Maps are glorious things. With them we find treasure. We make our way across counties, states and countries. We use them to mark DANGER. Maps can be public, secret, or something interstitial. Maps can be magic or mundane.
Maps are cool.
So, you will write a piece of flash fiction that contains a map.
Not a literal, drawn map (though if you can do that, you’re extra-awesome). No, I mean, in the fiction itself, a map is a part of the story. That’s it. That’s the only stipulation besides the usuals:
Length: ~1000 words
Due by: Fri, June 10th, noon EST
Post at your online space. Give us a link in the comments. The end.
132 responses to “Flash Fiction Challenge: Must Contain A Map”
A helpful map for your map. http://xkcd.com/1688/
love this!
[…] I finished this at a thousand words in a gripping cliffhanger. I decided that that was just too dark. I added an additional 267 words, and I think it made the story better. Prompts from Inspiration Monday, Three Word Wednesday, The Writing Reader, and Chuck Wendig’s weekly flash fiction challenge. […]
I wrote to the thousand words and ended it all cliff-hangery, but decided that it was too dark. An additional 267 words made it more hopeful: http://wp.me/p4le2s-1wh
Your map ended at a cliff? Cool.
Love this! What a great suspenseful piece.
Thanks, Moz! I’m glad you like it.
Wrote mine yesterday, but it’s waiting moderation… bummer. I wish it came through sooner.
Wow that was a powerful piece.
Thanks!
I do prefer the hopeful end. Thank you.
I figured no one would mind that I went over since it’s a better story for it.
Well done. Dark!
Thanks, Lauren, I’m glad you liked it!
It’s such a great dark story, but I am glad you turned away at the last moment.
[…] And, if those things don’t work? Well, there’s always writing prompts. […]
Mine is a little under the 1,000 word mark… which is a change for me. 😀
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/the-tattoo.html
enjoy!
The Monastery – https://atcrump.com/2016/06/04/the-monastery/
, I had to reach deep into the bat-cave for this one.
-Enjoy.
Here’s my map
http://dswilliams.com/2016/06/04/flash-fiction-challenge-must-contain-a-map/
Gorgeously, wonderously creepy. And I love a bit of neuroscience 🙂
I am a secret writer. I’m also English and therefore repressed. Oh, and I’m fairly old, so have no clue how to post my 1,000 words without friends and family seeing them (secret, see?). I have no website, only Facebook. Am I stuffed?
Hello, Shyandretiring.
Couple suggestions, you could make a free blog, and use that to spread links of what you write here.
Or you could use google docs, which is basically a word processor on the internet. But you can share it so readers can view it only and not edit it.
I’ve also need people post things on Facebook Notes, but that’s not very secret.
Hope you enjoy “The Writing on the Wall” https://christopherslagle.wordpress.com/2016/06/06/flash-fiction-the-writing-on-the-wall
I really enjoyed this. Excellent pacing and dialogue.
Thanks so much!
Well done. It made me wish I had come in at the start of the mystery
Thank you!
This was very well written.
Thanks!
Chris–well done. Is this part of a larger story you’re writing? I enjoyed reading this and it made me want more.
So glad you liked it! It was a stand-alone for this challenge, but if inspiration to write more of it strikes, who am I to deny the muses? 🙂
You know what, I feel the need to be all English and say “oh that was really super”, so I will. I’d love to read more if you decide to go there.
Thank you!
I recommend starting your own website on a free platform like WordPress (a very common one). It’s very user-friendly, doesn’t require any knowledge of programming, and you can choose whether to plaster your real name all over it or give yourself an alias if your only goal is to link to your stories from here. And congrats on considering posting your work for others to read! I’m eager to see what you have in store for us, and I bet other people here are too 😉
Thank you, all tips welcome, but a website? Haven’t got much to put on it yet. Would my 1,000 fit in the comments box, just for now? At the moment, because I’m not sure what I’m doing (or why, is it any good etc) , I’ve not let anyone read what I’ve written so would appreciate … impartial comment! I am grateful for your advice and encouragement, and will try to post my bit here. Enjoyed your piece, looking forward to reading others. Many thanks.
Blogger is another free platform as well. I’ve been working with Blogger for years – since 2008 – and it’s so easy to work with the backgrounds and fonts. However each blog platform is different, you have to pick your style and stick to it. 😀 And as Christopherslagle said, pick a screen name… I’ve been Mozette for a long time; over a decade and have plenty of blogs under my name as well as a few websites working on Wix.com too (which is a proper website-builder).
On the wordpress thing, it’s also super easy to import posts from your old free blog if you ever buy hosting or upgrade your plan on wordpress.
