Flash Fiction Challenge: And, Action!
Last week’s challenge: The Color Title Challenge
This week?
Both easy and difficult, I think.
I want your 1000-word story to be all action.
Now, that action could be: gunplay, karate kicking, fighting, running, car chasing.
In other words, the standard “action movie fare.”
Or: it could be fucking. Or cooking. Or arm-wrestling.
Or some other notable action characters would undertake.
The trick is: make it exciting. From start to finish.
And — and! — make it a complete story.
Beginning, middle, ending.
Get to writing.
You’ve got 1000 words.
You’ve got seven days.
You’ve got your own blog to post to, and the comments to link it in.
Get writing, word-nerds.
August 22, 2014 @ 1:31 PM
This is almost a historical piece. Almost.
August 22, 2014 @ 1:34 PM
Not realize am a internet nerd as of writing. Started from Ottmar’s twitter! Ach ja.
August 22, 2014 @ 2:26 PM
Hope this works, enjoy 🙂Off the menu
August 22, 2014 @ 3:04 PM
Should have said, its a vampire kind of story, loved writing it and planning a sequel. Yay.
August 23, 2014 @ 2:30 AM
Very exciting piece. Need to check your typos though. Might affect your word count!
August 23, 2014 @ 4:30 AM
THanks for reading. Those typos are tricksy, I edit and edit again but they still get through. Grrr, I’d fire my beta reader if she wasn’t so gorgeous (and my wife) 🙂
August 25, 2014 @ 10:57 PM
Brutal. Awesome. Good character journey. Wonder how a similar situation would go down here in Oz (no/few guns). Last armed hold up in a pub here, they drove them off by throwing bottles of Jack Daniels at them haha
August 26, 2014 @ 3:30 AM
Speaking as someone who had the BEST past of his childhood in Leederville, Perth I reckon they’d take a stubby and….well you get where I’m going with this.
August 26, 2014 @ 3:53 AM
Haha I read ya. Or a longneck, if they were really ticked off…
August 26, 2014 @ 4:25 PM
Haha, or a longneck if they’re really ticked off. Could just go all Alf Stewart on them: “I’LL BITE YOUR FACE, C#$T” lol
I used to visit Perth every week or so for work. Beautiful place, if a bit quiet. Freo was fun too
August 27, 2014 @ 9:14 AM
Wow this was really good, hope you do write the sequel
August 27, 2014 @ 9:42 AM
Am writing it as we speak.
August 27, 2014 @ 10:54 AM
The action worked for me. Really liked it that the cute, little waitress had some grit. The vampires were a little slow for vamps, but the protagonist’s voice was right on.
August 28, 2014 @ 2:06 AM
Thanks for the thoughts Judith. I get what you mean by the speed, I did flirt with them flitting, but my wordcount went through the roof and I’m a bit over as it is. I’m glad you liked the waitress, it was my favorite bit in the story.
August 28, 2014 @ 1:13 PM
She was a nice surprise. I didn’t expect it–always fun.
August 28, 2014 @ 1:53 PM
Good one. Only real wish is that I knew more about the POV character, felt a bit unsure who ‘I’ was. Still enjoyed it!
August 22, 2014 @ 2:34 PM
This is an exercise I desperately need.
August 26, 2014 @ 1:06 PM
This was tough. Here’s “Bull Rush.”
http://pavorisms.wordpress.com/2014/08/26/bullrush/
August 26, 2014 @ 4:41 PM
Digging the description, especially the injection and the moustache. This story just needed a duck…
The perspective jumps confused me slightly at first, but when I got that’s what we were doing it was cool. Good stuff.
August 26, 2014 @ 8:14 PM
I wrote it all from Taurie’s perspective, then had the thought to rewrite the whole thing from Handlebars’s perspective, and couldn’t commit to either one, so I jumped back and forth. Not 100% sure it works, but glad you were able to follow it.
August 22, 2014 @ 5:52 PM
Here’s the link to my entry! Thanks for the prompt! This challenged me to find some creativity through todays dreariness.
August 23, 2014 @ 5:42 AM
I enjoyed the whole vibe you managed to get into this piece Patrick, nice one. I couldn’t find the link on your reply, so I’ve added one for you Restless should take you straight to Patricks story
August 23, 2014 @ 4:20 PM
Deanmcsmith – Thank you for your compliments, and for linking it directly. I wasn’t sure how to set that up, so I appreciate it. So glad you liked the story!
August 25, 2014 @ 11:16 PM
A 1st person ghost perspective horror story!? Brilliant. Works really well for a short story, though you squeezed a lot in. The strongest part was the start-to-middle, before she busts in there (that said, the ending was great in concept).
August 28, 2014 @ 2:05 PM
Thanks for the compliments, and for reading!
August 28, 2014 @ 2:00 PM
Um… a touching story? I think? Thanks for sharing!
August 28, 2014 @ 2:04 PM
That’s actually the reaction I was going for 🙂 Thanks for reading!
