Sorry it took me so long to reply to your question, Benjamin. I don't log in here very often. The horns are a permanent fixture, the unfortunate result of an incident involving a goat upon which I can't elaborate until the judge lifts the gag order. Suffice it to say that it's legal in three states, so what's the big deal?

Hi Benjamin,
Thanks for befriending this mystery author!

Hey, lemme tell you something in all seriousness: if I in any way really got you off your ass, you lazy bastard, and got you moving towards this, then I am well fucking proud. I am gonna dine out on this for months. Hell of a story, man, really. Just a hell of a story.

You too, man. Good luck.

Great Space you have here, Benjamin. Good to see you 'round. Donna

Any old time, chief. And I'm glad you liked my goofy stuff. Should be more to come.

Jeez, you're coming to me for advice? Man, you must be hard up...

I guess the main thing would be just to devour as many flash-fictions as possible. Go to Powder Burn Flash, The Flash Fiction Offensive, A Twist of Noir, Flash Pan Alley. Google "flash-fiction" and see what comes up. Get your mitts on a copy of Out of the Gutter.

Then, I dunno, just write some, I guess. Personally speaking, I think a good flash-fiction is like a joke: quick set-up, then punchline. Ba-da-beep, ba-da-boop. Most of the ones I've written have come to me more or less fully formed, although I did revise 'em a bit. And I'll tell ya, I don't think I've written one without at least one more kinda just popping into my head. These things are like Ruffles once you get on a roll. Even if they don't quite work, you should at least have a line or two--some dialogue, a pithy description--that you can use for something else.

I came to these stories as a writing exercise, something to loosen up with. So try it like that. The first ones I wrote were just me trying to see if I could write a full story in only 100 words. Most of 'em were crap, but they did meet that goal. And then I found some that in themselves were perfectly good stories.

Okay, enough blah blah blah out of me. Get to work.

Many thanks for your vote. I really appreciate your support.

Best regards

Brian

Thanks for your congrats Benjamin. I hope all is going well for you too.

Best regards

Brian

Thank you for taking the time to read my simply written blog and "get it"! I hope you will read my book when I finally get it finished... I have a self-imposed deadline to finsh writing by the end of June. Wish me luck!

Thanks Benjamin,

It is nice to receive such a great review from a fellow author, and in fact the book has received 3 five star reveiws in the space of 24 hours, so I'm highly delighted so far.

Best regards

Brian

Hi Benjamin,

I see you've noted Hillerman as one of your faves...Is that because of what he writes or where, just curious?:)

I was hoping the horns were permanent, but I molted.

Hi Benjamin, thanks for befriending me:)

Debbie

Thanks for the invite! Joyce

Benjamin,
Thanks for the friend invitation and best of luck with your first crime novel.
Chris