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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Writing, Creativity and Flash Fiction

I've never considered myself a very creative person. I've always been a detailed analytical person, thinking/working/reacting with the non-creative side of the brain. This worked out very well in an IT career, and even translated well into non-fiction freelance writing.

Both my daughters are creative; photography, poetry, writing, crafts, art. They have the gifts...they must have gotten it from their fathers, certainly not from me.

There are days that I wonder why I think I can write fiction, days where I really think I should just quit and go back to being a voracious reader. These days usually happen after reading the writing of others. My brilliant writing friends who turn words into a mellifluous flow that fires the mind and ignites the spirit.

Flash fiction has been helping me find my creative center. Every time I write something that starts out sweet and turns dark, I know I've been tapping a hidden creative core. A core that I hope will continue to be exposed, regardless of how vulnerable it makes me feel. I don't know where the stories come from, and I'm not always pleased with them, but at times I surprise myself and I really what I've written.

My favorite flash fiction prompt sites are listed below. The first is my sister site, Write 4 Ten where you can find a daily (M-F) word prompt for ten minutes of writing. The next is Lillie McFerrin's Five Sentence Fiction, one of the first flash fiction sites I found and wrote for. Next is Angela Goff's Visual Dare at Anonymous Legacy, a site I've only found recently. Finally, Sweet Banana Ink where you'll find a multitude of flash fiction to read as well as a spot to write. Click the logos to visit the sites.

Write4Ten
    Five Sentence FictionAnonymous LegacySweet Banana Ink

9 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for the Sweet Banana Ink shout out, Donna!! <3

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  2. Its strange, I was never called the creative child, yet people seem to have a belief in my writing skills when they have never read a word. Only you really know whats inside :)

    Dont compare yourself, we dont need two writers who are the same.

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  3. I think every writer feels like that sometimes, I know I certainly do! I never thought of myself as creative either, but I do like some of the writing I come out with. I always enjoy your writing, too :)

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  4. You're always so supportive of other writers and writing sites, Donna :)) I don't think of myself as creative either (though I can certainly tell you I'm not detail oriented!).

    My stories and writing come from the interactions I've had over the years. I remember people and their experiences, the secrets they've told me. These conversations will become the stories I write (confidentiality always protected of course). So my writing doesn't come from being creative, it comes from a wide variety of experiences with a wide variety of people.

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  5. I greatly enjoy your flash fiction. I'm hoping someday you will compile it into an eBook that I can read in bits when I have just a moment or two here and there. Your stories always wake up my mind and there are certainly times when that needs doing.

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  6. I just got the proof in the mail for my newest book and Believe it or not Donna, I feel the same way when it comes to my writing. We all have doubts. Hang in there. You're doing great!

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  7. I think as writers we all have doubts about our writing. I never thought of myself as creative either. I didn't decide I "could" be a writer until late in life. I've never tried flash fiction. I think I'm going to try one of those sites. Who knows, it may spark a story. :-).

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  8. Thanks for all your comments...nice to find out that I'm not the only one. Lyric, welcome to another late in life writer!

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  9. I am glad I am not the only one who has everything go dark on me...

    I have no idea why... maybe I am a dark sided person..x

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