If you think that Friday Fictioneers is just a diversion for those who have nothing better to do, read this by Louise Jensen.
When I started writing in earnest two years ago I created this blog and stumbled across a weekly flash fiction challenge called Friday Fictioneers. A photo would be posted each week and participants were invited to use the prompt to create a hundred word story.
It sounded fun and a good way to kick off my blog. Writing the first story was difficult. It took me ages to edit it down to 100 words. It was nerve wracking sending my first story out into the world but if I’m honest, I didn’t expect anyone to read it, but read it they did. I was enveloped into a supportive writing community who have critiqued with kindness, encouraged and soothed every step of the way on my journey to publication, commiserating with every rejection and celebrating my first two novels hitting No. 1 on Amazon. I am so grateful to those bloggers…
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Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
This is so inspring. Specially to the likes of me, the aspiring ones.
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Dear Tamal,
We all have to start somewhere. Happy this inspired. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is wonderful Rochelle and you and Louise are so right. When people ask why I ‘waste’ my time writing flash, I have to pull them up sharp – writing prompts (and especially Fictioneers) has been the best place to learn economy of language, how to create atmosphere, tone and a plot in 100 words. And the community here is the best around – so supportive and giving. A wonderful place to learn and to read great flash fiction too. I wouldn’t be without it 🙂
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“Economy of words” – that’s a perfect description of what this exercise does. It tightened up my writing, making me a better verbal communicator as well. Talk may be cheap, but the wrong word choice will cost ya.
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Dear Lynn and Honie,
Economy of words…that’s the phrase I was groping for. 😉 I noticed a change in my writing once I became involved with Friday Fictioneers. I had to keep it going when the originator stepped down four years ago. I’ve never regretted my decision.
Note- when pitching to agent or publisher this is a great exercise for learning how to write a synopsis. 😉
Thank you both for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Absolutely! Ir’s brilliant training, isn’t it? And write enough flash and that economy becomes second nature – well, ish 🙂
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Whenever I write I chant your mantra – Make each word count. I have learned so much and had so much fun penning for Friday Fictioneers that I am almost obsessive about participating in it. So thank you Rochelle 🙂
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Dear Dahlia,
I’m so pleased you share my obsession. Thank you for your encouraging words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I didn’t think I could tell a story in just 100 words. Turns out I can. Not just that, I am enjoying it. The trick for me is to write the last line first, everything else then fall into place.
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Dear Bridget,
I often have the last line come to mind first. For someone who didn’t think she could tell a story in a hundred words, I’d say you’ve learned differently. Glad you’re a part of us.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This community is the very best! I never thought I could write a story, never mind a 100-word one. You definitely do learn how to get rid of the fluff (maybe some Russian writers would have benefited from participating in such a group? 😉 )
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Dear Dale,
See how wrong you were? Many thanks to Sarah Potter for showing you the way. 😉 Not only have I met two wonderful writers, I’ve gained two good friends as well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I do acknowledge and am oh so grateful!
Hugs!
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Sometimes, the end prize is not how successful we are, but how successful others have become through you. Just a random thought.
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A very good thought. Thank you, M’Luv. ❤
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I’m relatively new to the FF group, as you know, but already I love it and can see a new sharpness in my longer works that I am thanking flash fiction for. Plus, the community is just lovely 🙂
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Dear Louise,
I, too, noticed almost immediately, the difference this exercise made in my writing. I will forever be grateful to Madison Woods and those who were here before I took it on. The community is what made it for me. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you SOOOOOOO much for sharing that there is a path from flash to a novel. I had fears that my enjoyment of flash might compel me to stay in one spot and not be encouraged to venture out farther. THANK YOU!
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Dear Roger,
You are SOOOOOOO welcome! 😉 I have over 100 stories in my flash fiction queue. Nothing is wasted. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I just love the things I am learning and love the people that I am meeting in this community.
Rochelle, you are truly an inspiration to us all.
– Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
Thank you for such wonderfully encouraging words. This is a wonderful community and I’m privileged to ‘lead’ it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve always felt that Friday Fictioneers was a great experience for me as a writer; some things I’ve written for it, including things I’ve written but not posted, have not only boosted my confidence but thanks to the succinctness of the form and having a visual prompt, I have been forced to write better, faster, briefer. I owe at least a part of my (modest!) success in flash fiction and short fiction publishing to Rochelle and the Friday Fictioneers experience, including my fellow authors’ writings. In short, I believe you take away from FF what you need to take away. And, for me, I needed that sort of mentorship. Thank you, Rochelle and FF!
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Dear Leigh,
Your words warm me on a frigid day. I’ve always felt that writing flash fiction has caused me to tighten my writing. I was an addict from my first hundred words five years ago. Not just because of the writing but because of the welcoming community as well. No regrets. Blogs like Louise’s and comments like yours assure me that I did the right thing at the right time.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful outcome. I meant to join more than a year ago, but I don’t because I I can’t keep up with my posts or other’s blogs. Maybe one day…
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Dear Hilary,
You’ve had a lot on your plate these days. Meanwhile, I’ll keep the light on for you. 🙂
Thank you for your frequent visits and reading my book(s?)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Friday Fictioneers definitely helped me sharpen my prose. Plus I love the feedback, who doesn’t? We, writers live for feedback, or even just a reader or two. 😉
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Dear Fatima,
As one FF’r put it, ‘comments are as manna to the writer.’ I agree with him. I’m something of a comment junkie myself. I’ve seen over the years what writing flash fiction has done for me a writer. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful post. I’m actually reading The Sister right now! I’ve been writing flash fiction for about two years and it’s definitely helped me to write better novels.
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Dear Luccia,
I’m also reading The Sister. I agree…writing flash fiction teaches us how to conserve words. It’s amazing how much stronger a piece can be without a bumper crop of adverbs, adjectives and passive voice.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So true, Rochelle. The trouble is, it’s hard to keep the intensity and conciseness for a whole novel, and it might be overwhelming for readers, but it certainly makes you think about every single word on your page. Thanks, Lucy.
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