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.
Last week’s challenge: The Three-Story Sentence.
So, I saw this thing at Buzzfeed.
21 Stock Photos That No One Will Ever Be Able To Use.
Well, we’re using them now.
Pick one! (Or: use a d20 or random number generator.)
Write a story inspired by that image.
You’ve got 1000 words.
Post at your online space, link to it here in the comments.
Due by next Friday.
(Don’t forget to identify which photo you’re using!)
Fatma Alici
November 14, 2014 at 12:10 AM //
Okay 17 seriously killed me. I literally no idea what anyone was thinking what they made that. Mummy + globe + nurse + possible bj = what?
jacki214
November 14, 2014 at 12:41 AM //
Hahaha. I think the possible BJ was the high point of the whole series of photos. He’s a patient who needs comforting…
mckkenzie
November 14, 2014 at 9:47 AM //
Okay, I have no problem at all with this photo because, you know, why wouldn’t a mummy holding a globe need help with his penis bandage? But the impractical shoes the nurse is wearing? Yeah, I don’t THINK so!
smkay70
November 14, 2014 at 12:47 AM //
Looks like #11 has a slight case of the blight. Just sayin’
smkay70
November 14, 2014 at 12:49 AM //
Gonna have to do the random number generator for this one. Because I can’t even.
smkay70
November 14, 2014 at 1:31 PM //
Oh my. I got number 11. The damn business plant.
Samantha
November 14, 2014 at 2:07 AM //
#4 could be from like, any Shakespeare play. Or, well, a good number of them.
andreaspeed
November 14, 2014 at 3:53 AM //
Okay, so … I already wrote my story. Boy, when I get seized with an idea, I guess it doesn’t take me long. I picked photo number 8, which is all about the latest diet fad sweeping the nation … http://andreaspeed.com/2014/flash-fic-challenge-the-sensorians/
addy95
November 14, 2014 at 8:47 AM //
That was quick and really good. I found it quite amusing and kind of scary, it does point out a message about dieting and sounds like something that people would do in the future or rather do now.
Kveldman
November 14, 2014 at 10:21 AM //
Great job! Very original. The descriptions and the lead-in were pretty funny, too.
Giana
November 14, 2014 at 3:18 PM //
That was great, and it’s scary to imagine that this could actually become something real.
andreaspeed
November 14, 2014 at 3:47 PM //
Thanks everyone! I actually come from a family where everyone seems to have some eating disorder or another, so I could easily see this as something at least one of them would try and follow. (And fail – but just barely.)
debwain
November 16, 2014 at 7:40 PM //
“There’s no need. Simply looking at food makes me feel full now.” Gold! I really enjoyed this piece. Thanks for sharing it!
mannixk
November 17, 2014 at 10:23 AM //
I really like the way you wrote this. I kept picturing it like a short film.
smkay70
November 17, 2014 at 7:10 PM //
Oh, I could see this being a thing, no problem! I don’t need to eat, I just need to listen to my food more closely. Ha! Great story, I really enjoyed it.
jademwong
November 17, 2014 at 9:30 PM //
That was captivating and really well-written. I imagined it playing out as a news segment easily and it really says a lot about dieting and all the fads. Seriously well done.
Wendy Christopher
November 18, 2014 at 10:30 AM //
Very clever, very original and a wonderfully sharp skewer through the media-obsessed society! Loved this one a lot! But whu – hey, what was that last bit about Kent? I live in Kent!
andreaspeed
November 19, 2014 at 2:57 AM //
Oh no! Kent is fine. I’m sure it was just an alarming lead in to make sure you stay tuned.;) And thanks everyone, I’m really happy with this one. I guess it proves when you get seized with an idea, you should run with it.
addy95
November 14, 2014 at 5:13 AM //
ok i am going to do four. this should be fun
addy95
November 14, 2014 at 8:29 AM //
Here it is. Hope you enjoy it. I had a lot of fun with this challenge and when the idea came i couldnt stop.
https://adamskistoryblog.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/flash-fiction-challenge-death-is-the-best-solution/
Ashlee Jade
November 17, 2014 at 11:12 AM //
Very nice.
