Meet Mark. Your Instructor.
We Feel Your Pain
As writers, we understand your frustrations.
- Do you feel frustrated when you get a rejection without explanation?
- Do you sometimes lack confidence in your writing and feel like a fraud?
- Do you wonder if your stories are resonating with readers and having an emotional impact?
- Is your inner critic convinced that no one will like your writing?
- Are you mystified by what editors want and how to get their attention?
- Do you want to improve your chances of getting published?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions…then this course is for you.
Without feedback and instruction from experienced writers and editors, your progress will be slow and frustrating.
Most writers will continue what they are doing and hope they improve organically over time.
We believe the best writing tip you will ever hear is—
“Write every day!”
—and we will go to our graves preaching that.
But when you are sitting alone in front of your computer without any help, writing becomes a guessing game, and the answers elude you.
It feels a little like this…
And It’s easy to think about giving up when:
- The rejection letters continue to fill your inbox.
- You don’t have confidence in your writing.
- And it get’s harder and harder to sit down to write when you get rejected all the time.
But if you give up, your hopes of having your stories read vanish completely.
The last thing you want is to be stuck daydreaming about being a writer at your day job.
How We Can Help You
We understand your frustration, because we are writers just like you.
We know what it’s like to get a rejection with no explanation.
We have felt the blow to our confidence.
We have had those “I suck at writing” days.
But…
We are also editors, so we understand what happens after you submit your story.
- We know the common reasons why stories get rejected.
- We know what mistakes to avoid.
- We know how to improve your story and give it a fighting chance.
Feedback is critical when learning any skill, especially writing.
Without someone to guide you:
- You will make the same mistakes over and over again.
- You will be blind to your weaknesses and develop bad habits.
- Most frustrating of all: You will keep getting rejected without any insight on how to improve.
Our course will take you through the entire process of building a story: from idea creation all the way to submitting your story.
But instruction in only part of the process.
The best way to improve your writing quickly is to know your strengths and weaknesses.
The only way to learn what they are, is by having an editor review your work and give you the one-on-one attention you need to improve.
We have the experience to recognize where you need improvement.
- Our editors have read and edited thousands of stories and are familiar with common mistakes.
- They will read your story with fresh eyes and find the flaws.
- They will identify your weaknesses and offer suggestions about what you should be focusing on.
Course Outline
The instruction portion of our course consists of 3 modules with 9 lectures in each module.
At the end of each module you will be given a writing prompt to practice what you have learned.
Module 1
Getting Started
To start, we will explore the beginning stages of the writing process and how they can be applied to writing flash fiction. We’ll discuss the importance of establishing a regular writing habit as well as how to begin reading as writers. For beginners, these initial steps will help guide you toward creating usable material. For more seasoned writers, here you may find fresh takes on generating more work. Key points will cover the following:
- Generating Ideas
- Freewriting Drafts
- Best Writing and Reading Strategies
Point of View
Next, we’ll look at point of view as a determining factor in effective flash fiction writing. We’ll look at a few examples of different approaches to learn, explore, and begin to understand how making deliberate narrative choices can shift the overall effect of flash fiction writing. Key points will cover the following:
- Voice and Tone
- First, Second, and Third Person Narration
Scene and Summary
Like point of view, working with setting in flash fiction writing determines a story’s effectiveness. From size and scope to handling time in flash fiction, we’ll explore some of the best tactics for keeping readers engaged. Key points will cover the following:
- Setting and Atmosphere
- Narrative Time in Flash Fiction
- Using Significant, Sensory Detail
Writing Prompt
Mark will discuss the writing prompt in the handout.
