Flash Fiction Challenge: “Roll For Title!”
Smell that?
*takes long sniff*
It is the first flash fiction challenge of the year.
I’VE THAT SCENT OF SHEER STORY POTENTIAL CLINGING TO THE INSIDE OF MY NOSE.
And it is wonderfully sweet.
I’d actually like to take a little moment to say I’m so happy that these challenges seem to get people writing and I’ve seen more than a few folks sell-through stories based on these challenges, which makes the brittle broken snow-globe that I call my heart twitch and shine for one second.
Anyway, let’s get to it.
All you need to do this week is to use a d20 or a random number generator to consult the table at the bottom of the document to roll for a story’s title. It’s a two-part title (meaning, two random numbers 1-20) and whatever title you get must fit the story you write for it.
You’ll have 1000 words, par usual. Post at your blog, link back here. Due in one week — January 17th, Friday — by noon EST. Easy-peasy story-squeezy.
(Example of an earlier, similar challenge here.)
The title tables are (and you’re free to put the word “The” in front of your title):
Column One
- Snowbound
- Devil’s
- Accursed
- Whispering
- Amethyst
- Griefstruck
- Lovestruck
- Red
- Cartographer’s
- Chaos
- Orbital
- Jackdaw’s
- Minotaur
- Invisible
- Dog Star
- Helical
- Flight of the
- Cerulean
- Seamstress’
- Ten-Year
Column Two
- Murders
- Kid’s Club
- Angel
- Vault
- Bookshop
- Champion
- Palace
- Fear
- Skull
- Potion
- Birdhouse
- Encyclopedia
- Peacock
- Prison
- Wire
- Rider
- Story
- God
- Parasite
- Earth
The Cerulean Prison – Flash Fiction Challenge | scireaude
January 12, 2014 @ 2:05 PM
[…] some time ago) at writing a story. I came across a flash fiction challenge at Chuck Wendig’s Terrible Minds, in which you roll 2D20 and use the numbers to choose title words from two columns. I came up with […]
January 12, 2014 @ 2:09 PM
The Cerulean Prison.
First story I’ve written in a very long time (and by first, I mean it!). Be nice but constructive criticism would be great
http://scireaude.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/the-cerulean-prison-flash-fiction-challenge/
January 12, 2014 @ 2:38 PM
Sorry if this isn’t too good… I tried 🙁
Jackdaw’s Prison, everyone:
http://dystopiagirl.tumblr.com/post/73117900740/jackdaws-prison
January 12, 2014 @ 4:11 PM
I like it Aly, that was really sad! (but your website background is really distracting, what on earth is on that guy’s face? o.0)
January 13, 2014 @ 12:26 PM
Thanks Tami! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
And my background is the Teen Wolf cast… I think the thing on his face is the bandit mask (prosthetic skin – it’s part of his werewolf face!) 😀
January 12, 2014 @ 4:29 PM
Here’s mine. Cerulean Fear. http://theshadowportal.blogspot.com/2014/01/flash-fiction-challenge.html
January 12, 2014 @ 5:28 PM
Your story intrigued me as well. I was right there in the closet with James and when the Encyclopedia began whispering to him that’s when I smiled.
Cerulean Rider | Vers Les Etoiles
January 12, 2014 @ 7:22 PM
[…] been a while since a “normal” Chuck Wendig Friday Flash Fiction Challenge. In the previous weeks, it was a collaborative story. While a lot of fun, it’s nice to be […]
January 12, 2014 @ 7:22 PM
I rolled Cerulean Rider and came up with this:
http://secondstaronther.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/cerulean-rider/
January 13, 2014 @ 2:05 PM
Very nice. I especially liked it with the soundtrack!
January 13, 2014 @ 3:18 PM
Thanks again, Joanna!
Flash Fiction Challenge: Red Prison | Imagine That
January 12, 2014 @ 7:51 PM
[…] Chuck Wendig’s flash fiction challenge this week was to choose a title at random and make up a tale to fit that title. Sometimes it’s easy; sometimes – well. Sometimes, what happens is a little more unexpected… […]
January 12, 2014 @ 8:01 PM
The moment I drew the title, “Red Prison,” I knew exactly what it meant. Well…I wrote that piece, but while I was debating whether to post it to my blog, this piece stepped up and said “Let’s talk about this.” I’m glad it did. it was an interesting conversation.
