Chuck is the author of the published novels: Blackbirds, Mockingbird, Under the Empyrean Sky, Blue Blazes, Double Dead, Bait Dog, Dinocalypse Now, Beyond Dinocalypse and Gods & Monsters: Unclean Spirits. He also the author of the soon-to-be-published novels: The Cormorant, Blightborn (Heartland Book #2), Heartland Book #3, Dinocalypse Forever, Frack You, and The Hellsblood Bride. Also coming soon is his compilation book of writing advice from this very blog: The Kick-Ass Writer, coming from Writers Digest.
He, along with writing partner Lance Weiler, is an alum of the Sundance Film Festival Screenwriter’s Lab (2010). Their short film, Pandemic, showed at the Sundance Film Festival 2011, and their feature film HiM is in development with producers Ted Hope and Anne Carey. Together they co-wrote the digital transmedia drama Collapsus, which was nominated for an International Digital Emmy and a Games 4 Change award.
Chuck has contributed over two million words to the game industry, and was the developer of the popular Hunter: The Vigil game line (White Wolf Game Studios / CCP). He was a frequent contributor to The Escapist, writing about games and pop culture.
Much of his writing advice has been collected in various writing- and storytelling-related e-books.
He currently lives in the forests of Pennsyltucky with wife, two dogs, and tiny human.
He is likely drunk and untrustworthy. This blog is NSFW and probably NSFL.
You may reach him at terribleminds [at] gmail [dot] com.
Tom
April 27, 2012 at 8:56 AM //
I may not be able to pass this one up.
How to choose between Dark Dirk, Rioting Imam, Bipartisan Weather Condition, Beaming Incubus, and Shitting Lividity?
DL Thurston
April 27, 2012 at 9:54 AM //
I’m jealous of “Bipartisan Weather Condition.” I ended up with Merciless Demon, Combusting Kafir, Wild Saber, Unindulgent Ogre, and Cowboy Griffin. I just barely passed on the last one, instead combining two of the others into The Merciless Demon and the Unindulgent Ogre (a fable).
http://www.dlthurston.com/blog/2012/04/27/flash-fiction-unknown-title/
Jessa Russo
April 27, 2012 at 10:35 AM //
Oooh! Fun stuff! I haven’t decided which one to use, but for fun, these are mine:
Operation Umbrageous Sunset
Operation Crazed Dragon
Operation Massive Vulture
Operation Choleric Delirium
Operation Indefinable Cerberus
merlyn
April 27, 2012 at 10:35 AM //
good grief I got
Operation It’s Best to Avoid Our Virgin
Operation Medieval Infidel
Operation Huffy Demon
Operation World-shaking Cerberus
Operation Brave Leopard
It’s Best to Avoid Our Virgin and Huffy Demon had me laughing my ass off so I guess that’s what I’m going to try and go with.
mutinytrev
April 27, 2012 at 10:36 AM //
You are on, Sir!
Siana
April 27, 2012 at 10:36 AM //
Venomous Minotaur, Bowel-loosening Impact, Humping Polity, Burning Explosion…
After that list, ‘Ocean Owl’ seemed totally out of place.
Anthony Elmore
April 27, 2012 at 10:39 AM //
Clutch your young-uns close and prepare for “Operation Wrathful Kitten.”
http://www.barelyok.com/terrible-minds-flash-fiction-challenge-random-title-generator.html
matt scoppetta
April 27, 2012 at 10:48 AM //
These are pretty bland..well except for the last one. Can anyone say Monty pythonesqe homage story about a boy named brian and a “grail”.
1. Operation Bronze Imperialism
2. Operation Unproven Badger
3. Operation Regretless Fiend
4. Operation Indignant Liberty
5. Operation Thrusting Shrub
Sharonlee Holder
April 27, 2012 at 10:51 AM //
1. Awesome Gecko
2. Thrusting Tree Frog
3. Innocent Vulture
4. Cowboy Manticore
5. Bitter Frenzy
Uuuh, I sorta got a new take on despoiling paradise. But hey, I’m always up for a challenge.
Mitch Marty
April 27, 2012 at 10:58 AM //
Might have to roll with this one. I have a short story due for my Seminar in Advanced Fiction Writing next Friday. Why not turn it into a piece of flash fiction?
Silver Devil
Sanctimonious Minister
Permanent Sucker Punch
Democratic Jihad
Oversized Muskrat
Louise Sorensen
April 27, 2012 at 12:24 PM //
Steadfast Bandicoot
Perpetual Ogre
Humane Emu
Culturally Imperiallistic Lover
Platinum Jungle Cat
Aargh! Although Platinum Jungle Cat has possibilities. Too obvious? *sigh*
Darlene Underdahl
April 27, 2012 at 12:42 PM //
Operation Huffy Jesus:
http://darlene.underdahl.net/?p=148
Gary Weller
April 27, 2012 at 3:34 PM //
I’m thinking I got issued the dunce pack:
Very Mad Eagle
Very Hungry Diplomacy
Delirious Demon
Flaming Python
Parched Turban
wickedmurph
April 27, 2012 at 5:53 PM //
Hohoho
Operation Mountain Troll
Operation Legendary Eyetooth
Operation Shitting Mob
Operation Irate Hajj
Operation Prepare to Be Destroyed by Our Bullet
So much material here! The 5th one is basically the name of ALL military operations, ever.
