Today, a challenge to you:
I want you to come up with your own monster.
Not a vampire, not a werewolf, not a Loch Ness serpent or a Chupacabra. Something new. Something uniquely yours.
You will create this creature and give it life inside a piece of flash fiction.
Name it. Think about it in context of its environment. Make it a character all its own. You can write something horror, fantasy, sci-fi, or if you wanna take it for a more literary or literal spin, do so. It’s your monster. Take it for a walk where you want to walk it.
Story length: ~1500 words
Due by: Friday, 3/17, noon EST
Post at your online space.
Give us a link back here.
CREATE YOUR MONSTER.
104 responses to “Flash Fiction Challenge: Create Your Own Monster”
Here’s a piece of flash fiction I wrote a while back that I think might fit. It’s under “Work.”
I was going to ask permission to use a human who acts like a monster. Then I said fuck it, I don’t need permission, it’s my monster. Stand by.
Here’s the monster from the middle grade book I’m writing. I ripped chapter one right from the unedited manuscript, so please pardon all the typos and inconsistencies. https://bpdstoryblog.wordpress.com/2017/03/10/pecunious-cloaked-ch-1-unedited/
I love this!!
Thank you!
https://caroljforrester.com/2017/03/10/curious-things-rotten-places/
Here’s one from a middle grade story I’m playing with. https://bpdstoryblog.wordpress.com/2017/03/10/pecunious-cloaked-ch-1-unedited/
Little Things – ~470 words
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12zQlHpVEkkhkLnOv-QE0d3cZyV_odnrmFQekSVWSu-s/edit?usp=sharing
Very surreal!
Maybe not as monstrous as you’d hoped, but I’d like for you all to meet the rock-eaters.
https://dcxli.wordpress.com/2017/03/10/the-rock-eaters/
Let me know what you think!
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/the-demon-host-and-vinyls.html
enjoy!
Fun take on the prompt, and very unique! Those demons always make it to the best gigs. -__- One tiny niggle…. it’s all about the bass (not base) 😛
Aaahh… thanks for the pick-up. I’ll correct it. 🙂
Here’s a monster for ya – and scary like hell it is: The Grim Reaper.
http://jaxlogan.com/index.php/2017/03/11/grim-reaper/
[…] Had a great date night with the boy child, and I owe it to Chuck Wendig. I get notifications in my email on blog posts by the author, Chuck Wendig. I love his blog, it’s funny, real and NSFW. Yesterday, he posted a flash fiction challenge ( which he does most Fridays) and you can find it here […]
Basically, I took the thing that terrifies me and created my monster.
https://lifeinmyshoesandsometimesout.wordpress.com/2017/03/11/memory-thief/
**I did no research for this. It’s possible it’s completely impossible. Also…My grandmother was just diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, so lately that’s been on my mind.
Fantastic!
Great story. Loved every word!
My monster…the worst of them all. https://scotchfullyyours.wordpress.com/2017/03/11/game-master/
Excellent! I thought I was reading about a CEO or an operations manager until I got to the water pockets.
Thanks! Much appreciated.
This is soooooooo good!!
Thanks! I was a bit worried at the offense some might take, but I’m really happy with how it turned out.
Psst! Did ya see today’s Flash Fiction Challenge? 😉
Wonderful! Very clever.
You’re too kind, sir.
Great idea! I wish I could participate, but I’m off on vacation for the next 10 days. Please keep this stuff coming, I love your stuff.
This is something a bit older – “the problem with magic” (here: https://thestoryhive.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/the-problem-with-magic/)
[…] I couldn’t help but write to a prompt Chuck posted. And now it’s happened again. This one […]
You’ve heard of the love bug, but no one has ever seen it like this before. http://adanramie.com/you-never-know-when-its-going-to-get-you-flash-fiction/
What a fun monster! tee hee!
I thought so too, Tsara. Imagine a world in which everyone had a taste of what they fear – what a happy place it would be.
In 862 words, I give you: The Cannileech
https://theurbanspaceman.net/2017/03/12/the-cannileech-flash-fiction/
I like the format and the complexity of this piece. This is worthy of a Grimm episode.
This is fantastic! A quick read because of the style but lacking nothing. I love it!
Thanks! I’m working real hard on saying more by writing less. Glad to know it worked in this case! 🙂
Hey, Chuck. Here’s a link to William Walker’s idea, ‘use a human who acts like a monster’. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ND473OS
I’m new here. Please explain what it means what it says to post on your on line space. I’m just starting to write after many years of putting it aside and have never worked with an on line group.
