How to write a flash fiction | step-by-step

Breaking down two flash fiction short stories from conception to revision to see the writing process in detail. Let me know if this jives with you, because I can make another step-by-step video for a longer short story.
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[@willm1376]

It's always cool to look at someone else's writing process. You realize at the end of the day, we all have the same struggles, especially with those first few drafts that will inevitably suck ass. It'd be cool to see how you go about writing longer stories.

[@kandirussell5024]

Yup

[@EmilyMcCosh]

That thing about some stories taking YEARS to write is SO TRUE. One of the best stories I've ever written just sat in my head for like...3 FREAKING YEARS before my brain figured out how to write it. :D

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Y E P

[@cityman2312]

Aw Emily, I had one sitting in my head like that for eighteen years.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

@@cityman2312 EIGHTEEN YEARS?

[@cityman2312]

@@HannahLeeKidder I did mention that I was in the baby writer phase for 25 years. I had the idea for a witch and warrior story when I was sixteen, but to do it justice, I had to improve my writing, hence the delay.

[@kandirussell5024]

Yup. I know the feeling

[@Jack-ww5hw]

This was so interesting because I’ve never seen someone else’s process in this much depth before! Thank you for showing this 😁

[@coopernickerson370]

I stumbled on your video and I was really impressed, young lady. You are a wonderful teacher, as well as a writer. Despite my sixty three years old, profoundly deaf, I just started to learn to write stories a few years back and I have got a lot of learning to do. Thank you for posting your video and will continue to watch other videos of yours.

[@Gossy367]

I loved this video, it's so helpful to see your process like this. I would love one about a longer work.

[@amandarandomtube4793]

I was already considering buying your books just because I love your advice and personality, but now I just want to read more of your writing. I've never read flash fiction, but these two little stories have convinced me to start.

[@PartridgeQuill]

This is a really interesting window into your process, and I love it! Thanks for sharing!

[@thedragon6480]

This was super interesting. I'd definitely watch another video of this. And one of you drafting a lknger short story. This was brilliant!!

[@ErinKinsella]

I love this whole format. It's so helpful to see everyone's editing process :D

[@kandirussell5024]

Yup and I don't feel so bad about my self berating when editing!

[@a.a.5188]

I love this format/video! As a beginner writer, it is encouraging to see the process of other writers. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@dameanvil]

- [00:00] 📝 Anna shares her video series where she analyzes stories as examples to teach writing techniques, aiming to demystify the writing process. - [02:24] 🤔 Anna discusses her approach to drafting stories, highlighting the progression from initial idea to final draft through multiple iterations. - [05:12] 🖋 Anna shares the evolution of her story "Mother" through several drafts, focusing on refining the narrative and character development. - [11:32] 📝 Anna transitions to discussing her story "Ink," describing how she translated a dream into a narrative and iterated on its draft to refine its structure and language. - [15:41] 🤔 Anna reflects on the drafting process, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, experimentation, and seeking feedback. - [19:29] 📝 Anna concludes by encouraging viewers to embrace the iterative nature of writing, preserve their ideas, and continue refining their work.

[@DrawbackDrawback]

Man, I interpreted that crow story completely wrong. Thought it was a human child warned to be aware of crows, and slowly over time this crow manipulates and morphs this child into a freakish human/crow hybrid.

[@nevisnebis1207]

You fell into the anti-crow propaganda of the girl’s elders. Shame on you

[@GaviLazan]

You eyes are SO GREEN! I've been watching your videos for like 5 years (?), how have I never noticed that‽

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Smfh sorry excuse for a reply guy

[@GaviLazan]

@@HannahLeeKidder ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@nickmuzekari6124]

I'm ready to delve into writing more some more flash fiction after a long period and this video was super inspiring. Really love your style. Thank you for sharing your process.

[@abigailjulia5518]

I saw the first story as a lesson about how someone can be their own friend, inspiration, comfort, etc.

[@dixontriconderoga8524]

Oh wow, my impression of the first couple drafts of Mother was way dark. It seemed like the evil crow lured a lonely child to jump out from a tall window to her death, thus validating the stern warnings against them. I thought the image of the child growing wings was some metaphor for making the decision to jump, and that the crow flew away with the child's soul.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Haha that's how a couple straight beta readers interpreted it. It's been interesting to see how different demographics interpret different stories.

[@Cavirex]

Personally, I like when a story is ambiguous. Like The turning of the screw. This felt the same. It can be a wonderful story about friendship and the desire to overcome fear, or a really messed up Grimm style fairytale of not being able to recognize evil and negativity.

[@AsifHassan]

@@Cavirex short stories have the power to appear to different to everyone. It's part of the beauty.

[@kentshawn8986]

Awesome advice. Between each draft of a novel, I write a short story. I usually try to do something I have never done before. My one problem is trying to keep them under 10k words. if I don't watch it, they end up becoming novellas. New subscriber, and new authortuber, keep up the awesome work.

