Flash Fiction Challenge: That’s Right, I Said “Unicorn”
Last week’s challenge — “An Uncharted Apocalypse” — had some amazing stories, so you should go check ‘em out. I’m going to take the weekend pick my favorite five and then toss those five folks a copy of my newest e-book, 250 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WRITING.
I like unicorns.
I mean, not in the sense that I have hundreds of unicorn collectibles on my shelves — *hurries to drop a blanket over my shelves* — it’s just, dang, unicorns crack me up. A pretty white horse with a big horn sticking out of his head and, boom, that’s it. Instant mythological favorite the world around. It’s an absurd animal.
Real reason I talk about unicorns so much — *quick runs to tear down wall of unicorn posters — is that the “unicorn” represents that kind of bullshit special snowflake precious writer mystique, right? The same people who believe a glittery Muse is going to fill their heads with hot notions are the same people who probably believe a unicorn is how babies are made.
Unicorns are just really weird and really goofy.
*darts to closet, slams door before you can see the unicorn cosplay outfits*
Anyway.
Thus, it seems high time to have a unicorn-themed flash fiction challenge.
I want you to incorporate the unicorn into your 1000-word story.
I don’t care how, but you get bonus points for thinking creatively or doing something different with the creature that we haven’t seen or don’t otherwise expect. Bring some attitude to it.
Any genre will do.
You’ve got one week. Friday, July 29th, by noon EST.
Get on it.
Oh! And this week, I’ll pick one favorite.
That favorite will get all three of my e-books.
Peace in the Middle East, yo.


Lesann
July 28, 2011 at 11:50 AM //
My offering: http://lesannberry.blogspot.com/2011/07/shadow-in-moonlight.html
Sean Samonas
July 28, 2011 at 12:20 PM //
lol…two Sean’s submitted one right after another about disbelieving unicorns. What are the odds?
Samantha J. Mathis
July 28, 2011 at 1:03 PM //
Slipping mine in here…
http://samanthajmathis.tumblr.com/post/8175986079/its-all-about-perspective
Lynn Beighley
July 28, 2011 at 1:16 PM //
Sorry for the misfired postings. It was brought to my attention that my story was too long. It’s since been edited and can be found here.
http://shouldbewriting.com/wordpress/?p=489
Karen Tavares
July 28, 2011 at 3:36 PM //
Here’s my bit… http://wp.me/p1jd2S-aB
@karenvtavares
Erin Zulkoski
July 28, 2011 at 9:58 PM //
As they say in “The Music Man”: SHAPOOPY!
http://www.fictionaut.com/stories/erin-zulkoski/all-of-jerry-bruckheimer-movies-are-trash
Erin Zulkoski
July 28, 2011 at 10:29 PM //
Okay, same story, different title and a little more added in.
http://www.fictionaut.com/stories/erin-zulkoski/sex-drugs-and-unicorns
Robyn
July 28, 2011 at 11:31 PM //
I’m early! It’s not even midnight!
http://robynettely.blogspot.com/2011/07/flash-fiction-challenge-stupid-beast.html
Dave Versace
July 29, 2011 at 1:48 AM //
I’ve probably missed the deadline (stupid confuzzlating international times) but here’s my “contribution” to the burgeoning field of Magic Horse Lit:
Dave Versace
July 29, 2011 at 1:50 AM //
Er, ahem: http://www.otherleg.com/lexifab2/?p=806
(Hope that link works. I blame fatigue and stupidity. Not the whiskey, never the whiskey.)
Steph
July 29, 2011 at 2:06 AM //
http://writex3.blogspot.com/2011/07/unicorn.html (this is scary….never done anything like this before…scary…..but kinda fun….!)
TH3 eNINJA
July 29, 2011 at 4:07 AM //
Here is my entry, Three Wishes.
http://ninjavs.net/rantsandruminations/?p=523
Dan Wright
July 29, 2011 at 4:42 AM //
Unicorn hunting in 1930s Italy. What more do I need to say? (Other than I have no idea where I come up with this stuff sometimes.)
http://8thage.blogspot.com/2011/07/unicorn.html
BA Boucher
July 29, 2011 at 8:32 AM //
Better late than never I suppose
http://defconwhiskey.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/tell-me-a-story/
Thanks for the prompt Chuck
Amber J Gardner
July 29, 2011 at 8:32 AM //
My entry. http://amberjgardner.com/2011/07/29/unicorn-flash-fiction/
Brandy
July 29, 2011 at 10:01 AM //
Later than I wanted it to be, but here’s mine: http://brandwich.blogspot.com/2011/07/hunt.html
BA Boucher
July 29, 2011 at 10:01 AM //
This all put me in mind of Vonnegut’s “The Unicorn Trap.” Awesome, awesome story.
Andrès
July 29, 2011 at 10:12 AM //
Crap, I didn’t make it on time.
Well, if anyone wants to read and comment it’s here:
http://www.anicolon.com/?p=246
A unicorn performs an intervention. I had a lot of fun writing it. Thanks!
terribleminds
July 29, 2011 at 10:31 AM //
Andres — technically, you have till Noon EST. It’s only 10:30 EST.
– c.
Louise Sorensen
July 29, 2011 at 10:17 AM //
Here is my unicorn FlashFic Ol’ Blue http://wp.me/p1BAlV-Q
James Patrick Schmidt
July 29, 2011 at 11:41 AM //
Unicorns are so pretty.
http://jamespatrickschmidt.com/blog/short-story-the-code/
Bob Bois
July 29, 2011 at 12:00 PM //
http://sittingindarkness.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/avenging-angel/
Mary Capps
July 29, 2011 at 1:35 PM //
http://www.fictionaut.com/stories/mary-alston-capps/oh-myth
terribleminds
August 3, 2011 at 7:33 AM //
Be advised that I am still picking through these stories. Look for something by end of week. You people are an incredible, productive lot.
I mean, wow.
– c.
terribleminds
August 4, 2011 at 4:28 PM //
Okay. I gotta tell you, here’s my favorite:
“The Code.”
By James Patrick Schmidt.
Unicorns + 3D printer = an episode of the Twilight Zone on acid.
James, please contact me at chuckwendig [at] terribleminds [dot] com.
– c.
Chris White
August 5, 2011 at 10:00 AM //
My favourite unicorn story would have to be Nick Earls’s from the book Headgames…fuck…what’s the name of the story (checks the googlemaphone)>>>>>>>
eh, screw you google
Penny Matrox
November 24, 2011 at 2:43 PM //
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Shantey garza
November 28, 2011 at 10:17 PM //
I need help in my unicorn story idk how to start