Flash Fiction Challenge: Photos Of Impossible Places
Last week’s challenge? Spin the Wheel 2.
This week a really fascinating link went around, and in it were 25 (er, 24) real world photos of places that looked entirely otherworldly. Click that link. Take a peek.
Now, I want you to use one of those photos as inspiration for your story.
That doesn’t mean you need to use the exact setting of the photo (though you can).
But inspiration, definitely.
When posting the story link below, don’t forget to identify which pic you used.
You have 1000 words.
You have one week to do it (due by 1/25, noon EST).
Any genre will do.
Write the story at your online space, then link back here.
Now go visit some strange and impossible places, will you?
January 18, 2013 @ 10:00 AM
Interestingly, we live about an hour or so from Berry Head Arch, but I’ve never been there.
Might have to rectify that.
January 18, 2013 @ 11:06 AM
Amazing photographs. I’m very tempted.
Except for the little detail that the URL says 25 pictures, but the text says 24 (and there are just 24 pictures).
/nitpicky
January 18, 2013 @ 11:11 AM
Yeah, I based that off the URL. Fixed. — c.
January 18, 2013 @ 8:55 PM
Thank you!
January 18, 2013 @ 12:12 PM
I picked TULIP FIELDS – LISSE, NETHERLANDS. http://authorrileyhill.com
January 20, 2013 @ 1:12 PM
Nice story Riley! I’m digging your writing style. Polished and with a distinct voice. Good reads
January 20, 2013 @ 4:35 PM
Hey, thanks much. Looking forward to yours!
January 21, 2013 @ 1:35 AM
*SPOILERS*
So, the truth behind crop circles is revealed! Great story.
January 19, 2013 @ 12:15 AM
Thank you, Chuck. I am a new follower but enthusiastic! I wrote about the trees in Namibia. Riley, your story inspired mine. Alan John / http://alanjohnpresents.wordpress.com/read/ / Click on the orange sky.
January 19, 2013 @ 12:16 PM
Ha! Nice work, Alan.
January 21, 2013 @ 1:46 AM
Hi Alan, I enjoyed the interplay between the mother and grandfather in relation the the children. Grandparents, always making up outlandish things… 😉
January 23, 2013 @ 12:15 AM
Thanks, Michael. I have been writing a lot of absurd juvenile fiction lately and have to check myself pitting everyone against the parents, time and again. It’s likely a piece of my baggage but it’s also a strong chapter out of the book of Roald Dahl. I appreciate your reading and commenting!
January 19, 2013 @ 2:03 AM
@Riley Hill I really enjoyed your story! I’m linking it to my facebook, hope you don’t mind. 🙂
January 19, 2013 @ 12:15 PM
🙂 thanks Elfing 🙂
January 19, 2013 @ 5:14 AM
I picked Door to Hell
http://opcomedia.blogspot.co.uk/
January 22, 2013 @ 2:27 PM
Nice urban tale.
January 22, 2013 @ 7:56 PM
Thank you! I enjoyed your crossed wires.
Why I’ve been quiet on the blog lately and other random thoughts | Dana Stewart
January 19, 2013 @ 8:36 AM
[…] to participate in the new flash fiction challenge over at terribleminds.com. Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. […]
January 19, 2013 @ 11:36 AM
Very interesting idea.
Da-dum, I wrote! « Dracula's Widow's personal journey
January 19, 2013 @ 12:53 PM
[…] it looks like I’m back in writing mode I’m a fan of Chuck Wending and his blog, and his challenge well… clicked, I […]
New Flash Fiction: Gullfoss « Musings, Mutterings, and Acts of Mental Mayhem
January 19, 2013 @ 11:26 PM
[…] challenge can be found here and the photos here. Like this:LikeBe the first to like this. This entry was posted on Saturday, […]
January 19, 2013 @ 11:28 PM
I was triggered — er, inspired — by Gullfoss, Iceland.
http://swsondheimer.wordpress.com/this-just-in/gullfoss/
January 20, 2013 @ 4:42 PM
Imaginative and somehow poetic. Especially in the beginning, the cadence is nice if you read it aloud.
January 20, 2013 @ 4:44 PM
Many thanks!
January 20, 2013 @ 5:00 PM
Tried to leave a comment on yours as well, but it didn’t seem to be working. Surprising little tale, I enjoyed it!
January 21, 2013 @ 1:58 AM
Surreal. And what Riley said: poetic. Are those Icelandic or Norse gods?
January 21, 2013 @ 7:20 AM
Odin, Loki, and Baldr are Norse gods, but my understanding (which may be incorrect) is that they were also worshipped in Iceland.
That particular incarnation of Death is my own creation.
I’m glad you enjoyed!
