Here’s the challenge this week:
I want you to take the title of one of the following Stephen King books, and write a short story based on it. The trick is, your story should be entirely different — you’re divorcing the title from the novel from whence it came, and writing Your Own Damn Thing. (Bonus points if you assume an entirely different genre — not horror at all.)
Get it? Got it? Good.
Choose a title randomly (random.org) or just pick.
1. The Stand
2. Mr. Mercedes
3. Under the Dome
4. The Shining
5. The Colorado Kid
6. The Talisman
7. The Dead Zone
8. Desperation
9. Bag of Bones
10. The Dark Half
Length: ~1000 words
Due by: Friday, April 13th (oh shit!), noon EST
Write at your online space.
Give us a link below.
Go steal a title.
legreene515 says:
The Dark Half
https://laurengreenewrites.com/2018/04/06/the-dark-half/
April 6, 2018 — 5:54 PM
Mozette says:
Nice! I like this one! had me guessing all the way to the end! 😀
April 9, 2018 — 8:57 AM
legreene515 says:
Thank you. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
April 9, 2018 — 11:47 AM
grahamwrites says:
Like it. Love stories of dual personality, especially where one doesn’t know about the other.
April 12, 2018 — 6:08 PM
legreene515 says:
Thanks Graham!
April 13, 2018 — 12:42 PM
magicquill17 says:
Ooh. This was quite interesting.
April 13, 2018 — 10:05 AM
legreene515 says:
Thank you for reading!
April 13, 2018 — 12:42 PM
magicquill17 says:
Pleasure 🙂
April 14, 2018 — 3:52 AM
JC Hess says:
Oh, perhaps the irony of it all: Just now such a writing exercise is not possible because. . . of deadlines. To quote The Great American Philosopher, Homer J. Simpson: D’oh!
Seriously, I will pursue this challenge when time allows. Until then: Nice to meet you.
April 6, 2018 — 7:38 PM
Mozette says:
https://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2018/04/the-shining.html
I picked ‘The Shining’ and did a spin on spin on it… thought you’d like it and get a giggle out of it as the same time 😀 Oh! And it’s under 1,000 words this time. 😀
April 7, 2018 — 8:45 AM
magicquill17 says:
Oh yes, I did get a giggle out of it. Very nicely written.
April 9, 2018 — 9:44 AM
Mozette says:
Thank you… I started laughing out aloud at the dude flapping his arm, then the bird flapping his wings – very Monty Python! – and laughing at the image of it in my mind as I wrote was great! But really if it works well for a writer, and then works well on the page,… well that’s what it’s all about, right? 😛
April 9, 2018 — 8:54 PM
magicquill17 says:
As a matter of fact, that was what I found the funniest moment in your story too.
You’re right- if you aren’t bored while writing, then the reader won’t be bored while reading either.
April 10, 2018 — 2:31 AM
legreene515 says:
Great job! I loved Richie. Also, you could probably continue writing this if you wanted to. Quite a cliffhanger.
April 9, 2018 — 12:55 PM
Mozette says:
Oh yes! I could have, but I was very close to the 1,000 words as it was… I wanted you guys to think: what would an old 87 year old dude keep that was that valuable which was worth guarding?
April 9, 2018 — 8:56 PM
legreene515 says:
Yeah, it worked well. I really enjoyed it.
April 10, 2018 — 5:42 AM
Mel says:
https://melodyklink.com/2018/04/07/flash-fiction-bag-of-bones/
Here’s mine! I took on “Bag of Bones.” Totally unsure on word count since MY PC ATE ITSELF, but there’s a story there. XD
April 7, 2018 — 11:10 AM
legreene515 says:
Mel–this had me laughing so hard. I love what you did here.
April 9, 2018 — 3:49 PM
Rose Gray says:
Ha! I do hope the next time we see her she’s got a pocket-edition spellbook (super handy, you can always have it on you! Never be caught without your spellbook again. $29.95 with free salt pouch with compartments for essential herbs and a candle loop!)
April 9, 2018 — 6:57 PM
Julie Clark (@_JulieClark_) says:
Really enjoyed this one.
April 11, 2018 — 3:28 PM
dannybhoy03 says:
Didn’t edit or proofread I’m sorry if it’s terrible it’s called the stand.
https://medium.com/@dannyoakes/the-stand-3f60c66a1418
April 7, 2018 — 4:34 PM
legreene515 says:
I really liked this. Intriguing story, and I enjoyed the imagery you used.
April 9, 2018 — 12:04 PM
dannybhoy03 says:
Thanks for reading it!
April 9, 2018 — 5:52 PM
Rose Gray says:
Damn, if that’s without edits I want to read more of your stuff. Good imagery, language, and flow. Especially liked the comment about the kind of harmless saying everyone says/has heard. It’s worth proofreading though; the mistakes kinda disturb the immersion.
