2022 February Flash Fiction Challenge: Day 6
Write a piece of flash fiction each day of February with the February Flash Fiction Challenge, led by editor Moriah Richard. Each day, receive a prompt, example story, and write your own. Today’s prompt is to write about someone attempting to be heartfelt.
For today's prompt, let's focus on character and character motivations. This past fall, our Editor, Michael Woodson, wrote a wonderful article about the pitfall of the characterless character. This got me thinking about character motivations; and when you only have a maximum of 1,500 words, it's important that those motivations are clear to the reader if you're writing a character-driven piece.
For today’s prompt, write about a character attempting to be heartfelt.
Remember: As mentioned yesterday, these prompts are just starting points; you have the freedom to go wherever your flash of inspiration takes you.
(Note: If you happen to run into any issues posting, please just send me an e-mail at mrichard@aimmedia.com with the subject line: Flash Fiction Challenge Commenting Issue.)
Here’s my attempt at writing someone attempting to be heartfelt:
Kindly
Dear Jace and Margot,
Thank you so much for inviting me to your wedding. There’s nothing I would love more than to attend the wedding of my ex-fiancée and ex-sister-in-law.
I was absolutely thrilled to think about sitting there, watching you seal your vows with a kiss, and trying not to remember how my niece found the two of you in flagrante in her parent’s marriage bed.
It would have been such a blast to look at your gown and compare it to the one that’s hanging in my closet, unused and un-returnable.
I’m still paying off wedding deposits
Has the ink even dried on your divorce papers
How can you stand to look at yourself in the mirror
Unfortunately, I will be out of town that weekend, and every foreseeable weekend that you might need me for anything, for a work event.
Wishing you the best
Congratulations
You’re both the worst people I’ve ever met
I hate you
Kindly,
Meggie
Since obtaining her MFA in fiction, Moriah Richard has worked with over 100 authors to help them achieve their publication dreams. As the managing editor of Writer’s Digest magazine, she spearheads the world-building column Building Better Worlds, a 2023 Eddie & Ozzie Award winner. She also runs the Flash Fiction February Challenge on the WD blog, encouraging writers to pen one microstory a day over the course of the month and share their work with other participants. As a reader, Moriah is most interested in horror, fantasy, and romance, although she will read just about anything with a great hook.
Learn more about Moriah on her personal website.
