What is There to Learn from MicroFiction?

When you are limited to writing a story in only so many words (usually 500 words or less for microfiction, or only 64 words for the last YeahWrite microfiction challenge), you are faced with a number of challenges.

For one, you have to be able to get your point of your story across to the audience in very little words. Due to the word count, your use of description is extremely limited. You don't have a whole lot of space to heavily describe things and convey clear imagery to your reader. Instead, you have to rely on telling your story matter-of-factly, allowing your audience to fill in the details without leaving your story so vague that it leaves the reader confused.

In writing my last microfiction, I discovered these challenges first-hand. I knew I had an idea I wanted to get across, but I wasn't sure if I would be able to make my story clear to the reader in only 64 words. I was worried my story wouldn't even be interesting in such little words. There was no description, no imagery. I had to tell the facts and only the facts of my story, which worried me. Without the imagery and description, was my story even a story anymore?

To me, writing a full length story or novel is way less daunting. I can write however much I want (which is good for me since I have a lot to stay), and then go back later and clean up. I can rearrange words, omit things that aren't necessary, or even add description without worrying about a set limit of words I have to adhere to. I can take as much space as necessary to convey my point.

Microfiction is challenging because you have to fit the word limit, but it is also helpful, because it can teach you to write things more succinctly. It teaches you how to write in a way that is both simple and clear to the reader, while still being interesting. Even if microfiction isn't your thing, it can still be helpful in developing your writing skills.

Speaking of what I wrote for the microfiction challenge, I wrote a story from a young child's point of view. She believes that her mother is a witch, making potions for her sick brother Dylan. However it becomes clear that the child's mother is really suffering from Munchhausen's disease by proxy. I was really unsure about my piece, because I was scared it didn't really fit the prompt about making magic. However, it was all I could come up with on the spot, so I wrote it anyway, even if it wasn't a good enough story to fit the prompt.

My favorite Microfiction was Jessica's, titled "Reunited," found at: https://jemiller803618714.wordpress.com/2018/11/08/reunited-microprose-challenge/

I liked this one because I felt like it was one of the few microfictions entered that wasn't super vague. I had a hard time comprehending a lot of the microfictions that included vague references to fairytales or occult subjects (ex. Not Your Princess). I liked this one because it was simple and sweet and managed to include beautiful imagery of a small scene in little words. I loved these lines:

"The beach was quiet. Perfect for summoning a lost friend.

Sagar stood in the rippling foam, his eyes closed while the breeze tossed his shaggy hair. After muttering an old incantation, the pirate felt the current hasten around him."

I could really imagine this scene as it was happening. The imagery is poetically simple, and the simplicity in itself makes this piece beautiful. I also liked the surprising factor that Sagar summoned a dragon, and not a lover or simply another human. Summoning a dragon as his old friend made this story super original and interesting to me.