[@gloriarussell882]

Your hair looks so curly n happy omg

[@justluc8556]

YES WE STAN MORE PLS

[@rungus24]

The first draft of that crow story is the one I like the most, I think.

[@joshuafurnelledd22]

You are awesome!

[@lizgonzalez491]

Thank you. This was SO helpful.

[@anisha2321]

I actually liked the first draft of ink best. It sounds more mysterious.

[@AFMR0420]

The third draft and beyond sound like a suicide story, “girl grows wings, jumps out window, the court finds her corpse at the bottom of the tower. The hate for crows is further galvanized throughout the kingdom.”

[@AFMR0420]

I’ve never written an ink metaphor and I hope I don’t.

[@DanielleMamaril]

"All writers write at some point write about ink metaphors." I feel called out.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

We all do

[@timchichi4230]

If you did sign language lessons you'd go extra viral. Also your smiles contagious! 😉☝️❤️

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

Hi Hannah; I'm SO with you when it comes to notes. I am notebook crazy. On the subject of Flash-fiction, *IS* the purpose of this style to 'Cut to the Chase' while providing the reason for the central story in the briefest time? I have an idea for flash fiction story. I just want to make sure I'm even close to the WHY of Flash fiction. THANKS for posting.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Hi! I actually have a class all about flash fiction. Check the link in the description for a two month trial of skillshare to take it for free!

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

@@HannahLeeKidder Cool! I'll check. Thanks!

[@dancingdruid7932]

I have a question. I understand the necessity of few characters. In your first story you said (forgive me if I misquote) 'She was locked away' when she asked about the crow. If you are limited by the number of characters, would you say that it is okay to use passive voice in flash fiction?

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Passive voice isn't always bad. It can be used in an intentional way for style. I like passive in something with a disconnected fairytale type voice, for example.

[@dancingdruid7932]

Hannah Lee Kidder - Writer thanks, and thanks for replying so quickly

[@Cavirex]

I always felt like my ideas are better suited to novels but could never follow through. I also always felt that I'm crap at short stories. But this video makes me entertain the idea of trying to pen flash fiction myself.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Check out my flash fiction course on Skillshare!

[@Cavirex]

@@HannahLeeKidder holy cannoli! I began the course today, and I already penned four stories! You're an amazing teacher! Thank you so much

[@HannahLeeKidder]

@@Cavirex that's fantastic!! If you could leave a review/share the class with a friend, that would mean the world

[@Cavirex]

@@HannahLeeKidder I reviewed it already and shared it with friends. I'm kinda stuck now though :( I lost the initial momentum

[@crownlessheir7088]

Lmao that last wink! You should trademark it

[@ComeDownToEarth]

LOVED THIS. Liked. Subscribed. Curious/ concerned about the Enigmatic light morphing Spectre that keeps appearing over your shoulder stage left when you describe the creepy dream boy/ gazelle flamer though...

[@ComeDownToEarth]

Just me...?

[@manflashfiction-storytelle6989]

its so helpful ))

[@cityman2312]

The Crow story is wonderful. I think it is already sophisticated as of draft five. The flash fiction story of that kind that I like best was told by a gay man - it was about a little dragon who came to terms with the fact that it is natural for him to breathe fire even though the Headmaster and even his parents insisted otherwise. The story was one that would be easy for kids to understand, and even as an angry young man, I saw the point he was making.

[@lucaslyra2275]

How does a critique group work..? I know they give feedback, but how? Thx.

[@emilyallen6592]

Hi! These were fantastic; I particularly enjoyed the crow piece. I'm running a workshop on flash fiction soon, and I was wondering if I could use your video (and the crow story) as one of my examples of structuring this style of prose. I would absolutely give you credit, and I'd send everyone a link to this video so they can check out your awesome channel for themselves!

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Go for it!

[@emilyallen6592]

Hannah Lee Kidder - Writer thank you so much :)

[@karzanmuhammed2362]

It’s useful information; however you are very beautiful. Respect

[@Elena-Studio]

"Brains are so fallible and your ideas will leave and they will never come back" 💀

[@micahklassen7151]

I got a sweater just like that, we can be the Freddy Krueger Sisters 😩

[@HannahLeeKidder]

yessss

[@vinicius99157]

Ok, sure, but how do I not throw it on the trash midway through?

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Believe In Yourself, Vini

[@jills9758]

You might have already seen this but you were mentioned (in a nice way) in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5aZYp59g9WEhtU Also thanks for the tips I'm trying to finish revisions on my short story. My brain checked out after the first draft.

[@alfogel3298]

My award winning under 40 word flash fiction story: “Butcher Shop” Early weekday mornings on my way to work I walk to the local butcher shop not yet open and peer through the clear glass window and notice neatly arranged on the overhead clothing rack the white aprons -Al Fogel Comments?

[@r.i.p.4485]

Wow, you're cute.