Last week’s challenge? Spin the Wheel 2.
This week a really fascinating link went around, and in it were 25 (er, 24) real world photos of places that looked entirely otherworldly. Click that link. Take a peek.
Now, I want you to use one of those photos as inspiration for your story.
That doesn’t mean you need to use the exact setting of the photo (though you can).
But inspiration, definitely.
When posting the story link below, don’t forget to identify which pic you used.
You have 1000 words.
You have one week to do it (due by 1/25, noon EST).
Any genre will do.
Write the story at your online space, then link back here.
Now go visit some strange and impossible places, will you?
Maggie says:
Interestingly, we live about an hour or so from Berry Head Arch, but I’ve never been there.
Might have to rectify that.
January 18, 2013 — 10:00 AM
tigs (@syzara) says:
Amazing photographs. I’m very tempted.
Except for the little detail that the URL says 25 pictures, but the text says 24 (and there are just 24 pictures).
/nitpicky
January 18, 2013 — 11:06 AM
terribleminds says:
Yeah, I based that off the URL. Fixed. — c.
January 18, 2013 — 11:11 AM
tigs (@syzara) says:
Thank you!
January 18, 2013 — 8:55 PM
Riley Hill says:
I picked TULIP FIELDS – LISSE, NETHERLANDS. http://authorrileyhill.com
January 18, 2013 — 12:12 PM
lwpatricks says:
Nice story Riley! I’m digging your writing style. Polished and with a distinct voice. Good reads
January 20, 2013 — 1:12 PM
Riley Hill says:
Hey, thanks much. Looking forward to yours!
January 20, 2013 — 4:35 PM
Michael says:
*SPOILERS*
So, the truth behind crop circles is revealed! Great story.
January 21, 2013 — 1:35 AM
Alan John says:
Thank you, Chuck. I am a new follower but enthusiastic! I wrote about the trees in Namibia. Riley, your story inspired mine. Alan John / http://alanjohnpresents.wordpress.com/read/ / Click on the orange sky.
January 19, 2013 — 12:15 AM
Riley Hill says:
Ha! Nice work, Alan.
January 19, 2013 — 12:16 PM
Michael says:
Hi Alan, I enjoyed the interplay between the mother and grandfather in relation the the children. Grandparents, always making up outlandish things… 😉
January 21, 2013 — 1:46 AM
Alan John says:
Thanks, Michael. I have been writing a lot of absurd juvenile fiction lately and have to check myself pitting everyone against the parents, time and again. It’s likely a piece of my baggage but it’s also a strong chapter out of the book of Roald Dahl. I appreciate your reading and commenting!
January 23, 2013 — 12:15 AM
Efing Glorious says:
@Riley Hill I really enjoyed your story! I’m linking it to my facebook, hope you don’t mind. 🙂
January 19, 2013 — 2:03 AM
Riley Hill says:
🙂 thanks Elfing 🙂
January 19, 2013 — 12:15 PM
Dave @dd_opco says:
I picked Door to Hell
http://opcomedia.blogspot.co.uk/
January 19, 2013 — 5:14 AM
Riley Hill says:
Nice urban tale.
January 22, 2013 — 2:27 PM
Dave @dd_opco says:
Thank you! I enjoyed your crossed wires.
January 22, 2013 — 7:56 PM
Sam Hume says:
Very interesting idea.
January 19, 2013 — 11:36 AM
S.W. Sondheimer says:
I was triggered — er, inspired — by Gullfoss, Iceland.
http://swsondheimer.wordpress.com/this-just-in/gullfoss/
January 19, 2013 — 11:28 PM
Riley Hill says:
Imaginative and somehow poetic. Especially in the beginning, the cadence is nice if you read it aloud.
January 20, 2013 — 4:42 PM
S.W. Sondheimer says:
Many thanks!
January 20, 2013 — 4:44 PM
S.W. Sondheimer says:
Tried to leave a comment on yours as well, but it didn’t seem to be working. Surprising little tale, I enjoyed it!
January 20, 2013 — 5:00 PM
Michael says:
Surreal. And what Riley said: poetic. Are those Icelandic or Norse gods?
