Flash Fiction Challenge: This Time, I Pick The Lyric
Okay, last week, you got to pick a song lyric you really liked, and you wrote a story based on that bit of song poetry. Right? Right.
Cool.
This week, I’m giving you the lyric.
It’s from Sza’s “Drew Barrymore.”
The lyric in question is this line, the opening line the song:
“Why is it so hard to accept the party is over?”
The song has a lot of great lines, but that’s the one we’re going with. Take from it whatever inspiration you choose. Base a theme on it. Make it literal or figurative. Any genre will do.
Length: ~1000 words
Due by: Friday, January 26th, noon EST
(Note: I’m gone next Friday so there may not be a flash fiction challenge. Lately I’ve been getting a WordPress error when I try to schedule posts, and they don’t actually show up when they’re scheduled? I assume a variety pack of gremlins is to blame.)
Post at your online space.
Give us that sweet sweet link.
Go write.
emily Miles
January 19, 2018 at 8:27 AM //
*Sits down, cracks knuckles*
*Pauses*
*Cracks Neck*
*pauses*
*Cracks your knuckles and/or neck*
Ok. Let’s get this party started.
P.J. Cherubino
January 19, 2018 at 9:28 AM //
Thanks, Chuck. I’m enjoying these challenges and also the exposure to new (to me) music.
The Urban Spaceman
January 19, 2018 at 9:31 AM //
I call this one, A Better Party. 988 words exactly! https://theurbanspaceman.net/2018/01/19/a-better-party-flash-fiction/
legreene515
January 25, 2018 at 2:32 PM //
Really well done. I liked how you used the prompt. Sad and happy all at once.
Mark Gardner
January 19, 2018 at 10:00 AM //
I went a little overboard at 2150 words, but since chuck is gonna be gone next week, a double dose makes sense…
https://article94.com/2018/01/19/interruptions/
The Urban Spaceman
January 19, 2018 at 2:04 PM //
It may be over the count, but awesomely so! I think it’s great how well your writing had developed… and I thought you were an amazing writer back when we were finishing each other’s flash fiction prompt stories! 😮 Don’t mind saying that I’m a little envious of that first chapter you have there. It’s slick and polished to perfection. And the way you establish the character’s back-story… it’s like I’ve read it in a novel already!
Mark Gardner
January 22, 2018 at 4:53 PM //
Thanks, TUS. I’ve had my share of being envious of you work too, so let’s keep writing and improving! As an aside, Score of Silence (the first novel in the series,) will be out the first quarter of this year, published by Amber Cove! Shoot me an email if you’d like to read an ARC.
The Writer
January 19, 2018 at 5:48 PM //
Noir anyone? https://atcrump.com/2018/01/19/luke-benson-p-i-episode-1-green/ –>>Enjoy!
legreene515
January 25, 2018 at 2:46 PM //
Some great lines in that story. I’m interested to read the next installment!
The Writer
January 25, 2018 at 2:52 PM //
The next two parts are already up. Every Tuesday and Thursday until the story’s done. —> https://atcrump.com/2018/01/23/luke-benson-p-i-episode-2-thumbs/<-
Enjoy! and I hope that you stay tuned. Thanks again!
legreene515
January 26, 2018 at 9:22 AM //
Thanks! I’ll read them.
Mozette
January 19, 2018 at 9:10 PM //
https://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2018/01/the-party-is-over.html
Mine’s over a little too – to make up for next week as week. 😀
enjoy.
Miri Baker
January 19, 2018 at 9:28 PM //
I’ve been incredibly unhappy with my productivity lately, and I took this as a sign. And you know what? It was really fun, and I feel better. So thanks, y’all.
https://miribaker.com/2018/01/19/flash-fiction-why-is-it-so-hard-to-accept-that-the-partys-over/
YourFriendlyNeighborhoodSpidey
January 19, 2018 at 10:53 PM //
Hi!
First-time commenter, long-time lurker. I just graduated, though, so hopefully I’ll have time to participate regularly.
YourFriendlyNeighborhoodSpidey
January 22, 2018 at 11:24 AM //
Here’s my story: your friendly neighborhood Spidey.blogspot.com/2018/01/30.html
legreene515
January 25, 2018 at 3:14 PM //
I couldn’t get your blog to pull up. Try posting it with the http or https. Even when I copy and pasted I got an error.
Frédéric Meurin
January 22, 2018 at 11:42 AM //
Okay, I tried something : combining both themes from your challenge and The Writing Cooperative’s one.
Hope you’ll like it. Forgive my English, though !
https://medium.com/@Frederic_Meurin/the-partys-over-7438e21c2a3c
legreene515
January 25, 2018 at 3:19 PM //
I’m sitting over here in Alabama watching our democracy fall apart. Democracy works in theory, right? But does it work in real life? And what if it’s not a true Democracy like ours (Democratic Republic). I think our Democracy is tainted the most by capitalism. Praise to the almighty dollar. I loved your piece. Thanks for posting. I wish I could respond on your actual blog but I have a problem with my Medium account!