January 22, 2013 @ 10:30 PM
Nice story, my interpretation is the endless cycle of Ragnarok that the Norse Gods must endure. Well written and I enjoy the elegance of Odin with the youthful personality of Death.
January 23, 2013 @ 7:22 AM
thanks! You interpreted perfectly
Flash Fiction: Sparks of Guilt « Write Way Round
January 20, 2013 @ 1:15 AM
[…] weeks Flash Fiction challenge hosted at Terribleminds.com is a picture based challenge. He gave us a link to this website that […]
January 20, 2013 @ 2:12 AM
I used the Crystal Caves in Skaftafell, Iceland, which somehow became a tin mine in 50’s middle America
This is Sparks of Guilt – http://writewayround.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/flash-fiction-sparks-of-guilt/
January 20, 2013 @ 4:22 PM
Nice and creepy. Really creepy. And original.
January 21, 2013 @ 9:01 AM
Thanks 🙂
January 21, 2013 @ 2:10 AM
Do you read Stephen King, Jim? I find it reminiscent. Keep it up!
January 21, 2013 @ 9:00 AM
Haven’t yet no, only seen a few of the films; It, Stand by Me, Shawshank etc. I’m a big fan of stuff like Tales of the Unexpected and Twilight Zone though.
Thanks, I hope to.
January 22, 2013 @ 10:40 PM
I never knew sprites could be so evil and dangerous. Nice job!
January 23, 2013 @ 2:53 AM
Thanks
January 20, 2013 @ 2:30 AM
I used the Tunnel of Love in Kleven, Ukraine:
http://unsquare.com/dance/2013/01/20/tracks/
January 20, 2013 @ 4:35 PM
Liked the inventive fantasy elements. Looked like the start of what could be a longer piece.
January 22, 2013 @ 8:10 PM
Thanks! Honestly, I only stopped where I did because I hit 1000 words. Not sure where it’d go from there, though.
January 21, 2013 @ 2:17 AM
It reminded me a bit of Alice in Wonderland. I enjoyed it.
Flash Fiction Challenge: Photos of Impossible Places « Write about now
January 20, 2013 @ 5:47 AM
[…] and some concepts from an idea I have. The prompt for the writing challenge can be found here: http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2013/01/18/flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places/ And my chosen photo of a place was Tunnel of Love, […]
January 20, 2013 @ 5:50 AM
I thought about doing Chand Baori, but in the end I could not abstract from the fact that one of my favourite Bollywood music videos is set there. So anyway, I ended up using the Tunnel of Love in Kleven. http://evathereseebert.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places/
January 20, 2013 @ 4:40 PM
I really liked your story. Nice development of mystery, tension, resolution.
January 21, 2013 @ 2:23 AM
I get a paranormal/mystery vibe from this story. I’m trying to decide whether Amelia is experiencing a flash of a near-death experience or real time travel. Great read.
January 20, 2013 @ 2:22 PM
Best weekend afternoon distraction ever, thank you! I chose the Wave in Arizona.
http://www.herravendomain.com/?page_id=319
January 20, 2013 @ 4:46 PM
Wonderful story! You really captured the mood.
January 21, 2013 @ 2:40 AM
Reading Western flash is a great way to spend a weekend evening. Especially one with the epithet adulterous slattern!
January 22, 2013 @ 10:55 PM
Well written story! Fine piece of polished writing which I enjoyed. I’m also a fan of westerns 🙂
January 20, 2013 @ 4:16 PM
I’ve got the Door to Hell, here: http://www.samanthaholloway.com/2013/01/friday-flash-door-to-hell.html
January 22, 2013 @ 2:21 PM
Wow! Loved it! Great descriptions and tale.
January 22, 2013 @ 5:53 PM
Thank you!
~:D
January 22, 2013 @ 10:59 PM
I flew through this captivating story. Very original! Fishing in the oceans of hell!
The Path | Keith B Walters
January 20, 2013 @ 6:38 PM
[…] Thanks to Chuck Wendig and his Terrible Minds blog for this writing prompt for a piece of flash fiction based on an image – for the full details and all the amazing pics go here. […]
January 20, 2013 @ 6:40 PM
Many thanks for a great idea – and great images too.
I used ‘The Tunnel of Love’ image from Kleven, Ukraine for my piece ‘The Path’ which you can read here: http://wp.me/p2K3fC-2o http://keithbwalters.wordpress.com Thanks again.
January 22, 2013 @ 2:15 PM
I liked your use of the silence in this short. It really added to the overall mood.
January 22, 2013 @ 11:03 PM
Well written and interesting! Sticks with you for a while.
January 21, 2013 @ 1:37 AM
I chose the floating island-looking thing from Venezuela for “Big Daddy vs. The Machine.”
http://michaelallison.blogspot.ca/2013/01/big-daddy-vs-machine.html
January 22, 2013 @ 1:40 PM
Entertaining–on several levels. The twist at the end was unexpected and apropos.
