Review of MICRO FICTION: WRITING 100 WORD STORIES (DRABBLES) FOR MAGAZINES AND CONTESTS by Michael A. Kechula

Review of MICRO FICTION by Michael A. Kechula

WRITING 100 WORD STORIES (DRABBLES) FOR MAGAZINES AND CONTESTS

BooksForABuck.com, November 2014

In today's 'everything in a hurry' world of the Internet, there's a new appeal in short-form stories. Author Michael A. Kechula has uncovered a demand for ultra-short (100 word) stories called 'Drabbles.' Telling a complete story in exactly 100 words is a challenge, (in fact, just writing this review has consumed far more than 100 words), but Kechula is sharing his secrets.

In a fact-filled self-study guide, author Michael A. Kechula (see more BooksForABuck.com books by Kechula) demystifies the creation of the 100 word drabble. He starts at the beginning, with some tips and tricks on developing story ideas and writing an opening hook, continues to the twist, and then goes into detail on how to make every word count. I enjoyed Kechula’s concept of a ‘word bank,’ with each word being treasured, every word cut from one sentence being returned to the bank to be reused for maximum impact elsewhere in the story. Finally, Kechula takes us through a detailed analysis of one of his own prize-winning stories, explaining how the story evolved from concept through its initial incarnations and finally into the fully realized story, complete with a twist ending.

MICRO FICTION is a self-study guide, complete with 165 drill questions and 125 word reduction exercises as well as hundreds of examples of Drabbles done right--and wrong. While it's possible simply to read this book, the writer will gain most advantage by taking out her pencil and working through the exercises.

Kechula stresses that he’s helping the reader develop his chops as a short-short story writer and that not all of his techniques will be as useful in longer format fiction. This is true to a certain extent—certainly Kechula’s stressing the need to tell not show and to minimize character development is driven by his need to economize words and may even be undesirable in novel-length fiction. On the other hand, I wish more novel writers would study Kechula’s tips. After all, whether a story last 100 words or 100,000, every word still should count.

MICRO FICTION stands alone but many of the lessons in this guide expand on, or work in conjunction with Kechula's guide, WRITING GENRE FLASH FICTION, also published by BooksForABuck.com. (See also collections of Kechula's Flash and Micro Fiction published by BooksForABuck.com.)

Here is what others are saying about Michael A. Kechula:

Mike Kechula's the real deal, a great writer who can actually teach writing. With the precision of a technical writer (which he is) he's analyzed and cracked the code of readable--and publishable--flash and micro fiction, and has been very generous sharing the secrets. I've learned more about writing from Mike than any of a dozen paid courses I've taken over the last five years, and have recommended him to several fledgling flash writers. If you want not only the basics of readable genre flash, but also a good model of how to analyze a market and master it, Mike can show you. (Valerie Kravette, USA)
Michael Kechula is a mentor to me. He took me under his wing and showed me the real way to write flash fiction. Ever since then I have been published in several magazines. I wouldn't have ever thought I'd get published until I met him. (Calvin Seen, USA)
Your understanding of flash fiction taught me a tremendous amount in a very short time. Your examples and guidance will influence all my writing no matter the genre. Your detailed analysis and suggestions are invaluable. We are so fortunate to have someone of your caliber, knowledge, and patience to mentor us. (John Brooke, Mexico)
Under the guidance of Michael Kechula, who is the god of flash fiction writing, I developed my skills and found success in getting my stories published. (Nancy Cavanaugh, USA)

Four Stars

Reviewed 11/17/14

MICRO FICTION is available in HTML, Adobe PDF, ePub, and Kindle-MOBI formats for only $9.99. A paperback version is also available. Ready to buy it now? Click the buy now button.

Want more? Read the free excerpt.

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