Oops, I replied to your question with a little advice and encouragement, but in the wrong place. Check a couple posts down!
I always seem to know within 20 seconds of reading (or in the last case, looking at) a prompt whether or not I’m going to have something for it. This one jumped into my head pretty much all at once.
“Maps and Methodology (or, How To Draw a Map of Faerie)” – http://dreamerinsilico.tumblr.com/post/145533611752/maps-and-methodology-or-how-to-draw-a-map-of
I loved the tone of this. I’m ready for more.
Thank you! Every once in a while my brain gets into “sound like you’re telling the story aloud by the hearth” mode and I just have to do something with it.
Thank you. I enjoyed this.
[…] week’s challenge: must contain a […]
I opted to continue my story from last week. https://mxgomez.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/the-serpents-map-a-chuck-wendig-challenge/
Another good one, and not what I was expecting the physician to be like at all! Think you might try for a third installment next week?
I’m not sure, as a lot of it depends on what the challenge is. I do plan to continue the story on the blog, however. Can’t promise it will be within the week, but definitely soon(ish)!
I love your female character, this is a good one.
I went back and read your piece from last week and then the map piece. Engaging story. I love Vicktoria’s character. And I’m interested to know what happens to Graciano. I hope you’ll continue this.
Viktoria is an intriguing character. Would love to read more about her.
Yup, I’ve been really enjoying this sequence. I’m sure I’m not alone in hoping the next prompt can be worked to follow on.
This week I had several ideas to work with, but they were either too obvious, or I didn’t really like them. I decided then that I didn’t want a traditional map, and explored several options.
In the end I came up with this story, where the map is really different and I preferred to leave many things unsaid.
Here’s Microneural Affirmation Protocol:
https://medium.com/@VicenteLRuiz/microneural-affirmation-protocol-9ca5ceee70ca
I really enjoyed this. An unusual take on the prompt.
Thanks! Happy to hear that, it’s what I was aiming for.
Interesting take. Map could be innocent … or malevolent.
Many thanks. The same goes for Cobb, really… 😉
My map is more in the way of a memoir than fiction …
http://www.bunnyandthebloke.com/blog/flash-fiction-maps
I too hate maps! Lol, I think the story can pass for fiction. Love the voice of the narrator/main character. Made me laugh throughout the story.
Thanks Jade, so glad it made you laugh 🙂
I really liked how you used this prompt in a memoir.
Thanks Lauren, I started several other stories, but they didn’t feel right.
http://itsthesedammedkids.com/index.php/2016/06/07/mapped-out/ Here you go, new site, by the way.
This was touching. (FYI The Twitter link in your footer doesn’t work.)
Thanks, and thanks for pointing out the twitter button failure.
Sometimes, the literal way is a great way to go. Loved your story!
Thanks!
Emotive. Well done. I enjoyed this.
Thanks a bunch.
Loved the prompt. Titled mine, unimaginatively, as “The Map”. It’ll be open to see on Friday (Flash Fiction Friday on my blog): http://wp.me/p6LAko-Il
Page not found. Has it not posted yet?
The link doesn’t work for me either. Sorry
I liked this. I love the “heat,” being from the South. And the little girl being left out from the boys. Well done.
Lovely, great scene-setting that sucked me right in. Wasn’t expecting the ending, either!
Oh my, lovely scene setting and that ending – perfect 🙂
I kind of wanted to do the “bang” one but Life happened. This one was easier:
http://www.ombailamos.com/ombailamos/2016/06/flash-fiction-challenge-map-quest.html
Aww it ended.
Like you, I wanted to do the “bang” one, and I even got the story started, but Life happened lol. I’m glad we both managed to knock out a Map story 😀
I cracked up at your last line. Nicely done!
thanks!
I liked this. We took similar approaches to the prompt. I left a comment on your blog.
Just scheduled mine to post tomorrow. Thanks for the prompt.
[…] for Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction Challenge & Sunday Photo Fiction. Word Count: […]
Did a silly little Tolkien-inspired flash fiction with this prompt. Word Count: 200, and references galore! ~> https://jademwong.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/flash-fiction-lost-in-the-shire/
Thanks for another fun prompt, Chuck!
Tee hee this was cute.
Hee hee thanks! ^_^
Funny! Nice job.
Lovely – it left me smiling 🙂
Then, that is a job well done on my part. I’m glad you left with a smile 🙂
[…] This story came from a prompt on Terrible Minds. […]
The Problem of Annie’s Map http://www.mdflyn.com/the-problem-of-annies-map-original-flash-fiction/ (quick and dirty but feedback welcome)
Great writing, and intriguing story! Definitely want to read more of it.
