Last week’s flash fiction challenge — “Profanity Is A Circle Of Language” — awaits your eyes with many foul-mouthed entries. Check the comments, click the links.
And now we begin this week’s challenge.
As noted, I am a huge fan of the Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. It is one of the essential reference books in my collection — I use the Wordsworth version in print, and Brewer’s online. It’s wonderful for weird turns-of-phrase, for finding neat genre concepts, for plumbing the depths of odd history, and best of all, for coming up with concepts and titles.
Thus is your mission.
This week: Please turn (click) to the ‘M’ section of Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.
Click around. Find an awesome term that you like that starts with “M.”
That is your title and your concept.
Write some flash fiction around it.
This week, should you choose to claim it, you may have 1500 words instead of the normal 1000. Just to give you a little extra sauce if your tale requires it. Drop a link in the comments here, and if you’re so kind, link to this post so that others may find it and, ideally, jump in with both feet.
Once again you’ve a week. Friday to Friday. Ends on May 21st.
So, what will you choose? The Marrow Controversy? Melancholy Jacques? The Mirror of Human Salvation? Your options are endless. Well, okay, not literally endless, but c’mon. Sheesh.
Go forth. Scare up a phrase or fable, and let’s see what you got.
I’d quite like to see some lurkers de-lurk for this challenge, by the way. The gauntlet is thrown.
inkgrrl says:
Aha. You’re the reason Stephen stole my copy of the Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. Which he probably thinks is his too, which is why it’s getting all mangulated on his desk even as we speak. Silly rabbit.
May 13, 2011 — 1:47 AM
Lindsay Mawson says:
Great challenge. I’ve already got this thing written but damned Blogger is down so you just have to wait! It’s called “Man in Black”… Hope I can post it soon.
May 13, 2011 — 10:35 AM
Joseph McGee says:
Just got my own copy of that eldritch tome..the Brewer’s version. It is INCREDIBLE. Is it wrong that I’ve been sleeping with it? You can be sure that I will be putting it to use and attending this flash fiction challenge!
Thanks Beirdo!!
May 13, 2011 — 10:36 AM
Lindsay Mawson says:
Ah, at last. Here we go:
Man in Black
http://lindsaymawson.blogspot.com/2011/05/flash-fiction-challenge-10-phrase-fable.html
May 13, 2011 — 1:45 PM
Jamie Wyman says:
Today, quality time with the 5 year old takes top priority. However…early next week, the letter M is mine. bwahahahahahah.
May 13, 2011 — 1:52 PM
Darlene Underdahl says:
If she fails, she’s in *so* much trouble…
Mistress of the Malthusian
http://darlene.underdahl.net/?p=58
May 13, 2011 — 3:11 PM
Lauren says:
I really don’t like monkeys. They’re up there with clowns for the creepy-factor. (Except for penmonkeys. Penmonkeys are okay.) Thus, when I saw a listing for “Monkey Spoons,” I couldn’t resist:
http://www.falconesse.com/2011/05/14/flash-fiction-challenge-monkey-spoon/
May 14, 2011 — 4:42 PM
WM says:
Yeah! I finally got the chance to do another one this week, after having to miss the past two. I’m psyched that I’m going to have some great reads this week, since I’ll be going over to check out everyone else’s (hey, that’s a word, so why is it red?) contributions.
Here’s mine, and I hope you like enjoy it: http://writemomma.blogspot.com/
May 15, 2011 — 10:48 PM
Sparky says:
I give you: Mort Safe
http://sparky29252.blogspot.com/2011/05/mort-safe-tale-of-tane-kore.html
Enjoy.
Wow I have read a lot of Conan lately.
May 16, 2011 — 1:33 AM
Hillary Monahan says:
Okay, this one was fun. I did something a bit different from my usual fare. Thanks for a cool challenge, Chuck. 😀
http://hillarymonahan.com/2011/05/16/the-more-one-has-the-moor-one-desires/
May 16, 2011 — 12:08 PM
Cheryl Anne Gardner says:
I wouldn’t consider myself a lurker really; well, maybe I am. I read on the feed.
Here is my contribution to the challenge: Modus Vivendi
http://twistedknickerspublications.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/in-response-to-terrible-minds-flash-fiction-challenge/
May 16, 2011 — 12:12 PM
Marlan says:
M is for Munnin
http://marlanesque.wordpress.com/2011/05/16/breakfast-in-the-city-of-fog-and-souls/
May 16, 2011 — 11:23 PM
BA Boucher says:
I’m new to this site, but I thought I’d forego the shy “lurker” period and dive right in.
http://defconwhiskey.tumblr.com/post/5577226032/m
The prompt:
M (initial of manslaughter). The brand of a person convicted of that offence, and admitted to the benefit of clergy. It was burnt on the brawn of the left thumb.
May 17, 2011 — 11:24 AM
Dan Wright says:
For this week’s challenge I decided to get serious and go Medieval on it’s ass.
Literally.
http://8thage.blogspot.com/2011/05/malum-in-se.html
May 18, 2011 — 2:18 AM
Diane Henders says:
Here it is: IgNobel Prize.
http://dianehenders.wordpress.com/2011/05/18/flash-fiction-ignobel-prize/
May 18, 2011 — 11:20 AM
Jamie Wyman says:
Alright, finally got time to do it. I give you “Magpie”. http://jamiewyman.blogspot.com/2011/05/shiny-lets-be-bad-guys.html
May 18, 2011 — 3:38 PM
Ben Kirby says:
Manna of St. Nicholas of Bari. Funny enough, it’s not about Christmas. Or even really manna.
It’s about an old hit man.
http://warnerkirby.blogs.com/clintonaut/2011/05/manna-of-st-nicholas-of-bari.html
Please to enjoy.
May 18, 2011 — 9:49 PM
Michael says:
http://innocentsaccidentshints.blogspot.com/2011/05/terrible-minds-challenge-memento-mori.html
May 18, 2011 — 11:20 PM
Tribid says:
Macamut – Sultan of Cambaya, who lived upon poison, with which he was so saturated
that his breath or touch carried instant death. (Purchas.)
I made him into a marriage counselor. [Chuckle.] http://tribid.livejournal.com/15687.html
May 19, 2011 — 12:31 PM
Robyn says:
http://robynettely.blogspot.com/2011/05/medusa.html
May 20, 2011 — 12:30 AM
CMStewart says:
This one is short and sweet, so to speak.
http://cmstewartwrite.wordpress.com/2011/05/20/mary-anne-a-flash-fiction-challenge/
May 20, 2011 — 11:48 AM
Shauna Granger says:
Nearly didnt make it!
http://shaunasspot.blogspot.com/2011/05/flash-fiction-challenge-midsummer-moon.html
May 20, 2011 — 2:02 PM
Snellopy says:
Late, but finished… I’m going through all the stuff I started but didn’t complete. I picked Mackerel Sky, then let it lie idly by. http://snellopy.blogspot.com/2012/01/under-mackerel-sky.html but now its done
January 10, 2012 — 10:20 AM