Flash fiction as a distinct literary form: some thoughts on time, space, and context

ROCHE-JACQUES, Shelley (2024). Flash fiction as a distinct literary form: some thoughts on time, space, and context. New Writing.

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Abstract

This article combines a craft-focused approach with a stylistics perspective to consider the ways in which flash fiction may be said to operate as a unique literary form. In the opening section flash fiction is defined in relation to what are usually seen as its two closest literary companions: prose poetry and the short story. This is followed by an introduction to the linguistic phenomenon known as deixis, and to related concepts from the field of Narratology. These ideas are subsequently illustrated and explored through the close analysis of several short texts and used to uncover what might be considered the defining features of the form. The earlier taxonomic approach of William Nelles is also evaluated in the light of more recent creative practice. The article concludes by arguing that the mobilisation of a story world is a necessary requirement for a text to be classified as flash fiction, by highlighting the importance of deft manipulation of deictic elements, and finally by suggesting that the unique communicative context evoked by flash fiction has significant implications for its interpretation.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy; 1904 Performing Arts and Creative Writing; 2005 Literary Studies; 3602 Creative and professional writing; 3901 Curriculum and pedagogy; 4705 Literary studies
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1080/14790726.2023.2293767
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic Elements
Depositing User:	Symplectic Elements
Date Deposited:	29 Jan 2024 16:57
Last Modified:	29 Jan 2024 17:00
URI:	https://shura.shu.ac.uk/id/eprint/33100

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