If I can nit-pick for a moment, it’s Reverend that is the priest, reverent is feeling or showing a deep respect, usually for God. A Reverend is reverent. Aside from that, I enjoyed it, keep it up.
addy95
November 17, 2014 at 11:44 AM //
Thanks. Cant improve without criticism so I appreciate it.
I look forward to reading yours!
Pavowski
November 14, 2014 at 5:40 AM //
#11 is the result of my random roll… an idea blooms already (sorry), but I wonder if I should prune it (sorry).
Pavowski
November 15, 2014 at 11:37 PM //
I fear my ending is too abrupt, but like kudzu, this one really wanted to keep growing out of control.
Inspired by Photo #11, here’s “Lettuce Be”: http://wp.me/p4p1YR-iE
andreaspeed
November 16, 2014 at 5:44 AM //
Aww. poor Green. I think there might be a longer story in here.
Pavowski
November 16, 2014 at 5:48 AM //
I definitely think so. I had this big idea about how the Greens share a hive mind but… heh there just wasn’t time for it.
addy95
November 17, 2014 at 12:06 PM //
Hive mind?
THEY KNOW WHAT HE’S DONE!!!
sorry. Sorry. I’ll stay quiet
Pavowski
November 17, 2014 at 6:09 PM //
See, you know where I was going
smkay70
November 17, 2014 at 7:12 PM //
I felt bad for poor Greenie too!
Pavowski
November 17, 2014 at 7:37 PM //
Me too
addy95
November 17, 2014 at 6:26 AM //
ohh i want more! this is pretty good. if you took this into a whole book i could see a brilliant story.
Pavowski
November 17, 2014 at 6:27 AM //
I hadn’t thought an entire book, but I definitely will consider expanding this a bit. Thanks!
Ashlee Jade
November 14, 2014 at 6:56 AM //
You could do some serious psychological horror with 19.
Wendy Christopher
November 14, 2014 at 7:22 AM //
I think I actually got one picked out! But I have to say… these photos… WHAT WERE THEY THINKING..? The ‘WTF Highlights’ for me were:
#5 – This is supposed to be one of those ‘Insert Mother-in’Law joke here’ kind of pictures, isn’t it?
#10 – PLEASE tell me this is not a type of porn that actually exists…
#12 – And you would use this as a motivational business image… when, exactly?
#17 – Good to know the NHS have been trained to heal just about anything…
#20 – AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!! *faints*
Wendy Christopher
November 14, 2014 at 7:23 AM //
#20 was meant to be #19. THAT’s how much I was traumatized.
Allison Maruska
November 19, 2014 at 11:44 PM //
Yeah. I did the random number generator and was like, “Please not 19! Please not 19!”
Courtney C
November 14, 2014 at 8:48 AM //
I’ve never participated in one of these, but how could I not with inspiration photos like you’ve provided? Random number generator says I’ll be working on #21.
P.S. – Does #19 remind anyone else of cut up hot dogs? Not in a “mmm yummy” sort of way…more in a “I’ll never feed my daughter a hot dog again.”
Mozette
November 14, 2014 at 9:12 AM //
BWAHAHAHAAAAAAA! I’ve done it again… objects having love lives… yes… anyone who doesn’t want to be creeped out by these things, don’t read it… otherwise, please do.
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/childs-play.html
Wendy Christopher
November 18, 2014 at 10:45 AM //
Well I’m never gonna be able to watch Toy Story again, after this..! Can you be creeped out in a good way? I think I was creeped out in a good way
It was very well written, very funny. Won’t be tidying up my kid’s bedroom for a while though…!
