Life Happens Regardless
Flash Fiction: An attempt in concise, exacting writing
Attempt number 1. This piece is exactly 150 words. During drafting iterations it was once 117 words, 139 words, 164 words, 113 words….then so close at 149. Adding a final, descriptive word brought me to150, which was my word count goal.
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Class was given must-use prompts, accountant and seriously, and a review of the five rules of flash fiction.
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Let’s read:
She sat in the rental car staring toward the entrance to the parking area near the rendezvous. Drizzle collected on the windshield. Hypervigilant, she wrinkled her nose at the overpowering air freshener failing to mask the stale, telltale residue from some chain smoker.
But seriously, who was she to judge a rule breaker?
Accounting, her dad had advised. Accountants always have a job, he told her. They are reliable, he added. They don’t make the trouble, he said.
She glanced at the envelope containing a year of dogged, forensic digging to follow the trail of buried secrets.
She would be protected, they said. Get the proof, they pushed. We’ll be grateful, they added. She also knew disloyal whistleblowers can get dead.
A car with tinted windows pulled in, flashing its lights twice.
Hand trembling, she reached for the indicator to flash once. She could be back before anyone missed her.
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Did I accomplished the following?
Our protagonist must not die
Supporting environmental description and word choice enhances discomfort and ick
The story has a beginning, middle, and end
After reading you understand her internal dilemma and know something about her character and choices.
Reply and let me know if you found something else or have helpful critique. As a woman of a certain age willing to learn and do, this was fun.
Thanks for indulging me.