Tag Archives: flash fiction

Reading log: Flash Fiction Forward (ed James Thomas & Robert Shapard)

The stories in Flash Fiction Forward can generally be divided into a few basic categories: miniaturized conventional stories absurdist stories along the lines of James Tate or Russell Edson’s prose poems (the former is represented here) extended prose poems clever … Continue reading

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“The Fallguy’s Faith” (Robert Coover)

Falling from favor, or grace, or some high artifice, down he dropped like a discredited predicate through what he called space (sometimes he called it time) and with an earsplitting crack splattered the base earth with his vital attributes. Oh, … Continue reading

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“The Hardest Questions” (Bruce Holland Rogers)

1. The Hardest Question My marines bring me questions. "When do we get to shower?" "Sergeant, how do you say ‘Good afternoon’ again?" "Sarge, where can I get more gun oil?" I have answers. "Tomorrow, maybe." "Maysuh alheer." "Use mine." … Continue reading

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“Bill” (Dan Kaplan)

In a frayed wool sweater, Bill with a sword splitting a coconut FedExed from Hawaii. Bill perched on a barstool, joints throbbing, rain pounding the tin roof. The Wizard of Oz in Bill’s black-and-white set. Bill thrown to the pavement. … Continue reading

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4.16 – Fool Me Once, Shame on Me; Fool Me Twice…

In fact, many species kill without need, not for protection, but for some kind of primitive pleasure and to satisfy a mindless, formless desire. It’s not just we the flat-toothed and clawless with our cumbersome clothing and disturbing knack for … Continue reading

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4.14 – untitled

We’re in an obscenely tall black 4×4 pickup with no doors or lights. I’m driving with both hands knuckle-white on the wheel. We’re going up one side and down the other of each in an endless series of snow-covered, ice-burdened … Continue reading

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