Module 2
Plot
Module 2 will commence with an exploration of plot and action in flash fiction writing. From external to internal, we’ll examine the artful importance of tension and release to create the feeling of a complete story. Key points will cover the following:
- Story and Plot
- Conflict, Crisis, and Resolution
- Description and Action
Characterization
After plot, we’ll delve into what makes (and breaks) great characters in flash fiction writing. We’ll look at examples of effective character description and dialogue, demonstrating how best to populate and communicate in a great flash fiction story. Key points will cover the following:
- Desire, Internal Conflict, and External Conflict
- Characterizing Detail and Action
- Dialogue
Literary Devices
The final section of Day 2 will consist of taking a closer look at those elusive craft strategies lurking beneath the surface of great flash fiction writing. We’ll investigate the subtle art of suggestion to create flash fiction that not only entertains but resonates. Key points will cover the following:
- Theme, Meaning, and Interpretation
- Subtext
- Irony
- Other Literary Devices
Writing Prompt
Mark will discuss the writing prompt in the handout.
Module 3
Beginnings and Endings
Module 3 will start off by studying the important and deliberate power of writing effective beginnings and endings in flash fiction. We’ll also consider the usefulness in finding the right title to not only grab a reader’s attention but to navigate expectations. Key points will cover the following:
- First lines
- Last lines
- Titles
Mechanics
From there, we’ll review flash fiction writing at the sentence level, considering how word choice and syntax choices can affect readability. We’ll also touch upon the essential and often overlooked importance of using standard and correct punctuation and grammar. Key points will cover the following:
- Verbs, Adverbs, and Adjectives
- Rhythm and Sentence Variety
- Punctuation and Grammar
Publication 101
Lastly, we’ll explore some strategies pertaining to the final stages of the writing process. For those interested in publication, we’ll cover navigating the vast universe of literary journals and magazines, and go over the basics for writing an effective, professional bio. Key points will cover the following:
- Revising, Editing, and Proofreading Strategies
- Submitting Work for Publication
- Writing Bios and Cover Letters
- Submitting Work for Publication Checklist
- Top 10 Reasons Stories Get Rejected
Course Testimonials
Read what a few of our students have to say...
“I am very pleased with the Flash Fiction course. I’ve learned so much. For example, I finally understand the difference between story and plot, as well as the four kinds of subtext. This information was more than what was offered at my creative writing program at my local university. Mark Anderson is a great instructor, too. I highly recommend it.”
—June Rogers
"Enrolling in the How to Write Flash Fiction with Skill course was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The video lessons exposed me to story elements and writing techniques I was never aware of."
"There were great writing prompts and brain-clobbering exercises that helped me significantly improve my craft, and excellent bonuses, too. My favorite part of the course was submitting for editorial feedback and workshopping my stories with the fantastic Flash Fiction Masters Facebook group."
"With the help and guidance of Mark, I have become a professional author. I recommend this course to all writers."
—Jake T.S. Wryte
"I have to tell you that I really enjoyed the class. The depth of content was impressive and really left no stone unturned. The writing prompts were excellent and not some cheesy things you could knock out in a few minutes. They were complex, fun to do, required commitment, effort, and time, to do them justice."
"The videos that Mark presented were all exceptionally well done. They were easy to understand and didn’t move so fast that it was hard to keep up. The summary and PDF handouts were a nice compliment to the videos."
"All in all a great learning experience. It will take some time for me to digest, and fully apply all of the information. I have organized my notes and class materials into a book that I will use as an instructional reference for years to come."
—Jim Byrnes
"It's one of the most comprehensive courses I've taken online, covering so much about writing. A great advantage is access after you're done. The structure is such that you can easily choose to review certain segments any time. In addition, having real examples cited for illustration makes so many of the points clearer."
—Edward Kratz
"I am enjoying the course, I really like the 3-4 modules (20-30 min classes) that are available each day, perfect amount of information to learn and apply. I am also reading the Flash Fiction Magazine - Issue 1-3, which has been a terrific supplement to the lessons. So many amazing stories, each with a unique voice that illustrates the way each lesson builds on itself in order to create a most memorable experience for the reader. I am both humbled by the talents of the flash fiction writers, and hopeful that I may be able to improve my skill set through this class and Mark's instruction."
—Kimberly Gutierrez
The fastest way to improve your writing is to practice and get feedback from an experienced editor.
It's time to take what you have learned, write a story (300-1000 words), and submit it for feedback. One of our experienced flash fiction editors will read your story and identify the following:
- Strengths: They will identify where the story is strongest and most effective. Understanding what’s working in a story is key if only to reveal those areas that need little to no revision.
