History in the Making - Blogging Memes
Close your eyes for a moment and think about blogging. Why did you start blogging? What memes did you embrace? Why did you get involved in memes? Now propel yourself ten years into the future. Blogging memes will be dime a dozen. Who knows, an English teacher may assign her class of 12 year olds an assignment to write micropoetry or flash fiction on a blog site. You and I are seeing and participating in history in the making!
When I thought of who would be a great opener for the history books, I thought of Mr. Know- it -all aka G-Man. Why? G-Man and the 55 Flash Fiction Friday (say that fast five times) are one of the oldest memes out there (how old are you G?)
From what I gather, the first flash fiction memes started in India.
Here's a bit of history for you: Flash fiction, also called sudden fiction, micro fiction, postcard fiction or short-short fiction, is a class of short story of limited word length. Definitions differ but is generally accepted that flash fiction stories are at most 200 to 1000 words in length. Ernest Hemingway wrote a six-word flash: “For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.” Traditional short stories are 2,000 to 10,000 words in length.[wiki]
G-Man inherited 55 Flash Fiction Friday, in 2007, from Susie “The Barefoot Mistress” who had begun 55 Flash Fiction in March 2006. Susie had created her format from a group of writers in India called the Sephia Mutany. G who had started blogging in 2006, for a past-time, jumped into action.
I asked G what was the meme like when he took it over?
"When I inherited the meme, there were about 10-15 people participating each week. I started visiting personal blogs and inviting them over to my flash fiction meme. The meme grew quickly. It wasn’t long before I didn’t need to invite people to the site; it was growing on its own."
G-Man’s site is not just about the Flash 55. He has always had a daily theme going. Monday was originally Music Monday, Tuesday TMI Tuesday,Wednesday - Retro Wednesday ; Thursday Portrait a prelude to Friday (with a subliminal 55 in the portrait) then Voila Flash Fiction Friday.
Here's a bit of history for you: Flash fiction, also called sudden fiction, micro fiction, postcard fiction or short-short fiction, is a class of short story of limited word length. Definitions differ but is generally accepted that flash fiction stories are at most 200 to 1000 words in length. Ernest Hemingway wrote a six-word flash: “For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.” Traditional short stories are 2,000 to 10,000 words in length.[wiki]
G-Man inherited 55 Flash Fiction Friday, in 2007, from Susie “The Barefoot Mistress” who had begun 55 Flash Fiction in March 2006. Susie had created her format from a group of writers in India called the Sephia Mutany. G who had started blogging in 2006, for a past-time, jumped into action.
I asked G what was the meme like when he took it over?
"When I inherited the meme, there were about 10-15 people participating each week. I started visiting personal blogs and inviting them over to my flash fiction meme. The meme grew quickly. It wasn’t long before I didn’t need to invite people to the site; it was growing on its own."
G-Man’s site is not just about the Flash 55. He has always had a daily theme going. Monday was originally Music Monday, Tuesday TMI Tuesday,Wednesday - Retro Wednesday ; Thursday Portrait a prelude to Friday (with a subliminal 55 in the portrait) then Voila Flash Fiction Friday.
"Friday Flash Fiction has evolved as most memes that stick around do. Originally there was a format. In 55 words, the writer was to write a story with a central character and a plot. Things have changed to make it easy and enjoyable. Presently there are people who write poetry in 55 words, a recipe in 55, or the classic story in 55 words. "
The meme has grown in numbers as well. It is not unusual for G-Man to have 80 people join in on a Friday. After doing One Stop Poetry for six months, I understand the dedication it takes to visit, read, and comment on each of the posts. As a one man show, G-Man does it with Panache.
The meme has grown in numbers as well. It is not unusual for G-Man to have 80 people join in on a Friday. After doing One Stop Poetry for six months, I understand the dedication it takes to visit, read, and comment on each of the posts. As a one man show, G-Man does it with Panache.
I asked G-Man why he does the blogging meme thing
"I do this for fun. I get a chance to go into someone’s life for a moment, interact with them, have fun and go to the next person". I guess it's the fun that keeps G-Man going because it is a proven fact that most bloggers only last 1.5 years then they go on to other pursuits.
"I do this for fun. I get a chance to go into someone’s life for a moment, interact with them, have fun and go to the next person". I guess it's the fun that keeps G-Man going because it is a proven fact that most bloggers only last 1.5 years then they go on to other pursuits.
Recently other memes starting popping up like Monday Flash Fiction, Monkey Man’s Flash Fiction in 160 characters, & most recently our own One Shot Wednesday. G-Man has been gracious not only to support other memes but participate in them as well!
What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting a meme?
"I recommend keeping a meme simple, manageable and making it fun."
This was similar advice he gave when we were starting One Stop Poetry. It rings true. With so many demands in our day it is nice to have a place where we can come for a few minutes or an hour and just decompress.
This was similar advice he gave when we were starting One Stop Poetry. It rings true. With so many demands in our day it is nice to have a place where we can come for a few minutes or an hour and just decompress.
What do you think the future of memes is?
“As long as there are talented people who like to write and want to have fun there will be blogging memes. I've seen alot of talented people who don't realize how good they are.”
I have to say personally the Flash Fictions are exercises that have made me a better writer. Anyone can benefit from the challenge and the camaraderie.
I have to say personally the Flash Fictions are exercises that have made me a better writer. Anyone can benefit from the challenge and the camaraderie.
So in a few years, when you open a history books of blogging don’t be surprised when you see the 55 Flash Fiction Friday and G-Man in top billing.
55 Flash Fiction Friday is going on right now at G-Man’s site. Have a peek or try your hand at a story in 55. Today G-Man's 55 is written in the "classical format" enjoy.
Here is my 55 for the week as an example:
Entangled am I
In a web of the world
constructed long after I
had been planted
"Never asked" says I
pushed your way
trying to look away ~I
am caught entangled in your steely
grasp
grasp
no love or kindness ~for I
am mistreated
you wound your cage around me and I
am loathe to escape
