Microfiction a very short story also known as

Micro-fiction- a very short story; also known as flash fiction Specifics§ half a page or less § First or third person § Always has a protagonist, but not always an antagonist § starts right away with the action of the story § Surprise ending

"Are you sure you weren't followed? " "Positive. " "Were you able to secure the equipment? " Zeth glanced around, and pulled a black bandanna off a shiny red metal box. He opened it ceremoniously. "With this under our power, " Mauricio declared, "we will be able to annihilate the enemy before complete invasion. " Zeth carefully picked one of the silver elements from the box and examined it thoughtfully. Just as he laid the piece back in place, the ground shook, the room darkened, and a voice boomed from above: "What are you two doing under the table with my toolbox? "

“We might see some interesting new animals on this vacation, ” Mother told her three year old son as they drove along Highway 1. Their drive passes uneventfully until a common, white-tailed deer dashes across the road right in front of them. “Look!” Mother calls. The three year old turns his head just in time to see the white deer butt hop off the road into the trees. The little boy looks at it in amazed confusion and cries out, “What kind of monkey was that!”

The conversation between one or more people in a literary work

§ Dialogue can be used to successfully reveal a characters’ personality or to propel the action of the story. § However, there is a fine line between too much and too little.

Too little: "Stop!" he yelled angrily, Too much: “I need you to stop right now or I might get really, really mad at you!” he growled. Just right: “Cut it out, or I swear, I’ll pound you, ” he said.

NOTICE: ØStart a new line and indent each time there is a new speaker ØEnd punctuation (, ! ? . ) goes inside the quotation marks ØCapitalize the first word in quotation marks if it is the start of the sentence ØComma goes between speaker tag and quotation mark “How was your weekend? ” asked Suzie. Timmy responded, “Fine, how was yours? ” “Great! I went hiking through the canyon, ” she explained, “and then my family and I got ice cream. ” “Sounds fun, ” he said.

Turn to your learning partner. The partner on the left is the character on the left and vice versa. Together, write the dialogue you think these two are having.

The partner on the left is the character on the left and vice versa. Together, write the dialogue you think these two are having.

The partner on the left is the character on the left and vice versa. Together, write the dialogue you think these two are having.

The partner on the left is the character on the left and vice versa. Together, write the dialogue you think these two are having.

The partner on the left is the character on the left and vice versa. Together, write the dialogue you think these two are having.

The partner on the left is the character on the left and vice versa. Together, write the dialogue you think these two are having.

The partner on the left is the character on the left and vice versa. Together, write the dialogue you think these two are having.

The partner on the left is the character on the left and vice versa. Together, write the dialogue you think these two are having. (Person #2 is on the phone)

DIRECTIONS: Think of your favorite movie/TV character. Write out a conversation between that character and Miss Blanchard. REMEMBER: ØIndent each time there is a new speaker ØEnd punctuation (, ! ? . ) goes inside the quotation marks ØCapitalize the first word in quotations marks if it is the start of the sentence ØComma goes between speaker tag and quotation mark

§ When writing out thoughts, italicize the words instead of using quotations marks. § All other punctuation is the same. § Wow! she thought, I had no idea he was such a good dancer!

• Take a look at item 2 on your Brainstorm list on the inside front cover of your Creative Writing Portfolio. • Using that item as inspiration, write a 250 -300 word micro-fiction story keeping in mind the following: §First or third person §Always has a protagonist, but not always an antagonist §starts right away with the action of the story §surprise ending §Dialogue

§ When writing, keep in mind the writer’s motto: “Show; don’t tell. ” INSTEAD OF“I don’t care, ” Mark said indifferently, but deep inside, he cared a lot. TRY“I don’t care. ” Mark shrugged, but underneath his desk, through his lined jeans, his fingernails gouged his thighs.

§ Avoid "talking head" dialogue to reveal background information. If both characters already know the information, don’t reveal it through contrived dialogue: § “Hi Bob, my darling husband. I’m going to work, now, as I usually do at 7 p. m. , and I’ll be back as usual at 5 a. m. ” § “OK, my loving wife, Julia. As you know, I try to be cheerful about your job, but I still wish you’d quit and spend more time with Derek, your 10 -year-old son from your first marriage, who is dyslexic, since he and I don’t get along. "

• 250 -300 words • Examine item 10 on your Brainstorm list. • Let that item in some way inspire your second micro- fiction story, keeping in mind the following: § First or third person § Always has a protagonist, but not always an antagonist § starts right away with the action of the story § surprise ending § Try and make this dramatically different than your last micro-fiction.