I love the world-building here; really makes me curious about what the overall situation’s like (other than apparently dismal).
Yes, this exactly, I was right there with them.
I loved this. Really reminded me of The Road, with things seeming to have gone terribly wrong. Great story-telling, and I felt like I could relate to the characters. One suggestion: Turn the questions into ideas or thoughts. So instead of him asking himself “Should I kidnap her?,” he could think, “If I kidnapped her I could get to water.” This just would make it flow better. Questions remind the reader it’s a story instead of pulling them into the world of words.
There were a bunch of places I wanted to fix but I was already over on my words. The temptation to go back is terrible.
It may not be my work, but thank you for the advice. Every little bit of it helps out a newbie 🙂
Maps and Attics: http://www.lpstribling.com/?p=3060
Harlan does not like GPS. Lost and Found. https://laurengreenewrites.com/2016/06/09/lost-and-found/
I like this character, he has a lot of depth.
Thanks! I had a lot of fun with him.
Love it Lauren and aren’t we all cheering for Cheree 🙂
Given mine always ends up in moderation I’m posting this a bit early – it’ll be live on my site around 7pm Thursday EST.
It’s an alien debate about which path to take…
http://jemimapett.com/blog/2016/06/10/fridayflash-fiction-towards-an-exodendrite-nirvana/
Jemima–this led to a page not found page.
Yeah – 7pm Thursday EST….
Well, er, okay, I’m dyslexic too…
http://jemimapett.com/blog/2016/06/10/flashfriday-fiction-towards-an-exodentrite-nirvana/
There’s a typo, that’s why it’s not working. Scroll down to the most recent posts and you get http://jemimapett.com/blog/2016/06/10/flashfriday-fiction-towards-an-exodentrite-nirvana/
Transpose the words friday and flash in that link, please 😉 Should be flashfriday Sigh, that means my tagline won’t work, either. Maybe I should just give up… it’s all getting too much for me. Maybe I just need caffeine and a weekend break?
Hi Jemima, tried that and it still doesn’t seem to work. Hope you’ve had your caffeine 🙂
In a pinch, just search for “nirvana” (a word from the story’s title” on Jemima’s blog. The story should come right up. And it’s totally worth the search!
Chocolate
Good idea…. I also thought of putting a post up with the ‘wrong’ link to redirect…
[…] Must contain a map. That was this week’s challenge over at Chuck Wendig’s Terrible Minds blog. […]
Not overly satisfied and I feel a little like I’ve plagiarised the ending… But here’s in my entry, and on time this week.
https://comradecharlie.wordpress.com/2016/06/09/simple-is-better/
[…] week’s Chuck Wendig challenge was simple: Must contain map. (with extra-awesomeness for making a map) Less than 1000 words. Challenge […]
Here’s my entry: http://runnerskye.ca/flash-fiction-challenge-lost/
Yikes! Nice job!
Thanks!
Must have map? Huzzah! I love drawing maps… thanks for this challenge. Here’s my story (and I made it under the 1000 words this time). At Sun’s End: http://karenjcarlisle.com/2016/06/10/friday-flash-fiction-challenge-at-suns-end/
(and yes, I attached a copy of the map)
Good story. And I love the drawing 🙂
Thank you
Yesss! You made a map! You should get extra credit.
Thanks. I love drawing maps. (too much D&D DM’ing?)
“For Want of a Map.” Just a little tale of a dayhike, in which no characters at any time behave like any real people known to the author. No, they do not.
http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2016/06/flash-fiction-friday-for-want-of-map.html
My map led to “Destiny Falls” …
http://adamhugheswriter.com/destiny-falls/
This was a really good one, the suspense was terrible.
Thanks, M.D. Glad you enjoyed … fun to write.
Enjoying reading everyone’s submissions. First time poster…https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_1NlIJLkkj_Vv68QwPiS0q8EMkVtnPoNhRm35SPSL5U/edit?usp=sharing
Interesting story, but kind of painful. Having once been burgled by someone after a fix, I sort of hope she gets caught.
I gave this one a go, because I’m hoping to get back into writing a little. I went with pirates and mermaids, and maps on the skin. Just a little over 1K words: http://genevievesaint.blogspot.com.au/2016/06/flash-fiction-must-contain-map.html
Oooh I liked this one. The tone is great.
Thank you! I liked the world you set yours in; the POV character worked really well to illuminate it.
This is too late I know but tried to post before and totally blew it. Just glad to have sorted the problem. http://shyandretiring.weebly.com/a-thankless-task.html.
There were some good ones in here, maybe worthy of submission? http://www.sffworld.com/2016/07/call-for-submissions-deadline-extended/