Flash Fiction Challenge: Create Your Own Monster
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.
March 10, 2017 @ 1:17 PM
Here’s a piece of flash fiction I wrote a while back that I think might fit. It’s under “Work.”
March 10, 2017 @ 2:14 PM
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.
March 10, 2017 @ 3:11 PM
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/
March 16, 2017 @ 12:20 PM
I love this!!
March 16, 2017 @ 1:26 PM
Thank you!
March 10, 2017 @ 3:28 PM
https://caroljforrester.com/2017/03/10/curious-things-rotten-places/
March 10, 2017 @ 3:29 PM
Here’s one from a middle grade story I’m playing with. https://bpdstoryblog.wordpress.com/2017/03/10/pecunious-cloaked-ch-1-unedited/
March 10, 2017 @ 3:37 PM
Little Things – ~470 words
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12zQlHpVEkkhkLnOv-QE0d3cZyV_odnrmFQekSVWSu-s/edit?usp=sharing
March 13, 2017 @ 8:42 AM
Very surreal!
March 10, 2017 @ 6:11 PM
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!
March 10, 2017 @ 11:20 PM
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/the-demon-host-and-vinyls.html
enjoy!
March 13, 2017 @ 11:34 AM
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) 😛
March 14, 2017 @ 8:52 AM
Aaahh… thanks for the pick-up. I’ll correct it. 🙂
March 11, 2017 @ 7:07 AM
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/
Thank you Terrible Minds | Wynwords's Weblog
March 11, 2017 @ 9:59 AM
[…] 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 […]
March 11, 2017 @ 4:34 PM
Basically, I took the thing that terrifies me and created my monster.
https://lifeinmyshoesandsometimesout.wordpress.com/2017/03/11/memory-thief/
March 11, 2017 @ 4:41 PM
**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.
March 16, 2017 @ 12:51 PM
Fantastic!
March 17, 2017 @ 9:41 AM
Great story. Loved every word!
March 11, 2017 @ 11:03 PM
My monster…the worst of them all. https://scotchfullyyours.wordpress.com/2017/03/11/game-master/
March 15, 2017 @ 8:27 PM
Excellent! I thought I was reading about a CEO or an operations manager until I got to the water pockets.
March 16, 2017 @ 1:17 PM
Thanks! Much appreciated.
March 16, 2017 @ 1:00 PM
This is soooooooo good!!
March 16, 2017 @ 1:18 PM
Thanks! I was a bit worried at the offense some might take, but I’m really happy with how it turned out.
March 17, 2017 @ 1:16 PM
Psst! Did ya see today’s Flash Fiction Challenge? 😉
March 17, 2017 @ 9:48 AM
Wonderful! Very clever.
March 17, 2017 @ 1:14 PM
You’re too kind, sir.
March 12, 2017 @ 9:49 AM
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.
March 12, 2017 @ 12:35 PM
This is something a bit older – “the problem with magic” (here: https://thestoryhive.wordpress.com/2016/03/28/the-problem-with-magic/)
You never know when it’s going to get you. [Flash Fiction] – ADAN RAMIE
March 12, 2017 @ 1:54 PM
[…] I couldn’t help but write to a prompt Chuck posted. And now it’s happened again. This one […]
March 12, 2017 @ 1:55 PM
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/
March 16, 2017 @ 4:19 PM
What a fun monster! tee hee!
March 19, 2017 @ 9:46 AM
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.
March 12, 2017 @ 5:10 PM
In 862 words, I give you: The Cannileech
https://theurbanspaceman.net/2017/03/12/the-cannileech-flash-fiction/
March 14, 2017 @ 10:25 PM
I like the format and the complexity of this piece. This is worthy of a Grimm episode.
March 16, 2017 @ 4:11 PM
This is fantastic! A quick read because of the style but lacking nothing. I love it!
March 16, 2017 @ 4:55 PM
Thanks! I’m working real hard on saying more by writing less. Glad to know it worked in this case! 🙂
March 13, 2017 @ 7:18 AM
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
March 13, 2017 @ 11:57 AM
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.
March 13, 2017 @ 6:29 PM
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.)
March 13, 2017 @ 12:08 PM
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.
March 14, 2017 @ 10:31 PM
I like your story. Well done.
March 15, 2017 @ 7:55 PM
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.
March 15, 2017 @ 8:53 PM
Thank you. I thought your story was complex and deep; I like that stuff.
March 16, 2017 @ 4:31 PM
Very cool!
March 17, 2017 @ 10:01 AM
This was great. Anytime there’s a legion approach in something, I’m in.
March 17, 2017 @ 12:18 PM
Of all the stories posted for this prompt, this one is definitely my favorite.
March 20, 2017 @ 10:10 AM
Cheers Cameron.
March 18, 2017 @ 1:47 AM
Ooh! Good one!
