Over a year ago, I did this special, story-building writing prompt for the YA (Young Adult) genre, so I decided to use it again. Below are photos of possible main characters. Readers can select a protagonist for teen fiction, and the photo with the most votes is the winner. In the following weeks, readers can choose an antagonist, the genre within teen fiction, a setting, and the main plot, such as quest, riddle, coming of age, etc. By the time we’re done, we’ll have the seeds for a story of teens. Be sure to vote in the comments!
To open this month’s theme of all things young adult, or YA, fiction, I have a book review ofSmoking Flax by Jennifer Hallmark, which released this past January.
Here’s the back cover blurb:
Almost nineteen-year-old Read Anderson wants to belong in a world where he hasn’t always fit. Three days after graduation, he decides to ride a bus back to Louisiana and deals with the events of his thirteenth summer once and for all. Back then, he’d stood up to his abusive Pa, protecting Momma and his sister, taking control of his life. But who was the faded image of the child he saw that day? Aunt Lula predicted his life would shift and change. Something about space-time-continum and the fourth dimesion. He tucks her words in his heart. If he survives the shift, this could be his chance to start over. But the ghost child haunts his dreams. Even though six years have passed, does he want to confront the lies he’s always believed?
My Review
Jennifer Hallmark does the two things that almost always keeps me reading: she builds sympathy for her main character, and she lets me live the setting.
Reed is trapped in a very tough situation. The plot deals with racism and child abuse, and a rape from the past is mentioned. None of these are written in explicit ways.
I love how Jennifer makes you feel like you are living in the 70’s. It isn’t heavy-handed but written very much like how a book written in that decade would refer to current events and customs, so her descriptions are very natural. I also liked how she describes a southern summer. I could feel the heat. And if you want to know why I put Star Wars toys in my photo, you’ll have to read the book.
The ending surprised me and was very dramatic, which is fits very well with all the serious problems that have coursed through the story.
If you like speculative fiction mixed with history and realism, pick this one up.
Here’s the last prompt for this month’s theme of speculative fiction. Study the photos and write the first lines for a scifi story.
Here’s my inspiration:
Slumped in her swivel chair by the front control panels, Dalian said, “Sector Q-37 is clear. All normal readings. Exactly what we’ve found in all the previous sectors, and exactly what we’ll find in all the rest. Thick forests, steep mountains, and no intelligent life.”
I rubbed my eyes and flipped several switches. “The scouting mission wasn’t a total waste. Mining is possible in the mountains.”
“Those trace amounts of elements wouldn’t make it worth any companies time.” Dalian stared at the front screen which relayed the terrain in front of our ship. “My brother-in-law has told more than I’ve ever wanted to know about mining.” She sighed. “Sectore Q-38 is …”
I looked up from the buttons in front of me.
Dalian stared straight ahead and lifted her hand to point at the screen.
Our ship was quickly approaching a structure big enough to be a city jutting from the side of a pinnacle.
“I guess there is intelligent life. Or was.”
“But it’s not registering.” Dalian had moved her focus to the displays. “According to our sensors, there’s just a mountain peak in front of us.”
We looked at the structure and then at each other.
Say hello to author Jen Booth! She’s new to JPC Allen Writes and today provides advice on writing speculative flash fiction with punch. Take it away, Jen!
Speculative fiction is a tremendously fun genre to write, because you are inviting the reader to experience the “what if” and “what could be.” In speculative fiction, we create something new—either taking our world and adding fantastic elements or creating an entirely new world. The most recognized speculative sub-genres are fantasy, sci-fi, paranormal, and horror.
Flash fiction is a very short story, usually under 1,500 words. When we think of speculative fiction, we tend to think of stories with a broad scope, often in a series, and with a lot of words. How does a writer take such a sprawling genre and turn it into such a short story?
Think of a flash fiction piece as a snapshot. While it will have a beginning, middle, and end, it is like zooming in on one aspect of the greater world. Some call it a story within a story.
The rules of good flash fiction apply especially to speculative fiction, because we are asking our readers to suspend their disbelief. We must draw them in and hold them fast, putting them in the character’s shoes in a world that defies reality. That’s why it is vital to begin with a sharp hook. Set your hook, and they’ll stay on for the ride. Make them ask, “Why?” Spark their interest.
From the hook onward, every sentence must play off the one before it. Verbs are your friends here. Stay away from too much backstory, and choose powerful but minimal description, giving just enough to let the reader’s imagination fill in the details. Flash fiction inevitably forces you to tighten your prose to make each word count.
Use a strong narrative voice. Whether writing in first or third person, immerse your reader into the mind of your character so that they experience the story as if they were there. A strong narrative voice helps the reader believe what you are showing them. If the traveling bard has a relatable personality and realistic reactions, the reader can buy it when his songs become weapons to slay monsters in the neighboring village. Make the reader connect to your character, and they can connect to your story.
Just as you begin the story with a hook, end it with a strong punchline. Sometimes this is a plot twist, but it doesn’t have to be. The ending should tie things together and illuminate what was foreshadowed throughout the story. A good flash fiction piece will not end on a cliffhanger—but it will leave your reader wanting more.
If you would like to read great speculative flash fiction, check out Havok Publishing. They have a free story every day, in various sub genres by many different authors.
Don’t forget to have fun! If you’re enjoying your story and the world you’re creating, it will shine through your words. Pour yourself onto that page—just keep it short!
Jen will have one of her speculative flash fiction, “The Rejected”, published in a Havok anthology next year!
Jen Booth is an author, wife, and mother who hails from the lush hills and lazy bayous of North Louisiana. She has had four flash fiction stories published with Havok Publishing and one with Clean Fiction Magazine, and is currently querying an epic fantasy novel. When not writing or homeschooling her children, you can find Jen outdoors—usually with her family, and often dreaming of dragons. Follow her on her website, Istagram, and Facebook.
Study the photo and let your imagination run free as you answer the question: who are these fantasy characters? They look like friends. Or are they enemies? Is one of them dominant? Have they just met or have they known each other a long time?
Here’s my inspiration:
“Her parents were right.” Matthias glanced at his tablet. “She does have the gift.”
The little girl stroked the kryvern as it flopped its tail and growled with contentment.
Natalia watched from the seclusion of the tall bushes. “I’ve never seen a child so young command it so well.”
“I couldn’t believe it either,” said Matthias. “We get calls all the time that this person or that is dragon sympathetic. Most of the time it only means that they had an encounter with a dragon and didn’t get fried. But this girl is obviously sympathetic.” He studied his tablet again. “The parents wanted to know if they could enroll her in the academy–the one in the capital–despite her age.”
“If you mean the state capital, no. She will come to the national capital.” Natalia’s eyes never left the two figures in front of her.
“I-I don’t think her parents would like that. The father said he’d look for a job in the state capital so the family could move there.”
“He can get a job anywhere he likes.” Natalia strode into the clearing. “But the girl is coming with us.”
