This link will take you to a random photo. You can keep clicking NEXT RANDOM IMAGE if you so choose. Click through the images until one of them speaks to you in some way — it scratches a creative itch somehow. Then write a short story based on that image as inspiration. (Try to nab a link to the photo, so you can put it in your story so we can see the inspiration.)
Length: ~1000 words
Due by: May 13th, noon, EST
Post at your online space.
Drop a link to it in the comments below.
Grab a photo and write.
Stuart dodd says:
I’ll be honest – the image didn’t change, I clicked a few times, then I looked at the category box which said ‘all – no nudes’, immediately dropped it down to search for ‘nudes’.
Didn’t write a thing.
Sorry man.
May 6, 2016 — 8:44 AM
Marjorie King says:
The Internet is finicky, but the link worked for me. Picked this image: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=1524370. Will see where it takes me.
May 6, 2016 — 9:34 AM
Mark Gardner says:
I used this photo: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4653366 and came up with this flash: http://wp.me/s4le2s-numb
May 6, 2016 — 10:44 AM
David Williams says:
I got this photo http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=10451892
The first thing that came to my mind on seeing it was this man has been mugged by the secret sparkle color ninjas. . . I didn’t go with that story line though. . . .but something close. . .
The story is here http://dswilliams.com/2016/05/06/flash-fiction-random-picture-story/
May 6, 2016 — 12:04 PM
Brittany DeBeeld says:
This was so much fun! I love the development and could picture it all vividly. Nicely done!
May 9, 2016 — 2:14 PM
David Williams says:
It was fun to write. Who wouldda thunk “Then they discovered textiles” could be a sinister phrase?
May 11, 2016 — 10:43 AM
Fatma Alici says:
For some reason, I thought that was going to end up being a happy story. I like the way you told the story, very folk lore style to me.
May 10, 2016 — 4:34 PM
David Williams says:
Thank you. Ya. . .it was kind of going to be happy-fluffy and then it was more Irish fairy Tale like. Made sense like that.
May 11, 2016 — 10:45 AM
Helen O'Loughlin says:
I loved that story, so heartfelt at the end but laugh out loud funny in places. All the feels. Fab job!
May 11, 2016 — 11:50 AM
dcxli says:
Loved it! Who knew that glitter fairies could be so fearsome.
May 11, 2016 — 11:53 AM
Pygmywarrior says:
I put the photo I chose at the top of my story, which is published here: https://pygmymommy.wordpress.com/2016/05/06/a-respit/
May 6, 2016 — 10:15 PM
Mozette says:
I chose this one…. https://au.pinterest.com/pin/556687203921548413/
And came up with this:
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2016/05/star-crossed-lovers.html
May 6, 2016 — 11:19 PM
Fatma Alici says:
The photo I went with was this one http://gallery.photo.net/photo/8504583-lg.jpg.
It reminded me a bit of the Grey, a made up place in one of my novels. Which is probably why this flash is bit more like an openning scene than the flash its supposed to be. I do like how the visuals came out quite a bit, however.
http://www.fatmaalici.com/2016/05/06/challenge-photo-flash/
May 7, 2016 — 12:01 AM
Brittany DeBeeld says:
Love the visuals and the concept of the Grey. You’re right though – it has more of an “opening scene” feel.
May 9, 2016 — 2:19 PM
legreene515 says:
I agree. This feels like a piece of a longer story. The imagery is fantastic.
May 9, 2016 — 5:38 PM
dcxli says:
The whole concept is very interesting. I loved how there are people who can see and others that can talk.
May 11, 2016 — 11:59 AM
Andrea Speed says:
So I got this image – http://gallery.photo.net/photo/10789417-md.jpg – and wrote a paranormal superhero story. Kind of. http://andreaspeed.com/2016/flash-fiction-challenge-green/
May 7, 2016 — 6:45 AM
Qynn Qyksilver (@QynnQyksilver) says:
Lady of Court of Black Wings: http://bit.ly/1UIuMLt from this photo: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5417434&size=lg
This is a huge change of tone from my last attempt.
