Flash Fiction Challenge: The Randomized Title Rears Its Head
Last week’s challenge: Holiday Horror!
I love the random title challenge.
I love it so much I wanna hug it.
I wanna hug it so much it explodes.
Anyway.
Way it works is this: you pick one from the two columns of 20 either by using a d20 die or a random number generator, and smooshing the word from Column One with the word from Column Two gets you a title. (You can modify that title slightly by putting “The” in front of it or making the title plural or possessive in some way.) You write the story — we’ll say 1500 words max this time around. Then you post it at your online space and drop a link here so we can all read it. Due by next Friday, noon EST.
Get it? Got it? Great.
Column One
- Skyborn
- Murderer’s
- Cocktail
- Night
- Dead
- Obliterated
- Heaven’s
- Thirteenth
- White
- Armored
- Wrong
- Daniel’s
- A Song For
- Screaming
- The Oathkeeper’s
- The Day of the
- Bleeding
- God’s Own
- Ghostly
- Endless
Column Two
- Inkwell
- Treasure
- Waitress
- Keeper
- Bird
- Corps
- Traveler
- Padlock
- Comet
- Elf
- Starfish
- Medallion
- Absinthe
- Rats
- Reason
- Crusade
- Nebula
- Screwdriver
- Snowflake
- Forge
December 12, 2014 @ 9:40 AM
I got 4 and 6 =Night Corps.–We’ll see.
December 12, 2014 @ 9:43 AM
first (i needed my friday fix, stop judging me) i rolled a 17 and a 12. The Bleeding Medallion. time for fantasy me thinks.
December 16, 2014 @ 6:28 AM
https://adamskistoryblog.wordpress.com/2014/12/16/flash-fiction-challenge-the-randomized-title-rears-its-head/
And done. This was fun, had a few ideas but this one fit. It’s 1,192 words.Feel free to criticise, it will only help.
Cheers 😀
December 12, 2014 @ 9:45 AM
White Waitress. The alliteration is alluring, to say the least.
December 15, 2014 @ 5:21 PM
I was SO hoping I would get that.
December 27, 2014 @ 11:14 AM
Over a week late, but I did finish if you’re interested:
http://panningforclouds.com/2014/12/27/white-waitress/
December 12, 2014 @ 9:58 AM
Always love an excuse to pull out the d20! The Oathkeeper’s Forge. I can dig it!
December 12, 2014 @ 11:51 AM
Sounds epic already.
December 12, 2014 @ 11:52 AM
Good one! I got a “keeper” too!
December 16, 2014 @ 12:48 AM
I’m extremely jealous.
December 12, 2014 @ 10:23 AM
Where do you get these wonderful lists? I’ve got Screaming Comet, and an idea has struck already.
December 12, 2014 @ 11:11 AM
I MAKE THEM UP WITH MY BRAIN
December 12, 2014 @ 11:26 AM
That’s very scary. (Oh wait. That’s was last week’s challenge.)
Still scary.
December 12, 2014 @ 10:56 AM
My second time participating. Don’t know how this is going to go down as I’m not used to writing flash fiction (I’m used to writing longer works of fiction). I got Heaven’s Treasure.
December 12, 2014 @ 11:39 AM
White Traveler. Sounds ominous.
December 12, 2014 @ 11:39 AM
Hmmm. Wrong Keeper. Or Wrong Keeper? Maybe Wrong, Keeper. Oooh: Wrongkeeper. Uhhhh, I dunno.
December 12, 2014 @ 11:52 AM
Idea formulating, hehehe.
December 13, 2014 @ 7:52 PM
Mmm, I got that one too…I don’t even know.
December 12, 2014 @ 11:49 AM
I’m going for short and sweet this week – just over 100 words. I hope you enjoy: Night Rats
http://mikeycampling.com/night-rats-short-story/
December 13, 2014 @ 12:35 AM
Fantastic piece! A brief, but impactful ride. It says a lot through implication and doesn’t do it just to be cute! Kudos!
December 15, 2014 @ 10:37 AM
Hey Hawk, thank you for your comment – that’s very cool of you.
December 12, 2014 @ 12:27 PM
19 & 15, Here’s Ghostly Reason at 1042 words:
https://article94.wordpress.com/2014/12/12/ghostly-reason/
December 12, 2014 @ 12:33 PM
I have written “White Screwdriver.”
https://hollygeely.wordpress.com/2014/12/12/white-screwdriver/
December 13, 2014 @ 12:38 AM
Good fun, all the way through. It might use a little…tightening? I’d have to go line-by-line to find where it wanders, but the voice and tone are dead-on. Thanks!
December 12, 2014 @ 1:42 PM
Heavens’s Inkwell. That sounds just right for my asteroid miners Pete and the Swede. You’ll have to wait till next Friday for it, though!
December 14, 2014 @ 8:28 AM
I changed my mind about the blog post and put it on Pete & The Swede’s website, the Viridian System series, instead – and it’s live already 🙂
http://viridianseries.uk/2014/12/14/flash-heavens-inkwell/
December 16, 2014 @ 6:58 AM
very good. loved the ending
December 16, 2014 @ 8:00 AM
Thanks, Addy!
