Microfiction, sometimes called flash fiction or very short stories, is storytelling distilled to its purest form. In just a few hundred words, a writer captures character, conflict, and emotion. Whether you’re entering a writing contest, sharpening your storytelling skills, or creating content for social media, learning how to write microfiction can be both rewarding and practical.

In this guide, we’ll explore what microfiction is, why it matters, and practical tips for writing your own.

What Is MicroFiction?

Microfiction is a short story typically under 300 words. Unlike typical short stories (1,000 to 7,000 words) it relies on brevity and implication. Every word carries weight, and much of the story may be hinted at rather than spelled out.

Popular forms of microfiction include:

• Drabbles (exactly 100 words)
  
  

• Six-word stories (made famous by Hemingway: “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.”)
  
  

• Twitter (X) fiction (280 characters or less)
  
  

Why Write MicroFiction?

• Sharpen your writing skills: You learn economy of language.
  
  

• Boost creativity: Limitations often inspire fresh ideas.
  
  

• Perfect for digital readers: Short, powerful stories perform well online.
  
  

• Contest-friendly: Many writing competitions feature micro or flash fiction categories.
  
  

How to Write MicroFiction: Step-by-Step

1. Start with a Strong Concept

Microfiction doesn’t have room for meandering. Begin with a sharp idea: a twist, a single emotional moment, or a snapshot of a bigger world. Think to yourself: What is the one thing I want the reader to feel or understand? Where do I want to direct their mind, if only for a few minutes?  

2. Focus Narrowly on One Character or Situation

Instead of a sprawling cast, zoom in on one character, one choice, or one turning point. Microfiction thrives on intimacy, precision, and creativity. It's a microcosm that speaks to the larger world. 

3. Begin in the Middle

There’s no space for long exposition. Drop the reader straight into the action or conflict. Trust them to fill in the background with the few context clues you give them. It helps create intrigue. 

4. Use Suggestion and Subtext

The best microfiction leaves space for the reader’s imagination. Hint at what happened before or what will come after, but don’t spell everything out, that’s just boring. Leave room for mystery and interpretation. 

5. Edit Ruthlessly

Every word should earn its place. Re-read and cut filler, trim backstory, use adjectives and adverbs thoughtfully. Read it aloud to check rhythm and flow.

Examples of MicroFiction (100 words)

• The train pulled away, his hand rested on her letter, still in his pocket. He knew he’d never open it. It didn’t matter anymore. The moment had passed and he was moving on, just like the train, to the next station with his new wife. Years later, the letter, still unopened, fell to the floor as his daughter cleaned out his closet. She recognized the handwriting on the envelope, her aunts. She read the words he had denied himself: “I know you’ll take care of her like a daughter. I’ve never been more heartbroken. And I’ve never been more grateful.”  (FYI, this example is Robot Written. It's 70% robot, 30% human. Freaky, right? And also, we want to be honest so you can see how seriously we take this ;)
  
  
• Ping from Jessica. I drive my Uber to the pin dropped at 5th & Nueces. No Jessica. I text her “I'm at the pin drop at 5th & Nueces.” Jessica is confused. I watch the blinking ellipsis waiting for her reply. She did something wrong and asks me to repeat where I am. I repeat, “5th & Nueces.” I wait. Then a phone call - it's Jessica who can't find me. “ARE YOU AT 5TH & NUECES?”  Yes, I am at 5th & Nueces. She cancels the ride. (FYI, this is a 100% Human Written example, in case you were wondering. Thanks, Allison ;) 

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Trying to fit a full novel into 300 word. Ya’ll it’s just not possible. Think different!
  
  

• Over-explaining instead of trusting the reader. Have a little faith in humankind.
  
  

• Forgetting conflict. Microfiction still can still have friction. 
  
  

• Too focused on who, what, where, when. Focus on emotion.
  
  

Quick Tips for Writing MicroFiction

• Read lots of published microfiction to see how others succeed with brevity. You can read some on our blog here.
  
  

• Practice weekly or regularly. Try a drabble, a six-word story challenge, or a micro-fiction contest.
  
  

• Use microfiction as creative “warm-ups” before longer writing sessions or to work through an emotional aspect of a larger piece.
  
  

• Avoid the overuse of AI. While it can be tempting to put in a prompt and see what comes back, one of the reasons for doing microfiction is to develop your brain, which is in fact your very own personal LLM.
  
  

Writing microfiction is both an art and a discipline. By focusing on clarity, precision, and emotion, you can create tiny stories with huge impact. Whether you’re aiming for contests, building your own narrative brand, or experimenting with new forms, microfiction is the perfect laboratory for storytelling.

Ready to write your own? 

If you’ve got a story to tell, we’d love to hear it. Take a look here to see when our next competition begins. All participants get a grade and feedback, and potential opportunities to be published. The top twenty stories have the opportunity to win cash prizes, get published, and promoted on our literary platform. 

Does your story remain unwritten? Write it now or forever hold your peace. 

P.S. This article was #RobotAssisted