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.
Sara Crow
July 19, 2013 at 12:54 PM //
That’s pretty fun, but I’m still a big fan of the FIG. It lives on my phone.
http://figapps.net/fig.html
I like this one because not only can I access it easily anywhere, but it has a number of different types of prompts. For some reason the one- or two-sentence standard prompts aren’t very inspiring to me, but the “Random Plot” on here has already spawned a couple of really great stories for me.
One thing I’m not a fan of at the moment: you can’t save the coolest prompts as “favorites.” So you want to remember to write down one you like when it comes up if you’re not prepared to write about it right then and there.
Rebecca Prescott
July 19, 2013 at 1:28 PM //
I think I’m going to be jotting a whole load down in my little ‘ideas bible’ before I finish this one!
Sara Crow
July 20, 2013 at 1:59 PM //
Yeah, isn’t it awesome? Some of the stuff the FIG comes up with is so fantastic it can’t help but be inspiring. Have fun!
jdsfiction
July 19, 2013 at 1:05 PM //
I landed: The story begins when your Protagonist opens someone else’s mail. Another character is a Thief who bites his/ her nails.
I’ll be back to post whatever happens from this randomness. Mwahaha.
jdsfiction
July 20, 2013 at 4:57 PM //
Done- not my best, but done. Enjoy.
Best Kept: http://jdsfiction.wordpress.com/2013/07/20/flash-fiction/
Rebecca Prescott
July 19, 2013 at 1:27 PM //
Which one won the last one? I bet I know which one did, but don’t want to say in case I’m wrong.
Mr Urban Spaceman
July 19, 2013 at 2:15 PM //
I don’t think last week was a prizes-challenge, just one of the usual general ‘here’s a challenge, feel free to participate’ challenges. No less enjoyable just because prizes weren’t involved, though!
Rebecca Prescott
July 20, 2013 at 11:14 AM //
Was a total blast to be a part of it. I just remember reading one though and thinking “THIS one is RIGHT up Sir Wendig’s street!” and would have loved to have seen it win a contest. Although, having not been around here for a while, the author has probably already won one of Chucky’s Challenges. I learnt a LOT just from reading the submissions and feedback of others in this one challenge and can only thank everyone for helping me see where I’m going wrong (and occasionally going right!). Y’all rock.
Mike Young
July 26, 2013 at 12:53 PM //
Did you post a story for this prompt?
Mr Urban Spaceman
July 19, 2013 at 2:13 PM //
This Abduction’s Bed: http://mrurbanspaceman.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/this-abductions-bed-flash-fiction-challenge/
Enjoy! (that’s not an order, merely a wish!)
Mozette
July 20, 2013 at 1:57 AM //
Hahaha…. love this one… especially when you added in that he was wearing fluffy bunny P.J’s
Wanderer
July 19, 2013 at 3:33 PM //
For your pleasure (or displeasure).
Just Add Vermouth: http://secondstaronther.wordpress.com/2013/07/19/just-add-vermouth/
Trine Toft Schmidt
July 26, 2013 at 8:48 AM //
Great story, I didn’t see the ending coming.
Wanderer
July 26, 2013 at 9:21 AM //
Thank you so much! Glad the twist was a surprise!
alexanderthesoso
July 19, 2013 at 4:51 PM //
The story starts when your protagonist walks in on the wrong meeting at work.
Another character is an incredibly attractive person who has been reading your protagonist’s e-mail.
interesting.
jreinmiller
July 19, 2013 at 7:34 PM //
Feigning sickness and an alien fortune-teller? Well this should be interesting.
Mozette
July 19, 2013 at 10:24 PM //
A protagonist who wants revenge? An executive who has been following my protagonist around for years? Hmmmm…. sounds interesting… very interesting…
I’ll be back! 
David Gearing
July 20, 2013 at 12:55 AM //
Well, this was fun!
My prompt: a protagonist who finds a mysterious object in her mailbox. Another character is a homeless man who has pictures of the protagonist.
http://davidgearing.blogspot.com/2013/07/fun-flash-fiction-challenge-thanks-for.html
Mozette
July 20, 2013 at 8:50 AM //
Oh! I love it! If only the guy knew how uncomfortable bras really are!
Abby
July 20, 2013 at 12:37 PM //
Ha, I love it and your style!
jdsfiction
July 20, 2013 at 6:28 PM //
Haha. Great shot, man. I had to laugh as I read this. Nicely done.
David Gearing
July 20, 2013 at 7:27 PM //
Thanks all!
Mozette
July 20, 2013 at 1:28 AM //
okay, I said I’d be back…. and I am
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/written-in-stars.html
Enjoy!
jdsfiction
July 20, 2013 at 6:34 PM //
Good take on the executive!
Very interesting.
