Six Flash Essays in Six Weeks

with Rudri Patel

six flash essays in six weeks

September 25, 2024
6 Weeks

Original price was: $445.00.Current price is: $380.00.

Zoom sessions Thursdays 7 PM Eastern

The magic of the flash essay is that you can say a lot by only writing a little. In the flash essay, you get in, get out, and write your prose with efficiency and beauty. Join me in taking your striking sentences and creating a full narrative in under 1,000 words. As you become more adapt at the craft of flash, you will learn to generate material, build your structure, revise a piece, and target a publication in a matter of weeks. There is a generous market for these flash pieces, and writing short may help you generate material for longer work, too. 

If you sometimes find yourself jotting notes on index cards, composing a few sentences in a journal, or writing vignettes penned on a napkin, learn to shape these snippets into your next flash essay. You’ll also learn to develop the small moments and details from your life into flash pieces.

This course is designed for writers who want to generate material for flash essays with varying word counts and styles, like micro, hermit crab, and short shorts. You will be surprised how satisfying it is to tell a story in less than 1,000 words!

You will generate material every week for six weeks. The final week will be focused on flash essay markets and how to submit. You will receive written feedback from me, as well as your peers, and we will do some live workshopping during class. The course will be conducted over Zoom with a lesson and an essay due every week.

Who This Course is For:

  • This course is for the writer who wants to dive into writing flash nonfiction, or for the intermediate writer who wants to explore additional flash forms.

Learning and Writing Goals 

 Learning Goals: 

  • Learn the qualities of the flash essay format.
  • Experiment with flash essay word counts. 
  • Determine how to tackle revisions in flash format.
  • Learn how to give constructive feedback to classmates and peers. 
  • How to submit to literary journals who want flash essays. 

Writing Goals: 

  • Draft at least six new flash pieces with varying word lengths. 
  • Revise at least three new flash pieces based on instructor/peer feedback. 
  • Refine at least one or two flash pieces with an eye toward publication.

Zoom Schedule

Zoom sessions will be held on Thursdays at 7 PM Eastern. Classes will be one hour to one hour and 15 minutes.

Weekly Syllabus

Week 1: Flash as a Form 

We will learn the elements of a flash essay and the art of the short form. Our focus will be on reading flash and finding key elements of the form. We will also look at how flash differs from a traditional nonfiction piece.

Assignment: 1) Brainstorming assignment on focusing on a single moment that represents an epiphany 2) Mind map of the moment and branches of the story 3) Write a draft of 1,000 words or less. 

Week 2: Focusing on the Narrative Arc in a Flash Essay 

The focus is on  long-form flash essays (essays under 1,000 words) and how to achieve a narrative arc and capture voice in a capsulated form. We will discuss narrative arcs and why this concept is important in flash. 

Assignment:  1) Either draft a new essay with an identifiable narrative arc or 2) Revise essay in Week 1 to create a narrative arc. 

Week 3: How Character Works in Flash 

The lens will be on character and how to make it memorable in a short form. Character in flash generally focuses on one or two characters and the writer must focus on characteristics that reveal something about the protagonist and antagonist. Ways to make character work in your flash is focusing on pertinent descriptions, unusual connections, or statements that reveal place or personality. 

Assignment: 1) Identify character in the flashes you wrote. 2) Use the  techniques in the lesson to create these characters. 3) Work on Essay #1 or Essay #2 and understand what opportunities you need to take with your characters. 

Week 4: Looking at Different Flash Forms 

We will look at word counts and how to take a long-form flash and different forms they can take (micro-essays, hermit crab, and short shorts (under 101 words/50 words). What makes them different? What is the best way to write in these forms?

Assignment:  Use the lesson to compose two flash pieces that are different in form and word count. 

Week 5: On Revising a Flash Essay

Revising flash fiction means using your editing skills to maximize the full piece’s potential with a limited amount of words. We will use different techniques to revise your flash to capture the full depth of the piece. 

Assignment: Revise two pieces that we previously worked on in class. 