Mozette
November 18, 2014 at 10:48 PM //
I saw the dolls and remember an ‘Amelia Jane’ book I have from my childhood… and kinda took it from there
Then, a friend of mine mentioned Toy Story too…. 
Joe Turner
November 14, 2014 at 10:15 AM //
Well. These are…interesting?…to the keyboard!
milkaholicclown
November 14, 2014 at 10:37 AM //
Butter Cookie Love Triangle http://milkaholicclown.com/2014/11/14/butter-cookie-love-triangle/ 500 words. profanity
milkaholicclown
November 14, 2014 at 4:25 PM //
Pic #2
lisaprose
November 14, 2014 at 11:32 AM //
I keep wanting to do this but I haven’t done fiction on my blog and I am very very new to writing… anyone have tips on getting over such fears?
milkaholicclown
November 14, 2014 at 11:46 AM //
Just start doing it. Open up Word or Wordpad instead if it’s more comfortable for you. Get excited or angry about something and take out your energy on the keyboard. You can clean it up in the aftermath.
mckkenzie
November 14, 2014 at 12:08 PM //
You’ve absolutely come to the right place! Chuck has a lot to say in this blog on “writing through the suck” and “giving yourself permission to suck.” That is, don’t stress about it. Just get it on the page and then edit and revise to make it good. As somebody else said (and I’m paraphrasing here), you can edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a blank page.
Mikey Campling
November 14, 2014 at 2:07 PM //
This is a good place to spread your wings. Have a go. It’s all good fun. Don’t stress over it. Set yourself a time limit, say 1 hour, and just blast something out.
andreaspeed
November 14, 2014 at 3:49 PM //
Just do it! Write yourself a story. It doesn’t matter if you post it here or not. (Although I hope you do.) This is just a place for fun. No pressure.
Mozette
November 15, 2014 at 12:21 AM //
Write your story like you would any other… then give it a go and show us.
Yes, you’ll be nervous… yes, you’ll wonder if we like it… and yes, there’ll be people who don’t like it.
But that’s what being a writer is all about.
Don’t worry about what we think – write for yourself and nobody else, then post it.
There’s no right or wrong about what you’re writing, just enjoy the process.
Amber
November 14, 2014 at 1:30 PM //
#11 – I think this photo inspired the Southern Reach series…
Brandon O'Brien
November 14, 2014 at 1:32 PM //
Here’s mine. “Payback” #21 http://wickedflagon.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/chuck-wendigs-flash-fiction-challenge-oh-were-gonna-use-these-photos-all-right-21/
Mikey Campling
November 14, 2014 at 2:02 PM //
I got 21 on the random number generator. A crazy picture deserves a crazy story, and a dame with a gun can only lead to the mean streets of noir.
MC Productions Presents: “A Bad Day For Bernard”
Hope it gives you a laugh: http://mikeycampling.com/flash-fiction-challenge-bad-day-bernard/
mat
November 15, 2014 at 5:17 AM //
ooh I got 16 (wanted business plant, so might write something for that later as well) but 16 is pretty nice.
smkay70
November 15, 2014 at 4:36 PM //
I got business plant and I am not sure at all what to do with it. I’m sure I will figure it out but yeah…
milkaholicclown
November 15, 2014 at 11:50 AM //
I’m trapped at home with my three little people. Finding it hard to concentrate on my current WIP and 1,000 word goal due to the background noise of the Xbox, Ipad, talking, yelling, arguing etc. I decided to write another story. I used the random number generator and got #12. And here is the story “Tamales” 500 words:
http://milkaholicclown.com/2014/11/15/tamales-flash-fiction/
milkaholicclown
November 15, 2014 at 1:17 PM //
And one more, because procrastination is an ugly thing and I really like this game. Good writing practice for me. “CELERY MAN” #18
http://milkaholicclown.com/2014/11/15/celery-man-flash-fiction/
andreaspeed
November 16, 2014 at 5:48 AM //
Surprisingly sad.