Post a story on your own personal blog. From the URL bar, copy the link from your published blog post, and paste it into the comments section here.
Be warned, this isn’t a group. It’s a chaotic, mania-induced FFA. You might get some reads, maybe some likes and a few comments, but you won’t get solid crits. If you’re looking to ‘work with’ a group for genuine feedback and crit, you’d be better looking around writing forums and buddying up/mentoring/script-swapping with like-minded folks (the people around here are crazy.)
Couple of false starts that ended up in dead ends. Didn’t know where this puppy was going to go, but kinda like where it did. Hope you do too. http://grahamwho.com/grahamwrites/2017/03/13/flash-fiction-serenity/ Now off to read yours.
I like your story. Well done.
Thanks, Curious. Had to read yours twice. Either it’s too deep for me, or I’m too stupid for it. But hey, like i said, I read it twice.
Thank you. I thought your story was complex and deep; I like that stuff.
Very cool!
This was great. Anytime there’s a legion approach in something, I’m in.
Of all the stories posted for this prompt, this one is definitely my favorite.
Cheers Cameron.
Ooh! Good one!
[…] This story is and extract from my current work in progress and also, my entry to Chuck Wendig’s latest Flash Fiction, Short Story Challenge. Details of which you can find here […]
I’ve used an excerpt from my current WIP for this challenge. Enjoy!
https://penultimateuniverse.wordpress.com/2017/03/13/the-darkling-wakes/
Will astronauts ever learn not to go opening canisters they find in space?
I guess they never learn but as long as they do, it should still make for exciting stories! 🙂
Monster for Hire, A Button Man Story
There’s more than one monster out there…
https://medium.com/@SusanBCogan/monster-for-hire-bd539e84f0d#.4l2jfm1bk
Problem-Solution situation well played.
I could only muster a poem-monster: https://cadmiumdiamond.wordpress.com/2017/03/14/flashy-poem-monster/
But well mustered, and funly done! That’s definitely no frail deed you’ve achieved.
Thank you!
An old idea, that was brought back to life. Enjoy!
https://atcrump.com/2017/03/14/the-night-that-stood-the-longest/
[…] not skip on my promise to continue the series on game writing on Wednesday, yet Chuck Wendig has a challenge out to which I actually want to post a response. So you get both. Lucky you. Short note: I consider […]
Finally a use for an old concept of mine. The Predator of Fire turned out more creepy than scary, but it does fit the monster monicker nicely.
http://en.thomasdiehl.eu/?p=352
Here’s one that my son wrote a while back. I love this excuse–errrrr, good reason — to share it!
Summary: Lieutenant James Harwood is sick of sitting around doing paperwork and wants to go chase bad guys. However, when the danger comes to him, hunting clues might be what kills him. Or worse….
Tonight You Die; Tomorrow You Wake by Shay Shelton
https://www.inkitt.com/stories/horror/41190?ref=v_1f4687da-5dd5-41d1-a685-a5ae7d02d5ad&utm_source=shared_web
[…] http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2017/03/10/flash-fiction-challenge-create-your-own-monster/ […]
Here is my story (446 words). It is a faithful retelling of what Trevor told me.
https://curioushart.wordpress.com/2017/03/15/this-rough-beast/
Nicely done! A very powerful and punchy piece.
[…] great way to practice is to take part in Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction Challenges every Friday. Or you could create/join a local writer’s group. Or you could seek readers out […]
[…] week’s Chuck Wendig challenge is Create Your Own Monster. We had to come up with a monster and write about it for up to 1,500 words. I remembered I had […]
I realized that I created a pretty cool monster last year when we did a genre mashup here, so I am bringing back my Southern Gothic/Kaiju fire-breathing possum. The story is called “Burn”. Please to enjoy.
https://sambrady.wordpress.com/2017/03/15/chuck-wendig-burn/
Here’s my story. My word count is a bit high (1,670), sorry about that. But according to my son the ending is pretty good. When I asked if it was spooky he said, “Not really. It’s kind of cheesy.” But, you know, he did say the ending was pretty good. Wait, could he have meant that it was good that it ended? Yikes!
I hope you like cheesy monster stories with endings!
Lonely Spirit: http://autismanswersbytsara.blogspot.com/2017/03/short-story-lonely-spirit-flash-fiction.html
LOVE this!
Thank YOU!!!!
