Last week’s challenge exhorted you to “Choose Your Setting.” Check out the stories.
I took that image above.
It’s a snapshot of a crooked tree in some fog (a tree that is, so you should know, no longer present — it broke and is gone). It’s maybe one of my favorite images — I’m a woefully amateurish photographer and when I take a shot that looks like something more than my intent for it rather than less, I’m always pleased.
And I think this photo has a lot of story potential.
What kind of potential? Well, that’s on you.
Horror, fantasy, literary, whatever.
You have up to 1000 words.
Post at your online domicile, link back here.
You’ve got till Friday, June 22nd, at noon (EST).
Tell us about that crooked tree, won’t you?
DL Thurston says:
I ask because you have it listed as copyright on Flickr…may we include the picture alongside our stories?
June 15, 2012 — 10:28 AM
Mleong13 says:
While my peers are busy molesting what’s left of Friday night in my part of the world, I’ve just completed my first ever Chuck Wendig Flash Fiction challenge.
And now comes the literary pain in the ass : Editing.
June 15, 2012 — 11:16 AM
Erik Mason says:
Here’s my story: Crooked Tree
http://geekonablog.blogspot.com/2012/06/story-crooked-tree.html
I hope you all like it!
June 15, 2012 — 4:21 PM
GRIM says:
Things change, trees included.
http://talesofgrim.wordpress.com/2012/06/15/flash-fiction-challenge-the-crooked-tree/
June 15, 2012 — 4:30 PM
Beth L. says:
That is an amazing shot. Going to have to come up with something really good to do justice to the challenge it poses!
June 15, 2012 — 9:11 PM
Danzier says:
I’m not sure I can do this one. I’ve been watching “Darkwing Duck” with my daughter, and I keep coming up with script ideas.
For a show that’s off-air AND owned by Disney.
Well, I’ll give it a couple more days. Maybe I’ll come up with something that doesn’t infringe on the copyrights of one of the biggest companies on the planet… Wish me luck.
June 16, 2012 — 1:27 AM
garyp0705 says:
Nothing to do with challenge but wanted to say. FINISHED FIRST DRAFT!!!
(of first novel). Mainly due to Chucks writing advice; mainly keep writing and finish your shit.
Lifelong achievement milestone. Non writers don’t understand unless they can see a published book in their hand but wanted to tell someone.
OK, onwards to second draft.
June 16, 2012 — 7:25 AM
Johann Thorsson says:
Ok, this time I’m taking part.
Writing it here so you can hold me to it.
p.s. First few pages of Blackbirds read pretty good.
June 16, 2012 — 5:55 PM
Heather says:
http://hconstan.tumblr.com/post/25244704004/the-tree-in-the-fog
2nd attempt…hope this goes through. Maybe i’m filling out this form the wrong way.
June 16, 2012 — 6:53 PM
Mitch Dyer says:
This is a thing.
http://downwritefierce.tumblr.com/post/25258334766/ff-the-crooked-tree-md
June 16, 2012 — 8:55 PM
Johann Thorsson says:
Here is my entry: Bend, Don’t Break.
http://jthorsson.com/2012/06/17/crooked-chucks-challenge/
(If you object to me using the photo, please let me know and I will take it down)
June 17, 2012 — 6:45 AM
Shiri Sondheimer says:
Beautiful image!
My offering: The Crooked Tree
http://swsondheimer.wordpress.com/flash-fiction/the-crooked-tree/
June 17, 2012 — 8:24 AM
Susan Cogan says:
Stunning photo and very evocative! Here is my story:
http://coganbooks.blogspot.com/p/flash.html
June 17, 2012 — 10:10 AM
Timothy John Whitcher says:
The Crooked Tree
447 words.
http://helveticasindiehorrorstories.blogspot.com/2012/06/crooked-tree.html
June 17, 2012 — 11:21 AM
Jason Heitkamper says:
My take on the crooked tree.
http://writinword.blogspot.com/2012/06/terrible-minds-flash-fiction-challenge.html
June 17, 2012 — 3:56 PM
Helen says:
my story concerning the crooked tree.
http://zillyninja.blogspot.com/
June 17, 2012 — 10:07 PM
Beth L. says:
Ever read The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein? A bit like that, only not so much. Thanks for the challenge, sir!
http://knotachance.tumblr.com/
June 17, 2012 — 11:16 PM
Shoshana Kessock says:
Gave this one a shot, entitled “Whiskey, Trees and Mist.” Enjoy!
http://wisdomlivesinsilence.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/flash-fiction-whiskey-trees-and-mist/
June 18, 2012 — 3:36 AM
Josh Loomis says:
Something something kids and trees.
http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/2012/06/18/flash-fiction-the-crooked-tree/
June 18, 2012 — 7:12 AM
Jackie says:
Here’s mine! http://thespidereen.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/flash-fiction-gnarled-roots/
June 18, 2012 — 8:04 AM
AB Singer says:
Well, this one inspired me to
go a little further with something inspired by a previous FF Challenge.
