Last night, I had insomnia.
It’s not a usual problem, and I don’t expect it to continue, but last night — it indeed plagued me, and it was the kind that unspooled itself further every time I thought HEY I’M NOT SLEEPING AND I’D SURE LIKE TO SLEEP.
So, I think it’s appropriate to make today’s theme one of INSOMNIA.
Insomnia must figure in your story in some way. Feel free to be flexible or creative in how it applies. In fact, creativity and flexibility are desirable qualities for a fiction writer, mm?
Length: ~1000 words
Due by: July 8th, Friday, noon EST.
Post online somewhere.
Drop a link back here so we can read it.
DON’T SLEEP
GET WRITING
The Writer says:
The muses took me, on this one. (- https://atcrump.com/2016/07/01/the-dissociation-of-mitchell-hurd/ – ) It got kind of creepy, but I like it. Thanks Chuck.
July 1, 2016 — 1:08 PM
Skye says:
Creepy. I liked the stream-of-consciousness.
July 2, 2016 — 11:39 PM
The Writer says:
Thank you. I tried to imitate the thought process of someone succumbing to a dissociation disorder. Seemed like a unique way to tell the story. Thanks again for reading.
July 3, 2016 — 1:39 AM
Dae says:
Once again, I took one look at the prompt this week and immediately had to write something. This was fun!
Here’s my fic, “Liminal Probability”: http://dreamerinsilico.tumblr.com/post/146765949017/liminal-probability-flashfic
July 1, 2016 — 4:11 PM
Elyse says:
I liked this one! You did a great job creating a creepy ambiance.
July 4, 2016 — 4:51 PM
Dae says:
Thank you! I don’t try to do creepy very often, so that makes me happy to hear.
July 5, 2016 — 5:18 AM
Christopher Slagle says:
Lovely writing, and great job portraying the line between reality and “something else” that the MC teeters on.
July 5, 2016 — 10:04 AM
Dae says:
Thank you very much – I’m glad that came through 🙂
July 8, 2016 — 1:22 PM
David W. Blackstone (@DavidWriting) says:
This is an older one, but it immediately sprang to mind when I saw the prompt. It’s called “29h, 41m, 12s” 500w, science fiction. http://www.agincourtdb.com/2014/05/29h-41m-12-s.html
July 1, 2016 — 5:13 PM
Dae says:
I really like this; reading it made me realize how rarely the problems of sleep cycle adjustments ever get addressed in sci-fi.
July 8, 2016 — 1:29 PM
Kristin Mireles (@kristinmireles) says:
I struggled for years with insomnia, so I think I’ll have some fun with this one!
July 1, 2016 — 6:28 PM
Mozette says:
I hear ya! I’m a seasoned insomniac! 😀 Deal with it all the time.
July 1, 2016 — 8:20 PM
Kristin Mireles (@kristinmireles) says:
Things That Go Bump in the Night, Should be the Least of Your Worries
http://mireles-musings.blogspot.com/2016/07/things-that-go-bump-in-night-should-be.html
July 1, 2016 — 9:14 PM
Fred G. Yost says:
Great stuff, but… wow. *shudder*. Yeah.
July 2, 2016 — 2:35 PM
Kristin Mireles (@kristinmireles) says:
Thanks! I started to question my own sanity after writing that one. I guess that’s a good sign?
July 2, 2016 — 3:05 PM
Fred G. Yost says:
Heh, yeah. I felt a bit the same way after mine.
Looking at most of the other stories on here (mine included) I must say, things do not go well for insomniacs in fiction.
July 2, 2016 — 3:10 PM
Mozette says:
Well…. shit…. this is why I don’t like taking sleeping pills.
July 2, 2016 — 10:02 PM
Nick Menz says:
First time posting!
Insomnia is something I deal with all the time. I decided to take a fairy-tale bent on this one. I gave you “Once Upon a Witching Hour.” http://www.nickthewriter.com/2016/07/once-upon-a-witching-hour/#more-431
July 1, 2016 — 7:15 PM
Mozette says:
Never thought of what happened after that. Well-written.