Mozette
July 20, 2013 at 8:39 PM //
Thanks. I knew what she was going to be doing, but not him… strange how stories evolve when you least expect them to.
jdsfiction
July 20, 2013 at 8:44 PM //
That’s half the fun!
Fatma Alici
July 23, 2013 at 6:44 PM //
I agree. That was very creative thinking.
Mr Urban Spaceman
July 21, 2013 at 4:38 AM //
Nice story, had a very Supernatural vibe to it. One thing that puzzled me was why the husband said he poisoned the dog, instead of admitting it was the neighbours in the first place, but otherwise an enjoyable read with some interesting characters.
Mozette
July 22, 2013 at 8:13 AM //
I tried to put across that she was so full of grief, so vengeful that he didn’t want to tell her… and he just wanted to piss her off. You know how fighting couples get, they pick on each other to watch each other squirm in the end… and this became the crux of the story to make her vicious cycle stop – or make it turn down a different road than what it was going to take. Zachary was there to help her change her ways – and he did.
Mr Urban Spaceman
July 23, 2013 at 3:06 AM //
Ahh, got it. Cheers for the explanation. I can definitely see why he’d tell her that, now. Glad she broke the cycle of samsara!
jreinmiller
July 25, 2013 at 8:59 AM //
I thought you came up with an interesting concept for the story. It made me wonder if the executive was doing what he was supposed to, or if he was breaking the rules by getting involved.
Trine Toft Schmidt
July 26, 2013 at 9:08 AM //
Nice story Mozette. I like the idea of the Fates,
Francesca Carrillo
July 20, 2013 at 7:26 AM //
I’ve gotten: The story starts when your protagonist is mugged.
Another character is an alien entity who has been following your protagonist for years.
Presenting “1092th”
jdsfiction
July 20, 2013 at 6:41 PM //
Awesome! Great alien character. I’m a little glad the rich prick pissed on his shoes…
Francesca Carrillo
July 20, 2013 at 10:29 PM //
Thanks
Mr Urban Spaceman
July 23, 2013 at 3:14 AM //
Nifty story. I felt sorry for Zon, giving her last life for such an asshole, but I guess she thought her sacrifice would one day save her people. RIP Zon
Fatma Alici
July 23, 2013 at 6:49 PM //
Man, I feel bad for Zon. Still, great story. I like a lot of lines you used, and how the character was such a coward on top of everything else.
Trine Toft Schmidt
July 26, 2013 at 9:15 AM //
I liked the story, though I didn’t like your protagonist a whole lot, I really wonder why Zon was sent to observe such a cowardly bastard.
John Chronikal
July 20, 2013 at 9:30 AM //
Wicked. The prompt made immediately writing this story irresistible.
The story starts when your protagonist is forced into a car at gunpoint.
Another character is an alchemist who is developing a deadly new poison.
I give you, “Alchemy & Acrimony”
http://johnchronikal.com/2013/07/20/alchemyandacrimony/#more-447
jreinmiller
July 20, 2013 at 6:50 PM //
Alrighty. How do a fake illness, a possibly fake alien, and a maybe fake fortune teller equal a real problem? Well, let’s find out.
http://www.jqpdx.com/2013/07/20/hooky/
Mozette
July 20, 2013 at 11:24 PM //
Love it! Great work!
jreinmiller
July 22, 2013 at 8:34 PM //
Thanks.
Trine Toft Schmidt
July 26, 2013 at 9:32 AM //
Great story as usual, I got a distinct MiB vibe from it. I would love to read what happens next. .
jreinmiller
July 28, 2013 at 5:35 PM //
Thanks. It does have some potential. I might stick it in the drawer.
dianadomino
July 21, 2013 at 12:35 AM //
I found a way to link tearing down a brick wall and hiding a judge, and all in under 1,000 words. ^_^
http://dianaterrill.wordpress.com/2013/07/20/wall/
lucyjhamilton
July 21, 2013 at 11:13 AM //
Loved this! Got an idea this morning at 6AM
http://lucyjhamilton.wordpress.com/2013/07/21/flash-fiction/
Mike Berkey
July 21, 2013 at 3:21 PM //
Challenge accepted!
The seed was “The story starts when your protagonist is told s/he must get married immediately. Another character is an alchemist who just got out of prison.”
1000ish words, channeled my not-so-inner Dashiell Hammett. I’d originally planned my alchemist to be a meth dealer, but wound up in 20′s New York instead.
Unfortunately, Harry never made it out of prison, so I totally disregarded that part of the seed. Eat that, randomness.
The Girl With The Jade Rock:
http://billionmonkeys.blogspot.com/p/the-girl-with-jade-rock.html
Trine Toft Schmidt
July 26, 2013 at 9:46 AM //
Nice story. Nice set up of facts and back history, nice conclusion.