Swim, swim for your lives
June 18, 2012 — 1:29 PM
kathy boles-turner says:
I failed to complete last week’s challenge 🙁 I may just go ahead and post something late, though. Love this foggy image that you’ve captured, by the way. Gorgeous, and definitely inspiring!
June 18, 2012 — 2:36 PM
BJ Kerry says:
That is such a beautiful haunting image, it inspired memories of my father, I hope you don’t mind that I used it on my blog.
http://kerry-mutterings.blogspot.ie/2012/06/crooked-tree.html
June 18, 2012 — 3:52 PM
Spencer Williams says:
Just a rough draft but aww what the hell. I would fancy some feedback fellow TerribleMinders. http://theworldwithoutspencer.blogspot.com/
June 19, 2012 — 5:58 AM
Christopher Kobar says:
Great way to motivate writers. I used it to help me shape my characters and setting for my upcoming novella.
http://christopherkobar.com/post/25432792283/the-crooked-tree
June 19, 2012 — 10:07 AM
Danzier says:
Patience pays off! Well, sort of. I’ve got 745 words of autobiography out of this. Unfortunately, due to my internet connection going all hinky, I can’t post it. (I’ll link back after the repairmen come, though.) But proof of having written is: In which I compare myself to the tree and the fog to the first thing that ever scared my dad–chlorine gas.
June 19, 2012 — 1:22 PM
Peter Schaefer says:
Here you go: http://catachresis.shoelesspetegames.com/the-hangin-tree/
June 19, 2012 — 1:57 PM
Ben K. says:
Haven’t done one in a little while, but the image was quite compelling. Thanks, Chuck.
Here we go:
http://warnerkirby.blogs.com/clintonaut/2012/06/crooked-tree.html
June 19, 2012 — 9:40 PM
oldestgenxer says:
This one is short–less than 500 words. As it turns out, trees don’t have a lot to say.
Lovers Know
June 20, 2012 — 12:39 AM
Andreas Kjeldsen says:
Remember that big old oak tree in the forest you cut down the other day? Should really have thought twice about that. ‘Alissa’ will explain why.
http://endlessimmensity.wordpress.com/2012/06/20/alissa/
June 20, 2012 — 9:46 AM
Eva T says:
My take on it. Ended up going off on a tangent, but I think the scene could work in context, so that’s all good.
http://eileen-alphabet.livejournal.com/20370.html
June 20, 2012 — 3:55 PM
Hunter Stewart says:
I guess it would be labeled under horror if you had to pick. The idea came to me at two o’clock in the morning, and I wrote it in one sitting. Hope you think it’s good. By the way, great photo. Here is the link to the review itself.
http://eventualpsychotic.blogspot.com/2012/06/crooked-tree-short-story.html
June 20, 2012 — 5:16 PM
Natalie says:
http://highlightonwords.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/the-crooked-tree/
Sorry I have no idea if foxes and beavers even live in the same country. Whatever.
June 20, 2012 — 9:09 PM
C.B. says:
My submission, which might also show up as a trackback — sorry if there’s repetition.
http://ayehli.com/blog/archives/577
June 20, 2012 — 11:50 PM
C.B. says:
Also, Chuck, I quite like your macro photography. I wouldn’t call it amateurish.
Cheers.
June 21, 2012 — 2:41 AM
Heather Nelson says:
An unusual family dilemma.
http://writingmusclememory.blogspot.com/2012/06/piece-for-chuck-wendigs-weekly-flash.html
June 21, 2012 — 2:48 AM
Sarah says:
I ended up writing a poem…
http://authorsarahohara.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/terribleminds-flash-fiction-challenge_20.html
June 21, 2012 — 5:41 AM
Tami Veldura says:
A Death In The Family
Sci Fi/Steampunk
http://www.tamiveldura.com/2012/06/approaching-lightspeed-death-in-family.html?zx=b5b65624e6517313
June 21, 2012 — 1:48 PM
Danya says:
It’s very, very late here right now, when I just finished writing this.
http://crayonyellow.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/no-returns-and-warnings/
June 21, 2012 — 5:08 PM
C.B. says:
Beth L. — I enjoyed your story!
June 21, 2012 — 6:19 PM
Mleong13 says:
That Crooked Tree – Fridaycat13’s version
http://www.fridaycat13.blogspot.com/2012/06/that-crooked-tree.html
June 22, 2012 — 12:22 AM