Last week’s challenge, I asked you to come up with an opening line for a story.
This week, you’re going to write a story based on one of those opening lines.
(Er, not your own, thanks.)
Look through them:
Choose one.
(Choose one that complies with the original mandate of keeping to 15 words or less.)
A lot of great options in there. (Though, to be fair, a surprising lot of not so great options in this batch. Lots of errors and over-the-limits. People: read your entries before you click SUBMIT. It’ll take you like, 30 extra seconds, I promise.)
Please identify in the comments below which opening line you’ll choose.
I’ll tally and, presuming there’s a winner, I’ll send that person The Kick-Ass Writer.
Then: you write 1000 words using your chosen line. Post at your online space and link back here.
I’ll choose one of the participants (by random) and toss you a copy of — well, I dunno what. I’ll grab something off my shelves and mail it to you. (Or, if you’re international, I’ll give you something digital.)
Due by noon EST on November 22nd.
Get your fingers tapping.
189 responses to “Flash Fiction Challenge: Find Your Favorite Opening Line”
[…] http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2013/11/15/flash-fiction-challenging-find-your-favorite-opening-line… […]
I chose Jan O’ Connell’s: “Appropriately enough, it was a shopping trolley that killed her.”
Death by Trolley
For a long while I was stuck on what to write in response to David Novack’s entry: “Well,” Jimmy muttered, “it was clearly a mistake picking this room to piss in.” but the words eventually cooperated and along came “The Dinabranki in Defeat”.
http://cmsimpson.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/flash-fiction-challenge-response.html
Enjoy 🙂
Oh i liked that very much 🙂
http://gekkegina.simplesite.com/298906585 , officially handed in before the deadline. Victory is mine.
I like this story – it’s truly intriguing, and unexpected. I was bewildered and satisfied all at once when it was through. But you need to edit! A solid block of text without any paragraph breaks is about as inviting to read as a clean brick wall (I know it sometimes formats like that when you copy-paste into a blog editor), and there’s some spelling/grammar mistakes in there too. There’s still a couple days before the week is out, plenty of time to tidy up.
Keep writing, and I’ll keep reading!
I liked it. I actually think the wall-of-text approach works very well in this particular case – it reads as a disorganised stream of consciousness from someone not quite sure what to make of his experience.
I know what you mean Simon – as uninviting as it looks, I had no problem following the story, and despite no breaks, it isn’t rushed or confusing. The words do all the work and carry all the weight. I do like a good rule-breaking, when it works.
[…] there is more than one way to get into heaven. This short story is a response to a November 2013 flash fiction challenge posted by Chuck Wendig on his Terrible Minds blog. The opening line of my story was contributed by […]
My challenge offering begins with the line, “I won’t tell you how I died, and they can’t tell you why,” contributed by Allison Rose. Read RULES OF MORTALITY at http://jeremypodolski.com/2013/11/19/short-fiction-rules-of-mortality/
This is really good. I’d love to read more of it.
Thanks for reading! I’m definitely interested in doing more with this character.
I enjoyed this. The egg imagery worked really well.
I appreciate the note – thank you
I liked solving violence with logic. Good work!
I’m honored you chose my line! You’ve written an intriguing story; I’ve always been intrigued by death and the afterlife. I enjoyed reading your story.
Thanks, Allison, for your comments here and on my blog. It is a spectacular line, and I loved the opportunity to work with it!
I’m using zanzjan’s
His first mistake was burying it in his own backyard.
Half a day late, but done and posted. Separation Anxiety
http://brickhousepiggy.wordpress.com/2013/11/22/separation-anxiety/
I loved the tone, completely unexpected. I liked that there were a lot of unanswered questions.
I’m using Caitlin’s — “Everyone knows The 7 Deadly Sins. Y’think the others are the good guys? Think again.”
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-bSDMAmmS0H_fRY_QqhH2syVxxV-cuLTA1eVCpZmbXw/edit?usp=sharing
I’m using “Sam was puzzling over the hatch in the basement floor when he heard a knock.”, by boydstun215
Here’s the story: http://netmouse.livejournal.com/774909.html
Here’s my attempt. My opening line was “Every second Saturday Tom Pope had a beer with Devil.” It was contributed by Andrew Jack.
https://joebrewing.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/chess-with-devil/
[…] For my first post, I’m going to participate in my first writing challenge. Woot! I hope to do many of these things from various people and places, but I have to start somewhere. This is for Chuck Wendig’s flash fiction challenge. […]
I chose Julia H’s “I flicked the lighter open and watched the flame dance in the wind.”
A bit short on the word count, but here it is:
http://thepaddedcastle.wordpress.com/2013/11/20/fiction-challenge-hunter-of-hunters/
Really good!
Good story.
That was a wild ride, I want to read more!
Wow! Thanks guys!
So I chose JD’s opening line: Nothing good ever happens after midnight.
Here’s the story
http://niftywords.weebly.com/1/post/2013/11/midnight-mission.html
Second time poster here.
I chose Ashley M. K.’s “Lock. Unlock. Lock. Unlock. Lock. He always locked doors three times. Everything in threes.”
I clock in just shy of 1,500 words, potentially disqualifying myself, but I was having too much fun to finish before seeing where it led.
http://probablyfalse.tumblr.com/post/67594574799/three-skidoo
I ended up doing another, shorter one, prompted by “At first it was just a tiny dot in the cool blue afternoon sky.”
http://probablyfalse.tumblr.com/post/67750253226/shell
It sort of wrote itself in the early hours of this morning and by accident. I thought I might as well put it up here. I’m hoping it’s not too… translucent.
Adrenaline rush! Loved it and would read more – this hints at a much larger story that needs to be told now you’ve tantalised us with this tidbit. What is ‘subbing’? What event set this in motion? I have to know.
Thanks for reading, Ilona, and thank you for the kind words.
[…] challenge where we write a story based on a 15 word sentence another blog member wrote over at terrible minds. Mine was the following, from […]
I chose:
“It doesn’t mean death,” I told her.
From murgatroid98.
Here it is: http://wmontefiore.com/terribleminds-flash-fiction-challenge-find-your-favorite-opening-line/
Hope you enjoy!
I liked your line about his “mind’s ear” a lot.
[…] Chuck Wendig challenge. This time we had to pick one of last weeks opening lines and spin a tale. I went […]
I went with Murgatroid98’s “It doesn’t mean death,” I told her.
http://naharavensari.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/forgotten-bargain/
I liked your story. Now I’m wondering what happens to Max 🙂
To be honest so am I.
[…] For Terribleminds.com’s flash fiction challenge Find your favourite opening line. […]
“At first it was just a tiny dot in the cool blue afternoon sky” – ZTS
http://ilonatherose.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/the-dot-on-the-sky/
Interesting.
This is really quite thought-provoking. It’s a great concept and you haven’t wasted a single word. I think you captured that sense of childhood intensity really well.
I *loved* the idea of Harold making a ‘gallant effort’ with his tea. It reminded me of fighting similar dinnertime battles against insurmountably yucky green odds as a kid, hating it but knowing it’d please my mum.
I like the story. I also like your art!
Cheers! I’ve been drawing a lot more than writing lately – people have begun telling me I should write a children’s book.
This took me to an unexpected place, and I thought your dialogue was very realistic.
Thanks all for your feedback! Much appreciated.
[…] there’s this short fiction contest thingy-ma-bopper over at Terrible Minds Blog and I’m bored at work so I decided to give it a shot. I ended up writing an origin short […]
I chose ‘Annoyed, she stabbed him and finished her dinner,’ by marybelr.
http://crazyinkslinger.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/short-fiction-the-last-job-fates-a-bitch/
I chose the opening line ‘Annoyed, she stabbed him and finished her dinner,’ by marybelr.
http://crazyinkslinger.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/short-fiction-the-last-job-fates-a-bitch/
I really enjoyed the story and wanted more. I chose the same line form Marybelr, but went with a way different approach.
Along with the story, I also enjoyed your short, but concise descriptions that captured the events as they unfolded. Nicely done. I am including my version for your perusal. Thanks and happy writing.
http://taylormaderandomwrites.blogspot.com/2013/11/dinner-with-blind-hate-flash-fiction.html
Thanks for the read! I’m glad you enjoyed it. It ended up being an origin story for my current project, which worked out great.
