Flash Fiction Challenge: Inspiration From Inexplicable Photos
Last week’s challenge: “A Story In Three Haiku“
Gaze upon these Russian photos.
Some of them are pretty bizarre; some of them less so.
But there’s a lot of story in these images.
Today’s challenge is simple:
Choose one and use it as inspiration for your story.
You don’t need to set your stories in Russia, obviously. If one story somehow leads you to writing about a space station powered by two dogs “doin’ it” (seriously, look at the photos and you’ll see what I mean), hey, whatever. More power to you. These photos are jumping off points.
Make sure to tell us what photo you’re using. Write the story at your blog or other online space. Link back here in the comments.
You’ve got 1000 words. Any genre will do.
Due by Friday, 2/15, noon EST.
Ryan
February 8, 2013 at 9:53 AM //
for some reason, picture number 27 reminds me of my father. Not that he’s that ugly of course.
This story is inspired by that, and about him.
Anthony Elmore
February 8, 2013 at 11:11 AM //
Number 11 reminds me of when I was young, dumb, horny and drunk in the Czech Republic. Not too innocent, not yet totally corrupted. Sometimes, the girl who’s name I forgot stands out in my memories.
Louise Sorensen
February 8, 2013 at 11:37 AM //
Hot damn, those are weird. Look like vodka soaked nightmares. Only the dogs are sober.
I’ll see if anything sticks.
Tami Veldura
February 8, 2013 at 12:34 PM //
This was a great one. I hit on number 17 right away. A lady dressed up like a dark faerie on what appears to be a subway train. Her wings are too big for the space. My response is… not exactly sunshine and rainbows.
We Are All Dust
http://www.tamiveldura.com/2013/02/we-are-all-dust.html
Michael
February 9, 2013 at 1:23 PM //
We *are* all dust in the end. Thanks for your story.
Tami Veldura
February 9, 2013 at 2:43 PM //
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Jon
February 8, 2013 at 3:00 PM //
The site those photos are from has a ton of gorgeous, storyful pictures…
http://petrosphotos.livejournal.com/
darleneaubol
February 8, 2013 at 3:10 PM //
I’m glad you posted those pictures, but they come too close for comfort; bleak poverty, and sullen, snot-nosed children much like my little cousins. Also, alcoholic men like a couple of uncles, and everybody being irresponsible with their dogs. I’ve written about it, but I also ran away from it.
I do intend to read the submissions.
aka Darlene Underdahl
http://www.VermillionRoadPress.com
jedthomas409
February 8, 2013 at 3:46 PM //
These are incredible photos. I chose #3:
http://wp.me/2Mt3l
Michael
February 9, 2013 at 4:13 PM //
Hilarious. I could see where it was going. After reading the last line, I looked at the photo. She could totally be saying that.
jedthomas409
February 10, 2013 at 2:19 PM //
Thanks for reading!
Carl Bussler
February 14, 2013 at 9:08 AM //
I was tempted to use #3 as well. I enjoyed the read. Also, great title. Titles never come easy for me.
Michael
February 9, 2013 at 3:56 PM //
I chose the first photo: An oversized pigeon, heavily-armoured riot police and panicky woman all star in a story I like to call Birds of a Feather.
http://michaelallison.blogspot.ca/2013/02/birds-of-feather-saturday-afternoon.html
jedthomas409
February 10, 2013 at 2:20 PM //
I had a hard time deciding between this photo and the one I used. Good job! Stone Roses, nice.
decayingorbits
February 10, 2013 at 12:00 AM //
It’s hard to choose. All of them scream either “alcoholism” or “fetal alcohol syndrome.” Talk about scared sober. I’ll need to think about this for a while longer.
ANGIE JOHNSON (@angiesuejohnson)
February 10, 2013 at 10:54 AM //
I’m in! I have chosen photo #2.
Jim Franklin
February 10, 2013 at 12:26 PM //
I wasn’t feeling anything until I got to number 17, and then my brain shouted “Stop, for the love god. That’s the one.” What can I say, my brain always knows what it wants.
Here is my entry, simply called ‘Terminus’. Please let me know what you think.
http://writewayround.wordpress.com/2013/02/10/flash-fiction-terminus/
Cheers
Josh Loomis
February 11, 2013 at 8:16 AM //
I don’t know why I got stuck on #8, but I did, and the result is called ‘The Departure’.
http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/2013/02/11/flash-fiction-the-departure/
Andy Decker
February 11, 2013 at 1:16 PM //
I used photo 30. http://jonah2eight.blogspot.com/
Andy Decker
February 11, 2013 at 1:22 PM //
I chose photo 30. http://jonah2eight.blogspot.com/2013/02/flowerman.html
Anthony Elmore
February 11, 2013 at 2:16 PM //
This story went into an unintended direction. Based on photo #11:http://www.barelyok.com/terribleminds-flash-fiction-challenge-inspiration-from-inexplicable-photos.html
Brian C Hall
February 11, 2013 at 2:59 PM //
After a two day bout of indecision and having to finally get off my butt and start my blog, I chose #11.