Week 6: Looking at Flash Fiction Markets 

What are flash fiction markets? How do you submit? We will investigate different flash markets and talk about the submission process. We will also look at writers who wrote flash and published a chapbook. 

Assignment: After revising a few flash pieces, the goal is to submit to outlets via email or submittable. 

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Student Feedback for Rudri Patel:

I cannot recommend working with Rudri enough, she is one of the best writing teachers that I have ever had. Leena Trivedi-Grenier

Rudri is genuine and compassionate, sharing her stories and helping students find a way to hold their grief, and release some of its anchors. I highly suggest Writing Our Grief, so much so, I’m gifting it to a friend. Don’t hesitate. Take this class! Linda Ragsdale

One word – Exceptional! I learned a tremendous amount of content in 8 short weeks. I loved Rudri Patel. She helped me take my writing to another level. She was full of knowledge, encouragement, constructive criticism and quickly identified my strengths. I highly recommend her. Nancy Wynn

Rudri is kind and clearly dedicated to her students and to helping people have the confidence that there is a place for their voice in the world. Keri Off

Rudri is an experienced writer and caring educator. I appreciate how she took time to listen to my writing ambitions and offer concrete direction. If writing is your calling, Rudri can guide you. Ike Onyema

Write Your World with Rudri Bhatt Patel was just what I needed to jump start a writing practice. Rudri offered pragmatic approaches to getting started — from writing a snippet on an index card every day to setting a timer for writing — which made the task seem less formidable to me. She also provided the class with lots of interesting and inspiring resources on technique, such as the narrative arc and the different types of structuring essays that I will continue to use. Her critique of the writing I submitted was insightful and very helpful. I always felt respected and encouraged by her comments. I recommend her class to anyone who has thought about writing essays or articles and isn’t sure where to start. Tracy McFerrin

I have participated in several other paid courses over many years and found Rudri’s to be the best value—she is candid and caring, an expert facilitator and exacting editor. I enjoyed and highly recommend her classes. Barbara Chen

It was a joy to be able to work with Rudri and I learned so many valuable skills that have shaped my writing for the better. Not only did I learn about the art of writing articles, but Rudri taught many practical skills about how to get your work out in the world. Her class was well designed and she packed every minute with useful, helpful readings, assignments, and teachings. Finally, Rudri is kind and clearly dedicated to her students and to helping people have the confidence that there is a place for their voice in the world. Keri Brandt Off

The course exceeded my expectations. Rudri’s practical, supportive, and encouraging style is just what I needed to build confidence and practice in my writing. Rudri is exceptionally perceptive, warm, and generous as a teacher. Rudri helps you believe in yourself as a writer and to build long-term habits after the course. Tom O’Shea

Rudri’s workshop as well as her in-depth critiques are invaluable. Dianne Parker

Rudri’s teaching style is warm, personal, informed, generous, and comprehensive. She wants her students to have a safe place to dig into their grief and to give written voice to it, to learn the craft of writing about grief with an eye for publication. She challenged us to experiment with new forms, and set the tone for a supportive class partnership. I highly recommend this class. Dianne King

I recommend Rudri to any writer who is serious about stepping up their writing game. Her honest feedback and commitment to helping her students succeed make her an excellent choice for anyone looking to improve their writing skills. Dean Bowman

Rudri created a wonderful workshop atmosphere. I received specific feedback on each of my writing assignments and felt supported and encouraged throughout the six-week course. I’m amazed at how much I learned in this short time period. Theresa Connors

Rudri is a real gem. Her management of the class given the difficulty of the material was exceptional. She was always encouraging to all the students. Larry Ricci

Rudri’s combination of compassion and solid tangible technique furthered my continuing development as a writer. If you want to take an MFA level class with an instructor who cares enough to guide you kindly but sure-footedly to the edges of your comfort zones—then this class is for you. You will come out on the other side a much improved writer. Christina Cavallaro

Rudri is kind so she reads with her heart as well as her head. As well as providing editorial expertise, she reads with empathy. I found this mattered more than I thought it would. I am so thankful for this course and everything I learned in class and from the community of other writers within the class. Sarah Harley