July 2, 2016 — 10:11 PM
Mariah Avix says:
Oh, I don’t do this often, but eep! http://insani-x.com/2016/07/01/s1-15-a-puzzle-piece/ This was inspired by insomnia and finished by a piece of found junk, found on a long walk because of insomnia.
I’m pretty good these days but I used to have pretty serious insomnia.
July 1, 2016 — 7:59 PM
Mozette says:
This was great! 😀
July 2, 2016 — 10:19 PM
Mozette says:
Well… I had fun with this one. It turned into something I didn’t expect – two myths coming together – what fun!
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2016/07/just-before-sunrise.html
July 1, 2016 — 10:32 PM
Kristin Mireles (@kristinmireles) says:
Nice!
July 2, 2016 — 3:40 PM
Mozette says:
Thank you! I really didn’t expect it to turn out the way it did… and I had fun writing it. 😀
July 2, 2016 — 8:04 PM
ellenwells2015 says:
Last night we did the same, just not tired, till we saw the sunrising, I think it was in the stars. Makes for a strange day.
July 1, 2016 — 11:24 PM
Sophie Giroir says:
That was fun. I even did a little research for it.
https://lifeinmyshoesandsometimesout.wordpress.com/2016/07/02/ff-challenge-the-insomnia-project/
July 2, 2016 — 12:12 PM
Fred G. Yost says:
Here’s my go at it. The story just kind of burned it’s way out my brain onto the page.
https://fredgyost.com/2016/07/02/flash-fiction-challenge-chasing-the-things-we-run-from/
July 2, 2016 — 2:11 PM
Kristin Mireles (@kristinmireles) says:
That was sad. Good, but sad. But then again, insomniacs aren’t usually upbeat, cheery types.
July 2, 2016 — 3:36 PM
Fred G. Yost says:
Thanks! Yeah, I noticed most of the early stuff is from insomniacs, and only one story has a good feeling to it.
This almost got titled “Realizing You’re a Minor Character in Someone Else’s Story”, but felt that was a little too on the nose.
July 2, 2016 — 11:46 PM
Mozette says:
That was really good. It had me hanging on every word, wondering what was going until the very end.
July 2, 2016 — 11:04 PM
Fred G. Yost says:
Glad you liked it! Most of my experiences with insomnia (from years back) involve long drives between towns, racing the sunrise. Added in a dash of “This is the Place” by Sims, and what I got was this pulsing, circular things. Fun to write, but draining.
July 2, 2016 — 11:51 PM
Skye Overall says:
Skillful use of stream-of-consciousness and suspense. Enjoyed this one.
July 3, 2016 — 11:39 PM
Pavowski says:
Been a while since I partook.
Here’s “Overtaken,” inspired in part by the upcoming Olympics and a documentary I watched last night about literally insane CrossFit athletes.
https://accidentallyinspired.com/2016/07/03/overtaken/
July 3, 2016 — 2:38 PM
Christopher Slagle says:
Loved reading this, great flow.
July 5, 2016 — 11:30 AM
thisdamkid says:
http://itsthesedammedkids.com/index.php/2016/07/03/fear/ Here’s what I’ve got.
July 3, 2016 — 3:08 PM
Emily Howitt says:
I’ve definitely had insomnia before, so I decided to take a go at this one.
http://emilyhowitt.blogspot.ca/2016/07/night-terrors.html
July 3, 2016 — 4:00 PM
Shyandretiring says:
Enjoyed this, the madness and the unknown.
July 7, 2016 — 4:33 PM
Tim Whitcher says:
Well, I sat the last few out, but I thought I’d let my monkey typewriter theory loose on this one:
http://helveticasindiehorrorstories.blogspot.com/2016/07/insomniac-terrible-minds-writing.html
July 3, 2016 — 9:27 PM
Princess of Dragons says:
This theme tied very well into a tabletop game I’m currently playing in, so there’s a little fiction from my character’s point of view. Enjoyed this one a fair bit 🙂
https://princessofdragons.wordpress.com/2016/07/04/flash-fiction-challenge-insomnia/
July 4, 2016 — 5:51 AM
The Writer says:
Engaging. Is there more?