“Red Prison” is here: http://joannahorrocks.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/redprison/
January 13, 2014 @ 3:49 PM
That was an interesting conversation – I got goosebumps when you described what the red prison is for some people.
January 13, 2014 @ 11:51 PM
Thanks, Jessie – I appreciate that.
January 12, 2014 @ 10:19 PM
Dog Star Peacock…This should be fun, or impossible….
January 13, 2014 @ 12:07 AM
Dog Star God….I think I can do something with this. Just a thousand words? This might go a few rounds.
January 13, 2014 @ 4:41 AM
Accursed Birdhouse.
First flash fiction challenge – has inspired me to actually create the blog I’ve been meaning to create so I’ve got somewhere to post it!
January 13, 2014 @ 4:54 AM
I’m not 100% sure the resulting story totally fits the title, but this is what came out when I started typing, and I liked it too much to care 🙂
http://jessiecostin.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/the-accursed-birdhouse/
January 13, 2014 @ 11:25 AM
It’s lovely.
January 13, 2014 @ 9:02 PM
Nice job.
January 13, 2014 @ 11:22 AM
That’s the same reason I started mine…!
The Accursed Birdhouse: A Flash Fiction Challenge | On The Write Track
January 13, 2014 @ 4:52 AM
[…] flash fiction ‘roll for a title’ challenge from Chuck Wendig at Terrible Minds. Share this:TwitterFacebookEmailPrintLike this:Like […]
January 13, 2014 @ 8:07 AM
Flight Of The Murders.
This is gonna be interesting…. :3
The Night of the Jackdaw’s Champion | Misadventures in Strange Places
January 13, 2014 @ 9:08 AM
[…] new round of writing challenges from Chuck Wendig’s Terrible Minds is upon us. This week’s challenge is a random title challenge with the stipulation that the […]
January 13, 2014 @ 9:10 AM
Jackdaw’s Champion were the words given. Finished title became The Night of the Jackdaw’s Champion
http://jonjeffersonauthor.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/the-night-of-the-jackdaws-champion/
The Accursed God | Fairy Mother Medicine Woman
January 13, 2014 @ 9:24 AM
[…] words for Chuck Wendig’s flash fiction challenge this week at terribleminds – Roll for the Title — with a nod to the “Polar Vortex” that had many of us in its […]
January 13, 2014 @ 9:39 AM
second flash fiction challenge! “The Accursed God” … http://wp.me/p2Rx0C-bW
January 13, 2014 @ 9:55 AM
Dice hax. My title is “The Accursed Rider.” I thought was “The Accursed God” until I squinted at the cheap D20 that I carry in my purse (Yes, I’m that kinda nerd. I have a D10 in there too) and realized it was a 16 not an 18.
January 13, 2014 @ 11:17 AM
I got ‘Cartographer’s Angel’ kept it as the whole title and wrote…. this
http://fav.me/d721ew8
I’m not entirely certain what to make of it. Other than I cannot read it without a British sounding narrator for some reason.
» Flash Fiction: The Ten-Year Potion Blue Ink Alchemy
January 13, 2014 @ 12:51 PM
[…] Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction challenges return! This week: Roll For Title. […]
January 13, 2014 @ 12:52 PM
My rolls brought me ‘Ten-Year Potion’. http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/2014/01/13/flash-fiction-the-ten-year-potion/
Cartographer’s Earth | Phillip McCollum
January 13, 2014 @ 2:41 PM
[…] flash fiction, I found it a fun way to keep my writing muscles pumped. Here’s my response to Chuck Wendig’s latest Flash Fiction Challenge. The title/topic was chosen by a random number generator, picking two words from two […]
January 13, 2014 @ 2:43 PM
I won “Cartographer’s Earth.” I guess the random number gen was set to Obvious. 🙂
Here’s my attempt to change it up a little: http://phillipmccollum.com/2014/01/13/cartographers-earth/
Thanks Chuck!
January 13, 2014 @ 3:26 PM
The Red Bookshop. Okay…that’s doable… 🙂
New Year Writing: Step 1 | S.C.Chalmers
January 13, 2014 @ 4:13 PM
[…] Yep, you heard me. But the difference is that I’m going to try and play with words. Over at Chuck Wendig’s thought-provoking blog, he offered up a challenge of the random story generator starting with a title … and then to write 1000 words about it. [Here's the link if you want to play along.] […]
January 13, 2014 @ 4:14 PM
Just finished BLACKBIRDS — good shit. My seventy-five-year-old mother asked to read it when I was done. The phrase ‘slick piece of road pussy’ is still banging around in my head, so not sure if I want to be one to give her the book.