Sarah Elkins
January 22, 2018 at 5:16 PM //
I managed to make something! I hope you enjoy this short!
http://shortstoriesinprogress.blogspot.com/2018/01/flash-fiction-challenge-from.html
legreene515
January 25, 2018 at 3:32 PM //
I loved this. I left a comment on your blog too.
Sarah Elkins
January 25, 2018 at 3:34 PM //
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it and I managed to preserve the mystery in the story until the end! 😀
Sam Brady
January 24, 2018 at 7:27 PM //
998 words of classic sword-and-sorcery fantasy goodness. Please to enjoy!
https://sambrady.wordpress.com/2018/01/24/chuck-wendig-three-for-the-road/
Anne Bohannon
January 25, 2018 at 3:18 PM //
A lovely fantasy bar scene.
The Urban Spaceman
January 26, 2018 at 6:44 AM //
Your story gave me an awesome idea for a story concept… hopefully I’ll get a prompt soon that’ll let me try it out. If not, I might just write it anyway 😀
Sam Brady
January 26, 2018 at 7:07 AM //
Glad to be of service! Good luck!
Vicente L Ruiz
January 25, 2018 at 6:56 AM //
I started by considering the party wasn’t a real party and somehow ended up with… an odd crime story, clocking in at 1000 and change words.
Here’s Self-control: https://medium.com/@VicenteLRuiz/self-control-5cf5766b949
Carla Robertson
January 26, 2018 at 6:13 AM //
I really enjoyed this one. Thanks!
Vicente L Ruiz
January 26, 2018 at 7:54 AM //
Thank you. I just replied to yours over on medium.
The Urban Spaceman
January 26, 2018 at 6:50 AM //
Great story! I tried to clap you, but Medium doesn’t like me. In fact, yours is the only Medium-hosted story I’ve been able to access, so far. I really enjoyed the mystery and the suspense, and the whole secret society vibe. You should make this into television!
Vicente L Ruiz
January 26, 2018 at 7:34 AM //
Whoa, thank you. I don’t know that I’d be able to pitch this (or anything else!) as a TV series of any kind… 😉
I think Medium requires you to sign in If you want to clap or answer. It also has audience settings; it’s easy to hit the wrong button and set a story as private instead of public.
The Urban Spaceman
January 26, 2018 at 7:37 AM //
Well, it’s definitely my kinda TV-thing (not that I watch much TV) so I’d be there if your story made it to the little screen.
Carla
January 25, 2018 at 7:02 AM //
This was pretty challenging, but fun. Thanks Chuck!
https://medium.com/@carlarobertsonwriter/progress-3ffa47e44f21
Vicente L Ruiz
January 26, 2018 at 7:55 AM //
Your story is really powerful in its depiction of the characters. And then that ending. Fantastic!
Carla Robertson
January 26, 2018 at 8:16 AM //
So glad you enjoyed it. I found it to be very challenging to have the narrator and audience, but not the character, realize that the party was over. I really liked the way you tackled that aspect as well. Cheers.
Sophie Austin
January 25, 2018 at 9:52 AM //
863 words, my story is called ‘A Good 57’ : https://sophie-writes.com/2018/01/25/flash-fiction-challenge-why-is-it-so-hard-to-accept-when-the-partys-over/
Anne Bohannon
January 25, 2018 at 10:12 AM //
Happy National Irish Coffee Day. Drink up.
Autocorrect originally changed that phrase to “drunk up,” which, I believe, still gets the point across.
https://wp.me/p9hOCx-du
legreene515
January 26, 2018 at 1:59 PM //
Interesting take on the prompt. I left you a comment on your website.
legreene515
January 25, 2018 at 2:16 PM //
When a party probably should be over! (Unrequited Love). https://laurengreenewrites.com/2018/01/25/party-over/
Anne Bohannon
January 26, 2018 at 10:39 AM //
Bittersweet! Nice job!
legreene515
January 26, 2018 at 12:37 PM //
Thanks for reading, Anne!
mdflyn
January 25, 2018 at 6:47 PM //
Why Is It so Hard to Accept the Party Is Over? by M D Flyn http://mdflyn.com/2018/01/25/party-is-over-original-flash-fiction/
Squeezed under the wire. I haven’t posted a new story since September and boy is it nice to think I haven’t lost my spark.
Emily Miles
January 25, 2018 at 10:26 PM //
775 words. This isn’t precisely a story, but more of a scene.I somehow took away the idea of a party and got a post apocalypse. Oops? https://www.tumblr.com/blog/sketchystormwritesgarbo
Diedra Blackmill
January 25, 2018 at 11:58 PM //
Exposed Roots, published on my blog. http://www.diedrablackmill.com/2018/01/26/exposed-roots/
Be kind. I’m rusty.
Andrea Kowaleski
January 26, 2018 at 10:09 AM //
Here’s my first ever attempt at writing flash fiction. I hope it doesn’t suck! https://moodynewts.wordpress.com/2018/01/26/chuck-wendig-flash-fiction-challenge/
Bryan
January 26, 2018 at 12:04 PM //
Party
https://bryanaiello.com/2018/01/26/party/