Crafting a Universe in 300 Words: My Flash Fiction Journey

My Latest Story

I've been doing a few different things lately. One is a screenplay for a video game, and the other is an entry for a flash fiction contest.  Every year, the Failing Writers Podcast (https://www.failingwriterspodcast.com) run a flash fiction contest. I thought it would be fun to look at my latest attempt, and the process involved, without revealing my story. Not yet. 

There’s something uniquely challenging, maddening and incredibly rewarding about telling a complete, impactful story within the confines of just a few hundred words. This year's contest has the following constraints: 

• A strict word limit
• A theme
• A key phrase that has to be included in the text of the story

All the contest rules are available in the Failing Writers Podcast episode released on the 29th September, 2025.

Over the years, the process of flash has taught me a tremendous amount about brevity, precision, and making every single word count. This is my journey of crafting Smile for the Governor from a spark of an idea to its current form.

From Pain to Prose: How One Finger Swiped a Story to Life

Pushing Through the Pain

I have loved writing for as long as I can remember, but my relationship with it has always been complicated. A serious, life-threatening accident in my childhood set a difficult path for me. In my teens, I started developing issues that have only degenerated over time. By the time I was in university, I realized that holding a pen for even a short period, possibly an hour but more often much less, was excruciating.

In my university classes, where everyone else was scribbling furiously, I learned to develop a different kind of tool: a powerful memory. 

My memory has never been the best. After my accident, I forgot many simple things. I once had a loud and long argument with my older sister about the spelling of words. I'd once been one of the top learners (so I was told) and aced all my early spelling tests. Well, after the accident I was adamant that "what" was clearly spelled "wot" ... I mean, that made sense to my eight-year-old self at the time... 🤣

At university, I learned to lean on my memory as a way to keep up. I’d jot down only one or two words to trigger my recall later, and the second I got home to my trusty Atari ST (ageing myself a little 😆), I would frantically try to type out everything before the memory faded. This taught me to value every word, every fleeting thought.

Sanctorum's Veil: Urban Fantasy, Manchester's Secrets, and a Spanish Holiday

Back Home

It was mid-August, but it feels like just yesterday I was basking in the Spanish sun, and yet, here I am, back home, still buzzing with the creative energy from my trip. I recently spent 12 whirlwind days with family and friends at PortAventura, a theme park resort in Salou and even managed a quick trip to the vibrant city of Barcelona. It was a packed schedule, full of thrilling rides, delicious food, and the kind of moments you know you'll look back on for years.

But amidst all the excitement and the "go, go, go," I found something I hadn't expected: time and creative fuel for my work-in-progress, Sanctorum's Veil.

I’ve been chipping away at this novel for a while now, and if you’ve been following my updates (I'm closing in on ten thousand words currently) you know it’s been a little journey for me.

My current work-in-progress, Sanctorum's Veil, is a modern urban fantasy that plunges into the heart of Manchester, exploring its hidden history, its mythical creatures, and the secrets of one man's family. But something clicked during my time in Spain. Maybe it was the change of scenery, the escape from the usual routine, or just the sheer sensory overload of a new place, but the words just started flowing. What I’m most excited about is that after a small break in my writing, I managed to write over 1,500 words on the manuscript during the trip.

The Power of Perspective

You might be wondering how a Spanish holiday could inspire my imagination for a novel set in Manchester, filled with mythical creatures and family secrets. The answer is simple: perspective. Sometimes you need to step away from a place to truly see it. Being in a completely different environment, surrounded by new sights and sounds, gave me a fresh lens through which to view the world of my novel. It was honestly like someone had cleaned my glasses for the first time in a very long time. 

Barcelona, in particular, was an absolute feast for the senses. From the winding, narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter to the breathtaking, otherworldly architecture of Gaudi. The Sagrada Familia (see the photo I took) is something else. Every corner held a story. 

On this trip I found myself jotting down notes on my phone, not just about the sights, but about the feeling of the place. The hum of the city, the scent of fresh pastries, the way the light hit the ancient stone buildings—all of it felt like a puzzle piece fitting into the larger world of my book. I started to see parallels between the two cities; the way a hidden alley in Barcelona could evoke the feeling of a secret Victorian-era passageway in Manchester, or how the intricate details on a Spanish cathedral could remind me of the gothic spires of Manchester Town Hall. This new perspective allowed me to add layers of detail and emotion to the setting building within my imagination that I thought I already knew so well. This for me made them more fantastical and more grounded at the same time.

Balancing Work and Play

Some people might think it's impossible to write while on holiday, but for me, it was the perfect opportunity. There's a certain kind of freedom that comes with being away from your everyday life. The pressure to "get things done" melts away, and you're left with pure, unadulterated creativity. I didn’t set a strict writing schedule. There was no way I could. We'd come away for a theme park holiday, which is always going to be busy. 

Instead, I let the inspiration guide me. I'd grab my tablet or my phone while we were relaxing by the pool before we headed out to the theme park, or I’d sneak in a few paragraphs while the rest of the group was queuing up for a ride that just wasn't for me.

It felt less like a chore and more like a secret joy.

This trip reminded me that inspiration can be found anywhere if you’re open to it. It’s not just about sitting down at your desk and forcing yourself to write. It’s about living, experiencing, and observing the world around you. Sanctorum's Veil will be richer for it, I'm sure of that. I can infuse it with the warmth and magic I found in Spain, and I'm looking forward to adding that energy into my words.

I can't wait to share more about this new book with you all as I continue to make progress. What about you? Have you ever found unexpected inspiration on a trip? Let me know in the comments below.