Write the Flash in Flash Fiction Writing
International Amazon Bestselling Author Kelly Watt
Cost $125
Time: 1pm-5pm
Workshop Description:
Writing the Flash in Flash Fiction
Flash is sometimes called minimalist fiction or flash poetry and is often defined as a fictional work of radical brevity, that still contains character and story. Flash has become a popular form because of its ability to convey deep truths and universal emotions through poetic metaphor in a few words. Flash poetry or prose pieces can range anywhere from a few lines to a page, but they’re always brief, and usually contain a twist or surprise or personal epiphany toward the end. But how do you write them?
In this workshop, Kelly will present participants with some of the best in flash fiction in the last year as inspiration. (Her own piece, Next Exit was nominated for a best of anthology (2022) by Birch Bark Editing.) Participants will practice fun, writing prompts, and learn skills like clustering to stimulate metaphor, finally, creating a flash piece of their own. What new tools will participants come away with? How to tell a story in 20 words. How to tap into wild, fun poetic metaphor as a language. How to dive deep through the senses. How to make room for crazy surprises in writing and what they tell you about your deepest desires. There will be time to rewrite and edit, and practice reading work out loud. (The skills learned here are applicable to all types of writing.) This will be a positive, exploratory, safe and friendly workshop, only constructive critiques allowed. The class will conclude with a list of places to send your flash fiction pieces for publication, and suggestions of flash anthologies to read and enjoy.
Meet Kelly Watt
Kelly Watt’s gritty collection of flash prose and poetry, The Weeping Degree: How Astrology Saved Me From Suicide, was published by Wild Rising Press and became an international Amazon bestseller in August, 2024. The book explores how a wound can transform through time into a gift. Her short fiction and nonfiction have been published internationally, anthologized, and longlisted four times in national CBC contests. Watt has published two books—the gothic novel Mad Dog (2001/2019), which was a Globe and Mail notable book after initial publication, and the mini travel companion Camino Meditations (2014).
Watt has been accredited to run writing circles for youth and adults through the respected Writers' College of Durham Region, WCDR. She taught The Art of The Short Story at the University of Toronto's Continuing Studies Program, Fall 2000 and Spring 2001. Also, Watt is an EFT International level two tapping instructor, and a certified meditation teacher in the Naturality School, which focuses on the neuroscience of mindfulness. She incorporates these tools into her teaching around creativity. You can find out more about her on Facebook and Instagram @kellywattauthor and at www.kellywatt.ca
