sudden fiction

Coined by Robert Shapard and James Thomas, 'sudden fiction' refers to a genre of very short stories that are highly compressed and impactful.

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Definition

C1Literature

(literary, genre)A genre of very short stories, typically under 1,500 words, that convey a significant narrative or emotional impact in a brief space.

Example

  • She prefers reading sudden fiction because it fits perfectly into her short breaks.
  • The anthology includes several pieces of sudden fiction, each one a tiny masterpiece.

C1Literature

(literary, style)A style of storytelling that captures a complete story arc within a very limited word count, often highlighting the intensity and immediacy of the narrative.

Example

  • His sudden fiction story left a lasting impression despite its brevity.
  • Sudden fiction often relies on implication and suggestion rather than explicit detail.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "sudden fiction":

flash fiction