Flash Fiction Challenge: That’s Right, I Said “Unicorn”
Last week’s challenge — “An Uncharted Apocalypse” — had some amazing stories, so you should go check ’em out. I’m going to take the weekend pick my favorite five and then toss those five folks a copy of my newest e-book, 250 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WRITING.
I like unicorns.
I mean, not in the sense that I have hundreds of unicorn collectibles on my shelves — *hurries to drop a blanket over my shelves* — it’s just, dang, unicorns crack me up. A pretty white horse with a big horn sticking out of his head and, boom, that’s it. Instant mythological favorite the world around. It’s an absurd animal.
Real reason I talk about unicorns so much — *quick runs to tear down wall of unicorn posters — is that the “unicorn” represents that kind of bullshit special snowflake precious writer mystique, right? The same people who believe a glittery Muse is going to fill their heads with hot notions are the same people who probably believe a unicorn is how babies are made.
Unicorns are just really weird and really goofy.
*darts to closet, slams door before you can see the unicorn cosplay outfits*
Anyway.
Thus, it seems high time to have a unicorn-themed flash fiction challenge.
I want you to incorporate the unicorn into your 1000-word story.
I don’t care how, but you get bonus points for thinking creatively or doing something different with the creature that we haven’t seen or don’t otherwise expect. Bring some attitude to it.
Any genre will do.
You’ve got one week. Friday, July 29th, by noon EST.
Get on it.
Oh! And this week, I’ll pick one favorite.
That favorite will get all three of my e-books.
Peace in the Middle East, yo.
July 22, 2011 @ 2:54 AM
I was home sick today so I though I would give this flash fiction thing a try. I, too, have no unicorn collection (slams closed the drawer of unicorn bookmarks, and stands strategically in front of the display cabinet with the Venitian glass unicorn).
My story, Initiation, appears at
http://youlearnsomethingeveryday-eponymous.blogspot.com/2011/07/initiation.html
Wow, that is cumbersom to write out. And I don’t know how to make it a link. But I really want to win those books; so cut, paste, and enjoy!
July 22, 2011 @ 4:16 AM
I don’t think I’ll be able to do this one, it’s not ticking in my head but I thought I’d post a link to the Cluny museum in Paris
http://www.musee-moyenage.fr/homes/home_id20393_u1l2.htm
The museum hosts a collection tapestries showing unicorns. The images are pretty famous also because Georges Sand wrote about them.
July 22, 2011 @ 5:57 AM
Sounds good. I’ll try it again this week if I have time…
July 22, 2011 @ 8:16 AM
Never done this before. Eeeeeee.
http://lara-p.tumblr.com/post/7924789783/terribleminds-and-unicorns
July 22, 2011 @ 12:37 PM
This is really not my bag baby… so count me in. I need to broaden my horizons.
July 22, 2011 @ 1:23 PM
I give you the The Unicorn
http://porte.livejournal.com/405967.html
July 22, 2011 @ 2:14 PM
Eunuchs? C’mon, man! They got enough trouble I . . . oh wait. You said Unicorns. Phew! Okay. Here:
http://ajhayes2.wordpress.com/2011/07/22/virtue/
July 22, 2011 @ 2:51 PM
“In the Name of Science and Buttloads of Cash”
http://snippetsandscraps.blogspot.com/2011/07/in-name-of-science-and-buttloads-of.html
The Black Sheep Unicorn | Darlene's Stories
July 22, 2011 @ 2:52 PM
[…] http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/07/22/flash-fiction-challenge-thats-right-i-said-unicorn/ […]
July 22, 2011 @ 3:02 PM
Here’s my offering:
http://darlene.underdahl.net/?p=76
[Flash Fiction] Friday Morning « Modus Dementi
July 22, 2011 @ 3:59 PM
[…] other things that aren’t good for my mental health, Chuck Wendig’s just thrown down a Flash Fiction Challenge about Unicorns. That’s right. Unicorns. None of which has anything to do what I’m supposed to be […]
July 22, 2011 @ 4:07 PM
I will post my own story later, but I’d like to give a shout out to the best unicorn story I ever read: “Princess Pretty Pants” by Meg Cabot in the Zombies Vs Unicorns anthology. Seriously, awesomest unicorn ever.
July 22, 2011 @ 4:15 PM
Like Natalie, I was home sick today.