It’s called Glow and I hope you don’t hate it:
http://anunreadwriter.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/terribleminds-flash-fiction-challenge-8-feb-2013/
Troy L
February 11, 2013 at 5:25 PM //
I took pic 12 but the other one would work too. Enjoy! https://troylefman.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/flash-fiction-d-o-g-gy-style/
joeturner87
February 11, 2013 at 6:41 PM //
Chose #17, had a lot of fun this week. Thanks Chuck. Oh, and apologies, I ran over the word count.
http://joetblogs.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/terribleminds-flash-fiction-challenge-inspiration-from-inexplicable-photos/
Carl Bussler
February 11, 2013 at 10:57 PM //
The Gunman’s Choice, coming in at 973 words, is my supernatural Western based on #17. My first attempt at flash fiction. Thanks for the challenge Chuck!
http://blackpowderblackmagic.com/flash-fiction-the-gunmans-choice/
Andys
February 12, 2013 at 3:55 AM //
I was going to go with a weird comedy piece for number 3, but I decided to go with a slightly supernatural love story for number 11 instead. A bit out of my comfort zone, since I generally prefer writing far weirder stories. http://andreaspeed.com/2013/flash-fic-challenge-fic-light/
Curtis Edmonds (@Curtis_Edmonds)
February 12, 2013 at 1:33 PM //
I chose #17, not that it’s that weird, mind you. Average chick riding a subway, wearing a Goth outfit for Halloween. Unless, of course, she’s got enough supernatural energy to knock Thor Slaymaster on his ass.
http://www.curtisedmonds.com/thor-slaymasters-dark-angel/
Carl Bussler
February 12, 2013 at 1:46 PM //
Go Team Slaymaster! I hate after-action reports and light beer too. Sign me up. Have you written about Thor before? Is he a character you’ll explore in the future? Or is this just an exercise?
Curtis Edmonds (@Curtis_Edmonds)
February 13, 2013 at 11:01 AM //
I have written eight Thor Slaymaster pieces so far, most of them tied to various contests on this site: http://www.curtisedmonds.com/short-fiction#slaymaster
Thor Slaymaster is fun to write about, and he solves the main problem with flash fiction – that you never quite have the space you need to develop your characters. Thor Slaymaster is a walking apocalypse; what more character development do you need than that?
Carl Bussler
February 14, 2013 at 9:33 AM //
I’ve come to appreciate flash fiction the way I appreciate a snappy 20-minute sitcom. The Slaymaster Chronicles fit nicely into my short lunch breaks.
Sophie
February 12, 2013 at 3:48 PM //
Just realized I posted on the wrong one! Well, here it is again. “Jacklyn” So…Yeah. http://www.tumblr.com/blog/penmnky
stephen matlock
February 12, 2013 at 10:58 PM //
#5
http://stephenmatlock.com/2013/02/yevgenyi-and-the-red-balloons/
Yevgenyi gets into a bit of trouble what with ruining the Parade of the Red Balloons
Flash fiction. Truly, just write-and-go.
Casz Brewster
February 14, 2013 at 8:33 PM //
So glad to see you in these neck of the woods, Stephen!
tommiaw
February 14, 2013 at 9:22 PM //
Great story, Stephen!
Beth L.
February 12, 2013 at 11:00 PM //
Based on picture #30, here’s The Test. Good challenge!! The pictures are all certainly… food for thought.
http://knotachance.tumblr.com/
tommiaw
February 14, 2013 at 12:36 AM //
#31, “Waves, Goodbye.” http://tommiastablet.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/woven-words/
Casz Brewster
February 14, 2013 at 8:34 PM //
Oh yeah, Attack of the Cascade Foothills Writers. Love it.
Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes)
February 14, 2013 at 4:51 PM //
#16, Following the Leader
http://candleinsunshine.com/asthemoonclimbs/flash-fic/following-the-leader/
Taylor Emblen (@Taylor_Emblen)
February 14, 2013 at 5:50 PM //
Ok, I have chosen #16 and I give you ‘The Spice of Life’
http://goo.gl/GB8BC
Apologies for the unappealing format, blog isn’t up and running yet!
welltemperedwriter
February 14, 2013 at 8:47 PM //
Ta da.
http://welltemperedwriter.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/afterglow/
jreinmiller
February 14, 2013 at 9:12 PM //
Went random and got 22.
Here’s the result:
http://www.jqpdx.com/2013/02/15/olga/
Jeanne B.
February 14, 2013 at 9:58 PM //
Photo number 2 inspired this story.
http://jmboverthinking.blogspot.com/2013/02/flash-fiction-challenge-inspiration.html
Casz Brewster
February 14, 2013 at 11:40 PM //
I wrote something, then found out that part of what I wrote was actually true. Spooky.
Dragons Dressing Down: http://www.casondrabrewster.com/?p=1123
Carl Bussler
February 17, 2013 at 9:59 AM //
Nice! You have some very interesting hooks on which to hang other stories, or even a longer story. Thanks for sharing!
Casz Brewster
February 14, 2013 at 11:41 PM //
Oh, it was Photo #17. I need to learn how to edit my comments.
tommiaw
February 15, 2013 at 9:09 AM //
LOVE it, Casz!
Casz Brewster
February 15, 2013 at 10:13 AM //
Thanks!
Kevin George (@magell2)
February 15, 2013 at 12:58 AM //
I had to go with #1. How could I resist a guitar player in a bird suit?
http://magell2.blogspot.com/2013/02/bird-banded.html
petr
February 15, 2013 at 1:18 AM //
here’s my contribution. i used photo # 11.
http://www.seeswhilesitting.com/2013/02/inexplicable-russian-photo-prompt.html
Jason Beech
February 15, 2013 at 9:23 AM //
Here’s mine, from photo #4: http://jdbeech.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/wheres-my-money/
I’m glad somebody made a story for No. 3. What a face.