I got 17 & 11 — Flight of the Birdhouse. WTF
January 14, 2014 @ 7:06 PM
I could edit for weeks. Best to pull the plug now, and move on.
FLIGHT OF THE BIRDHOUSE posted on my blog.
http://dirtysmellyhippy.blogspot.com
January 15, 2014 @ 12:01 AM
Gotta say, I liked Flight of the Birdhouse, but Redneck Christmas Miracle spoke to me, as a 46-year-old with a 37-year-old scar the entire length of my left thumb. 🙂
January 15, 2014 @ 11:21 AM
I loved this story. Very original.
January 15, 2014 @ 2:40 PM
love it!
January 15, 2014 @ 3:28 PM
Fantastic! I love the ambiguity of fantasy vs. perception of reality for the protagonist.
January 15, 2014 @ 6:43 PM
Thanks for taking the time to read and leave friendly remarks. I’ve tripled the total number of comments on my dirtysmellyhippy blog (3).
January 14, 2014 @ 11:14 PM
Hey this is awesome!
January 13, 2014 @ 5:24 PM
This was fun – will definitely do it again. 🙂 Mine was Griefstruck Rider.
http://scchalmers.com/2014/01/13/griefstruck-rider-a-flash-fiction-challenge/
Flash Fiction: The Cerulean Champion | THIS:
January 13, 2014 @ 5:49 PM
[…] at terribleminds, Chuck Wendig presents a weekly flash fiction challenge. In this case, “Roll for Title!” I found myself assigned with “The Cerulean […]
January 13, 2014 @ 6:07 PM
The Snowbound Palace…I think the movie version of this is called “Frozen.” Haha.
January 13, 2014 @ 6:26 PM
I got all nerdy-D&D-buzzed because it involved a d20.
Chaos Angel.
Forget my “inventive brain” for my next book title…I’m grabbing the dice.
January 17, 2014 @ 10:50 PM
You forgot the link JM!
January 13, 2014 @ 8:01 PM
I started a blog just so I could do these, but it’s been a long time coming.
Lovestruck Palace:
http://ljglover.blogspot.com/2014/01/inaugural-post-flash-fiction-challenge.html
January 15, 2014 @ 10:53 AM
Typos now fixed! It ended up being some sort of mafia urban fantasy, and I’m totally keeping my characters for another story. I hated the title at first, but turned it into something I loved.
January 13, 2014 @ 8:12 PM
Okay, here’s The Red Bookshop! Feels kind of fateful as the title fit as a backstory for two of my characters. Comments and/or criticisms are welcome…
http://mckkenzie.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/the-red-bookshop-more-chuck-wendig-flash-ficion/
January 13, 2014 @ 8:15 PM
Feels kind of weird not having to link to anyone else’s story!! 😉
January 14, 2014 @ 12:50 PM
I liked it! It reminded me of The Neverending Story, which is never a bad thing.
January 14, 2014 @ 11:14 PM
Thanks! I’ve only written Sam as an adult, so it was kind of fun!
January 15, 2014 @ 2:53 PM
Really enjoyed this. I like the subtle fantasy bits mixed into the normalcy of Sam’s life. Also nice that I didn’t need any background on these characters to appreciate what happened here (though I am intrigued about what is next).
January 13, 2014 @ 9:35 PM
Whispering Murders
http://kzorn1989.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/whispering-murders/
January 13, 2014 @ 10:03 PM
Helical Angel. *takes a deep breath* Read away, friends.
http://talewag.blogspot.com/2014/01/hiya-today-im-here-to-post-story.html
January 13, 2014 @ 10:54 PM
Cerulean Palace
http://neilwhowell.blog.com/2014/01/14/cerulean-palace/
Out of the Comfort Zone | Musings of a Madwoman
January 14, 2014 @ 4:56 AM
[…] he posted a flash fiction writing challenge last week. The idea is to generate a random title using dice or a random number generator and then […]
January 14, 2014 @ 4:59 AM
Okay, I’m in. If only to play with my gaming dice. They gave me “Flight of the God.” You can see what I did with that at:
http://ckendsley.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/out-of-the-comfort-zone/
January 19, 2014 @ 12:54 AM
I like it. Nice bit of interaction, and the bonus of figuring out who all the players are.
