Gorgeous combinations of Math applications in Flash Fiction
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Have you ever thought how geometric shapes can inspire flash writing?
At the draft stage, if you visualize your idea as a geometric shape, the structure of your story becomes easier to imagine and write.
Imagine a line segment: It has two end points. Similarly, if you intend to write a story where there is just one character and one setting, and the character moves from point A to B, literally or in the mind (metaphorically) imagine as if you are drawing a line. This trick works best for micro pieces, 100 words or so. Take a look at this piece (Melissa L Brownlee) for example, that punches despite its brevity through a shift from point A to B, and through many small details.
Let us move to another aspect about shapes: Have you ever wondered why moral stories and Fairy tales were such favorites? We can hardly say, if at all, anything comes close to that joy as we remember it, and sense of satiation of those tales. Recall the mythical stories our mothers told us and the fables we read as young children. Or even the adventure tales, or the classics. What was common in them? Why each one has stayed with us well into our adult lives? Well, the reason is their circularity — the synonym of COMPLETENESS that is offered by a circle. A circular story! It has no edges. I’d suggest sticking to one character. Instead on the journey from point A to B, start from A and end back to A.
The condition of fulfilment lies in this conservation of equilibrium. And thus, the constant drive towards a circularity. It is the same for physics and mathematics (think cosmological constants?), technology and biology (find the solutions!). Think rotation, think zero and infinity, think reproduction and survival, think dynamic reality — it is the deep note of being complete in themselves, sufficient on their own that works on our minds to create a sense of completeness. The same works for writing. Whether a novel, poem, or short story, the schemata should work towards a satisfactory ending, while the tension should be built on the principles of uniformity. If you begin your draft piece on a conflict point, you must incrementally steer the storyline towards the same position of natural stability, without the conflict point, to achieve the sense of circularity.
Examples of circular stories? Well they are abundant. Here’s just one: this (by Sudha Balagopal)
What about concentric circles? That are circular but either expanding out or converging inside? Read Signedora (by me!).
While you imagine parallel lines: Go ahead and read the following story
A common situation at an airport, 2 people waiting, one is the narrator who has a history we get to know soon and another is a burrito-manifesting man. How the weirdness develops in the story is fascinating. It has two characters in parallel. Steve and Tim are parallel lines, there’s a premise pretty absurd but the writer is expert in keeping the reader hooked to it. It also uses tacos and burritos. Why? They serve as metaphors for the huge load Steve is carrying. The truths of his life are like the contents of a fully-loaded burrito or tortilla. Attention to the line: Burritos are good when you’re eating them, then they’re gone. They are too much like all his past relationships.
IF you begin by imagining a triangle, and that is the shape that suits the story you want to write, then remember it has three sides and three angles. I’d expect this to be story where there are conflicts between three characters closely related to each other, because each side holds onto two other sides. Each corner is looking at another sharp corner, meaning a constant friction.
Finally, a rectangle: THIS IS YOUR PROMPT 1 [DIFFICULTY LEVEL: BEGINNERS]
Set this up as a story with four characters. There are two couples. The wives are in the kitchen, the men are sitting and chatting outside. Each person is related to two other persons, and opposite to the third person, meaning EACH WIFE & EACH HUSBAND ARE in conflict with the third person. Try doing it in just 4 paragraphs, keep it taut, full of intrigue. Optional: appropriate food reference.
Just like science, maths theorems, fun facts, algebra, word problems, equations can all serve as jackets to write a neat little flash.
What about using a Word Problem like the ones you solved in junior school as a story structure? Read the following piece for example!
THIS IS YOUR PROMPT 2 [DIFFICULTY LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE]
Consider body parts. Use the numbers of them, like two eyes, two hands, five fingers, one mouth, ten toes, and so on… to write a story portraying the grief of ageing.
SIMILARLY, read these two example stories: one and two.
Both use arithmetic equations and commonly used mathematical functions to great effect.
THIS IS YOUR PROMPT 3 [DIFFICULTY LEVEL: EXPERT]
Take the first seven prime numbers. If those numbers represent the different age (in years) of the first woman to win the Nobel Prize, Marie Curie, how would you retell her story as you imagine it happened in the corresponding ages?
SUBMISSIONS OPEN!!! [Here I list magazines & submission windows. FREE TO SUBMIT. OPENS on November 1 or are open year round] South Florida Poetry Journal, Cobra Milk, Chestnut Review, Non-Binary Review, 3Elements Review
NEW!! Writing Workshops elsewhere (of two weeks’ duration, arguably equal to the time to create a presentable submission packet) cost around USD 125 and I understand it might not be affordable to all. Keeping this in mind, I’m offering Fiction Consultations on submission basis with optional submission process assistance and a turnaround time of 30 days. Last few places open. Reach out NOW!
PRO-TIP: If you are a Writer of Color, and/or from a marginalized group, do take a few minutes to check out previous editions (or at least the ToC) of publications you’ve been thinking of submitting to. Particularly check if they are encouraging diverse voices or are they repeatedly publishing the same set of identities and the same typical stories. I’m sure that’ll save you a lot of time and help you decide if you want to continue to try your work there.
November’s blogpost will be “Year’s Roundup of the Top 10 Flash Fiction I Read in 2023”. Look out for it! Share this post and tell your friends!
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Last day of the month, I post craft essays ruminating on writing life and craft, highlighting stories on a particular chosen theme, prompts for Beginners/Intermediate/Experienced writers, Pro-level tips and selected free submission opportunities.
