Flash Fiction Workshop: The Complete Story Method
This workshop includes all my techniques for Accordion Fiction.
Looking forward to working more intensively with all of you! You will be able to meet with me for a free two-hour session on June 27 9:00-11:00 Pacific Time to find out more.
The Complete Story Method
Master the 10 Essential Tools That Transform Fragments into Unforgettable Flash Fiction
A two-session workshop that reveals the secret architecture behind stories that feel whole and satisfying, turning your promising beginnings into complete narratives that captivate readers and editors.
The Problem You Know Too Well
You start with a spark of inspiration. The opening lines flow beautifully. Your characters feel real, your voice is strong.
But something’s missing.
Readers finish your stories and say they want “more“—but can’t tell you what kind of more they mean. Your pieces feel like fragments rather than complete experiences. You sense there’s a deeper structure you’re not grasping, a wholeness that published flash fiction possesses but yours lacks.
You’re not imagining it. There’s a specific architecture that makes stories feel complete and satisfying, even at 500 words. Award-winning authors like Grace Paley, James Joyce, and Amy Hempel don’t stumble onto this wholeness by accident—they use specific, learnable tools.
What You’ll Discover
In this intensive workshop with acclaimed author Thaisa Frank, you’ll master the 10 essential tools that transform story fragments into complete, resonant narratives. You’ll learn the “accordion method”—how stories contract and expand rhythmically to create satisfaction, just like a piece of music.
By the end of this workshop, you’ll know how to:
Apply the 4 tools of contraction to create focus and eliminate clutter
Use the 6 tools of expansion to add depth without losing momentum
Transform promising drafts into stories that feel whole and surprising
Create the unity that draws readers into “the fictional dream.”
Build subtext that gives your words layers of meaning
Develop the authority of voice that guides readers confidently through your story
Plus: You’ll write new flash pieces using proven techniques and receive detailed guides you can reference forever.
What’s Included
Two intensive 3-hour sessions with acclaimed author Thaisa Frank
Analysis of masterful flash fiction by Grace Paley, James Joyce, Amy Hempel, and others
Hands-on exercises for each of the 10 essential tools
The Complete Story Method reference guides
Multiple writing prompts designed to help you discover your stories
Interactive opportunities to share and receive feedback on your work
Lifetime access to all recordings, materials, and resources
Stories That Will Transform Your Understanding
We’ll examine carefully chosen pieces that demonstrate the complete story method:
“Wants” by Grace Paley
“The Sisters” by James Joyce
“Eclipse” and “The Dinosaur” by Augusto Monterroso
Additionally, there are masterful examples that showcase the 10 essential tools in action.
You’ll learn to see these stories as Thaisa does—understanding the specific tools that make them feel complete and how to apply those same techniques to your own work.
Perfect For Writers Who:
Write flash fiction that feels like fragments rather than complete stories
Struggle with readers who want “more” but can’t specify what’s missing
Want to understand the architecture behind satisfying short narratives
Have promising drafts sleeping on their desk that need transformation
Seek the authority and confidence to guide readers through their stories
Want practical tools that work for fiction of any length or genre
Meet Your Instructor
Thaisa Frank is a 2023 Pushcart Fellow whose fiction has been praised by The New York Times for “working by a tantalizing sense of indirection.” Her novel Heidegger’s Glasses was sold to ten foreign countries and received a starred review in Publishers Weekly.
Her story collections—including Enchantment, Sleeping in Velvet, and A Brief History of Camouflage—have appeared on the Best Books List of the San Francisco Chronicle. She’s the co-author of Finding Your Writer’s Voice: A Guide to Creative Fiction, still used in classrooms worldwide and translated into multiple languages.
Thaisa has been a Visiting Associate Professor at UC Berkeley, where she was named an Honored Instructor, and has taught in MFA programs at San Francisco State and the University of San Francisco. Her innovative approach to flash fiction has helped countless writers discover the complete stories hidden within their fragments.
What Students Are Saying
“Thaisa’s techniques for teaching flash are innovative and inspiring. I didn’t think I could write when I first consulted with her. She gave me a language that helped me see fiction through new lenses and break free of some of the ‘rules’ I’d learned about storytelling. I was surprised when I wrote a piece of flash that was a complete story.”
— Evan
“Thaisa’s approach to teaching flash is creative and freeing. She always finds the kernel of what makes my work interesting and encourages me to think creatively as well as write creatively, so now I trust my responses when I read. To my great surprise, I wrote a story that was published.”
— Patricia
“Thaisa helped me understand that there are many forms of fiction. What a relief to discover that my love of visual imagery could create a whole story with believable characters!”
— Mona
Workshop Schedule
Not sure if this time works for you? Use this time zone converter to check your local time.
Day 1: August 9 (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Pacific)
Introduction to the “accordion method” — how stories contract and expand like music
Master the 4 tools of contraction: omission, unity, functional white space, and suspense
Analyze published flash fiction to see these tools in action
Practice exercises designed to transform fragments into focused narratives
Preview the 6 tools of expansion for experimentation between sessions
Day 2: August 16 (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM Pacific)
Deep dive into the 6 tools of expansion: imagery, scenes, character complexity, indirect dialogue, subtext, and voice
Write multiple flash pieces using the complete toolkit
Learn revision strategies to awaken sleeping drafts
Leave with exercises for continued practice and improvisation
Can’t make it live? All participants receive LIFETIME ACCESS to workshop recordings and materials.
The Difference Completeness Makes
Imagine opening your notebook to a draft and knowing exactly which tools to apply to transform it into a whole, satisfying story. Picture finishing a flash piece and feeling confident it’s complete—not because you’ve explained everything, but because you’ve created the perfect balance of contraction and expansion.
That’s the power of understanding story architecture. It’s what separates promising fragments from the flash fiction that gets published, wins contests, and stays with readers long after they finish reading.
This isn’t about mysterious artistic intuition. It’s about specific, learnable tools that enhance your natural storytelling instincts, making them more powerful and precise.
Your Investment in Mastery
Workshop Price: $99
Value: Lifetime access to the 10 tools that will transform every story you write
Frequently Asked Questions
What skill level is this workshop designed for?
This workshop benefits writers at all levels, from beginners seeking a strong foundation to published authors looking to refine their techniques.
Will I get individual feedback on my writing?
While we don’t offer one-on-one feedback, volunteers can share their exercise work during class, and the instructor will provide live feedback that benefits all participants.
What if I can’t attend the live session?
No problem. You’ll receive recordings of both complete sessions plus all materials, so you can work through everything at your own pace and return to the content whenever needed.
Will I have time to write during the sessions?
Absolutely. This is a hands-on workshop with multiple guided writing exercises. You’ll create new work and have opportunities to share and receive feedback.
Can I ask questions during the workshop?
Yes! This is an interactive session with questions and discussion integrated throughout the workshop.
I have another question.
Free free to reach out to Shannon at shannon@101words.org
Ready to Write Complete Stories?
The 10 tools Thaisa will teach you aren’t secrets—they’re skills. Skills you can learn, practice, and master. Skills that will transform your flash fiction from promising fragments to complete, unforgettable stories.
Your readers are waiting for the wholeness you’re about to discover.
Can’t attend live? No worries! All participants receive access to workshop recordings.
Questions? Contact shannon@101words.org