May 7, 2016 — 8:45 PM
qyksilver says:
I am seriously hating the title of this. I like the story, but the title is driving me bat**** crazy…
May 8, 2016 — 9:02 PM
Marion says:
Your tone and pacing were perfect; the story oozes foreboding and magic. I think you could simplify the title to “The Court of Black Wings” and not lose a thing.
May 9, 2016 — 1:14 PM
Brittany DeBeeld says:
Agreed ^^
May 9, 2016 — 2:21 PM
qyksilver says:
Thank you! This is probably my favorite story I’ve written in a while. Glad it feels right.
May 9, 2016 — 3:58 PM
qyksilver says:
Woke up to find my story had been retweeted and liked a couple times. Bit of a surprise and a thrill. Huge butterflies, though.
Mr. Wendig, don’t know if you read any of these–but thanks for the push to (a) keep putting words on page and (b) sharing them.
I don’t know if anything will come of any of this, but having more than just my family read my scribblings is huge to me.
May 10, 2016 — 9:36 AM
Fatma Alici says:
The pacing is quite good, and the tone is very mystical.
May 10, 2016 — 4:41 PM
qyksilver says:
Thank you, Fatma! Appreciate the kind words.
May 10, 2016 — 6:40 PM
Dae says:
I really enjoyed this – awesome use of imagery, and I love the sense of rage from the ravens.
May 13, 2016 — 11:38 AM
Dae says:
For once, I knew almost immediately what I wanted to do with this, and got it done with only minimal internet rabbit-holing for research.
Here’s my picture: http://gallery.photo.net/photo/9264131-md.jpg
And here’s my fic (“Mirrors”): http://dreamerinsilico.tumblr.com/post/144018037762/mirrors-flashfic
May 7, 2016 — 9:11 PM
qyksilver says:
Hi! Nicely done… your story leaves me interested in understanding the challenges and the world they’re set in. One question, though: why do you use the pronoun “They” for Adrian? After several re-readings, I still couldn’t find a clue as to why the plural pronoun was being used.
May 8, 2016 — 2:17 PM
Matthew Stirnaman (@MAStirnaman) says:
I assume the character may be a nonbinary transperson. That would explain the use of them/they/their.
May 9, 2016 — 10:03 AM
Dae says:
As Matthew said below, Adrian is nonbinary. 🙂
Really glad you enjoyed it! I kind of want to expand on the setting; might try to do more flashfics/short stories in it at some point.
May 10, 2016 — 1:23 PM
qyksilver says:
The idea that the character is a non-binary transperson now makes sense to me. (Sorry, little slow on the uptake, I guess, and the bulb above my head flickers a bit before it lights up.)
In the context of speculative fiction named for and involving mirrors, the initial use of They had me searching for a meaning related to reflections.
Is there (or does there need to be) anything aside from the pronoun that should have clued me into that about the character?
I hope I’ve given no offense, and if I have, I sincerely apologize.
If nothing else, please know that I very much enjoyed the story and its setting. I’d like to read more in that world.
May 9, 2016 — 12:17 PM
Dae says:
And I’m a little slow on the noticing-further-comments, haha.
No offense taken at all. To answer your question, usually not. If a nonbinary character’s gender identity is an important part of the story in some way, it’ll obviously be more explicit, but otherwise use of singular “they” (or less commonly, other pronouns that haven’t gotten much recognition yet beyond the queer community, like ze/zir) is usually the only indication.
May 10, 2016 — 1:27 PM
legreene515 says:
Here’s my fiction: https://laurengreenewrites.com/2016/05/09/the-boy/
Based off this link: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3003524
And the words flowed.
May 9, 2016 — 7:13 AM
Sheri says:
great story!
May 9, 2016 — 9:56 AM
Sheri says:
The pic I chose is in the blog itself.
http://www.thesheriwilliams.com/?p=412
May 9, 2016 — 9:55 AM
legreene515 says:
I love yours too, Sheri!
May 9, 2016 — 5:33 PM
Vicente L Ruiz says:
The picture I got was “Seagull in Flight”, by Damir Sencar: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=3897380
And after quite some thinking, I came up with “A Letter Home”:
https://medium.com/@VicenteLRuiz/a-letter-home-35538c93e057#.muvnzpukv
May 9, 2016 — 11:19 AM
Brittany DeBeeld says:
Loved this. Well done!
