What Is A Postcard Story And How Do I Write One?

What Is A Postcard Story And How Do I Write One?

Up to date on June eleven, 2012
Postcard stories are, simply put, stories that you have solely about 250 phrases to tell. It seems that these extremely brief works of both fiction and non-fiction started primarily as a writing train. I, personally, was only introduced to them about 3 weeks ago when I made a decision to enter The Writers' Union of Canada Postcard Story Competitors. In my analysis I've found that removed from being only a ability building technique (though they're nice for that as effectively) they have grow to be a fairly popular new genre. These ultra-condensed, more difficult than I initially realized, tales have inspired literary contests and are accepted by many literary journals.
Although the one real rule is that the story must be 250 words or fewer, I don't assume it counts as an actual work of fiction until you've got filled a couple of other necessities too. Ideally your postcard story ought to have a plot, a starting, middle and end, a climax, some motion and a big change in the primary character. And of course over-hyphenating can be thought-about cheating. Now, maybe you're starting to see the true challenge. 250 phrases, not so laborious. A significant story in 250 phrases, somewhat tougher.
After all, writing a significant story in 250 words is a superb writing train. Nearly every how to” article about writing will let you know that conciseness is vital. Minimize out as many adjectives and adverbs as you'll be able to, use dynamic verbs and nouns as a substitute. That's great advice, and becomes virtually a necessity once you're confined to such excessive brevity.

Giving the postcard story's famous brevity all it is due I'll preserve this hub relatively short as well. In any case how much is there to say a few story of only 250 phrases? Strive it and discover out. You may be shocked how gratifying it is to write something lovely, and so beautifully brief.
In fact even that has been bested. Who can neglect Hemingway's famous six word story, often considered his finest work.
On the market: child sneakers, by no means worn.”
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Comments 15 feedback
Writer
KrisL 4 years ago from S. Florida
Thanks I will have to try this!
Voted "fascinating."
Creator
Bradbury's in my top 5 favorite authors. I feel I've read The Martian Chronicles at the very least ten instances. The House on Mango Street I'll definitely look into though. Thanks.
celticmelody four years in the past from Chicago IL
Ar: All the time blissful to move on a tip to a fellow writer. On your mission, you may also take a look at The House on Mango Avenue by Sandra Ciscneros and The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. I think these two novels illustrate the right way to take the postcard fiction idea to the next degree.
ar.colton 4 years ago from Vancouver, B.C.
Creator
Thanks celticmelody,
One of the novels I am working on write now actually is kind of a set of 500-2,000 word quick stories. But they fit pretty properly together on a timeline.
That's happenend to me a couple of instances the place I've made plans for a chunk and had them all go to hell, however in a great way. I so typically really feel that I am not a lot writing stories as discovering them.
ps. definitely checking these books out. Thanks!
celticmelody four years in the past from Chicago IL
Nice hub!
Postcard fiction is a good way to move a narrative forwaqrd when you find yourself stuck. I was engaged on a narrative as soon as and bought stuck. I had flashes of the story in different places alongside the story timeline from different characters' point of view. Strive as I might I just could not get the flashes collectively. Then I learn a book on postcard fiction and I had an "aha" second. I left the story as items of postcard fiction and it worked very properly.
I first encounter super short fiction when I picked up copies of World's Shortest Tales and World's Shortest Stories of Love and Demise.
ar.colton four years ago from Vancouver, B.C.
Author
Rtalloni,
Thanks for the tip. I will be heading over to challenges soon. I've been at hubpages for some time but have by no means been as lively in the boards as I'd like. One thing I am fixing now. I'm glad you enjoyed my hub!
nishlaverz,
They're definitely a challenge however I think they're worth it. I actually particularly prevented the terms 'flash fiction' and 'microfiction' as neither has a particular phrase depend like postcard tales do. Flash fiction tends to be round 1,000 words. With practive you do get used to the brevity and find ways to specific your ideas as creatively as you possibly can to be able to get them all in there. Thanks for stopping by.
ar.colton 4 years ago from Vancouver, B.C.
Creator
Wow! What a terrific response. Thanks everybody for visiting my hub.
LAB,
no drawback. I'm glad I might help. Reading your 3 A.M. epiphany hubs has convinced me to get back to writing excercises. It's been a very long time since I've completed more than one by one and I forgot how challenging and enjoyable they are often. 3 A.M. Epiphany is on my studying listing for positive!
Cardelean,
No problem. Thanks for stopping by. I hope your students enjoy the train.
Millionaire Tips,
50 words seems like enjoyable. I'm getting into a one hundred fifty phrase Extremely Short Contest next month. -, if anyone else needs to enter. I've received to attempt 50 although, that seems like a real problem. Was it the boards that individuals were posting them in?
nishlaverz four years ago from N.E England
They are micro or flash fiction fashion. They are great if properly written and do take ability to get right as it's important to show the reader what you want then to see without over doing the words. I can do 500 phrase tales however 250 is a battle as I mislead elaborate a bit at occasions.
RTalloni 4 years ago from the brief journey
So attention-grabbing to learn this! I enjoy the HP Problem Writing Expertise:
It is all about a story in lower than 10 phrases, the concept being based mostly on the Hemingway brief story you point out right here.
I go the Challenge every now and then for some psychological train and/or psychological vacation. After I come up with one thing I really like I find that what you mention here is true. The gratifying feeling is amazing! :)
I am trying ahead to having a look at your links. Thanks for sharing. Voted up.
Millionaire Suggestions 4 years ago from USA
I hadn't heard of postcard tales before, but it is an attention-grabbing idea. I have seen 50 word stories here on HubPages, the place you could write 50 words, no more, no less. 250 seems like it has a little bit more flexibility, nevertheless it may make it more difficult to have all of the different objects you mentioned. Voted up.
cardelean four years ago from Michigan
Very attention-grabbing. I've never heard of this before. I can see this being helpful in my classroom as nicely. Thanks for sharing.
LABrashear 4 years in the past from My Perfect Place, USA
Glad I got here across this. I'm difficult myself to each train in the 3 A.M. Epiphany and there is a postcard problem. Now, I feel just a little extra comfy engaged on it. Thanks!
ar.colton four years ago from Vancouver, B.C.
Creator
No drawback dkm. I've kind of fallen in love with them. :)
dkm27 4 years in the past from Chicago
I used postcard fiction, quick fiction, mini fiction, and so many different quick works to show studying methods. They pack a punch. Thanks for highlighting these little gems.
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