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.
kathy boles-turner
June 22, 2012 at 12:58 AM //
That’s just what’s been missing in my life lately. MUSIC!
Laura Libricz
June 22, 2012 at 7:22 AM //
http://lauralibricz.blogspot.de/2012/06/another-flash.html
I’m having lots of fun with this! I just sent my first novel off to the editor. Kinda like sending your first-born to their first day of school. I usually write Historical Fiction so this is a welcome switch
Jim Franklin
June 22, 2012 at 7:51 AM //
This is my story of the band ‘Gaming Kerosene’ and their first and last ever gig. I really had a lot of fun writing this and as always, I’m Interested to know what you think.
http://www.thezombiechimp.com/2012/06/22/flash-fiction-gaming-kerosene-first-gig/
Cheers
Darlene Underdahl
June 22, 2012 at 12:28 PM //
I give you Screaming Cheap:
http://darlene.underdahl.net/?p=164
“Papa-oom-mow-mow.”
Bronson O'Quinn
June 22, 2012 at 4:03 PM //
“Nuclear Mustard”
http://www.disposabletea.com/2012/06/nuclear-mustard.html
I really like this prompt. Mine doesn’t really use the name in any creative ways, and if I use this story down the line, will likely change the band name, but it got me writing, and that’s all that matters!
Michael C.
June 23, 2012 at 1:52 AM //
@Jim Frankin. I like the twist at the end. The UK-region diction from a band reminds me of The Commitments.
@Laura Libricz Congrats on the novel! First time reading the lyrics to a song in flash. I enjoyed the descriptions of the songs, too.
@Darlene Underdahl I dig the girl drama! If only I ever came across confrontations like that while looking at plants.
@Bronson O’Quinn – I liked the dialogue and the story. Made me think about solo acts and using band names.
My story:
“Up In Smoke Tour”
When rockers Agony Dance make a pit stop at the start of their Canadian leg, their road manager leads them into a situation they weren’t expecting.
This story is inspired by Roald Dahl’s The Landlady.
http://awesomeleatherwristband.tumblr.com/post/25699664045/up-in-smoke-tour
Bronson O'Quinn
June 23, 2012 at 11:35 AM //
@Michael C.
I like your twist. It starts out very standard, but gets an EC Comics vibe real fast!
Tim Whitcher
June 23, 2012 at 5:46 PM //
Psychobilly, anyone?
http://helveticasindiehorrorstories.blogspot.com/2012/06/graveyard-purpose.html
Shiri Sondheimer
June 24, 2012 at 9:04 PM //
Floating Corrosion and the League.
Gotta love it.
http://swsondheimer.wordpress.com/flash-fiction/floating-corrosion-and-the-league/
Beth L.
June 24, 2012 at 10:03 PM //
I haven’t been called a band geek in a really, really long time
Awesome.
@Tim, your story made me think of that King story, too, a little bit. I liked that we knew why the observer/non band person was there, as opposed to it being random-ish. Very well done.
Here’s Ghost of the Invention, and a tiny slice of their story.
http://knotachance.tumblr.com/
R Thomas Allwin
June 25, 2012 at 4:31 AM //
Soooo tempted to join this, but I won’t have time…
The band name, you ask?
Faithless Garbanzo
Josh Loomis
June 25, 2012 at 8:00 AM //
Good evening, and welcome to the Maze of Uranus. http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/2012/06/25/flash-fiction-maze-of-uranus/
Jade B.
June 25, 2012 at 8:14 AM //
Thanks for getting my ass in gear, Chuck!
http://jade888.tumblr.com/
Lindsay Mawson
June 25, 2012 at 2:41 PM //
I’d love to participate in this one (it’s been weeks since I’ve had time for flash fiction!), but I literally JUST got finished releasing my latest novel, Exposing Dallas, about a lead singer of a band, last week, so I feel like I’d be cheating on them to write about another so soon… But that’s just me… If you want something to read anyway, here’s one of 4 previews. http://lindsaymawson.blogspot.ca/2012/06/peek-behind-curtain-1-exposing-dallas.html
Hope I can submit something for this week’s upcoming challenge.
