How to Write a Really Really Short Story

About a month ago I came across a ‘how-to’ idea for writing short, short fiction, sometimes called ‘flash fiction.’ I was too busy then to pay much attention to it, but it hung itself up on a hook in the back of my brain, ready for me to take it down when the time came. And tonight, as I write this, I remember the idea, but not where it came from. I’ve looked all over the internet, and can’t find the reference to the person who came up with it. (So, if you know where this idea came from let me know! I like to give credit where credit is due.)

But here it is: you begin by writing the climactic scene, and then you work back from there to the beginning little by little. What an intriguing idea, I thought. Someday, I’m going to try that!

I guess the reason I am so interested in writing short is that I just finished a long. Eight days ago I typed The End on a book manuscript that has been haunting me for - no joke - six years. I sent it to my agent with a great sigh of relief. But to be fair, during that time, I also wrote six books for Harlequin. But even through the writing of all of then, the idea for this mystery series was simmering in my imagination. So, it was with great relief that I finished it. (It had been one of my New Year’s Resolutions!)

I took last week off. And for a week I did no writing. I just read. Sometimes we writers just need to fill the well. Partway through the week I took 'the idea’ down from the coat hook. It might be fun to write a book from back to front. I always write mine from front to back, and usually don’t even know who the murderer is until the second to the last chapter. And that’s a scary place to be.

I like reading short stories. I also like writing them and have had several published in anthologies and more online as eBooks, but I’ve never written a story back to front. I’d be interested in your experiences. Do you write stories from the beginning to the end? Or do you write the climax first and then work back from there? What works?

Here are a few links on writing short fiction:

Link 1

Link 2

Do Mission Statements Change?

Instead of posting here today I would like to direct you over to The Word Guild site where I am posting in the subject of - Do Mission Statements Change? This is a posting that I've worked on for a long time. It represents a change of direction for me, one that I have undertaken not without a lot of thought and prayer.


I'm moving my writing into the general mystery market after having written 18 books for the Christian book market. Why the change? Well, that blog explains why. So, if you have comments, I'd love for you to comment over there.


Thank you so much!

My Relationship with Goodreads

I'm an author and I love Goodreads.  I love it for two  reasons. The first is that it's a wonderful place for me to track my own reading. A long time ago, back in the era of paper, I kept track of the  books I read in a little notebook. I gave them  ratings from 1 to 10. Now, however, I use Goodreads for that same purpose.  And I can share these with my friends.

The second reason I love Goodreads is for the “recommendations.” Once you've reviewed twenty books you get to see a huge list of the types of book you like to read.  I have found many wonderful new mystery and thriller authors this way.

Some authors shun Goodreads because of the reviews they may have gotten on the site. And I've gotten my share of two star reviews–ugh!  And it's never pleasant. But my advice is to use this wonderful site as a personal reading tool, a personal tool for sharing with your friends the books you have read and enjoyed.

A gift for Friday the 13th

Because of this auspicious occasion - the 13th of Friday - I'm making one of my best selling novels free for your Kindle! Just go here.

STEAL AWAY was originally published by Multnomah Books. I am so pleased now to offer it as an eBook. It was shortlisted both for a Christy and a Daphne. I hope you enjoy it!

A year ago I thought eReading devices were the dumbest things going. The book itself, the print version, the binding, the pages that turn - whats wrong with that perfectly good technology? And then I got a Kobo Touch for Christmas. And now there is no going back for me. It's featherweight. I can read it in bed without getting shoulder aches, and can adjust the print size for these old eyes of mine.

As for Kindle books, I read them on my iPhone, which is also wonderful. There are so many times I'm stuck in traffic, or stuck in a line in the bank or post office, and can whip out my iPhone and read a chapter or two.

The only thing I don't like? I haven't taken my Kobo into the bathtub with me. Also, the beach. Do you just leave your Kobo or Kindle on the sand when you go in for s swim? I can leave beach books on the sand without a thought. Since I haven't had a Kobo in the summer yet, it remains to be seen what I finally end up doing.

Cheers -