Mike Berkey
July 28, 2013 at 9:54 AM //
Thanks!
Kurt Bali
July 21, 2013 at 7:51 PM //
My turn with the generator was: “The story starts with your protagonist breaking a mirror. Include a sports editor who has played a joke that has backfired.”
Shards: http://sixgunwizard.blogspot.com/2013/07/shards.html
Mozette
July 25, 2013 at 8:52 AM //
Hey…. I like that… creepy! Love the ending; great twist!
Fatma Alici
July 25, 2013 at 9:27 PM //
That was really awesome. I especially like Tommy. Lovable jerk. : )
andreaspeed
July 21, 2013 at 8:25 PM //
I got “he story starts when your protagonist tears down a wall.
Another character is a marksman who invents strange machines.”
Here’s the result. Noise:
http://andreaspeed.com/2013/flash-fic-challenge-noise/
Josh Loomis
July 22, 2013 at 9:01 AM //
The Prompt: The story starts when your protagonist tries to stop a robbery.
Another character is a messenger who wants your protagonist dead.
The Story: http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/2013/07/22/flash-fiction-the-message/
Enjoy.
Christopher Shawbell
July 22, 2013 at 11:59 AM //
This is my first go with your Flash Fiction challenge. Been fun looking through some of your recent ones. Thanks for making this available.
~Chris
Trine Toft Schmidt
July 22, 2013 at 5:00 PM //
Hmm it seems my first attempt to comment didn’t make it through, so I’ll give it another go. If by some miracle it is lurking in the shadows, please bear with the double post.
I got: The story starts when your protagonist kisses a stranger. Another character is a thief who make your protagonist a scapegoat.
The story is a little over target (1200 words) and is called A Night at the Disco.
http://www.trinetoftschmidt.com/2013/07/back-in-the-flash-fiction-game/
Mr Urban Spaceman
July 23, 2013 at 3:44 AM //
Nicely done! After all the stories about spies and thieves and aliums, it was good to read something a little more down to earth. You made what could have been quite a mundane story into an interesting and enjoyable read, with a protagonist I could really identify with. Kudos!
Trine Toft Schmidt
July 26, 2013 at 10:09 AM //
Thank you.
Mozette
July 25, 2013 at 9:19 PM //
Woah! The amount of times I’ve seen this happen on a dancefloor – and the jealousy that ensues afterwards – is just like this. Nightclubs are soap operas all on their own; aren’t they? And you’ve only told one story
Trine Toft Schmidt
July 26, 2013 at 10:12 AM //
Yeah… perhaps that’s why I don’t like them very much.. to predictable and boring
jreinmiller
July 28, 2013 at 5:43 PM //
Nice. Felt very realistic as others have commented.
Dave Bessom (@Uisge_Beatha)
July 22, 2013 at 5:32 PM //
http://davebessom.tumblr.com/
Erik Mason
July 22, 2013 at 6:58 PM //
Here’s my entry: Perfect Match:
http://geekonablog.blogspot.com/2013/07/story-perfect-match.html
kennikazi
July 23, 2013 at 3:05 AM //
hmm…protagonist tells a secret. kool!
http://www.nairaland.com/1368075/sad-stories-depressed-writer
Story #3
Brennan
July 23, 2013 at 11:31 AM //
I didn’t intend for this to be so dark, but it just kind of happened. Here is “Bliss.” It’s only about 600 words.
My prompt was: The story starts when your protagonist pretends to be sick.
Another character is a bartender who has engineered a deadly disease.
http://notesfromanightstand.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/flash-fiction-challenge-bliss/
Matt Gomez
July 23, 2013 at 11:48 AM //
http://www.writerscarnival.ca/rescue-mission/
Overlong at 1009 words.
Plot was: The story starts when your protagonist overhears a discussion.
Another character is a soldier who has abducted your protagonist’s friend.
I am terrible at titles.
thesexiestwriter
July 23, 2013 at 2:45 PM //
Liked it-sort of a Falling Skies meets Lord of the Flies feeling.