So, here’s “Friday Morning”. (http://wp.me/p1p9Gy-3q). Disclaimers for … oh, wait, you guys read this website. You don’t need any stinking disclaimers.
July 22, 2011 @ 5:29 PM
This is mine=)
http://writingreadingandlife.blogspot.com/2011/07/kid-free-fridays-and-flash-fiction.html
July 23, 2011 @ 9:56 AM
Allow me to set the mood with this video: http://youtu.be/jjrVg7eRHrc
July 23, 2011 @ 9:02 PM
http://berettaboys.livejournal.com/2330.html
Wellp, here you are. Unicorns and shit.
July 23, 2011 @ 9:44 PM
Here’s my bit for the challenge. The Mighty Morphin’ Unicorn Glue Rangers
http://janjepriestess.blogspot.com/2011/07/mighty-morphin-unicorn-rangers.html
July 24, 2011 @ 12:50 PM
i’ve started to read and have been surprised, wanted to comment on Lara’s but couldn’t -Great job, girl!
Now here is mine,
http://taratylertalks.blogspot.com/2011/07/were-unicorn.html
July 24, 2011 @ 4:55 PM
Here you go. Must first Flash Fiction entrant, my first (and potentially last) story about unicorns:
http://psibreaker.tumblr.com/post/8013551298
I’m now going to see what everyone before me came up with now. I’m sure I’m going to have some fucked up dreams tonight.
July 24, 2011 @ 8:28 PM
Dear all
This is my entry, entitled “Mythical Revenge” Do let me know your thoughts! I’ll be sharing mine about yours. Looking forward to next week’s challenge, as always.
Thanks,
Michael
http://www.michaelstuarttrimmer.co.uk/mythical_revenge.html
July 24, 2011 @ 8:57 PM
(Psst, R.S.W. and Tara — Crazy thanks for your kind words, guys, and sorry I made it so difficult to comment! I hadn’t even thought about adding a comment box to that shiz.)
July 24, 2011 @ 9:41 PM
Okay, this was tough but fun (tough, because I’ve not written a lot of fantasy stuff. Um, or really any.). It was a blast. Please enjoy:
http://warnerkirby.blogs.com/clintonaut/2011/07/the-prince-and-the-unicorn.html
Thanks for the opportunity, as always, Chuck.
July 25, 2011 @ 7:26 AM
Okay, I swear I already posted this on Friday, but I don’t see it here. Unusual. Anyway, here is mine:
http://lindsaymawson.blogspot.com/2011/07/flash-fiction-challenge-18-thats-right.html
July 25, 2011 @ 3:48 PM
Bah-BAM! Here’s mine. Long time reader; first time flasher.
http://thebrainybabe.com/2011/07/25/bingo-bango-carl-the-unicorn-flash-fiction/
July 25, 2011 @ 4:09 PM
I’d apologize but I probably wouldn’t mean it.
http://hillarymonahan.com/2011/07/25/unicorn-ficlet/
July 25, 2011 @ 5:45 PM
Last week was so much fun, I thought I’d do it all over again. Dark unicorny goodness:
On the Horn of the Unicorn
On the Horn of the Unicorn – That’s Right, I Said “Unicorn” | The Happy Logophile
July 25, 2011 @ 5:47 PM
[…] Wendig’s weekly flash fiction challenge is to write a 1000 word unicorn-themed story. In fact, he specifically said: I don’t care how, […]
July 25, 2011 @ 5:53 PM
I know you’re all waiting for my story. Have patience; I had to do some research, because it’s important to be accurate.
Generally, I don’t read anyone elses story until after I post mine, to make sure I don’t accidentally take any ideas.
July 25, 2011 @ 8:00 PM
Come one come all, harken unto the tale of the fate of unicorn kind and um some other shit. I give you “Rise of the Donkeycorns”: http://wilamory.blogspot.com/2011/07/rise-of-donkeycorns.html
July 25, 2011 @ 8:30 PM
BAM.
