Flash Fiction Challenge: The Crooked Tree
Last week’s challenge exhorted you to “Choose Your Setting.” Check out the stories.
I took that image above.
It’s a snapshot of a crooked tree in some fog (a tree that is, so you should know, no longer present — it broke and is gone). It’s maybe one of my favorite images — I’m a woefully amateurish photographer and when I take a shot that looks like something more than my intent for it rather than less, I’m always pleased.
And I think this photo has a lot of story potential.
What kind of potential? Well, that’s on you.
Horror, fantasy, literary, whatever.
You have up to 1000 words.
Post at your online domicile, link back here.
You’ve got till Friday, June 22nd, at noon (EST).
Tell us about that crooked tree, won’t you?
DL Thurston
June 15, 2012 at 10:28 AM //
I ask because you have it listed as copyright on Flickr…may we include the picture alongside our stories?
Mleong13
June 15, 2012 at 11:16 AM //
While my peers are busy molesting what’s left of Friday night in my part of the world, I’ve just completed my first ever Chuck Wendig Flash Fiction challenge.
And now comes the literary pain in the ass : Editing.
Erik Mason
June 15, 2012 at 4:21 PM //
Here’s my story: Crooked Tree
http://geekonablog.blogspot.com/2012/06/story-crooked-tree.html
I hope you all like it!
GRIM
June 15, 2012 at 4:30 PM //
Things change, trees included.
http://talesofgrim.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/flash-fiction-challenge-the-crooked-tree/
Beth L.
June 15, 2012 at 9:11 PM //
That is an amazing shot. Going to have to come up with something really good to do justice to the challenge it poses!
Danzier
June 16, 2012 at 1:27 AM //
I’m not sure I can do this one. I’ve been watching “Darkwing Duck” with my daughter, and I keep coming up with script ideas.
For a show that’s off-air AND owned by Disney.
Well, I’ll give it a couple more days. Maybe I’ll come up with something that doesn’t infringe on the copyrights of one of the biggest companies on the planet… Wish me luck.
garyp0705
June 16, 2012 at 7:25 AM //
Nothing to do with challenge but wanted to say. FINISHED FIRST DRAFT!!!
(of first novel). Mainly due to Chucks writing advice; mainly keep writing and finish your shit.
Lifelong achievement milestone. Non writers don’t understand unless they can see a published book in their hand but wanted to tell someone.
OK, onwards to second draft.
Johann Thorsson
June 16, 2012 at 5:55 PM //
Ok, this time I’m taking part.
Writing it here so you can hold me to it.
p.s. First few pages of Blackbirds read pretty good.
Heather
June 16, 2012 at 6:53 PM //
http://hconstan.tumblr.com/post/25244704004/the-tree-in-the-fog
2nd attempt…hope this goes through. Maybe i’m filling out this form the wrong way.
Mitch Dyer
June 16, 2012 at 8:55 PM //
This is a thing.
http://downwritefierce.tumblr.com/post/25258334766/ff-the-crooked-tree-md
Johann Thorsson
June 17, 2012 at 6:45 AM //
Here is my entry: Bend, Don’t Break.
http://jthorsson.com/2012/06/17/crooked-chucks-challenge/
(If you object to me using the photo, please let me know and I will take it down)
Shiri Sondheimer
June 17, 2012 at 8:24 AM //
Beautiful image!
My offering: The Crooked Tree
http://swsondheimer.wordpress.com/flash-fiction/the-crooked-tree/
Susan Cogan
June 17, 2012 at 10:10 AM //
Stunning photo and very evocative! Here is my story:
http://coganbooks.blogspot.com/p/flash.html
Timothy John Whitcher
June 17, 2012 at 11:21 AM //
The Crooked Tree
447 words.
http://helveticasindiehorrorstories.blogspot.com/2012/06/crooked-tree.html
Jason Heitkamper
June 17, 2012 at 3:56 PM //
My take on the crooked tree.
http://writinword.blogspot.com/2012/06/terrible-minds-flash-fiction-challenge.html
Helen
June 17, 2012 at 10:07 PM //
my story concerning the crooked tree.
http://zillyninja.blogspot.com/
Beth L.
June 17, 2012 at 11:16 PM //
Ever read The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein? A bit like that, only not so much. Thanks for the challenge, sir!
http://knotachance.tumblr.com/
Shoshana Kessock
June 18, 2012 at 3:36 AM //
Gave this one a shot, entitled “Whiskey, Trees and Mist.” Enjoy!
http://wisdomlivesinsilence.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/flash-fiction-whiskey-trees-and-mist/
Josh Loomis
June 18, 2012 at 7:12 AM //
Something something kids and trees.
http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/2012/06/18/flash-fiction-the-crooked-tree/
Jackie
June 18, 2012 at 8:04 AM //
Here’s mine! http://thespidereen.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/flash-fiction-gnarled-roots/
AB Singer
June 18, 2012 at 1:29 PM //
Well, this one inspired me to
go a little further with something inspired by a previous FF Challenge.
