The One-Inch Theory

 

In her national bestseller, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, author Anne Lamott divulges the secret weapon that motivates her when she doesn’t know what to write.

A one-inch picture frame.

“It reminds me that all I have to do is write down as much as I can see through a one-inch picture frame. ”

As much detail as possible, as much thought as possible, but as short as possible. Lamott admits she tells herself “to figure out a one-inch piece of my story to tell, one small scene, one memory, one exchange.”

This gets her going, and judging on pure numbers of books published and sold, for Lamott, it works.

One small scene might work for you, too. Especially if what you’re trying to craft is a piece of flash fiction.

At less than a thousand words, flash might be the shortest form of fiction, but it shouldn’t be short on character, plot, and impact. Composing flash fiction is like using the flash on your camera—it’s meant to illuminate one moment in time. One moment that could (if needed) be put in a one-inch picture frame.

Perhaps that moment is…

… a kiss (first, last, or most meaningful)

… a realization that changed lives

… a look that seared your character’s soul

… a savoring of the mundane

… a breath in the chaos

… an instance in battle (not the battle, not the war)

… a gut-splitting laugh

No matter the moment you choose to capture, flash fiction is still story telling and your moment needs…

… strong characters (aim for two or three at the most)

… conflict at the heart of the story (i.e. if your characters are lost, show that, but don’t waste words with lengthy backstory for how they got into this predicament.)

… resolution that doesn’t have to cinch the story closed but does leave your reader satisfied (i.e. do your lost ones need water? Find it.)

 

Focus on the aspects of just that one moment. Show your reader…

… emotions for that scene, that moment

… sensory details for action and dialogue

…setting details that give a sense of place and time but don’t weigh the story down

 

As you write—and edit!—your story, frame it in your mind. Place it inside that one-inch picture frame and fill to capacity.

One small moment. One big impact.

AUTHOR BIO: Award-winning writer, Lindsey P. Brackett just writes life — blogs, columns, articles, and stories — in the midst of motherhood. She’s the Web Content Editor for Splickety Publishing Group and her debut novel will release in 2017. Connect with her at lindseypbrackett.com on Facebook or Twitter.