Matt Gomez
July 23, 2013 at 2:49 PM //
Thank you. (Had to look up Falling Skies, but I’ll take it as a compliment).
thesexiestwriter
July 23, 2013 at 3:14 PM //
it’s a show on TNT or TBS or something like that. Aliens abduct children, fit them with a harness that controls their actions, then uses them against humans in an attempt to subjugate our entire population. There is this constant frustration that fighting the aliens might mean killing our children
thesexiestwriter
July 23, 2013 at 2:31 PM //
I’m skipping this week. Got too many other projects going on and I didn’t like my plot scenarios and I’m too drunk or not drunk enough and the sun’s in my eyes. Anyhow, I realized that all three of my flash fiction entries so far were heavily influenced by death and I’m wondering if maybe I should lighten up just a little…
Fatma Alici
July 24, 2013 at 12:10 AM //
Okay, it was a bit of agony to pour it out. But, its done. I give you Date for a Soul
http://naharavensari.wordpress.com/2013/07/23/a-date-for-a-soul/
tbianconi
July 24, 2013 at 1:32 AM //
Here it is. The Grand Opus. Three Bad Days. 863 words.
http://kalganrhendron.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/three-bad-days/
DJ Kirkby
July 24, 2013 at 1:46 AM //
Okay…mine is up – fat ice lollies anyone? http://djkirkby.co.uk/2013/07/random-plot-generator-challenge/
harris30Jill
July 24, 2013 at 6:21 AM //
Thanks so much for this link. First event & conflict I got gives a fleshy twist to the next novel brewing in my brain x
Ely
July 25, 2013 at 9:13 AM //
*gulp* First flash fiction…
My prompt was:The story starts when your protagonist overhears a discussion. Another character is an office manager who has been tapping your protagonist’s phone.
Enjoy!
http://graymatter-coms.blogspot.com/2013/07/something-with-earth-or-ash-cherries.html
curiouskermit
July 25, 2013 at 3:40 PM //
My prompt was: The story starts when your protagonist joins a new club; another character is a producer who is incredibly charming.
I came up with: Love in the Mud.
http://curiouskermit.wordpress.com/
any feedback would be hugely appreciated! =)
momdude
July 25, 2013 at 8:42 PM //
The electronic muse said unto me: “The story starts when your protagonist misses her train. Another character is a tailor who is your protagonist’s biggest competition.”
Here’s “Guardian Angel”, I hope you enjoy it! http://wp.me/p3tdUw-cY
Ilona the Rose
July 25, 2013 at 10:54 PM //
I’ll tell you what the generator told me, but later. I don’t want to spoil the story – even though it’s only 360 words.
http://ilonatherose.wordpress.com/2013/07/26/pulling-the-strings/
benjaminryant
July 25, 2013 at 11:23 PM //
My Plot:
The story starts when your protagonist tries to help a lost child.
Another character is someone from the future who can see the future.
(Let’s pretend I didn’t refresh the page four times until I got something that I liked)
http://benjaminryant.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/flash-fiction-thursday-random-plot-generator/
Jon
July 25, 2013 at 11:39 PM //
My plot:
The story starts when your protagonist breaks up with a romantic partner.
Another character is a martial artist who claimed your protagonist was responsible for some crime s/he committed.
http://foundationoflore.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/the-break-up/
Christopher Shawbell
July 26, 2013 at 3:19 AM //
Greetings. I’m excited to join your Flash Fiction adventure. I had fun with the plot points the generator spat out for me. The title of my piece is: TAKE BACK ATTACK
http://wp.me/p2JHx0-le
~Christopher
Dana Alyce-Schwarz
July 26, 2013 at 5:59 AM //
Sneaking this one in last minute
http://contrastsolution.blogspot.com/2013/07/weekly-challenge-random-plot-generator.html
Troy L
July 26, 2013 at 7:38 AM //
An interesting story today. I present How You Met My Mother at: http://wp.me/p31vkg-5W
Mike Young
July 26, 2013 at 11:36 AM //
I got the following:
The story starts when your protagonist goes on a blind date.
Another character is a golf pro who is psychic.
Here’s my little story, at about 740 words.
Mike
http://www.ravensview.ca/ravens/2013/07/one-choice.html
Honeycutt
July 26, 2013 at 1:56 PM //
My entry is here: http://textbookpillow.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/the-most-beautiful-girl-in-the-room-or-she-was-beautiful-hooded/
My plot generator was: “The story starts when your protagonist is abducted. Another character is a model who believes your protagonist has wronged him/her.” It was awesome.
jeezusgut
July 26, 2013 at 3:14 PM //
I got the following prompt:
The story starts when your protagonist is told by a parent that everything has been a lie.
Another character is a mind reader who is interfering with your protagonist’s job.
Here’s my entry: http://jeezuswords.wordpress.com/2013/07/25/what-if-they-had-been-just-blue/
Let’s see how this goes.
angelacavanaugh
July 26, 2013 at 6:11 PM //
The plot I got was:
The story starts when your protagonist is forced into a car at gunpoint.
Another character is an artist who is deeply involved in the occult
http://angelacavanaugh.wordpress.com/2013/07/26/flash-fiction-friday-random-plot-generator/
Michele
July 26, 2013 at 6:15 PM //
My first flash fiction challenge, maybe not a big hit, but it was fun to write again!!
http://www.musingsfrommillbrook.blogspot.com