Flash Non-Fiction Fiction

Monday Missives #8

This weekend, I spent most of my time in a writer’s retreat online. It was awesome to be with so many different (in style, genre, age, gender, race etc.) writers across many different time zones all over the world.

One of the workshops was called “In a Flash—Pint-sized Stories that Pack a Punch” and was led by MaxieJane Frazier. There are many different definitions of “flash” fiction or non-fiction. It could be defined by word count (say less than 1,500, 1,000 or 750 words) or number of sentences (for example, only six sentences total) or number of characters (like, only 300 characters). Or something else. It could be a scene in a much longer piece or only hint at a larger story. Whatever the construct or constraint, it should have a beginning, middle and end; a narrative arc; and character development.

As part of the workshop, Max gave us six minutes (timed) to write our own pint-sized or flash story (by hand). Since I have a habit of using way too many words (and why I am so grateful I learned how to self-edit and then re-edit and then edit some more), I really loved the challenge. It was also intense. Here’s what I came up with (and I will let you decide if it is a work of fiction or non-fiction, fictional non-fiction or non-fictional fiction):

The moving truck loaded with ammo, handguns, and propane canisters idles in the gravel-covered driveway. Gripping the passenger side door handle, I look back at the adobe house one last time. I had such high hopes for what life could be like here. I really did think this home on top of the hill, surrounded by a vast wilderness, and a big, endless, blue sky, would somehow cradle us into a new, happier life. Instead, it turned into a suffocating prison in which we fought for our lives. Now that we are heading back into civilization, I no longer recognize myself. I feel like a feral animal. A mountain lion. A loner in the hills. Paul honks the horn, my shoulders fold down and I squeeze my eyes shut tight. The blazing hot sun beats down on my face, and I take in a breath that barely fills the top of my chest. As the air whistles back out through pursed lips, I open the door, climb inside and slouch down into the seat. Paul shifts the gear into drive, takes his foot off the brake, and pulls away from the house. As we roll down the hill and through the open gate below, I cover my head with my hoodie, sink further into the seat, and look out the window. And for the next five hours, while the high desert peppered with pinon trees and sagebrush flashes by, I do not say a word. Not. One. Word.

my weekend--in brief

Meals Out: My only meal out was on Friday when I met a dear friend for lunch at Manolete’s. I enjoyed the chorizo and el pastor tacos and wish we had ordered the guac and chips as well. Next time!

Listening (voice): I resumed listening to the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz almost every day. (It feels like they are in a transition (well, they have been ever since they left ESPN in 2021) and I am not sure what to make of it or how much I like where they are going vs. where they have been. Curious to find out.)

Listening (song most likely on repeat): The Middle, Jimmy Eat World. (Full disclosure: I have not listened to music all week. Which means I have not spent much time dancing in front of the windows that look out over the back yard. Why is a conversation for another time. In any case, a friend of mine used this song on their IG post over the weekend and it made me smile because for a while there, back in September/October, in the very early days of this current life transition, I played this song A LOT. Each time, with the volume turned UP, way UP, I stood in front of the back windows or in my kitchen, danced and sang along. Or more like, shouted along at the top of my lungs. It feels like a good pick for today.)

Watching: The White Lotus Season 3 on Max (I love this show so much and this season does not disappoint. After I caught up on the first three episodes last week, I could not wait for last night’s episode to come out. But I have too many thoughts about this show to put here right now—especially about the three lady friends, aka the “cougars” (not mountain lions), who are on vacation together (btw—are they in their late 30s, mid 40s or early 50s? ‘cause that really does matter especially if we are considering them to be “old,” or maybe it matters to me because I am fifty-one and have a LOT to say about this whole topic from more than one angle)…like I said, too many thoughts which I know is also the point and one of the magical things about this show. Anyone who watches it will have many thoughts, different thoughts, and that makes for such great conversation. In fact, I would rather talk about it than write about it. I wish I still went to a place with a water cooler every day, because today is a day when I would absolutely stand around it and debate all that happened on the show last night with my co-workers. Maybe I’ll pop over to my neighbors house, have a cup of tea and chat with her about it. Oh, speaking of my neighbor, on Saturday, her sister brought me a slice of red velvet cake. When I met for the first time last week and she heard it’s my favorite cake (next to cheesecake), she made sure to save a piece for me when she baked one and got it to me via her sister. It was delicious.)

Reading: Nothing. I was busy writing, attending a workshop on Zoom and having cups of tea in between sessions.

Most Hours Logged Doing: Attending an online writer’s retreat hosted by Writing Away Refuge. It was one of the most welcoming, encouraging, and generous communities (for writers or anything else) I have ever had the privilege to join. Lee Ann Ward gives so much of herself, her time and her knowledge and she does it at the most affordable prices I have seen in this space. (Oh, and thanks to this retreat, I live-pitched my memoir, Beyond the Wall, to two agents!)

Monday Morning Meditation: 3.10.25

Whatever I want to attain, I will set my intention, let go of my attachment to the outcome and then align with and allow for the details to unfold. And whatever I do (or do not do), I will not let good get in the way of great.