Flash fiction is a short piece of writing, generally 250 words, so it doesn’t give a lot of time to build the characters, plot, and setting. Flash fiction typically focuses on one aspect and describes it in depth. The end of flash fiction pieces usually sport a twist. Here is an example of a character-driven flash fic.
April 17, 2011
“Mr. Groundhog should be here by now!”
“Maybe he ran into difficulty?”
“Mr. Groundhog is dead! Mr. Groundhog is dead!” the words drifted over the crowd, first in a murmur, which turned into a yell.
“Dead? How can this be?” A man in a green and black kilt, and matching cap jumped up. “We must find this wretched murderer!”
The man looked high and low, through wilderness and town, but he didn’t notice anyone acting suspiciously. He decided to take a break at the Inn, and was just stepping inside when a man dressed in identical attire stepped out.
“Why are you dressed like me?”
“Uh… why are you dressed like me? Sheriff! Sheriff!” the impersonator hollered, waving his hand at a plump man who stood across the street, a few doors down.
“What have you done with Mr. Groundhog’s body? Tell me now!” the man growled, as he frisked the impersonator. He pulled out a vial of pink-tinged liquid, which was thin and translucent.
“Sir, sir! Get away from there, I tell you, get back!” the pudgy sheriff had jaunted across the street, and clamped the man’s wrists in shackles. “And what’s this? Poison! You killed Mr. Groundhog! What are you doing talking to yourself anyhow, sir?”