I seem to write in two modes — short and long — with nothing in between.
The short pieces are flash fiction (100 – 1,000 words). Some small inspiration causes these to just pop out. My long fiction tends toward the mega epic 600,000-word range (which ends up having to be broken into multiple volumes). Even when I diligently try to write a short story (1,000 – 7,500 words), it sneaks into the novelette size range (7,500 – 20,000 words), which makes long appear to be my default story telling mode. The truth is, short is my default.
My writing style and method, I realize, even for the 600,000-word tomes, is really just flash fiction. Everything I write is a series of flash fiction scenes. These short scenes snap together like Legos® to make the long stories. I think that makes me the writer version of a LEGO® Master Builder.
Hide-and-Seek
by Lester D. Crawford
The hatchling Dragon came bounding up and bounced as he said, "Mommy, Mommy, let's play hide-and-seek."
Hope sighed. After she had accidentally hatched the orphaned egg, she had accepted responsibility and did her best to raise the little Dragon. He was cute and loving, but difficult to care for.
Hide-and-seek was one of his favorite games. Hope did not care for the game because it provided her no challenge. When it was the baby Dragon's turn to hide, Hope always won because the Dragon did not understand he could not hide behind his wing. When she finally "found" him, he would bounce and shrill with excitement. When it was Hope's turn to hide, the Dragon always won because, no matter where or how well she hid herself, he easily sniffed her out. When he found her, he would cock his head all proud and smug and make a rasping purr.
Wanting her Dragon to be happy, Hope played hide-and-seek.