"A word after a word after a word is power" - Margaret Atwood

BRIDGET WHELAN

A blog for readers and writers

A blog about the stories we tell each other and how we tell them...

Saturday 31 March 2012

Crime Fiction in a Flash - a 150 word writing competition

In these uncertain days crime fiction is becoming more popular. It seems that it's not blood, gore and a high body count that we crave but "the restoration of order" in the words of P.D. James.
If you read a lot of crime fiction, if names like Marple, Morse, Hole, Rebus, Grace and Wallander are as familiar to you as your own family then you may want to enter this interesting FLASHBANG competition.

Flashbang is crime writing in 150 words or less. For inspiration read these even shorter examples here and here  Somehow a whole 150 words seems generous after that.

Closing date is April 15 2012.
For all the rules and other important information visit the FLASHBANG website here.  First prize is two tickets to Crimefest and there are lots of other goodies to win. The website even gives details of what the judges are looking for. Here's a selection of the good advice on offer.
Flash fiction needs to grab and retain attention with immediacy. I’ll also be looking for well-crafted prose that matches the nature of a storyline which has originality and credibility.
Rhian Davies, CWA Dagger judge

Standout title. Immediate sense of place and character. Cunningly uncomplicated prose. Dearth of clichés. Cracking ending.
Sarah Hilary, award-winning flash writer