- Weaknesses: Then they will address elements of the story they think could be stronger. These will be as specific and concrete as possible for maximum effectiveness in the revision process.
- Revision Suggestions: Lastly, they will offer suggestions for revision and editing. Depending on the story, suggestions may range from larger structural considerations to sentence level edits.
Feedback Testimonials
Read what some of our students have to say about our feedback:
"Receiving feedback from and editing with flash fiction was the perfect introduction I needed to the editing process. Often, new things get built up in the mind to make it seem like this big scary thing, all for it to be utterly harmless and even enjoyable.
This was all that and more; I was nervous while hitting that Submit button, and every ounce disappeared when I read the feedback I was provided. The responses were a great blend of straightforward—being transparent about how aspects of my story felt—and guiding—letting me figure out how to adjust elements to make it a stronger story based on word limits.
I am going to carry this with me as a perfect introduction to revising stories, and a lesson that nothing is ever nearly as intimidating as the mind wants to portray it as. Yes, hard work is going into adjusting based on the comments, but it has been encouraging and exciting to unravel the puzzle of reworking my story based on the clever suggestions. For that, I'm very happy to have pursued this and thankful to my editor and FFM."
—Dana Daly
"I got much more value than I expected. I’ve written very little fiction, and my experiences with writers’ workshops and writers’ groups have been mixed. But Keely—wow, she really knows what she’s doing. She pointed out things about my story that I wouldn’t have seen on my own. Her suggestions were substantive, thoughtful, and spot on."
—Barbara
"I received feedback within days, which was impressive. I learned so much from the editor's comments and suggestions. His experience and expertise, applied to my story, was really helpful. What I learned from him I will also apply to future work."
—Jennifer Paquette
"It was a wonderful experience. My editor gave me perfect feedback. She was able to show me how the first half of my story was strong, but the second half of the story was too rushed and lacked the same detail and plot elements as the first half. With her advice and my revisions, I was able to complete a story I'm happy with. "
—Adam
"I was grateful for the helpful suggestions given by the editor, especially regarding tips on character growth in the piece. I liked that for major changes, the editor did not directly hand me the solution but only identified the area of improvement, giving me the chance to explore solutions. Throughout the process, I learned what goes into making a reader connect with the characters.
The critique was of great help in improving the story and also imparted valuable lessons that I'll carry with me in my future writing."
—Deepti Nalavade Mahule
"My submission experience at Flash Fiction Magazine was fabulous. I have been exuberant with the whole experience, and I take every opportunity to promote your service to other writers who need that extra guidance in fine tuning their writing skills."
—Loucas Raptis
"The editors assigned my story were not only genuinely helpful, but also very kind. I even got a suggestion for a title, which was unexpected and one of those things that you might only see as handy in retrospect. You guys do very good work, send out positive vibes, which makes for a very chill, yet insightful experience. I would recommend the editing service to anyone who wants tips on a new style they want to try out (which was the case for me this time), anyone who feels stuck with a story, or anyone who writes really."
—Tamara Panici
"I received thoughtful, thus helpful feedback—not boilerplate 'junk.' I used it to re-work my pieces; more importantly, I used the feedback to think about my work and apply the feedback to works since."
—L.Woods
"I received very detailed and helpful editing recommendations that have definitely improved my submission. I’m still working on responding to the full list of possible improvements."
—Kaia Gallagher
"It’s been a truly revelatory experience! It’s remarkable that a couple of thoughtful editorial questions can alter what one expects of one’s work going forward. I’m grateful for the experience."
—Chris Ingram
"I am exceedingly pleased with the prompt and helpful suggestions. It is impressive that Flash Fiction Magazine offers this wonderful opportunity for a writer like me to improve and enhance my writing skills. Whatever the outcome, whether my story is accepted or not, I am so glad I have become a submitter to FFM and can learn and grow through your editorial services."
—Carol W. Blatter
Learn on Your Own Schedule
This is an online course consisting of video lectures. You can watch it at your leisure as many times as you want; you determine the schedule and pace.
