Last week’s challenge: Picking Uncommon Apples.
So, I’ve been getting some weird spam comments and emails these days.
They are vaguely tinged with horror.
Goofy horror. Worthless, not-scary horror. Poorly-written horror.
But horror.
For instance, a strong vampire theme runs through, as in this one:
My name is Clavin.,am an agent of vampire,am here to introduce our new world trend to you,a world of vampire where life get easier,we have made so many persons vampires and have turned them rich,you will be assured long life and prosperity,you shall be made to be very sensitive to mental alertness,stronger and also very fast,you will not be restricted to walking at night only even at the very middle of broad day light you will be made to walk.In case you are wildly oppressed by some unscrupulous persons we can still help you fight them.Your protection is assured immediately you join.Just contact the bellow email if you are interested we are here to attend to you anytime you want us. Contact the bellow email for more details. Email: [redacted] or phone number +[redacted]
No, I have no idea.
What I do know is that I enjoy when you can take one mode of communication and turn it to use in storytelling. (Example: HORRORSTOR, a recent horror novel that is framed as — no, really — a catalog from an IKEA-esque store. Or! HELP FUND MY ROBOT ARMY, an anthology of stories written as crowdfunding campaigns — which, not coincidentally, features a story of mine.)
So, what I want to see from you is:
A horror story framed as a spam email.
Right?
Take that assignment, run with it as you see fit.
How scary can you make a spam mail? That’s the challenge.
I’d keep it to the shorter side — 500 words or so.
Post at your online space.
Link back here.
Due by next Friday, noon EST.
I’ll pick three entrants randomly to get some free e-books from YOURS TRULY. (Though as I’m gone next Thurs – Tues at the Surrey Writer’s Conference in Vancouver, I won’t pick the random winners until Wednesday or so.)
122 responses to “Flash Fiction Challenge: Spammerpunk Horror”
Here I have an Urgent Message Regarding the Death of My Client.
You… may want to read the fine print.
http://www.jdstoffel.com/2014/10/an-urgent-message-regarding-the-death-of-my-client/
[…] Well, this one probably requires some explanation. No, I’m not a spambot from R’lyeh, I’m a blogger taking part in Chuck Wendig’s challenge Spammerpunk Horror. […]
This challenge is just too fun. I tried to imitate the blogspam that plagues the internet:
http://blogatonium.wordpress.com/2014/10/22/flash-fiction-no-tricks/
Well done!
Lots of suspense!
I think it should all work!
http://pznb.wordpress.com/2014/10/22/urgent-your-immediate-attention-is-required/
I love that you write “in the century your cousin is residing,” very funny. 🙂
Had some fun with this, though it’s not very horrific and not all that much like real spam, either.
http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2014/10/thursday-flash-fiction-horror-of-spam.html
I like how the urgency steadily grows in this letter and the last line had me laughing!
Sounds like I succeeded! I can’t help myself–I’d always rather leave my audience laughing than creeped out, though an occasional creeping isn’t all bad 🙂
here’s mine: http://johnbensink.wordpress.com/2014/10/23/poijiku-is-here/
This is not very horrific either, unless you’ve had to live through much of it recently – thanks for helping me get it all off my chest! Many UK people will recognise the email system involved. Oh, hang on – this is fiction and any resemblance etc etc. is entirely coincidental. [It’ll be live in 30 mins. I’m off to bed]
http://jemimapett.com/blog/2014/10/24/flash-fiction-friday-spammerpunk-horror/
My favorite line: “…our vampires suck the speed from your system…” Hilarious! 🙂
I think you should send this letter to your email admins and offer them rights to use it, for a (not so) small fee!).
[…] is another flash fiction challenge I am attempting from Chuck Wendig’s blog terribleminds. The idea is to take a spam email and […]
I had a lot of fun with this challenge. My piece is short, I hope everyone enjoys it!
http://lnholmeswriter.wordpress.com/2014/10/23/flash-fiction-challenge-2-a-monsters-email-correspondance/
I don’t write a lot of horror. I’m curious what those who do think of this.
It’s 512 words.
https://dangerdean.wordpress.com/2014/10/23/order-now/
Juuuust sneaking in under the deadline, it’s “{Script|Horror|Spam}” which might be more “Addams Family” horror than “Saw” horror.
http://pauljwillett.com/2014/10/24/flash-fiction-scripthorrorspam/
[…] on another flash fiction challenge from Chuck […]
[…] Wendig posted a Friday challenge on Terrible Minds that I couldn’t resist. My horror spam […]