ZonieMama
November 16, 2014 at 10:07 AM //
OK, my 1st FF Challenge.
I’m sorry if it’s limited to ONLY 1000 words. I thought 1K was the minimum, but on re-reading, I’m not sure.
I enjoyed it, even though celery is NOT my favorite vegetable. (Curse you, Random Number Generator!) Hope someone else gets a kick out of it, too.
http://lynnacfrost.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/photo-18-baba-yaga-and-the-celery-head-man/
mat
November 16, 2014 at 10:08 AM //
not super happy with this, but have been struggling with second and third drafts recently for submission so this was a welcome break.
http://reticulatedmetalarms.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/orange-juice-sharks-and-cucumber-shotguns/
Like the milkaholic one I may have to use a couple of the other pics as well
alreadynotpublished
November 16, 2014 at 8:03 PM //
Cows at a cow concert for me – to the keyboard!
debwain
November 16, 2014 at 8:09 PM //
OK, this is my first challenge. Please be gentle with me!
http://www.debwain.com/2014/11/flash-fiction-challenge-green-man.html
Thanks for prompting us, Chuck!
mannixk
November 17, 2014 at 10:21 AM //
Aww. Poor Green Man just wants to find love. I particularly enjoyed the line: “…his eyes fixed and held her so that the chlorophyll content of his person no longer troubled her.”
mannixk
November 16, 2014 at 8:34 PM //
I got #3. Not sure the result is all that inspired, but I would’ve been at a complete loss if I had to do celery man. Sorry, it’s long too.
http://makesmesodigress.com/2014/11/16/the-chemistry-of-fear/
Allison Maruska
November 16, 2014 at 10:08 PM //
I rolled #5. I’m just glad I didn’t get the finger cutting one.
http://allisonmaruska.com/2014/11/16/flash-fiction-the-lost-wedding/
alreadynotpublished
November 17, 2014 at 4:35 AM //
Wrote this one on the train ride home from work this afternoon. It’s pic #9 the cows and the microphone, I think the random number generator took it easy on me! It isn’t the dark and gnarly usually found on this site, but I think it’s a fun read. I give you Bovine Balladeers.
http://alreadynotpublished.wordpress.com/flash-fiction/bovine-balladeers/
Jessica Ruprecht
November 17, 2014 at 9:05 PM //
I randomly generated #7 (the woman ogling her better half) and came up with the following (rather silly) fiction:
http://jessicaruprecht.com/2014/11/wanted-two-legs-possibly-stocky/
Wendy Christopher
November 18, 2014 at 10:15 AM //
Okay, here’s my effort, for picture no. #1 (viewable in my story.) I even managed to stick to the word limit of 1,000! http://wcprawncrackers.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/always-something-there-to-remind-me.html
And now I’m going off to have a gander at other people’s stories…
smkay70
November 18, 2014 at 10:27 PM //
Hehe, that was awesome and creepy but with a surprising and humorous ending!
Allison Maruska
November 19, 2014 at 11:54 PM //
Nice job. I wouldn’t have had the first clue what to do with that.
Wendy Christopher
November 24, 2014 at 9:15 AM //
Thanks! Sorry it took me so long to reply – lot of ‘issues’ this week…. but sorted now. Glad you liked my effort
smkay70
November 18, 2014 at 3:28 PM //
I got #11. Took me a minute to come up with something…I can already think of a dozen changes I would like to make but I’m gonna “leave” it as is. Sorry, couldn’t help it. I titled it “Turning over a new leaf”
http://sabrakay.com/flash-fiction-friday-folks/
Allison Maruska
November 20, 2014 at 12:02 AM //
Nice. The end is perfect.
Jon Stoffel
November 18, 2014 at 4:57 PM //
I rolled myself a celery-head-guy. Stepped out of bounds with ~1400 words, but what can I do? I present… “Eat Your Vegetables” http://www.jdstoffel.com/2014/11/flash-fiction-eat-your-vegetables/
smkay70
November 19, 2014 at 5:27 PM //
I had fun reading this story, lot’s of activity going on and good imagery.
