Yes, you read the title right. “But I only write fiction!” you may be thinking. Well, I used to think the same thing, and I still consider myself primarily a fiction writer. If you’re still not convinced about challenging yourself by using your life for essay material, consider this: unlike the token payments offered by many wonderful flash e-zines, essays can pay hundreds of dollars—and use the exact same skills necessary to successful flash fiction.

Word Count

The major essay anthologies ask for stories within flash guidelines. Chicken Soup for the Soul, the most well known publisher, wants essay from 300 to 1200 words. Cup of Comfort asks for stories from 1,000 to 2,000 words. There are various other publishers, too. Essays often revolve around a theme, such as family relationships, Christmas, animals, or inspiration. New subjects are announced all the time.

Finding your Story

This is an area where age has an advantage. The more life you’ve lived—and the more vibrantly—the more material you can mine for essays. So what if you’re a twenty-something barely out college? Look back on your own life as if you’re a story character. What were your life-changing moments? When did you become an adult? For me, those answers lead back to the year I turned twenty. I married my sailor-husband, trekked cross country, and started life anew as a Navy spouse. For someone who hadn’t been away from her parents for more than five days, you better believe that was a time of tremendous character growth (i.e. lots of crying and high phone bills). I’ve used that specific experience to sell three essays, two of them about cats. Yes, cats.

Paring Down the Story

Just as with flash fiction, a solid essay relies on certain elements: a small cast of characters, a central conflict, and a distinct beginning, middle, and end. This is the area where you may have to fudge the facts a bit. That doesn’t mean that you lie—you omit. If you have ten siblings, sorry, naming all of them would make the story confusing. Keep only the essential characters, or refer to others without using their names. If your awful-day-with-a-silver-lining had about nine contributing misery-factors, narrow it down to three or so. The story needs a fast pace and an easy-to-follow narrative.

You also must have a full story arc, not just a descriptive scene. Introduce your characters and conflict. Develop them. End the story. Sometimes it’s difficult to make real life incidents fit together with an ending, but treat it just as you would a short fiction piece. Rewrite and edit until it works.

Pain and Profit

It’s hard to get into the major anthologies. Thousands of people may compete for a single volume of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and only 101 get published. However, if you are one of the lucky few, there are major incentives. First of all, payment ranges from $150-$200 for the big name anthologies, and you get anywhere from one to ten copies of your book; read individual book guidelines for the details. You may also be able to buy additional copies at a discounted rate.

Your Life As a Story

Writing a complete story in fewer than 2,000 words is an art form. Whether or not the story is based on fact, it’s still a story. It needs to resonate with the reader and whirl them away to a different time and place. In this case, it’s based your own life and your own experiences. Yes, there is a certain amount of vulnerability involved—especially to your very real characters—but it’s also the chance to grow as a writer. That’s what it’s all about.

Beth Cato is an associate member of the SFWA. Her work has appeared in The Pedestal Magazine, Every Day Fiction, and Niteblade Fantasy and Horror Magazine.