Rudri is intelligent and perceptive. Her lectures are well organized but not rigid. She is present to the individual students’ needs, and her offering of a one-on-one meeting is the cherry on the cake. She is a very generous teacher, and I would and will certainly recommend her courses and take them again myself. Barbara Moroncini

A must take course! Our instructor, Rudri Patel, led the course with such brilliance, commitment and sensitivity. Each lesson was well organized. Ms. Patel went above and beyond with weekly zoom classes, and she added her personal experiences as a writer so freely. Cynthia Slack

Rudri has a way of fostering discussion and motivating her students to produce more and better work. By the end of the first week alone, I’d completely revised my daily writing strategy, reduced procrastination, and felt better equipped to achieve some pretty ambitious writing goals. I’m confident that 2021 will be my best writing year to-date. Jessica Fiorillo

This workshop was everything I wanted and more!  Not only is Rudri an excellent instructor and writer, but she is a wonderful human being. Rudri provided a safe place for everyone to freely express themselves, giving 200% of herself and modeling for students her courage and vulnerability. Cynthia Bassett

Awesome! Rudri is a great teacher. Natalie Ellis

This class, and Rudri’s compassion and ability to create a safe space, helped me work through levels of grief that I didn’t realize I still had. I made connections between past and present losses that I hadn’t made before, which has helped me to grieve at a deeper level. My writing has benefited from the exercises and Rudri’s encouragement to write my truth. This was an excellent class, and I hope to work with Rudri again in the future. Andi Reed

I learned so much in Rudri’s class, not just about bullet journaling but about setting goals and establishing habits that nurture and sustain the writing life. Rudri created a welcoming space to discuss not just the ins and outs of bullet journaling, but also how to build habits that nurture creativity and self-care. I highly recommend it for writers and everyone! Daisy Florin

Rudri Bhatt Patel has been a mentor, coach, and editor for my writing projects for almost ten years. Under the skillful guidance of her expertise, candor, and gentle spirit, I have made great gains in refining and expanding my short stories to publication as well as completing a novel. In addition, as co-members of a critique group for several years, Rudri consistently offered in depth and valuable feedback to me and others on a biweekly basis. Her comprehensive written feedback was always delivered with a sensitivity and respect for each person’s creative expression, while authentically providing insight into strengths and areas that needed development. Trish Dolansinski

Rudri is the editor and teacher everyone wishes they would discover. Her warm engaging style meets spot-on feedback has done more for me in 6 weeks than I can begin to describe. Rudri’s approach to giving feedback is supportive in a way that both inspires and lifts while being grounded in solid practical suggestions to help elevate your work. Christina Cavallaro

I recommend Rudri Bhatt Patel without reservation. She is knowledgeable, articulate and experienced in all things writing and publishing. Her kindness as well as her professionalism and expertise make working with her a delight. Susan Pohlman

Rudri’s knowledge and skills related to professional writing have also helped me with my own writing career many times in the past. Julie Vick

Over the past ten years I have had numerous opportunities to interact with Rudri Batt Patel during writing classes, book critiques, and writer networking sessions. She has a profound ability to engage as a learner, presenter, and facilitator. Her own writing skills are exceptional and her variety of published works enable her to assist developing writers in multiple ways. Phyllis Schwartz

Rudri Patel is an organized and seasoned presenter with years of writing and publishing experience. I’ve been lucky enough to have Rudri in my critique circle for over a decade and I’m a stronger writer because of it. Windy Lynn Harris

Rudri has a wonderful way of bringing out the best in her colleagues without criticism – a skill I appreciate as a veteran of the classroom myself. Jenn Morson

September 25, 2024
6 Weeks

Original price was: $445.00.Current price is: $380.00.

Zoom sessions Thursdays 7 PM Eastern

Rudri Patel Instructor

About

Rudri Patel is a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, her essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, Business Insider, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, ESPN, Parents and elsewhere. Rudri is currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces.