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Flash Fiction Masterclass
Over three after-school sessions, 19 students participated in Birranga College’s Flash Fiction Masterclass series, led by our school librarian and published author Karys McEwen. The program supported students in creating an original submission for Little Stories, Big Ideas, The Wheeler Centre national writing competition for secondary students.
Working within the theme “Shimmer” and the challenge of writing a story in 100 words or fewer, students explored how concise storytelling can still create strong emotion and imagery. Across the workshops, students developed practical creative writing skills through drafting, peer discussion, independent writing and feedback.
Student feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 100% of participants reporting increased confidence in creative writing. Students particularly enjoyed having dedicated time to write, sharing their work with peers and developing new writing skills.
Overall, the program successfully helped students strengthen their creative writing skills, build confidence and engage with a national literary opportunity.
One student shared: “Everything was so fun, I will cherish this experience forever!”
Below are several of the completed pieces of flash fiction=:
The Shimmer by Baani Simak
Something shimmered at the edge of the world,
a ripple in the air like reality had breathed in too sharply.
No one else noticed.
They walked through the room as if nothing glowed,
as if the light wasn’t bending slightly toward you.
But I saw it
a glint
a secret folded in silver.
It flickered brighter each time your eyes met,
as though it recognised you,
as though magic had chosen one person,
to witness its first heartbeat.
“Can you see me?”
whispered the shimmer.
“I can,” I said,
though something cold waited behind it.
It trembled.
The Ocean by Krishiv Dave
I glided through one of the world’s most beautiful places, The Great Barrier Reef. Swimming alongside hundreds of Bumphead parrotfish, it felt like flying through a rainbow. My friend suddenly shrieked in terror. I looked and saw the most unexpected thing ever. An eleven-foot great white. A cold shimmer ran down my spine; it felt as if I would die of shock.
My friend and I swam for our lives, but it was for no use. Four black tip reef sharks came dashing towards us. The faster we swam the closer they came. Soon we were dead… or was I dreaming?