The Darkling Wakes | The Penultimate Universe
March 13, 2017 @ 12:23 PM
[…] 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 […]
March 13, 2017 @ 12:25 PM
I’ve used an excerpt from my current WIP for this challenge. Enjoy!
https://penultimateuniverse.wordpress.com/2017/03/13/the-darkling-wakes/
March 13, 2017 @ 1:32 PM
Will astronauts ever learn not to go opening canisters they find in space?
March 14, 2017 @ 6:42 AM
I guess they never learn but as long as they do, it should still make for exciting stories! 🙂
March 13, 2017 @ 10:21 PM
Monster for Hire, A Button Man Story
There’s more than one monster out there…
https://medium.com/@SusanBCogan/monster-for-hire-bd539e84f0d#.4l2jfm1bk
March 14, 2017 @ 10:37 PM
Problem-Solution situation well played.
March 14, 2017 @ 1:14 PM
I could only muster a poem-monster: https://cadmiumdiamond.wordpress.com/2017/03/14/flashy-poem-monster/
March 16, 2017 @ 5:05 PM
But well mustered, and funly done! That’s definitely no frail deed you’ve achieved.
March 17, 2017 @ 9:07 AM
Thank you!
March 14, 2017 @ 1:44 PM
An old idea, that was brought back to life. Enjoy!
https://atcrump.com/2017/03/14/the-night-that-stood-the-longest/
Thomas Diehl writes: Predator of Flame
March 14, 2017 @ 7:00 PM
[…] 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 […]
March 14, 2017 @ 7:06 PM
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
March 14, 2017 @ 7:36 PM
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
This Rough Beast | Curious Hart
March 15, 2017 @ 10:29 AM
[…] http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2017/03/10/flash-fiction-challenge-create-your-own-monster/ […]
March 15, 2017 @ 10:32 AM
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/
March 16, 2017 @ 5:08 PM
Nicely done! A very powerful and punchy piece.
What Writing Poems and Short Stories Taught Me About Novels – The Sword and the Keyboard
March 15, 2017 @ 12:11 PM
[…] 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 […]
Chuck Wendig: Burn | Writing The Egg 2.0
March 15, 2017 @ 7:49 PM
[…] 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 […]
March 15, 2017 @ 8:10 PM
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/
March 15, 2017 @ 10:23 PM
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
March 16, 2017 @ 1:28 PM
LOVE this!
March 16, 2017 @ 4:19 PM
Thank YOU!!!!
March 16, 2017 @ 5:27 PM
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.
March 16, 2017 @ 6:23 PM
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!!
March 17, 2017 @ 3:14 PM
Very creepy. I wouldn’t say it was cheesy at all.
March 17, 2017 @ 5:06 PM
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!
March 15, 2017 @ 11:39 PM
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
March 16, 2017 @ 10:35 AM
Great story. What is an WOC?
March 16, 2017 @ 11:25 AM
Woman Of Color. And thanks!
March 16, 2017 @ 5:37 PM
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! 😛
March 17, 2017 @ 1:15 PM
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.)
March 16, 2017 @ 8:56 AM
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/
March 16, 2017 @ 1:09 PM
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
March 16, 2017 @ 5:29 PM
“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. 😛
March 17, 2017 @ 12:20 AM
Wouldn’t you know it, the post got approved too soon! It’s live now 🙂
March 17, 2017 @ 4:39 AM
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 🙁
March 17, 2017 @ 1:53 PM
This is fantastic!!
March 17, 2017 @ 8:00 PM
Thank you!
March 18, 2017 @ 11:34 AM
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)
March 16, 2017 @ 7:09 PM
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
March 17, 2017 @ 2:03 PM
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.
April 6, 2017 @ 3:49 AM
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).
March 16, 2017 @ 8:18 PM
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
March 17, 2017 @ 8:01 PM
I’m loving this story.
March 17, 2017 @ 1:56 AM
My first piece. I just started this week because I saw this challenge. Enjoy “Shattered”.
https://intermittentanecdotes.wordpress.com/2017/03/17/shattered/
March 17, 2017 @ 6:52 AM
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/
March 17, 2017 @ 9:18 AM
This was a ton of fun to write. Look out for… Torrent!
http://www.jwmartin.com/writing/torrent-a-flash-fiction-story/
March 17, 2017 @ 12:48 PM
Well, I won’t be feeling my usual calm when I hang out by our pond for a while. 😀
March 17, 2017 @ 10:34 AM
http://www.xtinamorris.com/monster/
first draft! Thanks for the idea!
The Hemadip: Wendig Challenge | Mangled Latin
March 17, 2017 @ 11:40 AM
[…] 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. […]
March 17, 2017 @ 11:40 AM
Right under the wire. Keep your eyes peeled for hemadips.
https://cameronamount.wordpress.com/2017/03/17/the-hemadip-wendig-challenge/
March 17, 2017 @ 1:08 PM
Clever and creepy!
March 17, 2017 @ 3:05 PM
Thanks!
March 17, 2017 @ 7:39 PM
This is late, late, late, but I hope someone reads it and likes it anyway. Here goes: http://runnerskye.ca/beware-hydrobeast-part-2/
March 20, 2017 @ 11:40 AM
I read it! I liked it!