Jo Eberhardt
June 26, 2012 at 1:31 AM //
Hi everyone! It’s about 3 months since I last participated in one of these challenges, and it’s kind of nice seeing so many of the same faces around. It feels a bit like coming home.
Anyway, here’s my contribution:
The Brains for Fame: The story of a rock band trying to make it big during the zombie apocalypse.
J.M. Dow
June 26, 2012 at 10:44 AM //
Never participated in one of these before, but I decided to try my hand.
Wine Beside Defect
http://whirlingnerdish.blogspot.com/2012/06/flash-fiction-challenge-thats-my-new.html
oldestgenxer
June 27, 2012 at 12:33 AM //
This is a stand-alone story, but I’m thinking of using some of the historical details in my novel. Kind of a “world-building” exercise.
Or, like much of what I do, it could all be bullshit.
I used a few of the other band names generated, but just in passing. I finally settled on one, then changed my mind at the end. The story called out for this name. So did the audience.
Talkin “Bout
Just so’s I don’t hasta explain it, the title is from the song by The Who–“My Generation.” But you knew that.
David Grigg
June 27, 2012 at 12:43 AM //
Well, look it’s like this… I picked a band name, OK, and it was “Beside Eternity”. And I start mulling over ideas, and I figure this might be some Christian rock band or something.
But then, you know what happens? Chuck makes these challenges for flash fiction, and that’s all very well, but when you get a story idea going then you’ve got to follow where the story leads and you can’t always cram it into the original brief or the original length.
So Chuck’s challenge goes into one side of my head as an input, and what came out the other side was this. It’s called “Note of Triumph” and it’s a whole damned 2,000 words, and it doesn’t mention the band name once, and tough, that’s just where the story took me, OK?
http://narratorium.com/2012/06/27/note-of-triumph/
Danzier
June 27, 2012 at 1:43 AM //
Ooh, ban name is Kinetic Hypnosis. My internet connection is still iffy so I may have to upload several stories at once. You are warned. Now, I’m off to connive about musical genius. >:D
Danzier
June 27, 2012 at 1:47 AM //
Erm, that’s *band* name. Sorry.
Sarah
June 27, 2012 at 8:14 AM //
http://authorsarahohara.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/terribleminds-flash-fiction-challenge_27.html
Here’s my go~
Elizabeth Poole
June 28, 2012 at 10:24 AM //
Here is my offering:
Shine On, You Crazy Diamond
Infinite Monkey
June 28, 2012 at 7:56 PM //
So many names, so little time! *explodes*
I give you “I’m With The Band”.
Or, “What’s In A Name?”
http://catemorgan.wordpress.com/2012/06/28/return-of-the-flash-im-with-the-band/
Mike
June 29, 2012 at 10:43 AM //
Great prompt. I’ll try starting up a band with my Fairy Tale Folk in it.
Snow – hyperactive speed freak that she is – on drums
The wolf – lead guitar – out in front, oozing sex, channeling Mick Jagger
The woodsman – quiet, tall, solid guy – on bass
Barney – late addition to the team – a roadie
Red – no where near a microphone – they’ve all heard her do Karaoke
The witch – she’s the oldest, very charismatic, still a little wild – lead singer, sort of a Janis Joplin thing.
Been listening to Joplin’s old tunes more than I’ve been writing, but will try to get done by noon.
Seth
June 29, 2012 at 11:30 AM //
It’s not just a clever name: Possessed Success
http://www.mostlymuppet.com/2012/06/29/the-return-of-flash-fiction-friday/
Mike
June 29, 2012 at 12:37 PM //
A little late, had my characters, but no real plot. Better now.
http://www.ravensview.ca/ravens/2012/06/contemplate-service.html