Let’s chat about flash fiction! Today’s Question: What’s the difference between flash fiction and a prose poem?

P.S. Send me a future question at nancystohlman@gmail.com

Thanks to everyone at Flash Frontier for including me in your new author reading series!

And thanks to Randall Brown and Matter Press for publishing this story originally.

Read original here

Happy Summer, friends!

Summer is my absolute favorite time of year (I’m a summer baby), so even though the world is strange, I’m finding lots of joy in not wearing shoes, or sweaters, eating lots of Popsicles, drinking iced coffee, journaling on my balcony in the soft summer mornings and reading long into the evening. I hope you’re finding this season more gentle and inspiring than the last!

And this time each year I usually write about my own summer reading. In the past I’ve shared my favorite summer rereads as well as my thoughts behind having a reading syllabus, among others.

This summer I’m thinking about craft books (in anticipation of my own, Going Short: An Invitation to Flash Fiction, coming out this fall). And thinking about craft books has me thinking about the ones that have had big influences on my writing and creative practices, particularly those favorites on my shelves that I have read many, many times over the years.

So while this list isn’t meant to be comprehensive (I’ve read many other craft books that aren’t on this list!), here are my favorites:

On Creativity in General

The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
I LOVE this book. It’s not writing specific but instead addresses the “battle” of the creator (you) against the “enemy”: resistance. I also love his micro chapters and was very inspired by his format when writing my own book.

The Artists Way by Julia Cameron
If one book put me on the path to taking myself seriously as a writer, it was this one. I first read it in 1995 (I’ve revisited it many, many times) and never looked back. Structured like a 12-week DIY creative recovery program, Cameron addresses common blocks and fears, and her two main tools of recovery–morning pages and artist’s dates—I’ve now been doing for 25 years.

On Writing Specifically

Sin and Syntax by Constance Hale
I was first assigned this book as an undergrad, then again as a grad student, and I’ve been recommending it to my own students for years. Again, this is not going to teach you how to write, but it invites you on a stylish, esoteric meditation into the glory of words and sentences themselves.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
A classic. I love her snarky humor and the way she doesn’t take herself too seriously or make her writing too precious. Her opening chapter, Shitty First Drafts, is required reading for all my college students. She addresses both technique and other writing life stumbling blocks like jealousy and fear, and she ultimately reminds us that the writing always happens one step at a time, bird by bird.

Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury
This book is a collection of Bradbury’s essays about the writing (and overall creative) process as well as a glimpse into his world. Written at different times in his career, I especially like watching how certain themes show up over and over (and some interesting asides like the process of making a movie from one of his books).

Ernest Hemingway on Writing edited by Larry Phillips
This is another compilation of writing wisdoms, most of them culled from Hemingway’s personal letters and other correspondences. What I like about this book is the wisdoms are truly bite-sized and could serve almost as a daily inspiration book. And ya’ll know how much I love Papa.

Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg
This book is over 40 years old and I believe it’s truly timeless. In very short, often funny, and easily digestible chapters, Goldberg addresses both the micro: writing advice and specific exercises—as well as the macro: the big picture of “being a writer” and the trials of a writing life.

Becoming a Writer by Dorothea Brande
This book was initially published in 1934…and considering that 100 years ago women weren’t commonly regarded as authorities on writing, I find this book particularly unique. Brande doesn’t focus on technique but instead on creative mindset, self-commitment and personal “guts”–she demystifies the fantasy but makes you want to begin writing now.

The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
This slim book is a long love letter to creativity. Reading it, you feel let into Dillard’s personal process and conspiratorial details as well as feeling validated about the love, hate, and love of writing.

On Writing by Stephen King
Another classic, King’s book is half writing advice and half personal memoir of his life as a writer, but he somehow blends these two seamlessly. What I love is that in true King fashion, this book is still a page turner—his signature storytelling skills at play even in nonfiction.

On Writing Flash Fiction Specifically

A Pocket Guide to Flash Fiction by Randall Brown
A veteran of flash and long time teacher, Brown’s little book is a back pocket gem and a DIY for flash writers and the flash-curious. A inspiration to me, this book is a great primer for those wanting to cross over to flash fiction as well as great writing advice for all writers.

Brevity: A Flash Fiction Handbook by David Galef
Another flash specific book, Galef’s book brings lots of examples and exercises to the discussion, so this is the perfect DIY and/or teaching text for those who want more guidance through the many exciting ways flash fiction stories can manifest.

