best ambiguous flash fiction

Keep the dialogue open - ended. In a story, if two characters are having a conversation about a 'secret', don't reveal what the secret actually is. Let the readers guess. This makes the flash fiction ambiguous. For instance, 'He told her about the thing. She gasped, but we never find out what 'the thing' is.

One of the best ambiguous flash fictions I've read is 'The Yellow Wallpaper'. It can be seen as a simple story about a woman's descent into madness in a room with that wallpaper. But it also has deeper implications about women's oppression in a patriarchal society. The ambiguity lies in whether the woman is truly losing her mind or just reacting to the confinement and lack of agency she experiences.

One characteristic is the use of multiple interpretations. The same words or events in the story can be understood in different ways. For example, a simple action like a character closing a door could symbolize shutting out the world, starting a new chapter, or hiding something. Another characteristic is the brevity. Flash fiction is short, and in ambiguous flash fiction, this shortness often intensifies the ambiguity. There's not much room for detailed explanations, so the reader has to fill in the gaps. Also, the lack of a clear - cut conclusion is common. The story may end without resolving all the issues, leaving the reader with a sense of mystery and the need to think about various possibilities.

One way is to focus on the language used. Ambiguous stories often have words or phrases that can be interpreted in multiple ways. For example, if a story uses words like 'light' which can mean both illumination and not heavy, analyze how these double - meaning words contribute to the overall ambiguity. Another aspect is the plot structure. In ambiguous flash fiction, the plot may not be straightforward. It could have missing parts or be presented in a non - linear way. You can try to piece together different possible sequences of events. Also, consider the characters' actions and motives. Since the stories are ambiguous, characters' motives might not be clear, and exploring different possible motives can help in understanding the story better.

I think 'short - short story' is also a great term for flash fiction. It emphasizes the brevity of this form of writing. Flash fictions are usually so short that they can be read in just a few minutes, and this term captures that essence really well. It's a term that has been used for a long time and is quite straightforward.

Online platforms like Wattpad can be great. It has a large community of readers and writers, providing exposure for flash fiction. Also, literary magazines such as 'The Flash Fiction Online' are dedicated to this form, which is an ideal place to showcase your work. Another option is personal blogs where you can freely post your flash fiction and attract readers interested in short - form stories.

One top magazine is 'Flash Fiction Magazine'. It has a long history of publishing excellent flash fictions. Another is 'The Flash Fiction Press'. They are always on the lookout for new and talented writers. 'Flash Fiction World' is also a good choice as it offers a platform for a diverse range of flash fictions.

One great place is 'Flash Fiction Online'. They are known for accepting high - quality flash fiction and have a wide readership. Another option is 'SmokeLong Quarterly', which has a reputation for promoting innovative and engaging flash fictions. 'Daily Science Fiction' is also good as it focuses on science - fiction - themed flash fictions and has a large following among sci - fi enthusiasts.

To be honest, without further research, it's difficult to name the exact authors of the '2016 best flash fiction'. Flash fiction is a popular genre, and there are numerous competitions and anthologies. So, it could be anyone from established literary figures who decided to dabble in this short - form writing to new voices that were just starting to gain recognition in 2016.

The '2016 best flash fiction' likely had unique and engaging plots. Flash fictions are short, so they need to hook the reader quickly. They might have had vivid characters despite their brevity. Maybe the stories were very creative in their use of language to convey deep emotions or complex ideas in just a few words.