Your version is awesome, I could see everything unfolding like a movie in my mind. The emotions were spot on, and I love the twist at the end. You built up to it nicely, it gave me the chills.
Happy writing!
I, in turn, would like to also thank you for reading. I am just now rediscovering my lost love for writing and I am hoping to continue as writing is the one thing that gives balance to my world at this moment. I am so thankful for this web site and the chance to share and interact with people who are as passionate about words, story and character as I am. Continued and happy writing. Best of luck with your future work. I look forward to reading them.
I chose Andrew Jack’s “Every second Saturday, Tom Pope had a beer with the Devil.” http://rtwilder.wordpress.com/2013/11/21/for-flash-fiction-challenge-find-your-favourite-opening-line-titled-care-bear-scare/
I used Mike Paul’s line: “Someone once told me bourbon was great for removing blood stains.”
http://brtwrites.com/2013/11/21/flash-fiction-thursday-the-kitchen-pantry/
I am eager to present my first flash fiction!
I selected the line “All she had to do was wait” by Nora.
http://girlbooksblog.wordpress.com/2013/11/22/the-last-noel/
Yay I actually finished something!!!
I loved it. The build of tension to the final line was perfect.
I’ve used the first line offered up by Kenneth Jobe (November 9th, 12:32 AM in last week’s comments) to produce “Zero To Hero”. As always, comments and constructive criticisms are appreciated.
http://pauljwillett.com/2013/11/21/flash-fiction-xxx/
I chose ZTS’s “At first it was just a tiny dot in the cool blue afternoon sky.”
http://mrdorough.wordpress.com/2013/11/22/the-shadow-in-the-valley/
Greetings! It’s been a while but I come to you now bearing (nearly) 1000 words of silliness. Hope you like it. 😀
http://lanigerbi.blogspot.com.au/2013/11/fiction-greg-and-dragon.html
Sorry forgot to mention. My opening line is tbianconi’s:
“You amuse me, human,” the Dragon said, swallowing several thousand Smarties in on gulp.
[…] Terribleminds flash fiction challenge: Find Your Favorite Opening Line […]
I used mikepaul’s line: Someone once told me bourbon was great for removing blood stains. This was a lot of fun, I look forward to completing more challenges.
http://wp.me/p3McUV-1S
I loved your story! I used the same line but went in a different direction. I really liked the twist at the end. Nice job!
This is the first time I’ve done a flash fiction. Wicked fun! Thanks for the prompt Mr. Mike Paul (“Someone once told me bourbon was great for removing blood stains”)! I haven’t written in quite a long time.
http://nikki.io/archives/entry/20/
“their fists curled into angry wrecking balls” I loved that line and really enjoyed the whole story. Your character is such a bad ass.
I used Nora’s: “All she had to do was wait.”
Here it is, I call it “The Switch.” It’s my first flash fiction and I’m sort of new to this whole writing business. Tell me what you think, I’m open to criticism. http://juliaunheardof.blogspot.com/
Hi Julia – I really liked your piece. I want to know more of the backstory! Perhaps you’ll flesh it out into a longer story? Please let me know if you do.
Thanks! I hadn’t really thought much into the backstory besides what’s in the piece so far. Maybe I will expand it sometime in the future.
“Kill me with Kindness” 🙂 http://www.scribd.com/doc/186339528/Kill-Me-With-Kindness
Apologies for being half an hour late. I miscalculated EST.
Thanks for picking my intro, Mildred! I enjoyed the read. Who knew kindness had such a dark side?
[…] Last Week’s Challenge: Find Your Favorite Opening Line […]
I’m doing some more of these in the lead up to Christmas. Today’s is here: http://jemimapett.com/2013/11/29/friday-flash-fiction-the-scottish-connection/
[…] at Terrible Minds, Chuck Wendig held a Flash Fiction assignment to use an opening line from those submitted by […]
[…] this week’s challenge was to pick an opening line from the previous week’s challenge and write a story from there. […]