December 17, 2014 @ 12:40 PM
If you can find the story from last year, it’s even better!
December 18, 2014 @ 5:15 AM
got a link? i tried to find it but i had no joy.
December 12, 2014 @ 2:00 PM
I got Daniel’s Screwdriver (which has some potential) though I’ve got a second option in mind too…
December 12, 2014 @ 2:30 PM
3 & 6 Cocktail Corps. I thought it said corpse and got excited then I read it again. Huh…
December 12, 2014 @ 2:51 PM
You could write about a crazed army of cocktail swinging banshees…
December 13, 2014 @ 1:56 AM
I started it and surprisingly I’m bit going horror. I’m a little scared.
God’s Own Padlock | JPower Design
December 12, 2014 @ 2:50 PM
[…] like to thank Chuck Wendig and his Flash Fiction Challenge for the week. This is my […]
December 12, 2014 @ 2:51 PM
Here’s my submission: God’s Own Padlock
http://jpowerdesign.com/2014/12/12/gods-own-padlock/
December 12, 2014 @ 8:45 PM
Ack! What WAS it? I want to read more!
December 13, 2014 @ 11:41 AM
That was AWESOME! I had my suspicions about what it was the whole time, and was wrong at the end.
December 13, 2014 @ 8:49 PM
It was really good. I’d read more.
December 16, 2014 @ 7:10 AM
I loved your style, creepy as hell and i need to know what happens next!!
December 12, 2014 @ 2:59 PM
Bleeding Traveler….Hmm…interesting. Time for ghost story!
December 12, 2014 @ 3:00 PM
(16) The Day of the
(13) Absinthe
This could be psychedelic to say the least.
December 12, 2014 @ 5:20 PM
God’s Own
Keeper
Hmmm…. I wonder who that would be?
December 13, 2014 @ 1:51 AM
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2014/12/gods-own-keeper.html
I had to think about this for bit… but then, it came to me! 😀
December 14, 2014 @ 6:22 PM
Even after I saw where it was going, it still worked for me. Clever, dark and a little funny.
December 14, 2014 @ 7:35 PM
Thank you… 😀 I wanted so badly to mention his name, but thought not to see who go it, and who didn’t … 🙂
December 12, 2014 @ 8:41 PM
I can’t wait to read All Of These Words.
December 12, 2014 @ 11:27 PM
A Song for Reason. It has potential.
December 13, 2014 @ 12:26 AM
White Treasure.
I see snow in there somewhere. Or coconut cream pie.
December 13, 2014 @ 1:58 AM
Mmm…let it be pie!
December 13, 2014 @ 12:28 AM
Night Medallion: http://apromptripost.com/post/105055058544/the-night-medallion
I am so tired. So, so tired. Love me?
December 14, 2014 @ 12:14 AM
Nice… I really like this one! 🙂
December 14, 2014 @ 11:57 AM
I like the world you created with this story. So many good questions that made me want to read more.
December 14, 2014 @ 6:18 PM
I was drawn in immediately. I could imagine this as a sample chapter I would download because I couldn’t wait until the next book of this came out.
December 16, 2014 @ 3:32 AM
Very interesting. I really liked how you described her.
December 13, 2014 @ 3:06 AM
‘Screaming starfish’ …WTF!
December 13, 2014 @ 3:28 AM
Skyborn Padlock. Oh my.
December 13, 2014 @ 5:07 AM
14-11screaming starfish WTF ! https://darktowerjunky.wordpress.com/2014/12/13/screaming-starfish/
December 16, 2014 @ 3:37 AM
Nice twist at the end.
December 13, 2014 @ 11:03 AM
Daniel’s Starfish …
Flash fiction – The Bleeding Snowflake | Postcards from Asia
December 13, 2014 @ 11:32 AM
[…] Lolita! I feel sorry for you, poor corrupt child, but more on that in another post) I went over to terribleminds and found a new flash fiction challenge – the random title. Now I bent the rules a little and […]
December 13, 2014 @ 11:34 AM
The Bleeding Snowflake. I love this title.
December 13, 2014 @ 11:34 AM
Forgot to add the link, here it is: http://wrongspelling.com/?p=1985
December 14, 2014 @ 5:53 PM
That was amazing, I will admit it took a couple of read-throughs for me to ‘get’, but it was worth. Your word play (and you do really seem to be playing) is stunning.
December 14, 2014 @ 11:05 PM
Thanks for reading it. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
December 13, 2014 @ 11:55 AM
Nicely done!
December 13, 2014 @ 11:56 AM
My previous comment was for Hawk and Night Medallion.
December 13, 2014 @ 1:50 PM
#2 & #17… Murderer’s Nebula? Really? Hmmm…
December 13, 2014 @ 2:50 PM
Endless Snowflake[s]. Excellent.
December 13, 2014 @ 3:34 PM
All right, here we go. (Sorry for the ugly-long link)
http://americanogig.wix.com/elizabethbeck#!Endless-Snowflakes/c5il/10F7E4A9-3742-46F6-BAC3-DFDA7CA2FF94
December 14, 2014 @ 12:13 PM
This was an intriguing short piece with some beautiful sensory detail. It also really made me want to learn the “before” and “after” of your main character’s story. Thanks for sharing!