January 22, 2013 @ 11:13 PM
Thank you, Riley.
January 22, 2013 @ 11:08 PM
Teenagers…lol. You have a wonderful knack for writing thrillers! Keeps a reader reading, which is the ultimate goal of any writer 🙂
January 25, 2013 @ 12:43 PM
Michael, I really like it. I commented on your page but wasn’t sure it took. The idea of the daughter at home eating popcorn and later being angry with her father for ruining her party is intense. Is this the direction we’re headed, are we already there?
Two Years of WordPress « The Swords of the Ancients
January 21, 2013 @ 1:38 AM
[…] for now, dear readers. I owe you some new stories, after all. I’ve been issued a challenge by Chuck Wendig. 1000 word flash fiction based on photos of some absolutely incredible and surreal real world […]
January 21, 2013 @ 1:50 AM
I picked Mt. Roraima, Venezuela and crafted a Korean-influenced wuxiaesque showdown between a witch-warrior and a Lovecraftian demon. Find it here: http://www.jeffxilon.com/flash-fiction-challenge-inspiration-from-unreal-looking-real-places/
January 22, 2013 @ 1:46 PM
Some really fine imagery here. The pacing was balanced and the tone excellent. Good voicing. Enjoyed.
January 22, 2013 @ 11:13 PM
Entertaining fantasy tale! I love martial arts. Not enough Wuxia stories out there.
January 23, 2013 @ 11:01 PM
Thanks Riley and lwpatricks. I’m glad you liked the story.
January 21, 2013 @ 8:20 AM
This ended up being a bit short, but I think it works. I chose Hang Son Doong Cave in Vietnam for ‘The Journal of the Cave’. http://wp.me/pTjOb-bUi
January 22, 2013 @ 1:28 PM
Loved this! This would make an intriguing start to a full novel that I’d really enjoy.
» Flash Fiction: The Journal in the Cave Blue Ink Alchemy
January 21, 2013 @ 8:20 AM
[…] This week’s challenge had us choose one from a series of beautiful photos of impossible places. […]
January 21, 2013 @ 2:33 PM
I picked Mt. Roraima, Venezuela. My composition is called ‘The Mist.’
http://rebeccaralstonwriter-com.webnode.com/news/flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places-for-terribleminds-com/
January 22, 2013 @ 1:52 PM
Spoiler alert: I didn’t really expect the full experience of the mist in this tale and was pleasantly surprised. The cadence you used felt like the mist. A nice reading experience.
Terribleminds Flash Fiction Challenge: Photos of Impossible Places | joetblogs
January 21, 2013 @ 5:20 PM
[…] Another week, another flash fiction challenge from Chuck Wendig at Terribleminds. […]
January 21, 2013 @ 5:25 PM
I chose Door To Hell – Turkmenistan. Really enjoyed this challenge, thanks Chuck. Anyway here it is
http://joetblogs.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/terribleminds-flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places/
January 22, 2013 @ 2:05 PM
Joe, I’ve gotta say, I was taken in from the start with some of your colorful description. The bar scene was really well developed (and oozing). I liked the story twist and development, but felt like it was just getting going when it was over. I’d like to read this as a longer piece.
January 22, 2013 @ 3:53 PM
Thanks Riley, glad you found something to like about it. I must admit I struggle with short stories. The short part always eludes me, and I just end up with a scene of an expanding idea :S
I have to commend you for your feedback, you’ve taken the time to reply to everyone; you can’t hear it, but I’m giving you a round of applause.
P.S – Oh and by the way, well done on converting crop circles from tinfoil hat conspiracy into tongue in cheek comedy. Nice.
January 21, 2013 @ 7:43 PM
I picked Namibia. At 1000 words exactly (whew), I call it “Shadewood.”
http://whirlingnerdish.blogspot.com/2013/01/flash-fiction-challenge-shadewood.html
January 22, 2013 @ 2:10 PM
Amazing the number of emotions I went through reading this. Very fine and well-written.
January 22, 2013 @ 6:44 PM
Nice, albeit sad. Thanks for sharing.
January 22, 2013 @ 8:39 PM
Thank you to you both! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Terrible Minds Flash Fiction Challenge: Photos of Impossible Places | My Blog
January 22, 2013 @ 10:36 AM
[…] week’s Terrible Minds Flash Challenge was to chose a photo from this site, and then write a story inspired by it. The first one caught my […]
January 22, 2013 @ 10:37 AM
What if the stairway to Hell takes you neither up or down? http://www.barelyok.com/terrible-minds-flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places.html
January 22, 2013 @ 10:53 AM
Forgot to add: Both the Chand Baori and Door to Hell inspired me.
