Microfiction: A Literary Genre

Microfiction: Etymology

“Microfiction,” a term derived from the fusion of “micro-” meaning small or minute and “fiction,” refers to an extremely brief form of storytelling characterized by its concise narratives typically ranging from a few words to a few hundred words. The etymology of “microfiction” encapsulates its essence, emphasizing brevity and succinctness in conveying complete narratives. The prefix “micro-” highlights the diminutive scale of these narratives, while “fiction” underscores the genre’s creative and imaginative nature. The term itself reflects the evolving landscape of literature, where constraints on length challenge writers to distill the essence of a story into a compact and impactful form, embracing the economy of words as a fundamental aspect of artistic expression.

Microfiction: Literal and Conceptual Meanings

Term	Literal Meaning	Conceptual Meaning
Microfiction	Very short stories, few words	A genre emphasizing brevity, condensing narratives succinctly
“Micro-“	Prefix meaning small or minute	Indicates the diminutive scale of the narratives
“Fiction”	Creative and imaginative narratives	Highlights the genre’s foundation in storytelling and artistry
Brevity	Conciseness in expression	The essence of microfiction, conveying complete stories briefly
Compression	Reduction of narrative elements	The craft of condensing a complete narrative into a small space
Immediacy	Quick and direct impact	Microfiction’s ability to capture attention and provoke thought
Economy of Words	Efficient use of language	Maximizing the impact of each word in conveying the narrative
Storytelling	Conveying narratives or experiences	Microfiction as a unique and compact form of storytelling
Creativity	Artistic expression and imagination	The foundation of microfiction, challenging writers to be concise
Evocative	Provoking emotions or thoughts	Microfiction’s goal to elicit a response within a brief space

Microfiction: Definition as a Literary Genre

Microfiction, as a literary genre, is characterized by its brevity and the condensation of complete narratives into a compact form, typically ranging from a few words to a few hundred. This genre challenges conventional notions of storytelling, emphasizing the economy of words to evoke powerful emotions or convey intricate ideas within a constrained space. Microfiction operates as a unique and impactful mode of literary expression, encouraging authors to distill the essence of a story into a concise and thought-provoking narrative.

Microfiction: Types

1. Six-Word Stories:
   • Extremely brief narratives, often attributed to Ernest Hemingway, that encapsulate a complete story or evoke strong emotions in only six words.
2. Twitterature:
   • Microfiction crafted to fit within the character limit of a single tweet on Twitter, challenging writers to convey a narrative within a constrained space.
3. Drabbles:
   • Exactly 100-word stories that aim to tell a complete tale, often characterized by their precise word count.
4. Hint Fiction:
   • Very short stories that provide a hint or suggestion, challenging readers to fill in the gaps and engage actively with the narrative in a limited word count.
5. Sudden Fiction:
   • Extremely short stories that typically range from 250 to 750 words, offering concise narratives with a focus on impact.
6. Nanofiction:
   • Stories consisting of only a few sentences, often three or fewer, that convey a complete narrative or explore a thematic idea.
7. Postcard Fiction:
   • Microfiction written to fit on the back of a postcard, combining brevity with the visual aspect of the postcard format.
8. Flash Fiction:
   • Very short stories, often under 1,000 words, that aim to capture a complete narrative or moment within a brief space.
9. Dribble:
   • Stories composed of exactly 50 words, challenging writers to convey a narrative or emotion with extreme brevity.
10. Minute Stories:
    • Microfiction designed to be read in one minute or less, emphasizing quick yet impactful storytelling.

These types showcase the versatility of microfiction, allowing writers to experiment with different constraints and approaches while delivering powerful narratives within minimal word limits.