December 13, 2014 @ 8:59 PM
Night Comet….
Either a super hero story or an apocalyptic one. Not entirely sure yet. Hmmm
December 14, 2014 @ 1:47 PM
A retired criminal overlooks his life choices as a comet closes in earth. http://joeharris462.wordpress.com/2014/12/14/night-comet/. I apoligize in advance for any problems with the blog thing. I’m new to wordpress and honestly very confused.
December 14, 2014 @ 3:42 AM
The random number generator gave me 15 twice, so I ended up with “The Oathkeeper’s Reason”
https://ajbauers.wordpress.com/2014/12/14/the-oathkeepers-reason/
I gotta agree with Chuck, the random titles are probably my favorite of his flash fiction challenges.
December 14, 2014 @ 12:58 PM
I like it! That’s some fantastic worldbuilding there. Especially for 1500 words!
December 14, 2014 @ 1:48 PM
Thanks for reading. I was happy for the extra words beyond the usual 1000 when I thought of this story 🙂
December 14, 2014 @ 1:07 PM
Got the fairly ordinary-sounding ‘Daniel’s Treasure’.
http://manyfacesof.wordpress.com/2014/12/14/flash-fiction-daniels-treasure/
December 14, 2014 @ 1:41 PM
This was a good piece with especially strong dialogue. And for a fairly ordinary sounding roll, you sure made it unique 🙂
December 14, 2014 @ 1:43 PM
I thought it would be appropriate to write a Christmas story. Here’s Bleeding Elf (not as grim as it sounds!):
http://jezpgknee.wordpress.com/2014/12/14/bleeding-elf/
December 14, 2014 @ 11:15 PM
That was unexpectedly funny. Nice story!
December 14, 2014 @ 7:23 PM
I got Dead Forge – mythic fantasy or historical realism or…
December 14, 2014 @ 11:02 PM
How about a mash-up?
Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction Challenge: The Randomized Title Rears Its Head (2-12: Murderer’s Medallion) | The Lame The Halt The Blind
December 14, 2014 @ 10:53 PM
[…] Flash Fiction Challenge: The Randomized Title Rears Its Head […]
December 14, 2014 @ 10:54 PM
Here’s mine (2-12: Murderer’s Medallion): http://wickedflagon.wordpress.com/2014/12/15/chuck-wendigs-flash-fiction-challenge-the-randomized-title-rears-its-head-2-12-murderers-medallion/
Flash Fiction: Screaming Starfish | Allison Maruska
December 15, 2014 @ 12:00 AM
[…] for another Chuck Wendig provided flash fiction challenge. This time, it’s a randomized title challenge. My random number generator landed on the words […]
December 15, 2014 @ 12:05 AM
I got Screaming Starfish and turned it into a romance.
http://allisonmaruska.com/2014/12/14/flash-fiction-screaming-starfish/
December 15, 2014 @ 12:20 AM
A little bit weird, slightly depressing: “Obliterated Snowflakes.”
http://alissareads.tumblr.com/post/105244416161/obliterated-snowflakes
December 16, 2014 @ 5:35 PM
Great read, made me want more!
December 16, 2014 @ 6:09 PM
Thanks so much!
December 15, 2014 @ 1:15 AM
I got “Night Bird”… interesting
December 19, 2014 @ 1:25 PM
Not happy with it… http://thestoryhive.wordpress.com/2014/12/19/night-bird/
December 15, 2014 @ 1:36 AM
erm… endless treasure. this should be interesting….
December 15, 2014 @ 3:12 AM
After some fantastically bad combinations I decided to just go with whatever came next, and so was born ‘Endless Starfish’: http://jottermonster.tumblr.com/post/105254100359/endless-starfish
December 15, 2014 @ 2:19 PM
I used my daughters as random number generators and ended up with two titles. That’s what happens when you have three kids and a husband who want a turn at choosing a number between 1 and 20.
The titles are: “Screaming Snowflake” and “Endless Medallion”.
I foresee no problem coming up with some good piece of flash fiction. After all:
1. I’m a romance writer who has just started writing. Those lists of words seem perfectly suited for romance … not.
2. I didn’t even know what flash fiction really was until today. When I first read that term it made me think it was some kind of NC-17 rated, steamy writing. That’s why I got excited about the challenge. 🙂
Enough complaining. Time for some writing. Out of the sci-fi/fantasy suited titles, a beautiful romance … or two … shall come forth.
December 16, 2014 @ 11:20 PM
I finished “Screaming Snowflake” and posted it on my blog. http://unashamedwriting.com/screaming-snowflake-the-result-of-my-first-flash-fiction-challenge/
The more I thought about “Endless Medallion” the bigger the story grew … not kidding.
I hope you enjoy. If you have any feedback I would love to hear it … I hope. 🙂
December 15, 2014 @ 5:21 PM
God’s Own Inkwell. Good gravy, this is going to be fun.