Recently I was talking with some writer buddies about flash fiction. One complaint they both voiced was that flash often resembled a game too much--like you have to dupe the reader throughout the piece and then have an "ah-ha!" reveal with the last line. This certainly isn't always the case, but I basically agreed with them. If flash (or at least much of the flash being published) has a fatal flaw, it is its reliance on a twist at the end to make the piece work.
That's why I found at Keri Clark's wicked little story up at Flash Me Magazine, titled Star Light, Star Bright, to be so refreshing. Clark manages to create a satisfying ending without ever resorting to a con. The action centers on the interrogation of a girl whose father has just been murdered. The girl, who is also Clark's narrator, is super smart, yet believable and unique. The exchange between her and the cop is snappy, and Clark provides just the right amount of detail to make the story work.
It's also great to see a web site that publishes several different genres--and pays its writers. Flash Me is open to submissions until Aug. 31 for a science fiction/horror/fantasy issue coming out in the fall.
I can't tell you how thrilled I am that you enjoyed the story!
ReplyDeleteFMM is a great (paying) market for flash--which isn't easy to find. It's too bad they're going on hiatus after the next issue, but as you noted, they're open to subs until Aug. 31.
Thanks for the lovely and thoughtful review.
No problem, Keri. I'll definitely be on the lookout for your work in the future.
ReplyDeleteWow. Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteI found your blog from a random Facebook post, but I'll definitely be back. And I'll be looking for more from Keri Clark, too! :)
Thanks for the kind words, Steve! Means a lot coming from a fellow writer.
ReplyDelete