Jon Stoffel
November 21, 2014 at 3:48 PM //
Appreciate it!
the story hive
November 18, 2014 at 5:00 PM //
So here it is: “DEAD SERIOUS AND NOT SORRY”. 649 words.
It is pic #4
http://thestoryhive.wordpress.com/2014/11/18/dead-serious-and-not-sorry/
Allison Maruska
November 20, 2014 at 12:09 AM //
That was funny. Good job.
the story hive
November 20, 2014 at 11:21 AM //
Helen Espinosa
November 18, 2014 at 9:12 PM //
I chose pic #5 and came in a little under at 973 words. https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2014/11/18/mama/
ZonieMama
November 19, 2014 at 3:44 AM //
Really liked this. It made perfect sense.
Allison Maruska
November 20, 2014 at 12:12 AM //
Nice. I had the same picture and our stories are SO different.
Helen Espinosa
November 20, 2014 at 5:23 PM //
Thanks guys! I’m happy you enjoyed it. Those crazy photos, though!
magicant2000
November 19, 2014 at 3:39 AM //
Well, I went with the one that seemed easiest since I’m still settling into this flash fiction thing. Priest and body in the casket. I actually have a second concept I may write as well, in a King/Bachmann-style remix. But for now, here’s Console Freak:
http://theblogwon.blogspot.com/2014/11/console-freak.html
Joel
November 20, 2014 at 8:17 PM //
And my remix, Death Troll: http://theblogwon.blogspot.com/2014/11/death-troll.html
Sarah Joan (@By_SJD)
November 19, 2014 at 11:46 PM //
Here is my third try at this flash fiction thing it’s shorter and I had an idea for a story like this a while ago but never wrote one. I hope it’s alright and makes sense
http://sarahwatches4u.blogspot.com/2014/11/flash-fiction-3.html?spref=tw
Ridley Kemp (@MrRidleyKemp)
November 20, 2014 at 4:11 PM //
That was tougher than I expected.I was worried about the “professionalism” of my story until I remembered that professional photographers produced those photos.
http://www.ridleykemp.com/stories/2014/11/20/what-if-the-slippery-slope-is-really-just-a-waterslide
Rebecca Douglass
November 20, 2014 at 11:09 PM //
I couldn’t do it. I was traumatized by just looking at the pictures. I had to fall back on our alternative challenge and an old friend, Xavier Xanthum, Space Explorer. I suppose I shouldn’t post the link since I didn’t write the right story.
Jemima Pett
November 21, 2014 at 1:52 AM //
I went for the cows at the concert. One for the ageing hippies among you!
http://jemimapett.com/blog/2014/11/21/friday-flash-fiction-bella-and-the-ayrshires/
momdude
November 21, 2014 at 2:04 AM //
Photo #13, proof that when the going gets weird, the weird start writing Flash Fiction Challenges.
http://pauljwillett.com/2014/11/20/flash-fiction-cross-culture/
Jemima Pett
November 27, 2014 at 5:24 PM //
I can’t believe you write such beautiful flash fiction when doing a NASA Social *and* NaNoWriMo. Something’s gotta give, I reckon
momdude
November 28, 2014 at 12:39 PM //
Thanks, Jemima! I guess this year it was the NaNoWriMo that took the hit. It will get finished sooner or later (I don’t want Chuck yelling at *ME* for not finishing my shit) but it won’t be by Dec 1st.
crow365
November 21, 2014 at 2:07 PM //
Rolled #8, the people with the napkins on their faces. Kinda creepy, so here’s a story reflecting that, “In The Background”:
http://nickegelhoff.com/2014/11/21/flash-fiction-challenge-oh-were-gonna-use-these-photos-all-right/