
Flash Fiction
This is a diagnostic framework for when your flash fiction isn't landing and you can't figure out why. It breaks down nine failure modes with specific symptoms: structure problems, thin characters, weak framing, missing subtext, flat imagery, generic setting, thematic issues, language precision, and logical inconsistencies. Each state includes diagnostic questions and concrete transformation patterns showing weak versus strong versions. What I appreciate is the practicality of it. Instead of general advice about brevity, you get side-by-side examples like converting "Sarah had been working at the firm for three years" into immediate action that actually hooks. Use this when you're staring at a 1000-word piece that feels off but you can't articulate the problem.
- skills.sh installs
- 479
- GitHub stars
- 182
- last updated
- Aug 21, 2026
Install
$ npx -y skills add jwynia/agent-skills --skill flash-fiction --agent claude-codeInstalls into .claude/skills of the current project.
Files
Flash Fiction Diagnostic
Purpose
Diagnose and fix problems in flash fiction and micro fiction (typically under 1500 words). Flash fiction demands exceptional craft efficiency—every word must serve multiple purposes. This skill identifies which dimension needs attention when a piece isn't working.
Quick Reference
| State | Signal | Core Issue |
|---|---|---|
| FF1 | Opening doesn't hook | Structure/Pacing problem |
| FF2 | Characters feel thin | Character compression failure |
| FF3 | Beginning/ending disconnect | Frame weakness |
| FF4 | Everything on surface | Subtext missing |
| FF5 | Prose feels flat | Imagery/figurative language weak |
| FF6 | Setting generic | Sensory detail lacking |
| FF7 | Theme absent or preachy | Thematic development off |
| FF8 | Words don't sing | Language precision/rhythm issues |
| FF9 | Something feels "off" | Logical consistency breach |
Diagnostic States
FF1: Structure & Pacing Failure
Symptoms:
- Opening doesn't grab
- Middle sags or rushes
- Ending feels abrupt or dragged
- Word count not distributed well
- Arc feels incomplete
Sponsors
Details
- Repository
- github.com/jwynia/agent-skills
- Categories
- Documentation, AI & Agent Building, Debugging
- First seen
- Jun 3, 2026
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