Microfiction in Literature: Examples

1. “In My Dream I See My Son” by Jason Jackson: In Jason Jackson’s microfiction, the narrator envisions a dream where their son, now much older, is indifferent to their impending death. The narrative intertwines the dream with memories of the narrator’s father, creating a poignant reflection on memory, legacy, and the inevitable passage of time. The dream becomes a canvas for the narrator to convey the richness of their life experiences, the unspoken aspects of their identity, and the complexity of familial relationships. The use of vivid imagery and introspective moments crafts a narrative that transcends its brevity, inviting readers to contemplate the layers of existence encapsulated within the dream.
2. “Giants” by Steven John: Steven John’s microfiction unfolds during a honeymoon, exploring the contrasting perspectives of a couple. While the husband recalls the thrill of winning at the roulette table, the wife finds joy in feeding giant tortoises. The narrative subtly weaves together themes of luck, desire, and the idyllic setting of the honeymoon. The juxtaposition of the husband’s focus on material gains with the wife’s connection to nature and sensuality creates a tension that underlines the complexities within the relationship. John’s prose, laced with sensory details, paints a vivid picture of the honeymoon, and the symbolism of the giant tortoises adds depth to the exploration of marital dynamics.
3. “Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me (1987)” by Joshua Jones: In this microfiction by Joshua Jones, the narrator navigates the complexities of identity, desire, and societal expectations. The narrative unfolds in a sequence of moments, revealing the narrator’s thoughts on queerness, relationships, and glimpses into their future. The use of pop culture references, such as the song “Just Like Heaven,” adds layers to the narrative. Jones adeptly captures the internal conflicts and external pressures faced by the narrator, creating a rich exploration of self-discovery and the fluidity of identity within the constraints of societal norms.
4. “The Day the Birds Came” by Kyra Kondis: Kyra Kondis’s microfiction revolves around the mysterious arrival of birds in the life of Patricia, a character who becomes a focal point for unusual occurrences. The story delicately explores themes of envy, curiosity, and the desire for significance. The sudden presence of diverse birds around Patricia becomes a symbol of her perceived uniqueness, leaving others in awe and wonder. The narrative cleverly weaves Patricia’s transformation into a mythical figure, emphasizing the allure of the extraordinary and the impact it has on those observing from the sidelines. Kondis’s storytelling skillfully blends the fantastical with the mundane, creating a whimsical and thought-provoking narrative.
5. “Warsaw Circus” by Kathryn Kulpa: In “Warsaw Circus,” Kulpa skillfully crafts a microfiction capturing the ephemeral nature of a circus act and the personal reflections of the protagonist. Through vivid imagery, the reader is immersed in the circus world, witnessing a brief yet captivating performance. The detailed description of the characters, the dance, and the scents of the circus evoke a sense of nostalgia and a longing for a bygone era. Simultaneously, the narrative introduces a poignant undertone, exploring themes of memory, change, and the stark contrast between the past and an uncertain future. Kulpa’s narrative prowess shines as she weaves together the spectacle of the circus with the emotional complexity of the characters.
6. “Historic Preservation” by Kathryn Kulpa: In “Historic Preservation,” Kulpa delves into the mundanity and challenges of daily life, juxtaposing the routine with profound musings on mortality. The narrative unfolds with a blend of observational details and introspection, capturing the monotony of a preservationist’s work juxtaposed against the inevitable decay and the fragility of life. The use of scientific terminology, such as “apoptosis,” adds a layer of complexity, underscoring the thematic exploration of life’s impermanence. Kulpa’s language is both precise and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the decaying surroundings and the internal struggles faced by the protagonist. The narrative builds toward a poignant realization about the struggle between hanging on and the fear of falling.
7. “Why I Got Written Up by the Manager at Uncle Earl’s World Famous Bar-B-Q” by Kathryn Kulpa: In this microfiction, Kulpa crafts a scene at Uncle Earl’s Bar-B-Q, exploring themes of desire, rebellion, and the mundane routines of everyday life. The narrative unfolds with a mix of sensuality and humor as the protagonist indulges in a forbidden moment in the walk-in freezer. Kulpa skillfully captures the tactile experience of the moment, from the smoky Bar-B-Q to the popsicle air of the freezer. The narrative takes an unexpected turn, introducing elements of workplace dynamics and the clash between personal indulgence and professional obligations. Kulpa’s storytelling is infused with a playful yet introspective tone, creating a memorable and engaging microfiction.

