How I Write FLASH FICTION (Flash Fiction Writing Vlog)

How do I write Flash fiction? In this video I go over my process from start to finish in real time (not really). I plan out, write and edit a 900 word (too long) flash fiction story and then read it to you.
There's even room for an 80s movie montage. Not that anyone asked for that, or wanted it. Or needed it, frankly.
So if you're looking for an insight into how flash fiction is written, the step by step process of getting it down on the page, this video is my approach to that.
The most important thing when you're new to writing is to keep writing. Keep putting down words, paragraphs, plots, characters. You'll learn as you go, and you can use the experience of the writing community to fill in the gaps where you're not sure.
Writing is my passion, and I love to support other writers and help them develop their writing along with me. I want to help you tell your best stories.
if you'd like to be a part of that, consider hitting the subscribe button!
Thanks for watching!
For examples of my writing, feel free to visit my website. There's a short story there to read:
Links:
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MY FLASH FICTION COURSE:
www.udemy.com/course/flash-fi...
MY WEBSITE:
www.kierenwestwood.com/
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#FlashFiction #NaNoWriMo #WritingVlog

[@AwakeArise]

You’re on another level with your video editing these days. And that was a cool little story, cheers 🍻

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

I really like editing, thanks 😊 glad you liked the story too, it needs a little work but not too bad so far!

[@AphroditeLee]

I suck at flash (and writing shorts in general) so thanks for this!

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

Oh I loved that flash fiction and loved seeing your process!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thanks so much :) Definitely still needs some editing after the month is done, but it went ok/10! 😊

[@NicoleWilbur]

Wow! I just can’t get over how beautifully done the quality of this video is! Plus you explained your process so well (and loved the 80s montage and celebratory air punch moment lol).

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you so much 😀 I love being goofy, I can't help myself!

[@qine6559]

Omg omg omg! I am speechless!! This is frekkin awesome! I looooooved the glass with ice cubes point in the story. So much subtext. Main character is totally one I would follow for a whole book. And I liked how you made him sound competent through subtext. Super impressed!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Well thank you for the prompt that got me there! :D Definitely one of the more enjoyable ones I've had! Probably not where you might have been expecting me to go with it, but I'm glad I could make something out of it! :D

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

More 80s montages, please, hahahaha! That was perfect. [And yeah...those do take a freaking long time to put together.] I loved how you used the prompt! Totally a different direction than I would have gone and I really like how you used it as the ending lines.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

There are definitely moments halfway through filming and editing where I think...is this actually funny or just stupid 😂 but it’s fun isn’t it! As far as the direction of the story goes...I’ll do just about anything to avoid having to tackle complex emotions I think, I find ways to wriggle out of it like this story!

[@dacrewordsmith]

The brief moment of respite/hitting the wall at 6:38 is my default writing position. To a tee! ^_^ Loved this video KW. You had it all in this one. Perfect! You had me at the scoring result of: "OK out of 10". Oh and that Flashfic piece! That was an 'Amazing out of 10'.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thanks mate 😄 Such nice feedback. Yeah that 6:38 moment is honestly what I feel like doing most days! Glad you enjoyed the story, I"m looking forward to figuring out what to do with alll the ones I've finished during the month. I definitely want to share them somehow! Even the bad ones might help someone learn how NOT to do something.

[@Voice.of.the.Fire.Ministries]

I love the 80s stuff, and this is a brilliant idea, a flash fiction a day for 30 days. I’m going to give it a go.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you! It was a really fun thing to try, I ended up with a handful of stories that worked out, and I learned a lot!

[@juniormichaelseri5212]

You're amazing my friend!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you! Right back at you buddy 🙂

[@joseph.r1122]

Love the 80s movie montage. Priceless.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thank you! 😁

[@opollitico]

you know, with those editing skills it's a wonder you haven't garnered thousands of subscribers. this channel will grow and fly I'm sure! 🥳🥳🥳

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thanks, who knows huh? 🙂 Just got to keep trying to make every video better than the last!

[@garwinbenedian1001]

Thank you.

[@opollitico]

So excited to finally get to watch this! sorry mate, been super busy recently 🤭

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Don't worry at all! Watch them whenever it's convenient for you 🙂

[@KammiLutz]

I'm glad you're enjoying the writing prompts! I wish I could have done it with you. If you do it next year I'd love to do join the group!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Definitely jump on next year ☺️ this past week I’ve been struggling a bit, but hopefully I’ll at least see it through!

[@KammiLutz]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting you can do it!!

[@opollitico]

wish I could share my work at the end of the vlogs - what a good idea!!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

You could share a favourite line of the day or something? 🙂

[@ryancasey1879]

Very much like the process videos! Enjoy knowing other people's processes for the final product. How many words do you define a flash fiction story to be?

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thanks! In terms of length I usually aim for around 500, but my personal rule is not to go over 1000, but the definitions seems to differ wherever I look.

[@ryancasey1879]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting Haven't tried prompted stories before, but this process has me wanting to try that creative avenue. I always avoided prompts, but the same prompt can be written I'm sure hundreds of ways and across all genres. Flash Fiction is so great though!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

@@ryancasey1879 I've always avoided prompts too. I always felt I wanted to write 'my own' story, but you're right, there are hundreds of ways to approach one and this month I've found they do still end up 'my own'. Definitely agree with you flash is my favourite thing to write!

[@opollitico]

"the important part is that I think I'm funny..." so funny 😂😂😂 lolling at this point!

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Just insurance in case I'm the only one haha 😂

[@themeanderinghero4279]

Really enjoyed the video and the story. If you're writing one a day to that quality you're really cooking with gas. And seeing the process was great, very insightful. My own process is a bit of a mystery to me. One thing that I really enjoyed was the tone. I thought it was dark and a little gritty. But I felt that the tone slipped at the end when you used the phrase "bawling at the table like a little baby". I know tone, and especially the use of vocabulary to convey tone, can be pretty subjective. So I'd be interested to see if you, or anyone else, agrees or disagrees. Also realise that this is not a fully edited work. More of an observation of something that I thought was interesting than a criticism.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thanks so much! I'm writing one story a day, but not always to this quality. This turned into one of the better ones, luckily. It's still a useful exercise and I think I'll end up with a handful of new stories that really might have legs which makes all the not so good ones worth writing. I hadn't thought too much about that line in particular (perhaps that's telling...) but I think you're right, it doesn't quite fit. This is probably one of the stories I'll carry forward with a proper edit once the business of November is in the rear-view mirror, so can always come up with something better then 🙂 I'm always open to feedback though, and that's something I may not have been able to correct otherwise so thank you!

[@themeanderinghero4279]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting Thanks for your reply. I was sure that you'd be open to ideas. I was a bit nervous about how appropriate it was to critique something that was written under those time constraints. Congrats again on the story. And on developing such a welcoming community.

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Absolutely, I can understand that. I'm very much open to feedback and from doing a lot of writing, I've learned to take every bit of critique as a small step leading to my work being better. It's really hard to be offended when I look at it that way! :) Thanks for being part of the community!

[@vlad013]

Thanks for sharing! Nice story. Where can I read the other twelve you wrote?

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

Thanks for watching! Once the month is up and I’ve had some time to edit a little I’ll probably post the rest of the stories on my website, good, bad or ugly 😂 watch this space for now 😉

[@dacrewordsmith]

@@KierenWestwoodWriting Yes!!

[@Voice.of.the.Fire.Ministries]

Where do you get those writing prompts?

[@KierenWestwoodWriting]

This was a while ago so I can't remember exactly, but probably Reedsy.