The scientific research is clear that students retain more information by taking notes and reviewing material multiple times.
Since you will own this course, you can review the lectures as many times as you need, and you will not have to worry about missing key information.
Lifetime Access to Course and all Future Updates
Once you buy the course, you will have access to it whenever you need it. You can even download all the lectures so that you have them on your computer for offline viewing.
You will also have access to any future updates at no charge.
A Built in Writing Community
Getting feedback on a story before submitting to publishers is a critical piece of the process that many writers ignore.
We know this because we get countless submissions that clearly have not been read by anyone other than the author.
Other than improving your writing skills, the single best way to improve your odds of getting published is to get feedback on your story before you submit it.
But who do you turn to for feedback? Even if your friends are honest, you can’t keep asking them.
That is why we built a writing community directly into our course.
Lifetime Access to Flash Fiction Masters Facebook Group
If you have ever been in a public Facebook group, you know that most members of the group are not active or just post when it benefits them. That is what happens when anyone can join the group.
The Flash Fiction Masters Facebook Group is only available to paying students which means the commitment level is far greater than a group anyone can join.
You will be a part of a community of writers that are on the same page and are willing to help.
Writing is a lonely endeavor. It’s nice to know that you have a community you can turn to for support.
- Get feedback or proofreading on your writing before submitting to publishers.
- Get a motivational boost when you are feeling frustrated.
- Learn from each other and share your publishing experiences.
NOTE: You do not need to be on Facebook to take this course. This is a bonus for those that wish to take advantage of it. A few have joined Facebook just for the group.
Flash Fiction Masters Testimonials
"The Flash Fiction Masters Facebook group is amazing!! It might sound cheesy, but for the first time in my life I feel like I'm exactly where I was always meant to be, and I finally got a fighting chance in life. As you can see, this kinda means a lot to me. And what's even better is that your magazine, 101 Words, is the first to have published my work and give me the opportunity to believe in myself when everything was stacked against me. So I kinda will remain a faithful follower and participant of 101 Words and Flash Fiction Magazine until the day I die."
—Jake Coetzee
"It's the best decision I've made...a safe supportive place for writers, new or not so new. And the best use of Facebook I've experienced. I was ready to drop Facebook just before I joined this group."
—Susan Wright
Lifetime Discount on Priority Submissions
Our course comes with one-on-one feedback, but what if you want feedback on stories in the future?
That is where our Priority Submission service comes in.
What are Priority Submissions?
When submitting to Flash Fiction Magazine, we offer a premium feedback service. This is the same kind of feedback you will get during the course:
- Customized feedback on your story from an experienced editor.
- Expedited turnaround time.
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to get quality feedback, so we are giving all students a lifetime coupon for $5 off our Priority Submission service.
Value = $5.00 Per Priority Submission
Flash Fiction Magazine - Issues 1-3 (eBook)
All students will receive a digital copy of Flash Fiction Magazine - Issues 1-3. Mark will be referencing stories from these books in the course.
Value = $6.99
Contest Invitations and Discounts
Members of Flash Fiction Masters are the first group to receive invitations to our exclusive writing contest. Members also get a $5 discount on all entries.
30 Day Money Back Guarantee
We are willing to take the risk for you.
We are confident you will have a positive learning experience, and we are willing to take the financial loss if you do not.
If you are not satisfied with the course OR THE FEEDBACK you receive, let us know, and we will refund all your money without hesitation.
Are you ready to improve your writing?
The choice is yours.
You have a choice to make: Take control of your writing journey and actively focus on what needs improvement or waste time trying to figure it out on your own.
Are there any deadlines?
No. This is a self-paced course, and you can submit your stories for feedback when you are ready.
When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course—you decide when you start and when you finish.
Do I need Facebook to take this course?
No! The Facebook group is an optional bonus.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 30 days and we will give you a full refund.
Can I access the course on my phone or tablet?
Yes. All you need is an internet connection.
Who do I contact if I have a question that is not answered?
If you still have questions, email: [email protected]