Lindsay Mawson
April 27, 2012 at 7:04 PM //
“Narcoleptic Frenzy”
http://lindsaymawson.blogspot.ca/2012/04/flash-fiction-challenge-39-random-title.html
Mike (@NewGuyMike)
April 27, 2012 at 7:36 PM //
My first one was Operation Wild Beaver…. what kind of word generator is this? =P
Lesann
April 27, 2012 at 8:05 PM //
Some of these made me snicker. My offering: http://lesannberry.com/2012/04/a-smoldering-assassination.html
Anna Lewis
April 28, 2012 at 3:12 AM //
Don’t Piss Off the God
Prepare to Be Destroyed By Our Centaur
You May Want to Stand Back From Our Mongoose
Flaming Preacher
Civilian-Devouring Kitten
I’m positive that this much over-stimulation is not good for me: I had creative vapor-lock all afternoon trying to figure out which to do first. The mongoose won.
http://corsairharbour.blogspot.com/2012/04/you-may-want-to-stand-back-from-our.html
alreadynotpublished
April 28, 2012 at 7:53 AM //
Evidence that dicking around on the web checking out random stuff can actually be research. I LOVE this challenge. My little writer’s retreat(http://alreadynotpublished.wordpress.com/2012/04/05/a-date-with-my-characters/)
starts on the 4th so I’m not gonna make the deadline but totally doing the challenge.
I love my titles:
Parched Minister
Nerve-wracking Weather Condition
Nail-biting Lover
Sanctimonious Muskrat
Angered Cougar
Where to begin??????? Chuck you are evil
wickedmurph
April 28, 2012 at 4:09 PM //
A bit long, but the story needed to be told.
http://kootenaygamer.blogspot.ca/2012/04/flash-fiction-challenge-operation.html
Kathy O
April 28, 2012 at 10:48 PM //
I was sorely tempted by Operation Indulgent Cougar, but I went, instead, with Operation Irascible Owl.
http://katherineowens.blogspot.com/2012/04/operation-irascible-owl.html
Jeff Xilon
April 28, 2012 at 10:50 PM //
My chosen title from the five I got: Don’t Mess With Our Lion
http://www.jeffxilon.com/flash-fiction-dont-mess-with-our-lion/
Lois
April 29, 2012 at 12:16 AM //
Finally I get around to doing one of these things. I had a funky list to choose from (I wish I’d gotten Famous Wizard):
Frenzied Cannon
Nerve-wracking Squirrel
Very Mad Iguana
Choleric Snow Leopard
But I went with Unproven Privet Bush.
http://storytrade.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/time-to-get-things-back-up-and-running/
Shiri Sondeimer
April 29, 2012 at 7:14 AM //
There was no way I was passing up “Bronze Gorgon.”
http://swsondheimer.wordpress.com/flash-fiction/bronze-gorgon/
columbibueno
April 29, 2012 at 12:06 PM //
Midnight Peach
http://columbibueno.wordpress.com/2012/04/29/midnight-peach/
Ellen M. Gregg
April 29, 2012 at 5:20 PM //
That was fun. “It’s Best to Avoid Our Killers,” kids. Just sayin’.
R Thomas Allwin
April 29, 2012 at 8:37 PM //
Not gonna write anything it looks like, but the title I got is: Thrusting Cleric
Honest to…umm…God. .?
Josh Loomis
April 30, 2012 at 8:06 AM //
Burning Uniform + an evening of Axis & Allies with my father =
http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/2012/04/30/flash-fiction-burning-uniform/
Jim Franklin
April 30, 2012 at 9:46 AM //
So many rude choices but I avoided temptation…
Operation: Beaming Privet Bush
Operation: Smouldering Industry
Operation: Ejaculating Bear
Operation: Destructive Beaver
Operation: Nerve Wracking God
Here’s my odd little tale called ‘Nerve Wracking God’.
http://www.thezombiechimp.com/2012/04/30/flash-fiction-nerve-wracking-god/
Mark Horejsi
April 30, 2012 at 10:57 AM //
Here are mine. I had a real struggle between Everlasting Kitten and Nuclear-tipped Lilac, but eventually I went with Huffy Assassination.
