thomas, Robert Shapard and Christopher Merrill (eds.), Flash Fiction International: Very Short Stories from Around the World (New York: W.W. Norton, 2015)

http://nationalflashfictionday.co.uk

Recommended Reading

Isaac Asimov (ed.) 100 Great Science Fiction Short Short Stories (London: Robson, 1978)

Carly Berg (ed.) Coffee House Lies: 100 Cups of Flash fiction (South Coast Books, 2016)

David Eggers, Short Short Stories (Penguin, 2005)

David Gaffney, Sawn-Off Tales (Salt, 2006)

Yasunari Kawabata, Palm-Of-The-Hand Stories (Macmillan, 2006)