January 21, 2013 — 1:58 AM
S.W. Sondheimer says:
Odin, Loki, and Baldr are Norse gods, but my understanding (which may be incorrect) is that they were also worshipped in Iceland.
That particular incarnation of Death is my own creation.
I’m glad you enjoyed!
January 21, 2013 — 7:20 AM
lwpatricks says:
Nice story, my interpretation is the endless cycle of Ragnarok that the Norse Gods must endure. Well written and I enjoy the elegance of Odin with the youthful personality of Death.
January 22, 2013 — 10:30 PM
S.W. Sondheimer says:
thanks! You interpreted perfectly
January 23, 2013 — 7:22 AM
Jim Franklin says:
I used the Crystal Caves in Skaftafell, Iceland, which somehow became a tin mine in 50’s middle America
This is Sparks of Guilt – http://writewayround.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/flash-fiction-sparks-of-guilt/
January 20, 2013 — 2:12 AM
Riley Hill says:
Nice and creepy. Really creepy. And original.
January 20, 2013 — 4:22 PM
Jim Franklin says:
Thanks 🙂
January 21, 2013 — 9:01 AM
Michael says:
Do you read Stephen King, Jim? I find it reminiscent. Keep it up!
January 21, 2013 — 2:10 AM
Jim Franklin says:
Haven’t yet no, only seen a few of the films; It, Stand by Me, Shawshank etc. I’m a big fan of stuff like Tales of the Unexpected and Twilight Zone though.
Thanks, I hope to.
January 21, 2013 — 9:00 AM
lwpatricks says:
I never knew sprites could be so evil and dangerous. Nice job!
January 22, 2013 — 10:40 PM
Jim Franklin says:
Thanks
January 23, 2013 — 2:53 AM
unsquare says:
I used the Tunnel of Love in Kleven, Ukraine:
http://unsquare.com/dance/2013/01/20/tracks/
January 20, 2013 — 2:30 AM
Riley Hill says:
Liked the inventive fantasy elements. Looked like the start of what could be a longer piece.
January 20, 2013 — 4:35 PM
unsquare says:
Thanks! Honestly, I only stopped where I did because I hit 1000 words. Not sure where it’d go from there, though.
January 22, 2013 — 8:10 PM
Michael says:
It reminded me a bit of Alice in Wonderland. I enjoyed it.
January 21, 2013 — 2:17 AM
Eva T says:
I thought about doing Chand Baori, but in the end I could not abstract from the fact that one of my favourite Bollywood music videos is set there. So anyway, I ended up using the Tunnel of Love in Kleven. http://evathereseebert.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places/
January 20, 2013 — 5:50 AM
Riley Hill says:
I really liked your story. Nice development of mystery, tension, resolution.
January 20, 2013 — 4:40 PM
Michael says:
I get a paranormal/mystery vibe from this story. I’m trying to decide whether Amelia is experiencing a flash of a near-death experience or real time travel. Great read.
January 21, 2013 — 2:23 AM
Christine Frost (@Shahrazad1001) says:
Best weekend afternoon distraction ever, thank you! I chose the Wave in Arizona.
http://www.herravendomain.com/?page_id=319
January 20, 2013 — 2:22 PM
Riley Hill says:
Wonderful story! You really captured the mood.
January 20, 2013 — 4:46 PM
Michael says:
Reading Western flash is a great way to spend a weekend evening. Especially one with the epithet adulterous slattern!
January 21, 2013 — 2:40 AM
lwpatricks says:
Well written story! Fine piece of polished writing which I enjoyed. I’m also a fan of westerns 🙂
January 22, 2013 — 10:55 PM
Samantha Holloway (@pirategirljack) says:
I’ve got the Door to Hell, here: http://www.samanthaholloway.com/2013/01/friday-flash-door-to-hell.html
January 20, 2013 — 4:16 PM
Riley Hill says:
Wow! Loved it! Great descriptions and tale.
January 22, 2013 — 2:21 PM
Samantha Holloway (@pirategirljack) says:
Thank you!
~:D
January 22, 2013 — 5:53 PM
lwpatricks says:
I flew through this captivating story. Very original! Fishing in the oceans of hell!
January 22, 2013 — 10:59 PM
keithbwalters says:
Many thanks for a great idea – and great images too.
I used ