Flash Flood

by Paula Johnson

Got a minute? Read a short-short story. Each tale is a world in just 1,000 words.

 

In "Better Late Than Never," you'll follow a young woman from the Great Depression through World War II, marriage, entrepreneurship, and a lifelong love affair with her favorite soap opera. A little girl reveals a very peculiar superpower in "Good With Names."  (There is an Elvis sighting.) "Magpie Girl" is the perfect story for anyone who haunts estate sales and thrift stores. You never know when treasures will find you.  A sensible woman encounters an impossible product in "Lotion." Is voodoo real? "Daisy's Masterpiece" is proof that diamonds are a girl's best friend—at any age.

 

Paula Johnson is a copywriter and graphic designer who helps authors, performers, experts, and companies of all sizes with all things marketing. Outside the office, she writes fiction, takes improv classes, and hosts a stand-up comedy open mic.  Clearly, this schedule leaves very little time for laundry.

27 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 13, 2021

About the author

By day, I’m a copywriter and designer who helps authors, performers, experts, and growing companies with all things marketing.

After hours, I write fiction and do stand-up comedy and improv.

Reviews

[Flo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short collection of stories will keep your interest and have you smiling throughout. They're cleverly written, varied in subject matter, and filled with details that make them seem longer. (Disclosure: I know the author and copyedited these stories. I just reread them after a few months and enjoyed them even more the second time around. I bet you will too!)

[Beverly Diehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want dark, ponderous, long stories full of angst and suffering? Then this is not the collection for you.

But if you want light, refreshing, fast and fun flash fiction, this is your collection. Can be read during an afternoon at the beach, a lunch hour, anytime you have a few moments.

Disclaimer: I'm acquainted with the author on social media.

After a year of pandemic, this hit ME in exactly the right spot. Grab a copy, you won't regret it.

[Heather Ames · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun, fast read after months of dark, gloomy and complex books. I started this one evening and finished it the next. Interesting characters and storylines that left me wanting more. Flash fiction is a quick snapshot view of a life. These five stories are all stellar examples of what makes it so fulfilling.

[Janet Aird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Combine a fertile imagination with a sense of humor, whittle stories down to their 1000-word essence, and you have Paula Johnson's five Flash Flood stories. They're a fast, funny, clever read about the unexpected in everyday (and not so everyday) life. (I am a FoP (friend of Paula.))

[Susan Campisi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Flash Flood" is filled with surprising twists and quirky characters brought to life with humorous details. Told with crisp, witty writing, the stories provide a refreshing respite from life’s more serious concerns. I highly recommend this quintet of flash fiction.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast, fun read. Perfect accompaniment to my morning cup of coffee. Stories are quirky and twisty, and showcase the author's excellent sense of humor.

[Petrea Burchard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming and fun. It's hard to pick a favorite, but I'm gonna say "Magpie Girl." These stories are witty and always a little surprising. Fun to read on a quick break.

[Kim P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and witty …. she has the timing of a comic, making clever use of the reader’s expectations and then changing direction with just a few words. (And I have to imagine she had tons of fun creating that list of items in “Magpie Girl” lol). Each story is so clever and filled with intricate detail.

[Paula]

I enjoy reading short-short fiction, so I loved writing this collection. I'm working on a new collection of even shorter stories.

[Bonnie Schroeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Refreshing Read

This collection of five flash fiction pieces is really the pause that refreshes. After weeks spent on heavyweight novels, many with gloomy themes and gloomier endings, this little book was a delight to read. The author’s prose is direct and often funny, the characters skillfully drawn, and the stories themselves are enchanting.

[Diana Phillippi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely LOVED each and every one of these stories! Each one was different and unique to itself. I wanted the stories to go on longer!

[Pat Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories might be short by word count but they are long on descriptive details and solid, crisp writing. Each is a total delight, telling a full dramatic and witty tale, filled with interesting characters that inhabit beautifully drawn worlds. What a treat it was reading this collection.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paula Johnson provides flash fun in her collection of short, short stories. She delights us with tightly written story arcs, and amusing anecdotes which grab you from the start of each piece. Humor is pervasive, yet subtle. A fun, fast read which will leave you chuckling and wanting more!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

entertaining and delightful, can't wait to read more from this author!

[Doreen Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What fun! Quick and quirky, descriptive and detailed, imaginative and entertaining... At first you are left with hunger for more evolving story… but then you realize your day dreaming mind has been served delightful tidbits to savor and cogitate on. These are snippets of life, great for all ages. Am looking forward to more stories from this talented inventive author!