Huffy Assassination
Don’t Mess With Our Foreign Policy
Everlasting Kitten
Nuclear-tipped Lilac
Flaring Cobra
http://www.amanforallseasons.ca/2012/04/30/flash-fiction-the-huffy-assassination/
RC Cross
May 1, 2012 at 9:29 AM //
Merciless Hammer
Wraithlike Venom
Bronze Tension
Burning Crocodile
Angry Soldier
I almost couldn’t decide on this one. ‘Burning Crocodile’ could have been pretty fun. On the other hand ‘Angry Soldier’ had a great deal of potential as well. I finally settled on Merciless Hammer.
http://apocryptica.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/merciless-hammers/
R.J. Keith
May 1, 2012 at 12:07 PM //
There’s just something about “Unpleasant Mob” that screamed SPOOF. So I did. Whether or not it’s actually funny, I’ll leave to ya’ll to decide.
http://rjkeith.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/operation-unpleasant-mob/
thenoirguy
May 1, 2012 at 6:04 PM //
Just wrote mine today in a flash after waking up from a weird dream. “Hot Libery”:
http://insidejoshuashead.blogspot.com/2012/05/hot-liberty.html
Edward Vaughn
May 1, 2012 at 11:14 PM //
Out of the five I got I chose Durable Lover. Here’s my attempt at my blog.
http://redvaughn.blogspot.com/2012/05/durable-lover-flash-fiction-challenge.html#comment-form
Jimmy Grins
May 2, 2012 at 3:09 AM //
My title was Cowboy Gecko. Naturally, the story is inspired by the film Rango. Its about a duel between a serpent named Snake and a lizard named Gecko. Very creative, I know.
http://jimmygrins.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/cowboy-gecko/
Andreas Kjeldsen
May 2, 2012 at 11:36 AM //
As it turned out, “Operation Platinum Wizard” could not be written in less than 1500 words. But I’ll post it anyway. Because I’m a rebel and stuff.
http://endlessimmensity.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/68/
David Middleton
May 2, 2012 at 7:03 PM //
Operation Perpetual Ogre is a go.
http://davidspen.tumblr.com/post/22282194303
T.J. Janneff
May 2, 2012 at 7:42 PM //
http://writerpie.tumblr.com/post/22284537320/wednesday My title was “Operation Hot Assassination”. It’s super short, but I tried, Wendiggy! (No I will not stop calling you that it is awesome roll with it).
AmandaKay
May 3, 2012 at 1:22 AM //
I struggled between Delirious Owl and Meadow Infidel. Meadow Infidel screamed for a longer story so I give you Delirious Owl…
http://amandagrein.com/12101.html
[And I have already outlined and plotted Meadow Infidel. I’m not sure which one I like better.]
Denica
May 3, 2012 at 8:01 AM //
Operation Equalizing Lividity
Operation Awe-inspiring Ogre
Operation Infallible Dragon
Operation Flying Goddess
Operation Nerve-wracking Button
Interesting challenge. I guess you will decide if I met it.
http://denicafay.tumblr.com/post/22316565430/flash-fiction-challenge-random-title-generation
Ilona
May 3, 2012 at 10:06 PM //
I was so very tempted by Midnight Free Market, but how could I go past You May Want To Stand Back From Our Sunset? At least I could crowbar Rouge Wearing Daisy into the story.
http://ilonatherose.wordpress.com/you-may-want-to-stand-back-from-our-sunset/
Hmm, can’t seem to leave Midnight Free Market alone.
She sold her souls at the midnight free market,
She had the supply, and they the demand.
They didn’t need to know it was a renewable resource.
Kort
May 4, 2012 at 3:31 AM //
I give you: Operation Black Vengeance!
http://steponthejourney.blogspot.com/2012/05/flash-fiction-friday-black-vengeance.html
AJ Hayes
May 4, 2012 at 3:41 AM //
Pant Pant Pant. Just found out about it. Kind of a do-it-in-one-sitting panic. Random Title Operation Nervous God. Here:
http://ajhayes2.wordpress.com/
Dan Wright
May 4, 2012 at 3:56 AM //
Well this one…this one’s special. I can’t really blame anybody but myself for this.
http://8thage.blogspot.ca/2012/05/operation-world-destroying-delirium.html
Please to enjoy and feel free to leave comments.
Trevor Campbell
May 4, 2012 at 9:49 AM //
I got ‘Operation Steel Basilisk':
http://mutinyfiction.com/?p=723
Enjoy!
Louise Sorensen
May 4, 2012 at 10:57 AM //
Mine went over to 1223 words, but I feel the story needed them.
SciFi Platinum Jungle Cat http://wp.me/p1BAlV-32
Mike
May 4, 2012 at 11:59 AM //
This was fun – again
Operation Hysterical Talons – and a bit of fairy tale
http://www.ravensview.ca/ravens/2012/05/random-military-operation-title.html
alreadynotpublished
May 5, 2012 at 7:24 AM //
So I know I’m late but loved the idea of this challenge so did it anyway. Enjoy Rioting Butterflies
http://alreadynotpublished.wordpress.com/flash-fiction/rioting-butterflies/
oops, nearly linked to Chuck’s blog, he he!
Sharonlee Holder
May 5, 2012 at 12:49 PM //
Yeah, yeah. I’m a day late. So sue me
http://thescribblespot.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/chuck-wendigs-flashfiction-challenge-1/#more-163