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.
64 responses to “Flash Fiction Challenge: Inspiration From Inexplicable Photos”
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.
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.
Hot damn, those are weird. Look like vodka soaked nightmares. Only the dogs are sober.
I’ll see if anything sticks.
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
We *are* all dust in the end. Thanks for your story.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
The site those photos are from has a ton of gorgeous, storyful pictures…
http://petrosphotos.livejournal.com/
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
[…] terribleminds.com today there is another weekly flash fiction challenge. We are to look at this gallery and select a […]
These are incredible photos. I chose #3:
http://wp.me/2Mt3l
Hilarious. I could see where it was going. After reading the last line, I looked at the photo. She could totally be saying that.
Thanks for reading!
I was tempted to use #3 as well. I enjoyed the read. Also, great title. Titles never come easy for me.
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
I had a hard time deciding between this photo and the one I used. Good job! Stone Roses, nice.
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.
I’m in! I have chosen photo #2.
[…] to imagine the crazy-ass circumstances that would have led to that photo being taken. Anyway, the Terribleminds.com flash fiction challenge requires me to choose one of those photo’s and use it as inspiration for a […]
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
[…] Chuck Wendig – writing, etc. (Love that site design.) […]
[…] My entry for the flash fiction challenge Inspiration from Inexplicable Photos: […]
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/
I used photo 30. http://jonah2eight.blogspot.com/
I chose photo 30. http://jonah2eight.blogspot.com/2013/02/flowerman.html
This story went into an unintended direction. Based on photo #11:http://www.barelyok.com/terribleminds-flash-fiction-challenge-inspiration-from-inexplicable-photos.html
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/
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/
[…] It’s that time again. Terribleminds flash fiction […]
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/
[…] wrote this in response to the Flash Fiction Challenge: Inspiration From Inexplicable Photos on Chuck Wendig’s blog. I used photo #17 as […]
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/
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/
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/
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?
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?
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.
Just realized I posted on the wrong one! Well, here it is again. “Jacklyn” So…Yeah. http://www.tumblr.com/blog/penmnky
#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.
So glad to see you in these neck of the woods, Stephen!
Great story, Stephen!
Based on picture #30, here’s The Test. Good challenge!! The pictures are all certainly… food for thought.
http://knotachance.tumblr.com/
[…] is inspired by two parts: one, Casz’s great challenge during workshop last night, and two, Chuck Wendig’s flash fiction challenge. This is based on photo number #31. I’ll admit surprise at getting this done in 500 exact […]
#31, “Waves, Goodbye.” http://tommiastablet.wordpress.com/2013/02/13/woven-words/
Oh yeah, Attack of the Cascade Foothills Writers. Love it.
[…] For Chuck Wendig’s flash fiction challenge for February 15. The verdict?Awesome (0) Good (0) Okay (0) Boring (0) Bad (0) Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook Buzz it up share via Reddit Share with Stumblers Tumblr it Tweet about it Subscribe to the comments on this post Bookmark in Browser Tell a friend […]
#16, Following the Leader
http://candleinsunshine.com/asthemoonclimbs/flash-fic/following-the-leader/
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!
[…] was written for this week’s Flash Fiction Challenge at […]
Ta da.
http://welltemperedwriter.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/afterglow/
Went random and got 22.
Here’s the result:
http://www.jqpdx.com/2013/02/15/olga/
Photo number 2 inspired this story.
http://jmboverthinking.blogspot.com/2013/02/flash-fiction-challenge-inspiration.html
[…] photo below was part of Chuck Wendig‘s near weekly flash fiction writing challenge. There were 31 to choose from. I chose number 17. She spoke to me. I feel like I’ve been her — whether it was in DC, […]
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
Nice! You have some very interesting hooks on which to hang other stories, or even a longer story. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, it was Photo #17. I need to learn how to edit my comments.
LOVE it, Casz!
Thanks!
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
here’s my contribution. i used photo # 11.
http://www.seeswhilesitting.com/2013/02/inexplicable-russian-photo-prompt.html
[…] Last week’s challenge: “Inspiration From Inexplicable Photos“ […]
[…] My Money? Author Chuck Wendig throws out a flash fiction challenge every week (write a story set by his guidelines no longer than […]
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.
[…] to imagine the crazy-ass circumstances that would have led to that photo being taken. Anyway, the Terribleminds.com flash fiction challenge requires me to choose one of those photo’s and use it as inspiration for […]
http://jordanretro11.sellittodaywithebay.com