Flash fiction and microfiction are small miracles of the writer’s craft, employing the basic literary elements (such as character, plot, point of view, etc.) to create compressed and emotionally-charged stories that offer the reader the same sense of completion and satisfaction as much longer works. 

The focus of this four-session writing workshop series will be writing both flash fiction (stories under 1,000 words) and its diminutive sibling, microfiction (stories that max out at 400-500 words). We’ll start things off reading first-rate examples, discussing the writers’ artistic choices and their impact on the reader. From there we’ll do some in-class writing, sharing our preliminary jottings with the group. Successive meetings will consist of workshopping drafts of our flash and micro stories with an eye on revision and eventual publication.

Writers of all experience levels are welcome. Sessions will take place on March 30, April 6, April 20, and April 27. Attendance at all four sessions is strongly encouraged. Participants also will be encouraged to read their completed work at an upcoming Words on Fire Open Mic.

Free and open to the public. Space is limited and registration is required. Register below or contact the library for assistance. Register once for all four workshop sessions. 

Presenter Ira Schaeffer is a long-time poet and resident of Rhode Island, who has been widely published in a variety of print and e-publications. A former CCRI English Professor, Ira continues to share his love of the written word by leading workshops in local libraries and centers for lifelong learning.