August 22, 2014 @ 11:35 PM
Thanks for getting me writing today. Here’s the link to my entry: BORDERS
August 22, 2014 @ 11:36 PM
Forgot to say that it’s an cross between Sci-Fi and Urban Fantasy
August 27, 2014 @ 11:12 PM
The action was vivid, punchy, unpredictable. The character Mal wasn’t likeable until near the end. Is this an established story world? Digging the magic style
August 23, 2014 @ 3:38 AM
Here’s the link to my entry. Thanks for the prompt, Chuck.
http://percykerry.tumblr.com/post/95531302174/ninas-last-vow
August 23, 2014 @ 6:04 AM
Alright, action time travel. I’ve actually thought about this story idea before, mostly envision it as a movie, but here’s a very abridged version, lol
http://angelacavanaugh.com/2014/08/23/flash-fiction-friday-time-wake/
August 23, 2014 @ 7:54 PM
Here’s the link to mine.
http://ryanjamesblack.wordpress.com/2014/08/23/the-great-ish-escape/
August 23, 2014 @ 11:28 PM
Funny as hell! Loved it! 😀
August 28, 2014 @ 2:53 PM
Nice one, you smashed this!
August 28, 2014 @ 7:51 PM
Hah, brilliant. You kept it nice and simple, made it fast and fun, then the ending… hah! Nice one
August 28, 2014 @ 9:20 PM
Wow! Thanks for the kind words guys! Glad you liked it
August 23, 2014 @ 8:13 PM
Can someone please confirm the link to mine works? I’m a tech idiot and a first time blogger. Thanks
August 23, 2014 @ 9:42 PM
Ryan your link works like a long tailed cat in a chainsaw factory… nice story bro. 🙂
August 23, 2014 @ 9:55 PM
Yep it works! 😀
August 25, 2014 @ 3:30 PM
Nice job- really enjoyed this!
August 28, 2014 @ 9:20 PM
Thanks!
Free Story – Chuck Wendig Flash Fiction Challenge… accepted | Robert Morrisey
August 23, 2014 @ 9:30 PM
[…] when I saw the flash fiction challenge from Chuck Wendig I knew exactly what I wanted to […]
August 23, 2014 @ 9:32 PM
Historical fiction, I guess… well, as historical as the History Channel gets anyway… http://www.rmorrisey.net/?p=76
August 28, 2014 @ 7:57 PM
What a dame! Nice short, and certainly action packed
August 23, 2014 @ 9:46 PM
Well… mine might be a little boring, but I tried out a different take to the prompt. 😀
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2014/08/michelles-daily-movements.html
The Lie | This Thing Called Life One Word at a Time
August 24, 2014 @ 7:42 PM
[…] in over a week. This story was written for Chuck’s challenge over at terribleminds where the prompt was to write a 1,000 word story full of action. This story definitely reflects the dark spaces my […]
August 24, 2014 @ 7:44 PM
This one is dark, a return to form for me, I suppose. https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/the-lie/
August 24, 2014 @ 11:05 PM
Here’s a link to mine: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/deathbykeyboard. I know, I know it’s tumblr. This is my second entry ever I think.
August 24, 2014 @ 11:21 PM
This may be a bit of a cheat, as I originally posted it over a year ago, but here goes..
http://isaidwhattowho.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/the-warehouse/
first post in loads of months | reticulated metal arms
August 25, 2014 @ 4:55 AM
[…] the quick bit of flash fiction below is a response to the prompt here from Chuck Wendig, on writing a flash fiction piece that is all action. Hopefully I’ve risen to the […]
August 25, 2014 @ 5:02 AM
because the seven days are not up yet and it’s rainy bank holiday Monday here in Blighty I thought I would submit something. Thanks for the prompt Chuck, you’ve inspired me to write my first (self)publishable length piece in ages.
It is a piece of amiable nonsense set in a world where Pokemon are real. And in England.
http://reticulatedmetalarms.wordpress.com/2014/08/25/ashleighs-challenge/
Ashleigh’s Challenge | reticulated metal arms
August 25, 2014 @ 5:13 AM
[…] the quick bit of flash fiction below is a response to the prompt here from Chuck Wendig, on writing a flash fiction piece that is all action. Hopefully I’ve risen to the […]
Short stories, the editing thereof, and dialogue. A brief update | WRITES & RESPONSIBILITIES
August 25, 2014 @ 9:20 AM
[…] also been working a lot on short stories. I will have a new one to post on here tomorrow for Chuck Wendig’s weekly writing challenge, this time about ACTION! (how appropriate, given last week’s posts), and I’ve been […]
August 25, 2014 @ 11:47 AM
Like Mat, stuck with a rainy bank holiday Monday….
http://traitorblade.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/chuck-wendig-flash-fiction-friday-do-or.html
Great range of stories here!
