One characteristic is concise language. Flash fiction has very limited space, so every word must count. Another is a strong, often unexpected, twist. For example, in many great flash fictions, the ending completely changes the reader's perception of what has come before. Also, they can convey deep emotions or complex ideas in just a few paragraphs.
Ernest Hemingway's 'For Sale: Baby Shoes, Never Worn' is a classic. It's extremely short yet manages to convey a deep sense of loss. Another one is 'Sticks' by George Saunders. His unique writing style and the way he tells a story in a short space is remarkable.
Well, in the realm of best sci - fi flash fiction, 'The Star' by Arthur C. Clarke is quite remarkable. It makes you think about the nature of religious belief and the vastness of the universe. Then there's 'Flowers for Algernon' which, although often considered a longer short story, still has that quick - hitting, flash - like quality in terms of its emotional impact and exploration of intelligence enhancement. Also, Ted Chiang's 'Story of Your Life' (which was made into the movie 'Arrival') is a masterful piece of sci - fi flash fiction with its unique take on language and time perception.
One great work is 'The Lottery' by Shirley Jackson. It's a very short story that plays with the reader's expectations and has an unexpected and somewhat disturbing ending. Another is Jorge Luis Borges' short pieces which are often very experimental in terms of their use of time, space and multiple layers of reality.
Yes, there are. But many of these works are not as highly publicized as other mainstream literature. Some independent authors have also created interesting pieces of erotic flash fiction. For instance, there are works available in some niche literary magazines or online platforms dedicated to such content. These works often play with themes of desire, passion, and sexual tension within the short - form structure.
I think 'short - short story' is also a great term for flash fiction. It emphasizes the brevity of this form of writing. Flash fictions are usually so short that they can be read in just a few minutes, and this term captures that essence really well. It's a term that has been used for a long time and is quite straightforward.
Online platforms like Wattpad can be great. It has a large community of readers and writers, providing exposure for flash fiction. Also, literary magazines such as 'The Flash Fiction Online' are dedicated to this form, which is an ideal place to showcase your work. Another option is personal blogs where you can freely post your flash fiction and attract readers interested in short - form stories.
One top magazine is 'Flash Fiction Magazine'. It has a long history of publishing excellent flash fictions. Another is 'The Flash Fiction Press'. They are always on the lookout for new and talented writers. 'Flash Fiction World' is also a good choice as it offers a platform for a diverse range of flash fictions.
One great place is 'Flash Fiction Online'. They are known for accepting high - quality flash fiction and have a wide readership. Another option is 'SmokeLong Quarterly', which has a reputation for promoting innovative and engaging flash fictions. 'Daily Science Fiction' is also good as it focuses on science - fiction - themed flash fictions and has a large following among sci - fi enthusiasts.
To be honest, without further research, it's difficult to name the exact authors of the '2016 best flash fiction'. Flash fiction is a popular genre, and there are numerous competitions and anthologies. So, it could be anyone from established literary figures who decided to dabble in this short - form writing to new voices that were just starting to gain recognition in 2016.