May 9, 2016 — 2:38 PM
legreene515 says:
Well done. I love the journalist he meets. The detail are great. Lots of research?
May 9, 2016 — 5:47 PM
Vicente L Ruiz says:
Some, but I am from Spain and already knew many facts, so I just had to check for the details. And of course, I manipulated whatever I saw fit. 🙂
May 9, 2016 — 6:48 PM
Bleak Reads says:
The picture I ended up getting was this one http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2418158. With that, and a very Two Steps From Hell heavy playlist – I came up with this: “Sin Eater” – https://amtriola.wordpress.com/2016/05/09/sin-eater/
May 9, 2016 — 12:57 PM
Brittany DeBeeld says:
Loved the mood created in your opening paragraph. I was transported into into the story there.
May 9, 2016 — 2:11 PM
Brittany DeBeeld says:
I found this photo [http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=6940844] and almost vomited with excitement. I’ve been wanting to write an octogenarian antagonist for some time now.
This was my opportunity to do create one. Beatrice the Incorrigible
*Laughs maniacally*
Please enjoy.
https://brittanydebeeldblog.wordpress.com/2016/05/09/beatrice-the-incorrigible-flash-fiction/
May 9, 2016 — 2:03 PM
Vicente L Ruiz says:
It *is* indeed funny. I can feel the girl’s frustration. I had a really good laugh!
May 11, 2016 — 5:31 AM
thisdamkid says:
https://itsthesedamnkids.wordpress.com/2016/05/10/she-sees/ Here’s what I’ve got. Writing at 1:44 AM. Hope I don’t wake up later with a writing based regret!
May 10, 2016 — 1:45 AM
qyksilver says:
Regret nothing! Even if something didn’t work, at least you got it down. (PS – This one works, by the way. Sharp, crisp, and leaves me thinking about it after I’ve read it.)
May 10, 2016 — 9:41 AM
legreene515 says:
Succinct. Interesting take on the picture. This could go many places and definitely made me, as the reader, think. Well done.
May 10, 2016 — 10:53 AM
Matthew X. Gomez says:
I got this image: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=5643888
I wrote this story: https://mxgomez.wordpress.com/2016/05/10/strangers-on-the-plain/
May 10, 2016 — 12:55 PM
Eric Federspiel says:
I combined the previous Flash Fiction challenge and this one. Hope that’s okay! I’d LOVE some feedback on this, as it’s potentially part of a large piece I’ve been plotting for a while.
Image: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=7836445
My story: http://itmightblowup.tumblr.com/post/144159424816/flash-fiction-the-blind-tattooist
Enjoy!
May 10, 2016 — 3:21 PM
qyksilver says:
It’s an interesting start, and reads as if there’s a good story developing.
Some feedback (take with a grain of salt, please–just one reader’s opinion): the tone is a bit odd, since there are paragraphs of description that come across as high fantasy, yet the setting descriptions (and the voice) seem more like urban fantasy set in a modern-day world. If it is urban fantasy, you may want to give us a bit more for us to understand the setting.
Not sure if I’m making any sense?
Another minor thought: your first sentence might be stronger if you use belies” instead of “betrays” — I could be wrong, but betrays” gave me impression that the street was a clue as to what the tattoo parlor would look like (which since the street is clean, we’d expect the parlor to be the same–and as I read on, it definitely was not a clean place!).
“Belies” means “(of an appearance) fail to give a true notion or impression of (something); disguise or contradict.”
There’s definitely a contradiction between the clean, polished alley and the disgusting tattoo parlor.
That said, the world does seem like one I’d like to read more about…
May 10, 2016 — 11:39 PM
Eric Federspiel says:
Very helpful feedback, @qyksilver. You pinpoint exactly what I’m struggling with. I love the idea of a high fantasy setting, but if I ever get any feedback on my writing, it’s people appreciate when I use a more humorous tone. I was trying to combine the two (and sort of using the comic “Rat Queens” as a template), but clearly that caused confusion on your part. I’ll have to explore it more.
