FAST
FICTION:
Creating Fiction In Five Minutes
Writing Guide
Set a timer for five minutes, select one of
more than 300 "cues" at random,
then immediately start writing and don't stop
until the time is up. The rules of Fast Fiction
are simple; the results, liberating. By telling
you what to write about ("write a story
about a lie," "...a broken promise,"
or "...a cough"), the timed exercises
focus all your energies on the telling. By
imposing a deadline, they force you to write
spontaneously, bypassing the inner critic
and allowing your voice -- as well as surprising
images and associations -- to emerge on the
page.
Step by step, Roberta shows how to turn your
five-minute writings into short short stories
-- intense fictions that use language with
power and precision. She then shows you how
to use the timed exercises to build longer
stories and novels. By looking at your fiction
a piece at a time, the writing process becomes
less intimidating and more open to experiment.
A
Never-Ending Idea Generator!
You can use the exercises again and again,
with dramatically different results each time.
Here's a sampling: just set your timer for
five minutes and, without thinking about what
you're going to write, go!
- Write
a story about an object that is lost
- Write
a story about a lizard
- Write
a story about sanity
- Write
a story about a place seen by a depressed
person
Praise
for Fast Fiction
"This is one of the most useful books
on fiction writing I have ever read. Like
many a good idea, it's a simple one, yet the
applications are far-ranging, from the basics
to some of the more sophisticated elements
not only of short shorts, but longer stories
and even novels. I recommend it highly."
--Robert
Shapard
"A fun and useful handbook. In Fast
Fiction,Roberta Allen has created a quick
course in constructing quick fiction -- complete
with prompts to start, bells to stop, and
tips on revision to make your work not only
good and quick but quick and good."
--James
Thomas
"Allen has come up with hundreds of quick-as-a-kiss
exercises that take aspiring fiction writers
from blank page to story in only five minutes.
Beginning or experienced writers will enjoy
this seductive sprint."
--Allen
Woodman
"Look at this! -- a how-to manual for
constructing little rainbows (also known as
'short short fictions'). Extensive, imaginative
and eminently helpful. The wisdoms of an expert
compiled into a crafty do-it-yourself guide
for beginners of all kinds and experiences."
--Barry
Yourgrau
"Any writer, at any level of experience,
will bless Roberta Allen for writing this
book. She'll take you up that mountain one
step at a time. What welcome relief from the
terror of the blank page!"
--Monica
Wood
"Thank you! Your book Fast Fiction was
so helpful to me. I did a four hour workshop,
and it was good thanks to your recommendations."
--Luisa
Valenzuela