What are your favorite craft books not on this list?

And I’m so glad my book will be joining the ranks of these and other great craft books this fall! Pre-orders will be available later this summer/early fall—make sure you’re on my mailing list (or forward to others) to get the first announcements!

xoxo

Nancy

P.S. Can’t wait that long? I ran a “preview” generative online workshop using chapters of the book in June, and it was a full house and so much fun! So I’m running it again at the end of July: come write with us!

Going Short: An Invitation to Flash Fiction

July 27-31, 2020

FIND OUT MORE

Questions? Feel free to contact me at nancystohlman@gmail.com

**In solidarity with Corona-craziness, I will continue to offer (limited) discounts on all my classes this summer.

Going Short: An Invitation to Flash Fiction Workshop

July 27-31, 2020

SOLD OUT–Stay tuned for future workshops!

In celebration of what would have been the release of my new book, Going Short: An Invitation to Flash Fiction (forthcoming from Ad Hoc Fiction, stay tuned!), I’m running the workshop that started it all (beginning in 2013!)

This 5-day generative class will use chapters from Going Short to examine the fundamentals of flash, try a variety of approaches to the compressed narrative, discuss what makes successful flash, and generate your own original flash pieces.

This course is open to writers with all levels of experience in the form, whether you are brand new to flash fiction, a writer coming from other genres, or a veteran flasher looking for a dose of inspiration and some writing camaraderie.

More info or register here

Questions? Feel free to contact me at nancystohlman@gmail.com

“I had so much fun in Nancy Stohlman’s Going Short workshop. She shared new ideas and resources that helped me refocus a floundering story, and inspired a new story that went in a direction I never would have predicted — a great surprise! I appreciated her intuitive understanding of the quirky sort of stories I want to tell. More importantly, I valued her encouragement to keep going, even with the crazy ones. I think everyone in the group felt energized by the positive environment. I was struck by the number of fantastic pieces posted throughout the week. I’ll definitely sign up for another workshop with Nancy soon.” ~Myna Chang

“It is always an honor to take one of Nancy Stohlman’s classes. There is always incredible value and learning whether it is a generative or editing course. Nancy’s teaching is always fresh and the addition of content and videos to this class were especially pleasing. The comments from Nancy are always positive, constructive, and expert level. The way she writes gives me thrill every time. The caliber of writers in the classes is consistently top-notch so those comments are amazing as well. In Nancy’s classes a community built in a short time which is an additional special component to her courses. I will continue to take her classes as long as she offers them.” ~Tammy L. Breitweiser

I had a wonderful time in Nancy’s Going Short class and learned a lot. Walked away with five drafts and the feedback I needed for revision. Best of all was the generous, wise, and talented counself of Nancy Stohlman! Whether you are new to flash or an old hand, do yourself a favor and GET IN THERE.  As a Mother’s Day gift to myself, I turned to Nancy for editorial help with several drafts. She calls her response a “quick edit,” but instead I received a thoughtful, meaningful response that helped me to re-experience the stories and turbo charge the work. A wonderful and affordable way to invest in yourself. ~Patricia Bidar

“I feel very lucky to have taken three of Nancy’s workshops. They have all been fantastic and exceeded my expectations. Not only are they well-organized and in-depth, but Nancy has a knack for making course material accessible in a way that also reaches beyond writing at times, pulling examples from other mediums to bring a point across in a different way. No one else does that, and I love it! The classes have introduced me to some of my new favorite authors and ways of approaching stories that I’ve not encountered anywhere else. These courses have stretched my skills and my writing has only grown stronger as a result. My only wish is that there were more of them on offer.” ~ Sara Hill

“I am always blown away by Nancy’s insights, comments and concrete suggestions and the deep attention given to each piece by the other writers. Of all the real life and online workshops I have participated in, Stohlman Workshops have provided me with the best critique, guidance and greatest sense of connectedness, albeit brief, to other writers. The materials are organized, clear and interesting. Nancy’s expertise as an instructor, editor and writer are greatly appreciated. I am challenged but never intimidated. Nancy embodies what it means to be a great teacher: she remembers what it was like not to know how, breaks the objective down into manageable lessons, gently guides and raucously encourages every success.”~Katherine Beck