Micro-Stories: Write Full Stories in 50 Words or Less

What if you had only 280 characters to make your readers feel something? In this self-led creative writing course, writers learn to craft micro-stories—short, powerful bursts of writing that grab attention and stick in the reader’s mind. These stories are perfect for short-form spaces online like social media captions, tweets, or posts, but they also sharpen essential writing skills: clarity, creativity, and emotional impact.

Learn the basics of writing micro-stories, from capturing an idea in a single sentence to layering meaning in just a few lines. Practice strategies for creating mood, tension, and surprise in short form and learn how to edit their own writing for maximum effect. Topics covered include: * What makes a micro-story different from other kinds of writing * How to use strong word choice and imagery to do more with less * Techniques for building character, setting, or conflict in limited space * Examples of micro-stories from flash fiction, poetry, and viral tweets * Tips for revising and polishing stories to make them “scroll-stopping”

This course is self-paced, meaning learners can move through the lessons on their own schedule. The class is presented with slides, short video lessons, and real-life examples to guide learners step by step. Students will also receive handouts and a worksheet to brainstorm, draft, revise, and refine several micro-stories of their own.

I use a mix of short video lectures, annotated examples, and guided writing prompts to make the material accessible and engaging. Each lesson is broken down into clear, manageable steps with real-world examples, creative exercises, and clear instructions.