July 8, 2016 — 1:33 AM
Princess of Dragons says:
As of yet, no, but considering how invested I am in the game, there easily could be 🙂 Glad you liked it!
July 8, 2016 — 4:06 AM
Liz says:
I had a cool idea and then I just blew it. Urgh – my story sucks! https://flowerprincessliz.wordpress.com/2016/07/05/flash-fiction-insomnia/
July 5, 2016 — 5:59 AM
Rebecca Douglass says:
I wouldn’t say it sucks. It needs some work, but the idea is interesting, and the conclusion intriguing.
I hate the pink background on your blog, though. It does weird things to my eyes!
July 7, 2016 — 10:21 PM
Christopher Slagle says:
My story this week may or may not be heavily autobiographical. https://christopherslagle.wordpress.com/2016/07/05/flash-fiction-the-magic-touch
July 5, 2016 — 7:07 AM
Shyandretiring says:
So true, trying not to think about things! (Love the ending)
July 7, 2016 — 4:21 PM
Christopher Slagle says:
Thanks!
July 7, 2016 — 6:03 PM
StarNinja says:
Can’t sleep. Wrote this. Irony? Meh.
https://wormholelesstraveled.wordpress.com/2016/07/05/insomania/
July 5, 2016 — 9:37 AM
The Writer says:
You had me at DeathWorm. Awesome flash. Impressive dialogue exchange. Glad you couldn’t sleep this is great . Is this a part of something bigger?
July 8, 2016 — 1:28 AM
StarNinja says:
It is in fact part of an ongoing series which takes place in the universe of my work in progress novel “Origin”. At some point I’m going to reorganize all of the stories so far into a more readable format but right now the links will have to do. Part one is here for anyone who cares:
https://wormholelesstraveled.wordpress.com/2016/06/12/kconk-kconk/
Thanks for reading and commenting, The Writer 🙂 Now for sleep……
July 9, 2016 — 11:15 AM
M. D. Flyn (@mdflynwriter) says:
QUILTBAG slice of life: Insomnicat http://www.mdflyn.com/insomnicat-original-flash-fiction/
July 5, 2016 — 4:59 PM
Nate Ealy says:
Here’s my go:
https://swallowedbymonsters.wordpress.com/2016/07/05/light-nighttime-reading/
July 5, 2016 — 6:56 PM
Vicente L Ruiz says:
This is my story, “Sleepless”. I decided, as I always try to do, to give it a twist. So this is a… weird insomniac. I also tried to experiement a bit with giving it a tiuch of bitter humour.
https://medium.com/@VicenteLRuiz/sleepless-5fa8f16d161
July 5, 2016 — 7:42 PM
The Writer says:
Entertaining. Almost like a Judd Apatow take on vampirism. Nicely done.
July 8, 2016 — 1:23 AM
Vicente L Ruiz says:
Many thanks, your comment is appreciated.
July 9, 2016 — 5:12 AM
Vicente L Ruiz says:
(I just noticed: “experiment”, “touch”. Sorry!)
July 9, 2016 — 5:13 AM
Shyandretiring says:
Enjoying these shorts! http://www.shyandretiring.weebly.com/too-much-to-ask
(Sorry if it’s not a proper link, still clueless)
July 6, 2016 — 6:03 AM
Christopher Slagle says:
Really enjoyed the main character’s emotional journey underlying the mystery of the upstairs neighbor. Great job!
July 7, 2016 — 5:53 PM
Shyandretiring says:
Thank you, much appreciated.
July 8, 2016 — 5:45 PM
misterangstrom says:
I like your very precise language, the “economy” of your sentences. It’s a little thing, but I love the phrase, “,,,now he’d struck lucky.”
