The Revolving Ballerina (dramatised). A short story by William Van Zyl (Oct 2021).

The Extravagant Podcast

The Revolving Ballerina.

A Short Story by William Van Zyl (Oct 2021).

Read the story and article online:

https://fivehousepublishing.com/2021/10/03/out-foxed/

My shortest story of fiction to date – 'a one-pager.'

Only 395 words were used. The whole story is on one page. My inspiration – the world's shortest stories – is flash fiction.

A short story is a work of prose fiction that can be read in one sitting—usually between 20 minutes to an hour. A piece of fiction shorter than 1,000 words is considered a "short short story" or "flash fiction," and anything less than 300 words is rightfully called "microfiction."

My attempt at flash fiction with the prompt - 'After everyone had left, she did endless pirouettes on his grave':

Credit: https://headstuff.org/culture/literature/20-micro-fiction-stories/

Here is the short story.

The Revolving Ballerina:

The ribbon of the blood-stained ballet shoes chafed Anne Lamington's left ankle. It had been killing her for years...

How to Write Microfiction in 9 Easy Steps (less than 300 words).

1. Make use of strong imagery. Let every single word count.
2. Focus on one moment in time.
3. Work with just one or two characters. Don't spread your story too thin.
4. Try first-person point of view first. Third-person and omniscient will also do.
5. Surprise your reader with short bursts of action, concepts and ideas.
6. Move quickly through your story.
7. Show don't tell. Leave lots of 'golden nuggets' throughout the story.
8. Include a lesson or wisdom embedded in your story.
9. Make good use of your title.

See more at:

https://fivehousepublishing.com/

About the author:

http://williamvanzyl.com/