Flash fiction is a unique form of storytelling that challenges writers to convey meaningful narratives in just a few hundred words. By experimenting with different points of view, you can create layered stories that resonate with readers. Here are three diverse examples to inspire your own flash fiction writing.
This piece is told from the perspective of a passenger on a late-night train, capturing the fleeting moments of strangers’ lives as they travel home.
As the train lurched forward, the rhythmic clatter of wheels against the tracks seemed to synchronize with the racing thoughts in Maya’s mind. She glanced toward the other passengers, each lost in their own worlds. To her left, an elderly man clutched a tattered book, his finger tracing the words as if they were a lifeline. Across the aisle, a young couple whispered secrets, their laughter a soft melody that contrasted with the train’s mechanical hum.
Maya felt an urge to weave their stories together—what brought them here? What awaited them at their destinations? She imagined the old man sharing tales of lost loves, the couple dreaming of a future filled with adventure. As the train rounded a bend, the lights flickered, momentarily illuminating her thoughts. In that brief moment, she realized she was part of this tapestry, a thread woven into the lives of strangers, each journey intersecting for just a heartbeat.
Consider writing this from the perspective of the conductor or a child traveling with a parent to explore different emotional responses to the same situation.
In this story, the narrative is told from the perspective of a dusty teddy bear, left behind in an attic, reflecting on its past with a child.
Up here in the attic, the silence was thick, broken only by the creaks of the old house settling. I sat on a shelf, my fur faded and matted, my button eyes dulled by years of neglect. Once, I was cherished—a confidant, a protector against the dark.
Little Emily would carry me everywhere, her small fingers clutching me tightly as she navigated the world. Together, we braved imaginary dragons and explored enchanted forests. But time is relentless. Emily grew, her interests shifted, and I was forgotten, tucked away in this dusty corner.
I remembered the last time she held me close, whispering her dreams as she drifted off to sleep. I wanted to remind her of those nights, to tell her that I still waited for her, hoping for just one more adventure. But all I could do was sit in silence, a relic of a childhood left behind.
Try altering the narrative to include a new toy that arrives in the attic, creating tension and competition for Emily’s affection.
This example is narrated from the point of view of a stage, witnessing the last performance of a beloved theater troupe.
As the lights dimmed and the audience settled into their seats, I felt the familiar thrill that coursed through my wooden beams. Tonight was special—after decades of laughter, tears, and applause, the curtain would fall for the last time. The troupe, a family bound by passion and perseverance, stepped onto my stage one last time, their hearts stitched together by years of shared dreams.
I could feel the weight of their emotions as they delivered their lines, each word echoing against my walls. The lead actress, with tears glistening in her eyes, poured her soul into the final monologue, her voice a haunting melody that resonated with the audience. I wished I could applaud, to show them how their artistry had transformed countless lives.
But as the final scene unfolded, I knew the truth: every ending is merely a new beginning. While their performances would echo in my memories, their spirits would live on in the hearts of those who had witnessed their magic.
Consider telling this story from the perspective of a stagehand or a long-time audience member who reflects on the troupe’s impact over the years.