Swim, swim for your lives
kathy boles-turner
June 18, 2012 at 2:36 PM //
I failed to complete last week’s challenge
I may just go ahead and post something late, though. Love this foggy image that you’ve captured, by the way. Gorgeous, and definitely inspiring!
BJ Kerry
June 18, 2012 at 3:52 PM //
That is such a beautiful haunting image, it inspired memories of my father, I hope you don’t mind that I used it on my blog.
http://kerry-mutterings.blogspot.ie/2012/06/crooked-tree.html
Spencer Williams
June 19, 2012 at 5:58 AM //
Just a rough draft but aww what the hell. I would fancy some feedback fellow TerribleMinders. http://theworldwithoutspencer.blogspot.com/
Christopher Kobar
June 19, 2012 at 10:07 AM //
Great way to motivate writers. I used it to help me shape my characters and setting for my upcoming novella.
http://christopherkobar.com/post/25432792283/the-crooked-tree
Danzier
June 19, 2012 at 1:22 PM //
Patience pays off! Well, sort of. I’ve got 745 words of autobiography out of this. Unfortunately, due to my internet connection going all hinky, I can’t post it. (I’ll link back after the repairmen come, though.) But proof of having written is: In which I compare myself to the tree and the fog to the first thing that ever scared my dad–chlorine gas.
Peter Schaefer
June 19, 2012 at 1:57 PM //
Here you go: http://catachresis.shoelesspetegames.com/the-hangin-tree/
Ben K.
June 19, 2012 at 9:40 PM //
Haven’t done one in a little while, but the image was quite compelling. Thanks, Chuck.
Here we go:
http://warnerkirby.blogs.com/clintonaut/2012/06/crooked-tree.html
oldestgenxer
June 20, 2012 at 12:39 AM //
This one is short–less than 500 words. As it turns out, trees don’t have a lot to say.
Lovers Know
Andreas Kjeldsen
June 20, 2012 at 9:46 AM //
Remember that big old oak tree in the forest you cut down the other day? Should really have thought twice about that. ‘Alissa’ will explain why.
http://endlessimmensity.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/alissa/
Eva T
June 20, 2012 at 3:55 PM //
My take on it. Ended up going off on a tangent, but I think the scene could work in context, so that’s all good.
http://eileen-alphabet.livejournal.com/20370.html
Hunter Stewart
June 20, 2012 at 5:16 PM //
I guess it would be labeled under horror if you had to pick. The idea came to me at two o’clock in the morning, and I wrote it in one sitting. Hope you think it’s good. By the way, great photo. Here is the link to the review itself.
http://eventualpsychotic.blogspot.com/2012/06/crooked-tree-short-story.html
Natalie
June 20, 2012 at 9:09 PM //
http://highlightonwords.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/the-crooked-tree/
Sorry I have no idea if foxes and beavers even live in the same country. Whatever.
C.B.
June 20, 2012 at 11:50 PM //
My submission, which might also show up as a trackback — sorry if there’s repetition.
http://ayehli.com/blog/archives/577
C.B.
June 21, 2012 at 2:41 AM //
Also, Chuck, I quite like your macro photography. I wouldn’t call it amateurish.
Cheers.
Heather Nelson
June 21, 2012 at 2:48 AM //
An unusual family dilemma.
http://writingmusclememory.blogspot.com/2012/06/piece-for-chuck-wendigs-weekly-flash.html
Sarah
June 21, 2012 at 5:41 AM //
I ended up writing a poem…
http://authorsarahohara.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/terribleminds-flash-fiction-challenge_20.html
Tami Veldura
June 21, 2012 at 1:48 PM //
A Death In The Family
Sci Fi/Steampunk
http://www.tamiveldura.com/2012/06/approaching-lightspeed-death-in-family.html?zx=b5b65624e6517313
Danya
June 21, 2012 at 5:08 PM //
It’s very, very late here right now, when I just finished writing this.
http://crayonyellow.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/no-returns-and-warnings/
C.B.
June 21, 2012 at 6:19 PM //
Beth L. — I enjoyed your story!
Mleong13
June 22, 2012 at 12:22 AM //
That Crooked Tree – Fridaycat13′s version
http://www.fridaycat13.blogspot.com/2012/06/that-crooked-tree.html
Mike
June 22, 2012 at 9:10 AM //
A short one this time, but a fun challenge in the early morning mist. http://www.ravensview.ca/ravens/2012/06/honour.html
Morgan Dragonwillow (@MDragonwillow)
June 22, 2012 at 1:29 PM //
I would like to receive your new posts in my email but I don’t see a gadget for it.
shah wharton
June 23, 2012 at 5:25 AM //
You echo my thoughts Morgan. Chuck, your fan club want to subscribe…. where?
terribleminds
June 23, 2012 at 7:40 AM //
Sadly, the site doesn’t offer a direct subscription (none work with the theme I’ve got installed) –
BUT! You can always subscribe via any sort of feed reader. Like, say, Google Reader!
– c.
C.F. Boehlke
June 25, 2012 at 10:38 AM //
http://areadingblog.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/an-elephants-tongue/