April 9, 2018 — 8:55 PM
dannybhoy03 says:
I gave it a quick once over, oof. Hopefully it’s better now! Just knew if I spent any time reviewing it I’d chicken out.
April 10, 2018 — 11:08 AM
Rose Gray says:
Oh man I know the feels.
April 11, 2018 — 4:23 AM
Benjamin J. Kirby says:
Outstanding. Thank you for this.
April 10, 2018 — 2:54 PM
dannybhoy03 says:
Thanks, Benjamin, that’s encouraging. And you’re welcome.
April 11, 2018 — 8:57 AM
StarNinja says:
This was great. Your words put me there, right in the middle of it all. Mysterious and thrilling. Awesome job!
April 12, 2018 — 10:20 AM
magicquill17 says:
Great job! This was so gripping. Loved the whole atmosphere of mystery you created with your wonderful imagery.
April 13, 2018 — 10:22 AM
Edmund J. Asher says:
The Dark Half
http://edmundjasher.com/2018/04/07/the-dark-half-stories-from-nyth/
862ish words. It kills me not to have exactly 1000 words (I have problems) but I like this story the way it is. Of course, I’ve only just finished it… so, I’ll probably want it changed after a day or two. But I will refrain. Move on to other stuff.
April 7, 2018 — 5:37 PM
Rose Gray says:
I read this twice to fully appreciate the horror. Especially love the mise-en-scene macabre which took a beat to understand exactly what it was… constructed of. *Shudder*
April 12, 2018 — 6:53 PM
Steve DeMarco says:
I’m sad. Not because I can’t write(?) but because I don’t have a fancy personal site like everybody else has. Sorry I missed the last meeting…
April 9, 2018 — 10:56 PM
Tom Witherspoon says:
The Shining
https://www.facebook.com/notes/thomas-anders-witherspoon/the-shining/10156404179708278/
April 10, 2018 — 1:24 AM
John Schofield says:
Desperation
http://www.therunnerstone.com/uncategorized/desperation-a-writing-challenge/
April 10, 2018 — 7:01 AM
legreene515 says:
This was hilarious. I loved it. Great job with so few words.
April 10, 2018 — 9:15 AM
StarNinja says:
Sounds like my kind of party! Couldn’t stop laughing at this one. Great work!
April 12, 2018 — 10:25 AM
grahamwrites says:
Thought poor Mrs Muldoon was the toilet bowl for one moment. Disturbingly, I pictured this rather lucidly.
April 12, 2018 — 6:01 PM
John Schofield says:
Hee, hee. Have you sought counselling for this?
April 13, 2018 — 4:46 AM
magicquill17 says:
Haha! This was funny as shit (pun intended).
April 13, 2018 — 10:31 AM
John Schofield says:
Thank you for the kind words.
April 10, 2018 — 9:19 AM
grahamwrites says:
Mr. Mercedes. He’s still a killer. But only for commercial gain. http://grahamwho.com/grahamwrites/2018/04/10/flash-fiction-mr-mercedes/
April 10, 2018 — 1:19 PM
legreene515 says:
Brilliantly put together. I loved this.
April 11, 2018 — 11:50 AM
grahamwrites says:
Thank you, Lauren. Working my way towards your one.
April 12, 2018 — 9:14 AM
legreene515 says:
Thanks Graham!
April 12, 2018 — 11:02 AM
Julie Clark (@_JulieClark_) says:
Enjoyed reading this one.
April 11, 2018 — 3:35 PM
grahamwrites says:
Thanks Julie – enjoying writing it.
April 12, 2018 — 9:15 AM
Rose Gray says:
Glorious. I love this story of the bad and the much, much worse. *Chuckles*
April 11, 2018 — 11:46 PM
grahamwrites says:
Thanks Rose. Bad people are the best.
April 12, 2018 — 9:16 AM
John Schofield says:
Excellent!
April 12, 2018 — 2:48 AM
grahamwrites says:
Thanks a lot John.
April 12, 2018 — 9:16 AM
magicquill17 says:
This was wonderful.
April 13, 2018 — 10:37 AM
Julie Clark (@_JulieClark_) says:
The Dead Zone: https://authorjulieclark.com/short-stories/the-dead-zone-flash-fiction-challenge/
“Emma Winter can’t help but swallow the energies of those around her, including the ‘well-intentioned’ who visit her family’s farm stand.”
April 11, 2018 — 3:14 PM
Erik Hirscher says:
Long time reader, first time submitter. I present The Dead Zone, hope it is enjoyable to read.
I know the ending seems a tad weak, I was writing it so much that I hit the word limit before I knew it. Stopped at 999 words.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vTJpKGC5m77nWUQJJ_pzJ7P1f3k7jCzOv7Z2lK0Ycyd3vbbBgVXji-nkRKVSkipkeFh134JPdARR7gw/pub
April 11, 2018 — 5:29 PM
StarNinja says:
In the spirit of Stephen King, I wrote 3000 words in the span of two days. Here are three tales with stolen titles from the master himself.
