What is Flash Nonfiction?

When I think of the word flash, I think about a bright light sparking for a quick instant of time. When I think of the world nonfiction, I think about biographies, almanacs, journals, diaries, documentaries, and scientific papers. If I put these two words together, I immediately think that flash nonfiction is a brief type of nonfiction but what exactly is flash nonfiction? What makes up flash nonfiction? Where and how did it originate? How does it compare to other types of nonfiction? And, where can I find more? After reading The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction: Advice and Essential Exercises from Respected Writers, Editors, and Teachers edited by Dinty W. Moore, those lingering questions involving flash nonfiction can be touched upon.

Define Flash Nonfiction’s Distinguishing Characteristics

Defining flash nonfiction can be very difficult because “literary writing is an art form, and no one definition can ever successfully pin down artistic production or product” (Moore XXIII). Therefore, in order to identify flash nonfiction, distinguishing characteristics must be highlighted. “Some components are truly unique – for instance, the extreme concision – while others – voice, point-of-view, structure – are familiar from other forms of literary nonfiction but often function differently” (Moore XXIV).

The brevity of flash nonfiction is a characteristic of flash nonfiction, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that it sets flash nonfiction aside from others. How a writer uses his briefness within the story is. Because it is short, the writer must illuminate the reader, and get the reader to feel. Therefore, word choice is so important in flash nonfiction because you have such a minute number ...

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.... Ed. Dinty W. Moore. Brookline: Rose Metal Press, 2012. 82-85. Print.

Silverman, Sue Wiliam. “Writing Through Innocence and Experience: Voices in Flash Fiction.” The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction: Advice and Essential Exercises from Respected Writers, Editors, and Teachers. Ed. Dinty W. Moore. Brookline: Rose Metal Press, 2012. 70-75. Print.

Sinor, Jennifer. “Crafting Voice.” The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction: Advice and Essential Exercises from Respected Writers, Editors, and Teachers. Ed. Dinty W. Moore. Brookline: Rose Metal Press, 2012. 57-63. Print.

Sukrungruang, Ira. “Bye-Bye, I, and Hello, You.” The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction: Advice and Essential Exercises from Respected Writers, Editors, and Teachers. Ed. Dinty W. Moore. Brookline: Rose Metal Press, 2012. 93-99. Print.