Flash fiction... comics?

[akitsukino]

I have serious trouble summarizing my stories. Stories that maybe could be told in ten pages get puffed out to twenty, and written stories that could be a few pages turn into whole novels. I think a good way to build up my confidence with comic making and storytelling might be to start on some smaller projects and build up to a bigger one. The only problem is that its kind of hard to sometimes think up stories that can be told in only a few pages. That's when I thought back to flash fiction.
For those of who who don't know, flash fiction stories are short stories ranging from 500-1000 words that involve a conflict and complete character arc. You can find more about them here.

The Definition of Flash Fiction - Flash Fiction Online

I had a talk with a writing teacher about this, and one great piece of advice she gave me was this; there is always a smaller story to tell in a bigger story. Maybe a girl saving a multiverse, could be chopped down to a girl just saving someone who's sick? Either way I think the idea of flash comics (maybe 3-4 pages?) could be a good project! But that's just me? What do you guys think? Do you think flash fiction comics could be something you'd ever pursue, or do you think your stories just need more room that ? Let me know below!

[joannekwan]

To make really short comics, you really have to pare down the plot and character arc.
I'll use one of the examples you posited. Instead of someone saving a sick person (which could end up as a full-length quest), you could have the character cheer up the ill. I'm picturing shots of the ill person in bed, looking weak, main character getting frustrated and leaving the bed to go outside. They find something the ill person likes, like a book, bring it back to the ill. They sit by their bed, start reading or interacting with whatever item it is, and the ill person smiles a little. The main character smiles as well, happy to have lifted the ill's spirits for at least a little bit.

I think a good example of flash fiction in a visual sense are commercials you see everyday on TV.
Sure they're selling a product, but often they will have mini-story arcs and tell a story in 30 seconds.
Here's one of my current favorite commercials. It's over a minute but there is a pared down 30 second version; I just wanted to show it complete.

Personally I have definitely thought of doing some short comics and collecting them in an anthology series. Much of the plots of these mini-comics are mundane, like going to get ice-cream. I just need to find the time to start drawing.

[punkarsenic]

[punkarsenic]

(source, btw)

flash comics are absolutely a great exercise in structure and prioritisation, and theyre great for portfolios too (cant go through an entire graphic novel in this interview? this ones four pages)

if i could find the time to sit down and hammer out some flash comics, i totally would.

[sarrowsmith10]

I have a short 4 page comic:

It's a mini comic from the long form comic we do, and we hand it out at conventions. I think most people who haven't read the big comic can still understand this one.

Is this what you meant?

[DeformedSunflower]

Flash fiction comics/one shots are definitely a good practice material. In fact, my first two comics I was actually serious about were one shots.
They short--thus doesn't take a lot of time--but could be more impactful than a hundred page series. Additionally, it gives you the chance to familiarise yourself with the basic story graph (intro --> uphill --> conflict --> peak --> downhill --> resolution --> conclusion).

The important thing to remember when making short stories is to focus only on one conflict.
Firstly, pick a topic you want to talk about; be as specific as you can.
I once wrote a short story revolving a handicapped girl, and the focus of the story is how her friend helped her overcome her PTSD over the loss of her father and ability to walk by showing her just how beautiful the ocean can be (she lost both of them due to an incident at the sea).

Then, list down the the major components of the story. A graph will help you in this step.

Or if you wish, you can use a mind map instead.

One shots are definitely not suitable for stories that have a more complex and elaborate plot. Say, for example, a slice of life story about the aforementioned children and how they interact with their neighbours as they go on with their life.
The beauty in one shots, though, are that you can ANY kind of character arc, cut it out of a longer story, and make it an independent story by itself.

[Rochrok]

I love flash comics or one-shots. My comic Blood and Bone was meant to be a one-shot that spiraled into a full comic, but yeah I do plan to do true one-shot comics in the future.

[fakey]

I could totally see myself trying my hand at some flash fiction. Seems like it'd be a good palette cleanser after working on a lengthy project. Like something just to stay active but not get too overworked by.

[Tes]

I had to make a 12 page book for my course, so naturally I drew a short comic. It was really hard because there was so much that I wanted to put in there about characters, motives, settings, etc that there just wasn't room for. The whole thing seemed rushed too because there wasn't much room for pacing, but it did what it had to and there was ultimately something satisfying about completing a project that would've gone on endlessly if I was left to my own devices.

[NanettesClouds]

Hey so I make minicomics on a regular basis. Here's what my process is basically.

0) Figure out how long your thing is gonna be. I like 4-6 page microzines, and 12 page minicomics for various reasons.

1) generate an idea, it should be something pretty specific. An environment, an interaction between characters, an adaptation of a poem. If you start thinking up backstories you've gone too far.

2) Determine a technical goal/aspiration for your project. Something like "I'm going to draw really detailed hands" or "i want to focus on group dialogue". This will give you a secondary qualification when you have to decide what ideas you need to cut, and which ones you should leave in.

3) DIVE IN make a prototype out of printer paper and just start drawing on it. You'll get a sense of how much space you have to tell your story and get a better understanding of your pacing. Once you've made a prototype (or 6) you'll have a much clearer idea of the limitations and strengths that writing short fiction has.