Lights, Camera…Action? | Under a Starlit Sky
August 25, 2014 @ 1:24 PM
[…] week’s challenge (which I’m actually on time with!) is all about Action. Not sure how well I did with trying to cram my story full of action, but here goes […]
August 25, 2014 @ 1:24 PM
Here’s mine: Lights, Camera… Action? http://underastarlitsky.wordpress.com
Flash Fiction Challenge: And, Action! | WRITES & RESPONSIBILITIES
August 25, 2014 @ 8:59 PM
[…] another fun short story challenge from Chuck Wendig’s blog, Terribleminds. This time: action. A short action tale, 1000 words, action start to […]
August 25, 2014 @ 9:04 PM
FINISHED! Let the ninja-martyr-lady space-opera insanity commence! Any feedback (including hate) much welcomed. Gotta polish the craft somehow… Thanks!
http://drsylvesterfiction.com/2014/08/26/flash-fiction-challenge-and-action/
Bull Rush | Pavorisms
August 26, 2014 @ 1:07 PM
[…] Chuck’s challenge this week: Nothing but Action. […]
August 27, 2014 @ 9:00 AM
It’s been a while. There ain’t nothing like it when the gods go at it. http://www.barelyok.com/terrible-minds-flash-fiction-challenge-and-action.html
August 27, 2014 @ 10:47 AM
I’d been mulling over an idea for another writing challenge and this one brought it into focus. The story leans more toward Horror, but is action (running) threaded through with action (killing) and laced with an underlying action (discovering/changing).
Anyway, here it is: http://jessicapwest.wordpress.com/2014/08/27/bad-tastes/
August 27, 2014 @ 2:50 PM
Here’s my attempt. Kinda in the penalty box on word count. And, not sure if this is action-y enough. But it is my attempt this week. It is called “Breaking on the Track.” Warning: violent.
Here it is: http://storedstory.blogspot.com/2014/08/flash-fiction-challenge-breaking-on.html
August 28, 2014 @ 1:33 PM
I immediately dismissed fucking as a viable action scene, therefore I chose fucking as my theme. But that is not action enough! At ~900 words, I present… RE-ENTRY:
http://www.jdstoffel.com/2014/08/flashfiction-re-entry/
August 28, 2014 @ 3:56 PM
And I thought guys didn’t like talking after. 😉 Aside from that good story.
August 28, 2014 @ 11:12 PM
Never judge a spaceship by its heat-shielding panels. (Actually, you probably should do that, just to be safe.)
August 28, 2014 @ 3:31 PM
I hate writing action. But it was fun writing a flying armbar into this:
http://elproedros.tumblr.com/post/96019373266/shooting-guns-and-breaking-arms
August 28, 2014 @ 5:19 PM
Loved it! Have you written more in this world?
September 12, 2014 @ 5:09 AM
Thank you. Originally this was a scene from a short film I was supposed to do, and maybe expand it into a web series. Sorry for the late reply. Still getting the hang of WordPress.
Flash Fiction Challenge: Pirate’s Luck | Beth Turnage
August 28, 2014 @ 3:48 PM
[…] Wendig’s Flash Fiction Challenge, an action story in 1,000 […]
August 28, 2014 @ 3:50 PM
Pirate’s Luck: http://bethturnage.com/?p=226
The Angle | Writing and other forms of suffering
August 28, 2014 @ 7:42 PM
[…] Wendig’s latest challenge is 1000 words of action. I pride myself on my action, it’s one thing I think I do pretty good […]
August 28, 2014 @ 7:44 PM
For what it’s worth– The Angle.
http://douglasdanieldotcom.wordpress.com/
Flash Fiction Challenge: Let Fate Choose Your Title… « terribleminds: chuck wendig
August 28, 2014 @ 10:17 PM
[…] Last week’s challenge: And, Action! […]
August 29, 2014 @ 1:51 AM
A new Sir Woebegone story: A Piece of the Action
http://jemimapett.com/blog/2014/08/29/friday-flash-fiction-a-piece-of-the-action/
Flash Fiction: Defenders Of The Universe! | We Love The Stars Too Fondly
August 29, 2014 @ 1:54 AM
[…] week’s daunting Flash Fiction Challenge from our pen-monkey overlord, Chuck Wendig, is to write a story that’s nothing but ACTION! […]
August 29, 2014 @ 1:55 AM
I took it in a different direction, especially for me. I hope you enjoy it!
http://pauljwillett.com/2014/08/28/flash-fiction-defenders-of-the-universe/
September 1, 2014 @ 2:58 PM
Did a strange flash piece:
http://rlblack.weebly.com/flash-fictionshort-stories.html
September 1, 2014 @ 5:21 PM
Short, but evocative. Good story.
September 1, 2014 @ 6:23 PM
Thanks, Judith. I put it in the wrong place. It was supposed to be under this week’s Flash challenge. Glad you liked it.
September 1, 2014 @ 7:58 PM
I noticed there wasn’t any action, but there was plenty of emotion:)