Very well written, and very sad! I liked that we don’t ever see the tree man ourselves, we only see him through a mother’s longing, a little boy’s imagination, and an errant drawing. Sometimes the best (worst) monsters are the ones we never see with our own eyes.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I admit to loving scary movies but I rarely read and never write spooky stories. So I almost didn’t bother trying this challenge. But when I heard myself avoiding a challenge because it was a challenge, well, I had to laugh at myself and then give it a try!
I truly appreciate the comments.
Hugs!!
Very creepy. I wouldn’t say it was cheesy at all.
Thank you! Actually, it gave my mom nightmares and I had to talk her down last night. So she didn’t think it was cheesy either. tee hee!
Sometimes we are the monsters. And no, this is not a zombie/monster story where humans are terrible. I think we’ve seen those before. Story fuel by anger and red wine. 😛
http://racheldpanda.tumblr.com/post/158461160423/gringita-feminism-or-how-white-feminists-are
Great story. What is an WOC?
Woman Of Color. And thanks!
Aww, sorry to hear about your job! 🙁 Horrible human beings come in all shapes, sizes, genders and colours, but it stings even worse when such meanness comes from someone who ought to be in your corner. Hope the red wine managed to make you feel a little better, at least, and that your story was some small catharsis! 😛
This one is sadly recognizable and familiar. (Also, sorry about the loss of your work. I hope writing this story gave you a helpful release.)
My monster is a human who becomes the little voice in your head. The fucking nagging nasty voice. I’ve met and defeated a few in my time, but this one is mor epowerful. After the intro in French, at http://www.campagnonades.com/fiction-un-monstre/
My monster just *might* be metaphorical. The story will go live this afternoon, probably before this comment gets approved.
http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2017/03/flash-fiction-friday-create-your-own.html
“Sorry, the page you were looking for in this blog does not exist.” My god, that’s the worst monster I’ve ever seen; the monster of a blank/missing page! 🙁
I’m guessing the story hasn’t gone live yet. Will check back tomorrow. 😛
Wouldn’t you know it, the post got approved too soon! It’s live now 🙂
I posted mine last night, just after midnight my time, but it’s still waiting for approval this morning. That’s not a complaint, Chuck – we’re just trying to work out how best to deal with your spam filter 🙁
This is fantastic!!
Thank you!
Let’s see if Blogger recognises me as human today!
Great story, and I loved the very old-world, scientific zeitgeist. I can picture Mr. Archibald. D. Jones as a Victorian-era explorer, full of his own pomp and grandeur, believing that a superior mind can overcome any adversity. An unexpected style, but very enjoyable!
(Note: Blogger did not recognise me as human today)
I’m completely out of my comfort zone with this one. I almost couldn’t make it. Then I chose a children-story-like approach that somehow took a bitter twist. Here’s Azad:
https://medium.com/@VicenteLRuiz/azad-5bec6418fba2#.pg1tyf87m
I like it! The children-story approach makes it a quick read and the seeking of what “Monster” means is a fun take on the theme.
Many thanks! I thought it would look child-like, while at the same time touching on deeper themes… Something I usually don’t pull off.
(Sorry to answer so late, I missed your comment completely).
Mine should go live in ten minutes, so with any luck it’ll just fit neatly with the approval process 🙂
A strange sort of monster, but one all of my own …
http://jemimapett.com/blog/2017/03/17/fridayflash-fiction-the-monster-at-the-gates-of-hell
I’m loving this story.
My first piece. I just started this week because I saw this challenge. Enjoy “Shattered”.
https://intermittentanecdotes.wordpress.com/2017/03/17/shattered/
Thought I’d have a second go at this one, a bit of a laugh. http://grahamwho.com/grahamwrites/2017/03/17/flash-fiction-shit-monster/
This was a ton of fun to write. Look out for… Torrent!
http://www.jwmartin.com/writing/torrent-a-flash-fiction-story/
Well, I won’t be feeling my usual calm when I hang out by our pond for a while. 😀
http://www.xtinamorris.com/monster/
first draft! Thanks for the idea!
[…] This week’s challenge was to create a monster. I’m not sure the hemadip I’ve created counts, at least not in the story here, which, let’s be honest, is not really a story so much as some sort of glorified Wikipedia entry. I had a hard time with this prompt. Next time you come across a leech in the wild, I hope this little vignette crosses your mind. […]
Right under the wire. Keep your eyes peeled for hemadips.
https://cameronamount.wordpress.com/2017/03/17/the-hemadip-wendig-challenge/
Clever and creepy!
Thanks!
This is late, late, late, but I hope someone reads it and likes it anyway. Here goes: http://runnerskye.ca/beware-hydrobeast-part-2/
I read it! I liked it!