Some administrative stuff — first, don’t hesitate to run your eyeballs over last week’s challenge, “Revenge Of The The Sub-Genre Mash-Up.” Some very cool and bizarre-o stories there that deserve your unswerving gaze. Second, regarding Blackbloom: Blackbloom is not dead, but I am putting it on hold in order to take a look at some new ways of handling it. Not only were the last two challenges a bit wan in terms of content but my time as of late is busy enough where it’s difficult for me to properly give the challenge the time it deserves. Oh, and I worry that it took the focus off the flash fiction challenges too much by alternating week to week? I don’t know. More on that soon-ish, I hope.
This week’s challenge is based off of music.
Your music, actually.
Go to Your Favorite Music Player. Dig out your digital music collection.
Maybe this is iTunes or Spotify, or use Pandora if you’d rather go that way.
Hit SHUFFLE, then “Play.”
Meaning, let a random song come bubbling up out of nothing.
The title to this song is the title to your story.
Use the song for inspiration, too, if you feel so inclined.
Let’s tighten up the word count a little, too —
You only have 500 words this time.
Once again, the deadline is a week: noon EST on Friday (DUN DUN DUN) the 13th. Any genre will do. Post at your blog or whatever Internet space you’ve carved out, and link here so we can all come gaze at your fictional offerings on the terribleminds altar. Some folks ask what they do if they don’t have a blog? You can post direct to comments here, but that often looks shitty in terms of formatting. You can try Google+ or Tumblr. Or, get an easy Blogspot or WordPress blog on a lark.
Crank some tunes. Splatter some ink.
See you on the other side.
Dan O'Shea says:
What? Speak up ya young punk. And how to I put the turntable on shuffle? You kids and your damn gadgets . . .
January 6, 2012 — 9:38 AM
Albert Berg says:
I was going to try this, but frankly I don’t know what Rondo Alla Turca even MEANS/
January 6, 2012 — 9:42 AM
terribleminds says:
@Albert —
SO MUCH THERE to go on!
And that, of course, is the challenge.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Sonata_No._11_(Mozart)
Unless… of course, you’re chicken.
BAKAWK
*feathers everywhere*
— c.
January 6, 2012 — 9:44 AM
Albert Berg says:
Well now that the gauntlet has been thrown I guess I’ve got no choice.
January 6, 2012 — 10:03 AM
terribleminds says:
NONE.
ZERO.
ZILCH.
CAPS LOCK.
RAAAAAAAR.
— c.
January 6, 2012 — 10:04 AM
Louise Sorensen says:
I love this challenge!
Like Dan, I don’t have one of those gadgets you mix and match on, and I rarely listen to any music but whatever’s playing in my head.
But I’ll figure out a way.
I’m glad the weekly challenges are back.
January 6, 2012 — 10:23 AM
RyanWrites (aka Ryan Baggett) says:
I love this idea. I plan to submit…and invite my online friends.
January 6, 2012 — 10:28 AM
Kathy Boles-Turner says:
My song is ‘Kashmir’. \m/
January 6, 2012 — 10:50 AM
Erik Mason says:
My song was Linkin Park’s “What I’ve Done”. I think that the title itself it pretty thought provoking, so I think that my assignment was pretty easy. I hope you like it.
Oh, also, people without an iPod or something. How about try the radio? You do have one of those, right? 😛
Here’s a link to my story:
http://geekonablog.blogspot.com/2012/01/story-week-41-what-ive-done.html
January 6, 2012 — 11:23 AM
Tracy says:
I decided to give this a shot today. The song I got was “I Gotchoo” by Bowling for Soup. The story got really dark from the jump. Hope it doesn’t displease.
http://rolling20s.tumblr.com/post/15401919785/i-gotchoo
January 6, 2012 — 11:29 AM
Casz Brewster says:
This ought to be interesting.
Here’s what came up for me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DcIed4DCpo
Off to write!
Oh yeah, baby!
January 6, 2012 — 11:32 AM
Darlene Underdahl says:
Taking the Long Way:
http://darlene.underdahl.net/?p=119
January 6, 2012 — 11:53 AM
Taylor Kent says:
Here is mine (it will eventally make it to my blog, but I wanted to get it up by the deadline so I put it on Google+ for now): https://plus.google.com/u/0/118215810775601146994/posts/iZBGxv8TKF8
January 6, 2012 — 12:04 PM
angstytimelord says:
My song was “Fly Me Courageous” by Drivin’ N’ Cryin’.
Off to write.
January 6, 2012 — 1:10 PM
Merry Mahaffey says:
Here you go, Mr. W:
http://mercy-me8108.livejournal.com/16264.html
January 6, 2012 — 1:26 PM
angstytimelord says:
Done.
http://angstytimelord.livejournal.com/698133.html
Thanks for the inspiration. My Ten muse loves you. <3
January 6, 2012 — 1:46 PM
Merry Mahaffey says:
(Sorry if this posts twice.)
Here you go, Mr. W:
http://mercy-me8108.livejournal.com/16264.html
January 6, 2012 — 1:55 PM
Nick says:
Chuck,
Was just going to lurk, but tried the random shuffle. Afraid I’d get “Fireworks” by Katie P. But up came Beck’s “Farewell Ride”. Damn it, now I gotta play. Time for virtual inksplatter.
January 6, 2012 — 1:55 PM
angstytimelord says:
Done.
http://angstytimelord.livejournal.com/698133.html
Word Count: 485.
My Tenth Doctor fanfiction muse thanks you muchly for the inspiration.
January 6, 2012 — 1:57 PM
MRMacrum says:
“Broken Man” – I ought to be able to build off that title even though I hate starting with the title first. We’ll see.
