Category Archives: Flash Fiction

Flash Fiction: short stories with a word count limit, short writing time, and required story elements.

A-Z exercise: Eat It!

Posted on February 10, 2014 by Betsy

This piece was the result of a challenge to write a short story of 26 sentences, starting with the letters of the alphabet, in order. It was fun. All the muffin needed to taste perfect was a swipe of butter. … Continue reading →

Posted in Flash Fiction, Philosophy of Life | 1 Comment

Uncle Bud and the UFO

Posted on May 1, 2012 by Betsy

This story won 2nd place in the April contest on LinkedIn (Aspiring Writers group). Genre was open, theme: April Fool, focus: Uncle Bud and a silver flashlight. My Uncle Bud worked for the government. At least that’s what he claimed. … Continue reading →

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The Green Monster

Posted on March 31, 2012 by Betsy

This story won third place in the Aspiring Writers March flash fiction contest. The challenge was genre: mystery, theme: buying an old house in the country, focus: a worn hand-written letter found in a safe hidden behind a picture. The … Continue reading →

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X-File #227: Last Words

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Betsy

This is the first place entry from the February Aspiring Writers Flash Fiction contest on LinkedIn. The challenge was genre: fantasy, theme: paranormal encounter at a ski resort, highlight: a cell phone. Length: 600-715 words. X-file #227: Last Words “Mulder, … Continue reading →

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Initial Success

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Betsy

This entry won third place in the Aspiring Writers contest for the first half of January 2012. The genre was fiction: suspense, theme: first day on the job, highlight: an email you received in error. Length: 600-715 words. Natalie was … Continue reading →

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The Best Present Ever

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Betsy

This memoir took second place in the Aspiring Writiers December Competition. Once upon a time, toys were few, and mostly handmade. Imagination was what made them fun. In “Little House in the Big Woods”, set in the 1800s, Laura Ingalls … Continue reading →

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Curiosity Kills

Posted on December 30, 2011 by Betsy

This is the winning entry from the November Aspiring Writers Competition. The constraints were, genre:Murder Mystery, theme: Thanksgiving, focus: Body in a Closet, limit: 715 words. The year’s winners will be published in an anthology by Lebrary. When I found out … Continue reading →

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Colin’s Crossing

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Betsy

This piece won 2nd place in the September Flash Fiction contest in LinkedIn’s Aspiring Writers group, with the paramenters: Historical Fiction, theme: Coming to America, Focus: Uncle Ed’s Store, word limit: 715. Colin huddled into the smallest ball possible and snuffled … Continue reading →

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Father’s Day at the Beach

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Betsy

Flash fiction challenge–genre: humor, theme: Father’s Day at the Beach, Focus: a purple turtle, limit: 715 words (won first place) My folks always seemed very conservative to me, so it was a shock when I hit thirty and they declared … Continue reading →

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Games

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Betsy

This piece was written for a short story contest with the following constraints: max 715 words, genre – Suspense, theme – Family Reunion,  focus – a red scarf. It won first place. Cousin Katy was different from the rest of our … Continue reading →

Posted in Flash Fiction | 4 Comments