January 22, 2013 @ 1:33 PM
Got some great chuckles here. I’ve had days like this…
January 22, 2013 @ 6:38 PM
Thanks for the link, really awesome photos, would’ve missed it if not for your blog. Em… So no SPECIAL SPECIAL prize for these, huh? Ah, what the hell, might as well give it a try anyway…
Flash Fiction – Return to Eden: A Environmentally Friendly Apocalypse Story | L.W. Patricks
January 22, 2013 @ 7:38 PM
[…] to Terribleminds.com and Chuck Wendig for hosting this […]
January 22, 2013 @ 7:45 PM
Here’s my entry. Inspired by The Tunnel of Love in Kleven, Ukraine, I present to you:
Return to Eden – An Environmentally Friendly Apocalyptic Story.
Take a walk through Mother Nature’s v***na.
http://lwpatricks.com/publications/flash-fiction-return-to-eden-an-environmentally-friendly-apocalyptic-story/
January 22, 2013 @ 11:49 PM
“The Way Station”, inspired by the picture of The Metro, Stockholm. and somehow I couldn’t stop listening to Casey Driessen’s song The Heartbeat Kid when I worked on it. Presented for your perusal.
Not All Those Who Wander | The Narratorium
January 22, 2013 @ 11:55 PM
[…] story was prompted by two things: a flash fiction challenge by Chuck Wendig based on the choice of a photo, and this news story I read about a year ago about […]
January 22, 2013 @ 11:59 PM
Here’s my story, inspired by the image from MORAVIA, CZECH REPUBLIC. Not at all the image I thought I would end up using! It’s also inspired by a true news story I read last year.
It’s called “Not All Those Who Wander” and it’s here: http://narratorium.com/2013/01/23/not-all-those-who-wander/
January 23, 2013 @ 11:53 AM
Hi Chuck. New reader (well 4 day old reader) and first time poster. I took a shot at the challenge and had a lot of fun.
http://manuscriptsofamentalpatient.blogspot.com/2013/01/flash-fiction.html
January 23, 2013 @ 4:30 PM
I chose Namibia.
http://srmurdoch.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places-namibia/
January 24, 2013 @ 1:20 AM
Managed to crank this out through my vodka-infused haze. This first-timer’s rather proud of herself.
http://normalitybytes.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/i-did-it/
January 24, 2013 @ 11:46 AM
HI All. It’s January 24. When I clicked on the link last Friday for my story prompt, it worked. Now, it seems not to. Will post story when I find a similar pic.
January 24, 2013 @ 5:26 PM
Same deal, here’s another link if you haven’t found it already… http://ikeepsit100.com/2013/01/21/24-places-that-look-not-normal-but-are-actually-real/
January 24, 2013 @ 1:28 PM
Inspired by Chand Baori. Thanks for the challenge!
http://countlesslives.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-next-step.html
January 24, 2013 @ 6:05 PM
I enjoyed this. Well done!
January 24, 2013 @ 2:27 PM
Hi, Chuck and fellow visitors, It’s my first time taking part in this challenge (long time reader of the blog, though). Here’s my story based on the photo of the hilly field in Czech Republic:
http://www.livewonderstruck.com/flash-fiction-the-field/
January 24, 2013 @ 3:46 PM
I picked the Naval Shipyards in Vallejo, and envisioned it as the entry to a flooded lab…
http://kaeldra.blogspot.com/2013/01/flash-fiction-impossible-place_24.html
January 24, 2013 @ 11:47 PM
Catherine Sonnier
The pink lake, Lake Retba, inspired a story of isolation and desperation.
http://cathywritesdotnet.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/pink-matter-grey-turmoil/
Flash Fiction Challenge: Photos of Impossible Places « How can the poet be called unlucky?
January 25, 2013 @ 12:14 AM
[…] Wendig’s most recent flash fiction challenge is entitled “Photos of Impossible Places.” And while the photos he links to truly are otherworldly (but for some reason, the link no […]
January 25, 2013 @ 12:15 AM
I ended up going in a different direction and picking a spot in Texas. I had a great deal of fun with this.
http://allysonmwhipple.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places/
January 25, 2013 @ 12:48 AM
I went with Chand Baori. Those were all some great photos though.
Here’s a link to the same photo set as the link on above isn’t working.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/miniusanotnormal/25-places-that-look-not-normal-but-are-actually-r-7lct
And then a link to my story:
http://www.jqpdx.com/2013/01/25/stairs/
Fosse-Grim « Flashes in the Pan
January 25, 2013 @ 2:33 AM
[…] was written for this week’s Flash Fiction Challenge at […]
January 25, 2013 @ 2:34 AM
I picked Gullfoss. Here’s my entry: http://welltemperedwriter.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/fosse-grim/