January 19, 2014 @ 4:51 AM
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. 😉
Flash Fiction Challenge: Going Rogue | Half-Mad Rantings with Nick Egelhoff
January 14, 2014 @ 7:30 AM
[…] the first FFC of the year over at terribleminds was another “come up with a title then a story” and while that might some […]
Flash Fiction Challenge – Roll For Title | Write about now
January 14, 2014 @ 9:52 AM
[…] far too long since I did one. The challenge is as always courtesy of Chuck Wendig and can be found here. I got 9 and 4 on my RNG which got me the title ‘The Cartographer’s Vault’. The […]
January 14, 2014 @ 9:54 AM
I got ‘The Carthographer’s Vault’ and here is my attempt: http://evathereseebert.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/flash-fiction-challenge-roll-for-title/
January 14, 2014 @ 9:54 AM
Well I finally finished it. Hope y’all enjoy it.
http://www.thezombiechimp.com/2014/01/14/flash-fiction-helical-potions/
January 14, 2014 @ 11:27 AM
The Cerulean Birdhouse
http://thewingedfrog.blogspot.com/2014/01/flash-fiction-roll-for-title.html
January 14, 2014 @ 11:52 AM
Lovely story! I enjoyed reading it!
January 14, 2014 @ 12:42 PM
Thanks!
January 15, 2014 @ 11:14 AM
This is one of my favorites 🙂
January 15, 2014 @ 11:28 AM
Just lovely. It reads beautifully.
January 14, 2014 @ 12:52 PM
http://word-addicted.blogspot.com , I got “accursed encyclopedia”, fun challenge. Enjoy reading.
Flash Fiction: Griefstruck Skull | Untitled*United
January 14, 2014 @ 2:01 PM
[…] of trying something new, I’ve opted to dive headfirst into one of Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction Challenges over at Terribleminds. I’ve lurked there before, but this time around I decided to try the […]
January 14, 2014 @ 2:05 PM
I got “Griefstruck” and “Skull” (no snickering over the numbers involved, please).
January 14, 2014 @ 2:06 PM
Since my link apparently got eaten: http://untitledunited.com/2014/01/14/flash-fiction-griefstruck-skull/
January 14, 2014 @ 2:17 PM
Loved it!
January 15, 2014 @ 9:11 AM
Thanks!
January 15, 2014 @ 3:30 PM
Ohhh… gritty vengeful guilt. A good read.
January 15, 2014 @ 9:39 PM
That was some great stuff.
January 14, 2014 @ 3:36 PM
Seamstress’ Wire- time to write my first horror story, it seems…or seams…
Flash Fiction Challenge: GRIEFSTRUCK BOOKSHOP | Court Can Write
January 14, 2014 @ 3:55 PM
[…] Courtney Cantrell on January 14, 2014 • 0 CommentsI wrote this story as my entry into Chuck Wendig’s latest flash fiction challenge. Mr. Wendig provided two lists of words and phrases, and we writers picked a word/phrase from each […]
January 14, 2014 @ 3:57 PM
My roll of the random number generator gave me “Griefstruck Bookshop.” The story’s a little sci-fi, a little William Butler Yeats, a little Lewis Carroll. With a rather dark ending, I’m afraid. But I had a romp of a good time with this one. ; )
http://courtcan.com/writing/flash-fiction-challenge-griefstruck-bookshop/
January 14, 2014 @ 4:41 PM
It’s good to see someone else run a little long in the tooth as well. At my last count, I had over 1100 words and no sign of concluding any time soon. I’m loving your story.
January 14, 2014 @ 5:16 PM
Thanks, Tony! Glad you like it. And I appreciate you clicking through. : ) Yeah, I figured since we’re not in a competition here, it’s okay to break the rules on occasion.
IF I OFFEND THE WENDIG WITH MY REBELLIOUSNESS I OFFER MOST ABJECT APOLOGIES AND COOKIES MADE FROM THE CRUSHED BONES OF PIXIES AND UNICORN FART SPRINKLES.
January 17, 2014 @ 11:06 PM
Oh the darkness! I liked the use of language in it.
January 20, 2014 @ 12:47 AM
Thanks, Smoph! Playing with the language was one of my favorite parts of this story. Good to know that that comes through. : )
Alice Black Writes | Gearing up
January 14, 2014 @ 4:10 PM
[…] Chuck‘s Flash Friday – “Roll for Title“ […]