Flash Fiction Challenge: The Dragon
Today’s challenge is deceptively simple.
Your story must include a dragon.
OKAY THERE YOU GO BYE
wait hold on don’t leave.
There’s more.
You might be saying, “But I don’t want to write fantasy.”
Okay, so what does a dragon in science-fiction look like?
And I’d encourage you to think outside the scaled, fire-charred box. Who said the dragon has to be a literal dragon? What about a serial killer called the Dragon? An MMA fighter or wrestler? The name of a boat or spacecraft? The name of a disease? In fact, I’d encourage you to think beyond the literal here as much as you can. Get creative.
How do you include a dragon that isn’t really a dragon?
You have, mmm, let’s say 2000 words.
Due by Friday, April 8th, noon EST.
Post at your online space.
Link back here.
Behold the dragon.
ooakthistle
April 1, 2016 at 9:20 AM //
Super excited for this as you can tell from the name of my blog!
Pavowski
April 1, 2016 at 9:31 AM //
Insert obligatory “chasing the dragon” joke here.
conniejjasperson
April 1, 2016 at 9:44 AM //
Oddly enough, I had this post scheduled for today. I hope it qualifies.
The Iron Dragon
http://wp.me/p1pa44-1Ya
Rob
April 1, 2016 at 10:01 AM //
Here is one that I wrote for another Flash Fiction challenge a while back; it has a dragon angle so voila! http://www.roblaman.com/?p=107k
thesexiestwriter
April 1, 2016 at 11:27 AM //
Woot! More fun stuff to write about!
Carl
April 1, 2016 at 12:35 PM //
Finally a chance to write some Captain & Tennille fanfic.
Liz
April 1, 2016 at 1:47 PM //
Urgh … I got nothing, I’ll come back if I find some dragon-inspiration … somewhere, somehow!
Mark Gardner
April 1, 2016 at 2:34 PM //
Therin Knite did an excellent sci-fi dragon in the first book of her Echoes series. It’s definitely worth checking out.
Mark Gardner
April 2, 2016 at 9:55 PM //
It looks as if Echoes, by Therin Knite is free on Amazon, April 2 & 3. Awesome scifi dragon there.
Mark Gardner
April 1, 2016 at 4:20 PM //
Here’s my response to the prompt:
https://article94.wordpress.com/2016/04/01/dragons/
It’s a continuation of the YA serial I’m working on, Mental State.
Beth Turnage
April 1, 2016 at 4:42 PM //
Thinking inside the box, (unusual for me) is a short piece about a dragon. Departure–A Dragons’s Drama~http://bethturnage.com/?p=669
Beth Turnage
April 1, 2016 at 4:43 PM //
http://bethturnage.com/?p=669
glenavailable
April 1, 2016 at 6:43 PM //
We should enter the dragon? Someone had to say it.
thisdamkid
April 1, 2016 at 9:04 PM //
https://itsthesedamnkids.wordpress.com/2016/04/02/dragon/ This is what I’ve got! Way under the word limit though…
ooakthistle
April 1, 2016 at 9:26 PM //
Traditional fantasy dragons. The friendly sort. Well, mostly.
https://betheredragons.wordpress.com/2016/04/01/dragon-fire/
Raney Simmon
April 1, 2016 at 9:29 PM //
Okay, I’ve just finished mine! So since this month is National Poetry Month, I decided to do a poem about dragons. https://vookthevook.wordpress.com/2016/04/01/flash-fiction-challenge-dragons/ I hope you all enjoy it! 🙂
Mozette
April 1, 2016 at 10:05 PM //
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2016/04/armageddon.html
Howdy doodily neighbours near and far! Hope you enjoy mine.. it’s kinda personal. Yes, I’ve seen a shrink, no my dragon isn’t getting the better of me.
dcxli
April 3, 2016 at 2:18 AM //
Wrote this as a continuation, but it stands on its own. My version of a dragon:
https://dcxli.wordpress.com/2016/04/02/the-dragon/
folkool
April 3, 2016 at 10:54 PM //
I’M SORRY. I went over the word limit, so I lose. This story needs a few more drafts, but I’m pretty happy with the first one. It ended at 2574 words and I know I lose so I’m sorry but here’s the link:
https://happymasquerade.wordpress.com/2016/04/04/the-testimony/
mariceljimenez
April 5, 2016 at 6:11 PM //
I loved it! Rocking that first draft.