And you’re dead-on with the “belies” note – that’s exactly what I meant. Thanks again!
May 11, 2016 — 8:00 AM
Eric says:
So for clarification, if I were to tinker with the voice – perhaps having the setting described by James in a lighter/more humorous tone, would that clear up the setting problem?
May 11, 2016 — 12:28 PM
qyksilver says:
(Grain of salt again!) After re-reading it, I think the issue is the exposition in the 3rd graph. Before and after, it’s pretty consistent in it’s main character’s gritty “hardcore urban fantasy” voice –and then that graph hits and it gets into some deep exposition. That’s where the high fantasy voice kicks in, and throwing us off.
When that happens, we completely lose what’s been rocking us along: the main character’s voice. Although you’re writing in 3rd person, you’re writing right over James’ shoulder. My suggestion would be to try that 3rd graph again: give us the same info but as if James is the one describing the events and background (even if 3rd person).
Minor example: with a fairly “normal” name like James, would your main character describe the “inscription” as being in “the common tongue” or “plain f***Ing English instead of that lyrical, tongue-twisting Elvish bullsh*t” –the first changes gears on us, while the other keeps us in that more urban (and gritty) character/story.
Definitely enjoying it — I think if that exposition is told more from James’ voice it’ll be spot on… and keep us wanting to read more! 🙂
May 11, 2016 — 8:40 PM
qyksilver says:
*its (urgh) (I”ll write it on the blackboard 1000 times–I blame my old laptop’s failing keyboard)
May 11, 2016 — 8:42 PM
Eric Federspiel says:
Fantastic advice. You’re absolutely right – the backstory goes that James discovered that he was a half-elf toward the beginning of the story, and is now seeking to unpack what that means. Therefore, he’s still mystified by a lot of elf culture, and would most definitely say something like “plain f***ing English…”. You nailed it.
I’ve struggled in the past with creating likable protagonists, and I think your advice to stick to James’ voice, I’ll be able to do just that.
Cheers!
May 12, 2016 — 7:38 AM
dcxli says:
I enjoyed the tone, the one thing that got me was confusion over just what type of world it’s set in. High fantasy? Urban fantasy? A mix?
May 11, 2016 — 7:27 PM
dcxli says:
Linkage to the pic: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=4167152
Linkage to the story: https://dcxli.wordpress.com/2016/05/10/the-blizzard/
May 11, 2016 — 12:13 AM
qyksilver says:
Really enjoyed this, particularly the interplay between “Larry” and his companion Roost. This is a duo and a world I would very definitely like to read more about. (Besides, I like ravens, m’self.)
May 12, 2016 — 8:23 AM
dcxli says:
I’m glad you liked it. I already had the character, but didn’t want to leave him alone, so I gave him someone to banter with.
May 12, 2016 — 10:35 AM
Helen O'Loughlin says:
Hi there! Link to my story which includes a link to the picture at the start. Hope you enjoy! https://helenoloughlin.com/2016/05/11/rite/
May 11, 2016 — 11:43 AM
Skye says:
I liked the story; there were good descriptions of Grace’s struggle. I do t know if it was a stylistic choice, but I found the lack of commas made those longer sentences difficult to follow. A bit of extra punctuation would have gone a long way, clarity-wise.
May 15, 2016 — 12:26 PM
Helen O'Loughlin says:
Hi, afraid your comment go lost in the shuffle, sorry about that! But I wanted to say thanks for the comment. I really appreciate the feedback, it was more stylistic, I felt the run on sentences felt more breathless. But I will keep what you said in mind for future stories. Thank you!
August 25, 2016 — 2:34 PM
Raney Simmon says:
Just finished writing mine. https://vookthevook.wordpress.com/2016/05/11/flash-fiction-challenge-through-a-silent-river-poem/
It’s more of a poem than a story though, but I think that’s okay too because stories can still be told in poems. Though I seem to be writing more poems every time I complete one of your flash fiction challenges for some reason. But I’m not complaining.
May 11, 2016 — 11:51 AM
Fred G. Yost says:
So, based on http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=8511058 , I came up with https://fredgyost.com/2016/05/11/flash-fiction-challenge-the-tunnel-beneath/ .