The Dark Half (https://wormholelesstraveled.wordpress.com/2018/04/11/the-dark-half)
The Shining (https://wormholelesstraveled.wordpress.com/2018/04/11/the-shining)
Mr. Mercedes (https://wormholelesstraveled.wordpress.com/2018/04/11/mr-mercedes)
April 11, 2018 — 6:55 PM
legreene515 says:
I loved all three. You’re so talented.
April 12, 2018 — 11:29 AM
StarNinja says:
Aw shucks! Thanks for taking the time to read all three 🙂
April 12, 2018 — 11:50 AM
Rose Gray says:
The character and voices in Mr Mercedes made me grin, esp the exchange at the start. And the unexpected art commentary.
April 12, 2018 — 6:33 PM
StarNinja says:
Thanks! I enjoyed writing all three but Mr. Mercedes was a ton of fun especially.
April 13, 2018 — 7:15 AM
Rose Gray says:
Bag of Bones, with Morra again, but she’s a little less disoriented this week. There’s so much to tell I’m struggling to keep these brief. 1050ish words.
https://www.crowbarwriting.com/bag-of-bones
April 11, 2018 — 10:37 PM
StarNinja says:
This was fantastic! Loved the imagery, the characters, the creepy… witch? Mask lady? Gonna read the one from last week too! Five stars !
April 12, 2018 — 10:41 AM
Rose Gray says:
Thank you! Because these are pieces from a much larger world I’m working on I’m always worried they won’t make sense as standalones. Flash fiction necessitates some mystery but has to point to something
April 12, 2018 — 7:05 PM
StarNinja says:
I get the same thing. Sometimes a flash fiction is just what the doctor ordered together those juices flowing, but then will it make sense to someone just joining? I think you did a very good job though.
April 13, 2018 — 7:12 AM
Dirck says:
Say, that was fun! I’ve strayed 40 words past the limit, but since I’m on good terms with my publisher I can get away with such outrages. I went with Bag of Bones.
https://dirckwrites.wordpress.com/the-current-story/bag-of-bones/
April 12, 2018 — 12:50 PM
Rose Gray says:
Oh. Oh my.
April 13, 2018 — 2:58 AM
Roi Berger says:
My Mr. Mercedes is non-lethal in any way, but as an Israeli, my grammar mistakes might be.
😉
https://medium.com/@roiberger/mr-mercedes-aa749c93f98
April 12, 2018 — 1:24 PM
jackmdavenport says:
HI everyone. Here is my effort – The Shining. Enjoy.
https://jackmdavenport.wordpress.com/2018/04/13/flash-fiction-challenge-the-shining/
April 12, 2018 — 6:31 PM
Sam Brady says:
The Colorado Kid is a western. Please to enjoy.
https://sambrady.wordpress.com/2018/04/12/chuck-wendig-the-colorado-kid/
April 12, 2018 — 8:13 PM
Adam B says:
I never read The Stand, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say this is probably nothing like that.
https://adambroggi.com/stories/the-stand/
Cheers and thanks for the challenge.
April 12, 2018 — 8:37 PM
Benjamin J. Kirby says:
I made an attempt to use The Colorado Kid for a little Western YA thing I’ve been trying. I couldn’t work my word count down enough and scrapped it for this challenge. (You can find it on my website.) Went with The Stand, a King favorite from my youth.
Here it is per the challenge: completely retyped verbatim save for one word. See if you can find the word I changed.
Just kidding. Enjoy. 997 words.
https://benjaminjkirby.com/2018/04/12/the-stand/
April 12, 2018 — 10:05 PM
jackmdavenport says:
My effort included here – The Shining. Enjoy.
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/43449128/posts/1825081798
April 12, 2018 — 10:53 PM
Rebecca Douglass says:
Under the Dome. It was easy for me to stay away from the original plot, because I’d never even heard of this one. And I’m pretty sure King doesn’t do humor. Only 870 words.
http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2018/04/friday-flash-under-dome.html
April 12, 2018 — 11:44 PM
magicquill17 says:
Hah! I love how you turned such a small, common thing into such a well-narrated sorry. Great job!
April 13, 2018 — 10:43 AM
magicquill17 says:
Story*
April 13, 2018 — 10:43 AM
magicquill17 says:
The Dark Half- not horror at all, so hope I get bonus points
Anyway, here it is- https://magicquill17.wordpress.com/2018/04/13/the-dark-half/
About a budding supervillain who doesn’t want to be one. Hope you enjoy.
April 13, 2018 — 4:10 AM
James O'Dae says:
Almost a late entry. Written on my iPhone while vacationing in Iceland.
The Dead Zone. 765 words.
Basically a Bermuda Triangle scenario in space.
https://jamesodae.wordpress.com/2018/04/13/the-dead-zone/
April 13, 2018 — 7:06 PM