Krishnaa Lakshmanan
April 8, 2016 at 7:29 AM //
Very gripping story! *high-fives for crossing the word limit as well* Mine just crossed 3,000 😛
Liz
April 4, 2016 at 6:21 AM //
My dragon-ish story! Sorry I did what I could! 🙂 https://themadtypewriter.wordpress.com/2016/04/04/flash-fiction-challenge-the-dragon/
Josh Neff
April 4, 2016 at 10:17 AM //
A story inspired by a book I loved as a kid:
http://www.goblin-cartoons.com/2016/04/04/the-dragon-in-the-box/
Matthew X. Gomez
April 5, 2016 at 10:29 AM //
Got it: Dawn Over Apep.
https://mxgomez.wordpress.com/2016/04/05/dawn-over-apep-a-chuck-wendig-challenge/
Mel
April 5, 2016 at 4:09 PM //
Wheeeeeeee. Loved doing this one. Prepare for not-dragons!
http://melodyklink.com/2016/04/05/flash-fiction-time-bard-girl-press/
mariceljimenez
April 5, 2016 at 5:18 PM //
Finally I did one of your challenges Chuck! Dragons are right up my alley. Bear with me, I wrote this at the office. It is the one and only draft. BTW, the title is inspired by a real place from back in college years.
https://mariceljimenez.wordpress.com/2016/04/05/the-dragons-den/
Mel
April 5, 2016 at 8:28 PM //
Love this one! I felt like I was really there. Well done!
Kristin Mireles (@kristinmireles)
April 6, 2016 at 10:01 AM //
I came up with something really insane, and I hope I’ll be able to fit it into 2K words! Here goes nothing!
Adam Hughes
April 6, 2016 at 7:11 PM //
I “Fell” while completing this challenge …
http://adamhugheswriter.com/fell/
Krishnaa Lakshmanan
April 7, 2016 at 8:03 AM //
https://medium.com/@krishnaa/dragonsoul-59ebc4c938da
My first attempt at flash fiction, so it could be a load of nonsense, for all I know. I went way over the word limit, though, just touching 3,000 words. So I lose! Mainly because I didn’t have ANY idea where I was heading until I was some 1,500 words in.
Helen Espinosa
April 7, 2016 at 9:12 AM //
I haven’t participated in a while, but this one hooked me. Here’s my submission, coming in just over 1800 words: https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2016/04/07/flash-fiction-the-dragons-realm-finale/
Krishnaa Lakshmanan
April 8, 2016 at 1:00 AM //
I like it! The premise is pretty interesting.
ToniJ
April 7, 2016 at 11:37 PM //
Haven’t done one of these in too long, but I got one today. https://tonij.com/2016/04/07/fang-and-fire/
annwjwhite
April 8, 2016 at 12:54 AM //
https://whiteawjwords.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/the-nursing-home-or-discussing-with-dragons/
The Nursing Home, or Discussing with Dragons
By Ann WJ White
I’m really excited to have found your writings, Mr. Wendig. You make being a writer and reader a lot of fun.
Rebecca Douglass
April 8, 2016 at 1:11 AM //
My non-fantasy dragon story will go live in a couple of hours:
http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2016/04/friday-flash-here-be-dragons.html
Becky Munyon (@BeckyMunyon)
April 8, 2016 at 1:44 AM //
Inspiration struck today, so I did not have the time I would’ve liked to edit, but here it is, and slightly longer than it’s supposed to be. (2800)
http://beckymunyon.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-dragons-lair-short-story.html
Krishnaa Lakshmanan
April 8, 2016 at 10:54 PM //
Unexpected ending, but I liked it! 🙂
Melinda Davis
April 8, 2016 at 7:44 AM //
Here we go. Right on time. http://theshinysquirreldiaries.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-specific-sense.html
VikingPowerKen
April 8, 2016 at 7:58 AM //
I hope this good
https://www.wattpad.com/242352089-the-dragon-inside
VikingPowerKen
April 8, 2016 at 7:58 AM //
*is
sorry..
Anupama Dhamala
April 8, 2016 at 11:20 AM //
Yaay! Last minute submission 😀
http://infinityunfurls.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-dragon-charmer-act-1-kalpana-breaks.html
auranupama
April 9, 2016 at 12:38 AM //
correct link here http://infinityunfurls.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-dragon-charmer-act-1-kalpana-breaks_8.html
swordsoftheancients
April 8, 2016 at 11:58 AM //
It’s a short one, and just at the deadline, but here it is.
https://swordsoftheancients.wordpress.com/2016/04/08/the-dragon/
karen j carlisle
April 17, 2016 at 9:30 PM //
Dang, missed this post but strangely had just finished writing a (longish) short story about just this – a ‘dragon’. 🙂