Microfiction in Literature: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance of Microfiction
Reader-Response Theory	Emphasizes the role of the reader in constructing meaning. Microfiction, with its brevity and open-ended narratives, invites readers to actively engage in interpreting and completing the stories, aligning with the principles of reader-response theory.
Formalism	Focuses on the inherent structure and form of literary works. Microfiction, in its concise and carefully crafted structure, aligns with formalist principles by highlighting the importance of precision and economy in conveying complete narratives within a limited space.
Postmodernism	Challenges traditional narrative structures and conventions. Microfiction’s experimentation with brevity, ambiguity, and unconventional storytelling aligns with postmodern tendencies to deconstruct and redefine traditional literary norms.
New Criticism	Stresses close reading and analysis of the text itself. Microfiction, with its condensed form, encourages readers to scrutinize each word and implication, fostering a close examination of the narrative within the confines of brevity, in line with New Critical analytical practices.
Structuralism	Explores how elements within a system relate to one another. Microfiction operates within a distinct structure of brevity, where each word plays a crucial role in conveying meaning, aligning with structuralist principles by examining relationships and interactions within the narrative system.
Poststructuralism	Challenges fixed meanings and explores the instability of language. Microfiction’s reliance on implication, ambiguity, and the multiplicity of interpretations resonates with poststructuralist ideas, questioning the stability of meaning and embracing the fluidity of language.
Feminist Criticism	Explores gender roles and biases in literature. Microfiction provides a platform for exploring diverse perspectives and challenging traditional gender norms, making it relevant to feminist criticism by presenting concise narratives that may address or subvert gender-related themes.
Cultural Criticism	Considers the impact of culture on literary works. Microfiction, often capturing cultural moments or commentaries within a few words, serves as a condensed lens through which to explore and critique cultural influences and perspectives, aligning with the goals of cultural criticism.
Psychoanalytic Criticism	Examines the psychological motivations of characters and authors. Microfiction, with its focus on implication and the exploration of subconscious aspects, provides a space for psychoanalytic inquiry, inviting readers to delve into the psychological nuances within the constraints of brevity.
Marxist Criticism	Analyzes literature in terms of social and economic contexts. Microfiction, even in its brevity, can offer glimpses into socioeconomic themes and inequalities, inviting readers to reflect on broader societal issues within the condensed narratives, aligning with Marxist critical perspectives.

Microfiction in Literature: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Flash Fiction	Extremely brief narratives, often ranging from a few words to a few hundred, similar to microfiction.
Drabble	A story precisely 100 words in length, challenging writers to convey a complete narrative within this constraint.
Sudden Fiction	Very short stories, often under 1,000 words, emphasizing brevity and impact.
Hint Fiction	Extremely short stories (25 words or fewer) that provide a hint or suggestion, encouraging reader engagement.
Nanofiction	Micro-stories consisting of only a few sentences, typically three or fewer.
Flash Nonfiction	Extremely brief nonfiction narratives, capturing real-life moments with brevity.
Dribble	Stories composed of exactly 50 words, challenging writers to convey a narrative or emotion in a concise form.
Six-Word Stories	Narratives limited to only six words, requiring precision and depth in storytelling.
Postcard Fiction	Microfiction crafted to fit on the back of a postcard, combining brevity with visual storytelling.
Micro-Storytelling	The art of crafting complete and impactful narratives within a very limited word count.

Microfiction in Literature: Suggested Readings

1. Swartwood, Robert. Hint Fiction: An Anthology of Stories in 25 Words or Fewer. W. W. Norton & Company, 2010.
2. Pokrass, Meg. The Dog Looks Happy Upside Down. Etruscan Press, 2016.
3. Masih, Tara L. Where the Dog Star Never Glows: Stories. Press 53, 2015.
4. Faulkner, Grant. Fissures: One Hundred 100-Word Stories. Press 53, 2015.