Monday Flash: Robert Olen Butler (and the FOXSexpert) Puts Yearning at the Center of Flash
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That yearning leads (and Butler credits James Joyce with this idea) "to a moment at the end where something about the human condition shines forth in its essence" (103). There's what Butler calls "an earlier epiphany" (103), the something that happens that reveals (to reader, writer, character) the nature of the desire to drive the narrative into existence. The middle then (the plot) is "yearning challenged and thwarted" (103). There's the essence of narrative structure in short fiction. Easy peasy, yes?
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I often wonder about the desire of readers for something within flash fiction. What do readers, especially those who are not themselves writers of flash fiction, yearn for at the beginning, middle, end of a flash fiction piece? What drives them to flash, of all things, the way that some people are driven to poetry or romance novels or mysteries or vampires. Do they want the same thing from (short) short fiction as they do from long fiction? If desire drives all narratives, then is flash fiction the equivalent of the quickie?
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FoxSexpert (I want that title!) Yvonne K. Fulbright in discussing "The Art of the Quickie" writes, "What takes less time than brewing a pot of coffee, or sitting through Super Bowl commercials, or filling up your gas tank? Sex-on-the-run, that is! In today’s busy world, the quickie is catching on. People are not only turned on to the time efficiency and minimal efforts involved in such 'sexcapades,' but all of the great things sex on the fly can do for your relationship." Just plug in flash fiction for "sex-on-the run," "quickie" "sexcapes" and "sex on the fly"—and there's the yearning of readers.
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Fulbright provides these suggestions to "actually pull off a quickie."
First, dress for success. This starts with clothes that make you feel sexy. Consider attire that allow for as much skin touch as possible. This could be fabrics that feel good, like satin, or outfits that don’t leave much to the imagination. Furthermore, while you’ll be consumed with that rip-my-clothes-off feeling, you don’t want to actually remove any clothing, since that wastes time and raises the stakes should you get busted.
Go for the unexpected. Half the thrill of a quickie is its lack of planning. Be bold and give your partner a little bit of love when it’s least expected. Don’t wait for the bedroom. Part of what makes quickies so captivating is the element of devilish dare and astonishment.
Turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. For example, you have to eat, right? Well instead of dining at your dinner table, feast on your lover, arranging your sushi, crackers and cheese, whatever, on your partner’s stomach, buttocks or back. Get into a quickie mentality, evaluating everything you do as possible moments for "misbehaving."
Choose positions from which you can easily unwind. Enough said.
Keep things wet. It’s not unheard of for those on regular quickie quests to arm themselves with travel-size lubricants. Wetter makes for better action—and easier efforts too.
Explore your territory—indoors and out—privacy within reason. You certainly don’t want to have anybody, like a police officer, catching you in the act. That’s not to say, however, that you can’t push the envelope in your erotic pursuits. Just be smart about it.
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posted on 1 Dec 2009, 2:28 AM
I have some things to say here indeed! I just can't remember what they are. i read this so quickly because the silliness aspect of this grabbed me and sucked me under! God!
I think, no damnit...no, I KNOW what this is about! Why deny it! Flash fiction is sex! We live for sex and we die after we live! We all do!! Flash is the heart muscle under the shirt, so bring it out and let it bleed!
For lovers/flash writers on the go... here is my advice. Bring something wetish - multi-purpose oils are terrific for this. Olive, canola... imagine this: you can say to anyone who notices your oily stash, "I prefer my onions with ____ oil and carry it with me."
Likewise, a flash writer always carries a well lubricated pen (because gosh, we know how damn drying paper is!) and multi-purpose words and a little journal! Words like sneaker, wave, behind, and slide. These words are flexible - spontaneous, sly, and delicious if you allow them to be!
My mind is filthy enough for flash fiction indeed! Also, if possible choose a nom deplume! because my name (for example) really does sound like a quickie!!