I have to say, it’s tough to keep it around 1k.
May 11, 2016 — 8:26 PM
bperrywrites says:
Here’s the link to my little story
https://bperrywrites.com/2016/05/12/may-showers-june-flowers/
Thanks for this. It came along at a perfect time.
May 12, 2016 — 1:18 AM
legreene515 says:
Very well done. Sad. I was scared for her. I wrote for Terrible Minds too when I was having a lot of confusing feelings, and I think it’s evident in my piece. Great job with the prompt. I’m interested to know if you’ll take this further.
May 12, 2016 — 9:37 AM
Liam Hayes (@Liam_Hayes) says:
I got some Daliesque clock-tree and went from there.
Link to story;
http://liamhayeswriter.tumblr.com/post/144250600973/chuck-wendig-posted-a-flash-fiction-challenge-on
Link to photo;
http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=7359096&size=lg
Cheers
May 12, 2016 — 11:14 AM
The Writer says:
Wasn’t easy, and I had to go a little dark. But I’m proud of it. Enjoy
https://atcrump.com/2016/05/12/pasture/
Comments welcome.
May 12, 2016 — 12:11 PM
M. D. Flyn (@mdflynwriter) says:
Hopefully that squiggly line means nowhere near 1,000 words. I’m a cheatey cheater pants.
I got a picture of a solitary building with the name Chapel.
“I Really Want a Cat but My Dog Is Pretty Awesome” http://www.mdflyn.com/i-really-want-a-cat-but-my-dog-is-pretty-awesome-original-short-story/
May 12, 2016 — 2:34 PM
legreene515 says:
I really enjoyed this read. I tried to comment on your blog, but for some reason was timed out. I could feel Helen’s fear and loneliness. I loved how Trigger was there for her the whole time. So well done. I felt absorbed with the story and wondered what would happen next the whole time. It reminded me a little bit of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, with how close she was to the dog. (despite her comments!)
May 13, 2016 — 12:46 PM
M. D. Flyn (@mdflynwriter) says:
Thank you I’m glad you liked it! I’ll have to kick my blog and see if the comments straighten themselves out.
May 15, 2016 — 3:14 PM
grahamwrites says:
I got a picture of a winding country road in Autumn. And then I got an idea. https://grahamwrites.wordpress.com/2016/05/12/flash-fiction-1000-words-random-picture/
May 12, 2016 — 6:11 PM
Rebecca Douglass says:
I couldn’t decide between 2 photos. So I let them both inspire a bit of Weird West:
http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2016/05/our-chuck-wendig-challenge-this-wee-k.html
May 12, 2016 — 6:20 PM
Jemima Pett says:
Many apologies to the photographer for neglecting to note the details of this lovely picture… I went for a sort of legend
http://jemimapett.com/blog/2016/05/13/fridayflash-fiction-rock-sky-and-water/
May 12, 2016 — 9:44 PM
Skye says:
I really enjoyed this one. I liked how you got the reader to gradually learn as the creature learned what it was.
May 15, 2016 — 2:24 PM
Skye Overall says:
I kind of cheated; I had a story idea and needed a photo to go with it. I found this: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=11692250.
I wrote this: http://runnerskye.ca/daisies/.
Happy to read any thoughts on it.
May 12, 2016 — 10:36 PM
HB McCarthy says:
So here is mine: http://theawkwardpterodactyl.blogspot.com/2016/05/flash-fiction-friday.html
It’s scene that’s been rattling around my head and I found two pictures to go with it. Unfortunately I forgot to grab links for the pictures, but they are posted along with the story at the link above. 🙂
May 13, 2016 — 9:55 AM
Adam Hughes says:
“Stealth” is here: http://adamhugheswriter.com/stealth/
(Inspired by this image: http://photo.net/photodb/photo?photo_id=2636912)
May 13, 2016 — 10:40 AM
Kevin Wallace says:
Better late than never. I have for you a tale of slow, seething revenge: Blue.
http://blog.kevinja.com/blue/
May 14, 2016 — 8:50 PM