UNICORN.
http://www.foxedproductions.com/2011/07/flash-fiction-message.html
July 25, 2011 @ 8:40 PM
My first time doing anything like this, ever, but there’s a first time for everything :’D
http://ambraremy.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/the-alchemist/
July 26, 2011 @ 12:52 AM
Flash fiction with unicorns…
http://kattomic-energy.blogspot.com/2011/07/flash-fiction-with-unicorns.html
July 26, 2011 @ 12:55 AM
Story still in progress but I thought you should all see this…
http://twitpic.com/5vrikk
July 26, 2011 @ 2:58 AM
Right finished it…
http://noobsayswow.blogspot.com/2011/07/world-of-unicorncraft.html
July 26, 2011 @ 6:37 AM
Huh. Don’t know if my last post went through. Assuming not.
My story, it is here. http://jackslack.tumblr.com/post/8081588947/flash-fiction-challenge-the-heart-of-science
Identity Crisis « Cheddar Nightmares
July 26, 2011 @ 6:57 AM
[…] story (or should that be conversation) based around Unicorns. Writen as part of the “Flash Fiction Challenge: That’s Right, I Said Unicorns” on […]
July 26, 2011 @ 7:00 AM
This is my entry…
http://cheddarnightmares.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/identity-crisis/
I had to start a whole new blog just for this (and any future stories, of course) So sorry if it’s a bit sparse at the moment.
Bingo Bango: Carl the Unicorn Flash Fiction «
July 26, 2011 @ 2:25 PM
[…] peeps! Here’s something new. I’m trying out Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction challenge this week. I hope to do these on a more regular basis, so we’ll see how this […]
July 26, 2011 @ 6:16 PM
Ok. Over my flu.
Have some Quantum Unicorns.
http://marlanesque.wordpress.com/2011/07/26/quantum-unicorns/
July 26, 2011 @ 6:36 PM
Hi Chuck, first time flasher (?) Here is my Unicorn challenge Flash, sorry about the language, but its from the horse’s mouth – http://wp.me/px2EF-6S
July 27, 2011 @ 6:45 AM
This is a little bastard of a story and not for the squeamish. Seriously.
http://epicureaninkblot.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/everybodys-gotta-love-sunshine/
July 27, 2011 @ 8:01 AM
Travis Cole, Quinn – I can’t access your story, your site doesn’t load. Is the link correct? Does it work for others?
Tumblr peeps, still can’t comment on your stories to tell you how good they are. Psibreaker, your story was very entertaining.
Hilary Monahan – that was the best thing I’ve read in quite some time! Thank you so much for sharing it!
I feel like the quality of stories here just get better and better with each round.
July 27, 2011 @ 8:20 AM
It’s not exactly subtle, but it’s something a little different.
Presenting ‘Got the Horn’:
http://patrickoduffy.com/2011/07/27/flash-fiction-got-the-horn/
July 27, 2011 @ 10:05 AM
Writing out of my comfort zone as you suggested… here is ‘Spike’
http://www.pluckyoutoo.com/2011/07/spike-or-out-of-my-comfort-zone.html
July 27, 2011 @ 10:26 AM
Oh lawd, the site is down! Thanks for the heads up Epicurean! You are epic and made of everything sexy.
http://machthaber.com/2011/07/27/003-flash-fiction-challenge-motherfucking-unicorns/
There we go. This should work just fine!
July 27, 2011 @ 1:06 PM
No story in me, but this is something else.. It won the parallel lines contest .
http://youtu.be/hRMcPJrWm-g
Contest rules were a short file using 6 lines of dialogue.
“What is that?”, “It’s a unicorn”, “Never seen one up close before”, “Beautiful”, “Get away, get away”, and “I’m sorry”.
July 27, 2011 @ 5:59 PM
My entry, “There’s No Such Thing as a Unicorn,” is in two parts:
http://sternblog.garnerdavis.net/2011/07/26/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-unicorn—-part-1.aspx
http://sternblog.garnerdavis.net/2011/07/27/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-unicorn—-part-2.aspx
Flash Fiction Challenge: That’s right, I said “Unicorn” « Sarah E. Olson
July 27, 2011 @ 6:00 PM
[…] Flash fiction challenge from the Terrible Minds site: http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2011/07/22/flash-fiction-challenge-thats-right-i-said-unicorn/ […]
July 27, 2011 @ 6:01 PM
Here’s my entry. I’m a newbie here too.
http://saraheolson.com/2011/07/27/flash-fiction-challenge-thats-right-i-said-unicorn/
July 27, 2011 @ 9:30 PM
My unicorn Celeste isn’t happy with you due to this post. I believe some fiction about an angry unicorn is in store…