I’d like to note that last week’s post garnered 500+ entries.
Holy poopsnacks.
(Though I’ll also note that some of you went well and above contributing an entry, which is against the spirit of the thing if not against the law. Also a number of folks broke the proscriptions — a lot, in fact, mentioned death despite the restriction. Tsk tsk tsk.)
Getting ten sentences out of 500 is tricky, but I’m gonna try it.
The challenge is simple:
Pick one of the opening sentences below (or choose one randomly), then write. The story that results should be between 1000-2000 words. Post it at your online space and link back here. Due by next Friday, March 4th, noon EST. Note the sentence you choose forms the first sentence of the story.
1. “Of all the things I expected to find in my tomato soup, this wasn’t one of them.” (Stella Wood)
2. “The clock strikes 12:17 and all I can think is I should have called tails.” (HB McCarthy)
3. “The emerald ring was pretty enough, but the man offering it wasn’t.” (kirajessup)
4. “Getting into the program was the easy part; it was getting out that would take every skill she possessed.” (Diedra Black)
5. “Eyes shut against the darkness, counting back from ten, I hope to god it’s gone when I open them again.” (Jonny B)
6. “The first breath shattered her world, the second shattered her heart.” (Fred Yost)
7. “Every building has a secret entrance, one even the architects somehow overlooked.” (LP)
8. “It was Hadeon’s lie that saved the world.” (Berti Walker)
9. “The bald man grinned and capered madly in the alley.” (Sam Brady)
10. “A year ago, this would have been an unthinkable act.” (Sarah Brentyn)
193 responses to “Flash Fiction Challenge: Pick A Sentence And Go”
Late as usual but I went for #6 from Fred Yost. Enjoy: https://goo.gl/bS83wI
Oh, man. Definitely a great read. Love the unexpected direction!
The foreword gave away a bit of the suspense, but a great read nonetheless.
While I got a hint of what was coming from the foreshadowing, I didn’t expect the ending. Wow. Very twilight zone esq.
[…] (Terribleminds flash fiction challenge) […]
I used the last sentence: “A year ago, this would have been an unthinkable act.” Thanks, Sarah Brentyn!
https://truestoryreally.wordpress.com/2016/03/04/stay/
Oh, so much heart into so few words. I want to learn more about Margaret! Nicely done.
Thanks you! This is a work in progress, so there will be more.
This did not go in the direction I thought it would. I love that about prompts. This is a fantastic snapshot. I agree… I’d love to see more of Margaret. Great flash!
Thanks! I kind of guessed that the prompt might have different intentions than I did, but it gave me the nudge I needed for a chunk of the work-in-progress that I have (slowly but slowly) been working on. It was definitely a gift at the right time for me, and there will be more of Margaret, and of Lillian.
[…] week the challenge is to pick from a list of opening sentences submitted the previous week. Word count is about […]
Missed the deadline, but it’s only 7am here, so I’m hoping a bit of leeway isn’t too much to ask. Not happy with it, but it’s the first completed piece I’ve done in at least a decade.
Thanks so much for the kick-in-the-pants, Chuck.
https://aloiamoa.wordpress.com/2016/03/04/terribleminds-com-flash-fiction-challenge-2016-02-26/
First completed piece in a decade? You damned well oughta be happy with it! 😀 I like the world — I like the concept. Nicely done.
[…] little background. The challenge was to select one of 10 story starters created by the Wendig Community. I selected number 7, courtesy of LP (thank you very much–an interesting starting […]
I chose number 7 by LP. It’s a story called ‘Mr Crimson’ and will hopefully form the opening scene to a further collection of short stories. You can read it at http://tomghadams.uk/mr-crimson/
[…] today and managed to weave them into a story called Mr Crimson which you can read here. This was a Chuck Wendig challenge where he posted ten first line openers, and we had to choose one, then run with it. Readers of my […]
I fictionalized the history of a temple in Myanmar using sentence number 7. Read it at http://nomadtrailsandtales.com/dhammayangyi-pagoda-a-tale-of-lust-and-murder/
I picked #7 too. It’s late, but it’s up. And I think I may have cracked the underlying logic of a fantasy world that I’ve been poking around the edges of for months. Back on the rollercoaster!
I absolutely loved your story. In a few short paragraphs I felt I knew your characters intimately. I felt propelled through the prose, looking forward to every new description. This is short story telling at its best – I’m envious! Btw, thanks for putting the link to my story on your website. I’ll return the favour.
Thank you so much! It’s definitely the beginning of something much bigger.
Well, you’ve gained yourself an avid reader.
Thank you! This is part of a larger work in progress, so there will be more.
I picked the first line, about the tomato soup. It was done by saturday, but couldn’t post it sooner.
http://www.calbrecht.nl/english/flash-fiction-challenge-pick-a-sentence-and-go/
[…] minds hosts a flash fiction challenge every Friday. Even if you don’t enter, Chuck Wendig comes up with some great story […]