A friend of mine recently asked about the difference between flash fiction and prose poetry and I found myself, somewhat embarrassingly, stumbling over words. I knew there had to be a difference—I’m a flash writer, after all, and an obsessive one at that. I can admit to hearing echoes of prose poetry in some flash fiction, but it would never occur to me to consider the two genres other than separately. Close, but separate nonetheless.
My friend’s question combined with an upcoming workshop I’m teaching in flash fiction, forced me to sit down once and for all and ask myself: What are the defining characteristics of flash fiction?
Of course, I’m not the first person to ask. Thanks to Rose Metal Press, who published the Field Guide to Writing Flash Fiction (2009), I had access to a 38-page mini-history of flash fiction from around the world. This introduction, written by Tara L Masih, is one of the most engaging, specific introductions to a book I have ever read. I have a hard time not crossing my eyes when someone starts "talking history" but the combo of her succinct thoroughness and my own love of flash, has convinced me Masih’s intro is the best source around for the history of the genre. Coming in close second would have to be Charles Baxter’s introduction to the 1989 anthology edited by Robert Shapard and James Thomas, Sudden Fiction International.
It’s with these two writers perched on my shoulders, and immeasurable amounts of my own study and practice, that I’ve gathered the following thoughts on what defines flash fiction:
1. Flash fiction stories are 250-750 words, but this length has more to do with quality of attention than duration of attention. In an era of bombardment, Baxter emphasizes, we’re hungry for precise details and a widening of the moment. We’re anxious for an excuse to hold time and look closely. Some of the best flash out there today does precisely that.
2. Flash fiction is different than prose poetry because it uses the prose line and paragraph form and always, always, tells a story. Something happens to someone, somewhere. Can a prose poem do that? Sure. But does it have to? No. Flash does. Additionally, most flashes can be categorized as: the monologue, the tale, the individual scene, the snapshot story, or the experiment. (Thank you, again, Rose Metal Press.)
3. Flash fiction is more about reaction than action, therefore the situation frequently out-sizes the characters. The characters certainly react, but the reactions reveal more about the human condition in general than they do about any one, specific fictional person.
4. Flash fiction employs lyrical writing, which means that every word bears weight and bends the right direction. In lyrical writing, the skeleton of the sentence perfectly enhances its content and vice versa. It also means that flash avoids high-speed chases for the sake of themselves, for instance, but can certainly include high-speed chases for the sake of yearning, of revealing, of epiphany.
5. Flash fiction is the story of smart surprise. It is always leaning toward “explosive moments of tremendous clarity” (Baxter, again). It catches us unaware by showing us that what we were looking for was always already there. In short—the truth is under our noses and flash enables us to see it.
Katey Schultz is Managing Editor of Cheek Teeth and recently completed a flash collection, Personae of War. Her latest project includes a series of flash fiction triptychs about minor urban catastrophes and sleeplessness. The “triptych” form was inspired by Cheek Teeth flash author J.A. Tyler.
Thank you, Katey. You have me thinking. The five points above are interesting and illuminating. ...but still, other than saying that prose poetry might not tell a story, how would this list differ if you were describing prose poetry rather than flash fiction? Prose poetry is also short, also about precision, lyrical detail, revelation of the human condition, the reality that has always existed, epiphany, the weight of each word. This seems to me to be the definition of poetry.
ReplyDeleteProse poetry might be true, or seem to be nonfiction? Prose poetry might appear in a poetry-only journal?
I have written both, and published both, it seems. I once sent what I thought was flash fiction to a journal that immediately accepted it and labeled it prose poetry. Even as the author, my judgement about what I had intended to write, what I had written, was in doubt. I think you have opened a discussion rather than answered the question... in other words, give us another list.
Hi Jan, and thanks for your feedback. There are lots of folks who believe that the point I highlighted (flash fiction always, always tells a story and prose poetry doesn't have to) is precisely where the line is drawn between the two genres. As far as nonfiction and fiction in prose poetry, or where prose poetry is published, I wouldn't venture there simply because the lines of what's true/what's not and who publishes what, where, under what label are too subjective. Those are worthwhile observations--food for thought, certainly--but not ones I'd draw a hard and fast line with. Glad the post was helpful to you!
ReplyDeleteMost prose poetry that I have read does tell a story. I can think of exceptions, but all my favorite examples are narrative, as are many poems. So flash always tells a story, but so can prose poetry.
ReplyDeleteYou know I was joking about the poetry-only journal.
It seems to me the only way to draw a line is to also define prose poetry, presenting it with flash and showing, point by point, side by side, how the genres differ.
...or acknowledge that there is no line.
I am so glad I found this site! Thanks for your informative and thought provoking posts!
ReplyDeleteGoing to look around some more and possibly order your own flash fiction book soon!
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