July 9, 2016 — 1:51 PM
Shyandretiring says:
Thank you. I’m still practising so any feedback is very welcome.
July 9, 2016 — 6:21 PM
legreene515 says:
Timely. I had insomnia last night (07/05). I rarely do either. Getting writing.
July 6, 2016 — 5:40 PM
Matthew X. Gomez says:
https://mxgomez.wordpress.com/2016/07/07/no-rest-for-the-righteous-a-chuck-wending-challenge/
I don’t suffer from insomnia, but my wife does. Pretty sure she doesn’t see demons though.
July 7, 2016 — 10:59 AM
Christopher Slagle says:
Very intriguing, and great writing! Feels like it could lead into something larger, too.
July 7, 2016 — 6:01 PM
Matthew X. Gomez says:
Thank you! Yeah, it does have that feel to it. Something to consider, anyway.
July 8, 2016 — 8:30 AM
The Writer says:
It definitely can. I would love to see more of this story. The transition between realities was encapsulating.
July 8, 2016 — 1:18 AM
Matthew X. Gomez says:
Hey there, glad you enjoyed the piece. I really enjoy that liminal moment, and maybe even a bit of confusion if the main character is delusional or not.
July 8, 2016 — 8:31 AM
karen j carlisle says:
Cubicle #6 was inspired by my stay in hospital on 4th July. Not my usual style. I hadn’t slept for two days due to pains in my back and arms. Heart issues were ruled out – pinched nerves, extreme muscle tension. Oh the joy of back issues and anxiety!
http://karenjcarlisle.com/2016/07/08/flash-fiction-friday-cubicle-6/
July 7, 2016 — 9:39 PM
The Writer says:
Interesting. This story made me feel anxious and claustrophobic, as if I were fighting the temptation to sleep myself. Well done.
July 8, 2016 — 1:13 AM
karen j carlisle says:
thank you for the feedback. That is exactly how I was feeling. Glad it came across. This was an exercise outside my comfort zone. Thanks, Chuck.
July 8, 2016 — 3:06 AM
N.O.A. Rawle says:
I got that hospital feeling so clearly. The frustration and resistance were perfectly pitched.
July 11, 2016 — 1:43 AM
karen j carlisle says:
Thanks for the feedback.
July 11, 2016 — 8:36 PM
Rebecca Douglass says:
I decided to play with the terrible tricks our minds can play, making us stay awake when we are finally able to sleep. Being me, I made it humorous and put my old pal, Xavier Xanthum, Space Explorer, in a tricky spot.
http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2016/07/friday-flash-sleep.html
July 7, 2016 — 10:17 PM
Thomas Diehl says:
I skipped a lot of these challenges, but this time I got one again. So yeah, an insomniac utopia and the dystopia necessary to sustain it. I had no idea how dark this would get when I put down the first line. SF, somewhat on the short end: http://en.thomasdiehl.eu/?p=160
July 8, 2016 — 9:55 AM
misterangstrom says:
Here is my story. I am new, here, and my WordPress blog is new, so let me know if something doesn’t work right. I also went a little bit over the 1000 word thing, but this thing was actually twice as long to start with, so I did what I could. https://misterangstrom.wordpress.com/2016/07/08/insomnia/
July 8, 2016 — 10:38 AM
Shyandretiring says:
Loved this. Different angle, and loved the writing.
July 9, 2016 — 11:49 AM
misterangstrom says:
Thanks! I appreciate your comments!
July 9, 2016 — 1:32 PM
N.O.A.Rawle says:
Here’s my offering: Night’s End
http://noarawle.blogspot.gr/2016/07/chuck-wendigs-flash-fiction-challenge.html
July 8, 2016 — 11:09 AM
HB McCarthy says:
Just slightly past the deadline…but here it is. My current WIP has a theme of insomnia running through it, so this is sort of an excerpt from that:
http://theawkwardpterodactyl.blogspot.com/2016/07/flash-fiction-friday-insomnia.html
July 8, 2016 — 12:15 PM