January 6, 2012 — 3:00 PM
angstytimelord says:
Tried it again, came up with Matchbox 20’s “Bent” this time. Already have another fanfiction idea in progress (for a different character this time).
January 6, 2012 — 3:10 PM
Lesann says:
The song chance selected for this challenge was Verano de Alegria by Otmar Liebert. My offering: http://lesannberry.com/2012/01/verano-de-alegria.html
January 6, 2012 — 3:30 PM
Lindsay Mawson says:
I got Theory of a Deadman’s “The Truth Is… (I Lied About Everything)”
http://lindsaymawson.blogspot.com/2012/01/flash-fiction-challenge-31-song-shuffle.html
January 6, 2012 — 3:35 PM
Casz Brewster says:
My song, as posted earlier: Jackie by Sinead O’Connor.
I give you: A Dead Man’s Name.
http://www.casondrabrewster.com/?p=342
BTFO!
~C
January 6, 2012 — 4:56 PM
Kate Ingram says:
Oh, hell. I stalk this place enough, I suppose I should join in.
My humble contribute: http://thoughtsofthemad.blogspot.com/
January 6, 2012 — 5:41 PM
ChrisWhiteWrites says:
Hey guys, long time no see…here’s my little offering for this week, Forest Families…really enjoyed this challenge thanks Chuck!
http://chriswhitewrites.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/forest-families/
January 6, 2012 — 5:52 PM
*daniel says:
I got Bif Naked’s “Spaceman”. So I wrote this:
https://plus.google.com/110920828375652307478/posts/PfxqyauMMM3
January 6, 2012 — 6:02 PM
Lupaket says:
Tried the shuffle.
First thing to pop up was “Pimsleur Russian: Lesson 16”
Since I haven’t quite made it to lesson 16 I don’t think I’m up to the task.
*taps player again*
Why does this feel like Russian Roulette?
January 6, 2012 — 8:50 PM
Ryan G. Sanders says:
‘If It Hadn’t Been For Love’ – Will Young
http://www.ryangsanders.com/2012/01/hadnt-been-for-love/
…and here’s me expecting to get the 4yr old’s ‘Tangled’ OST.
January 6, 2012 — 9:47 PM
Michael says:
http://innocentsaccidentshints.blogspot.com/2012/01/terrible-minds-challenge-message-in.html
The Police, “Message In A Bottle”
January 6, 2012 — 11:49 PM
C.F. Boehlke says:
The URL should take you directly to the flash fiction piece, titled “Long Live.”
Just in case, my Writers Cafe profile can be found at:
http://www.writerscafe.com/cchester
This is my first time participating, but I am glad I found Terrible Minds! Good luck to all!
January 7, 2012 — 12:20 AM
Paige S. says:
Chuck gave me 500 words; Pandora gave me “Jessica Kill” by Sum 41… my brain gave me this story:
http://piratezombienarwhals.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/flash-fiction-jessica-kill/
January 7, 2012 — 1:46 AM
yojimbojapan says:
Love Lockdown
http://yojimbojapan.wordpress.com/2012/01/08/flash-fiction-challenge-song-shuffle/
And yes, I know the alliteration contest was a few weeks ago. This is just how it happened. 🙂
January 7, 2012 — 11:19 AM
Steve Lean says:
Just thought I would give it a spin and came up with ‘Do you want to know the truth, or something beautiful?‘ by Paloma Faith. With a title like that I just had to give it a go. 498 words.
http://stevelean.com/writing/do-you-want-the-truth-a-short-story-in-500-words/
January 7, 2012 — 12:35 PM
Jim Franklin says:
Well I’m not sure what those ol’ random gods were trying to tell me, but the song chosen for me was ‘Needledick’ a Placebo B-side.
Enjoy!
http://www.thezombiechimp.com/2012/01/07/flash-fiction-needledick/
January 7, 2012 — 4:00 PM
Simon Petherick says:
What a great challenge. I just span the Spotify bottle, and a tad embarrassingly, Neil Diamond’s Red, Red Wine came out. OK, I’ll give it a go. Entry on its way!
January 7, 2012 — 4:01 PM
Ren Warom says:
Fearful as I was of encountering some rather questionable music, downloaded for my children I do assure you, I was nonetheless gifted with ‘Prowler’ by Iron Maiden, and here’s what i wrote to it.
http://renwaromsumwelt.wordpress.com/2012/01/07/the-wendigos-flash-fiction-challenge-and-my-response/
January 7, 2012 — 4:26 PM
Paul Philip Carter says:
Holding my breath, jumping in. Sure feels like the deep end. Haven’t touched bottom yet…
Wicked Game by Chris Isaak.
http://romymalloy.blogspot.com/2012/01/flash-fiction-challenge.html
Thanks Chuck.
January 7, 2012 — 5:32 PM
oldestgenxer says:
Paul Westerberg is just awesome, and I was so happy it was one of his songs that popped up first. Look him up and become a fan.
Waitress in the Sky
And the quality ain’t the bestest, but here’s a video:
You Tube video: Waitress in the Sky
January 8, 2012 — 1:01 AM
Shawn says:
This is the first time I check the terrible minds website and saw a contest where I had time left. I may date myself, but Blondie’s Dreaming came up.
http://toomanydiversions.com/2012/01/08/dreaming-by-blondie/
January 8, 2012 — 9:51 AM
Shiri Sondheimer says:
Usually way to chicken to do stuff like this but iTunes came up with TNT for the Brain (Enigma), so… if I can get my three other projects to shut up long enough for me to work a flash fiction…
January 8, 2012 — 10:19 AM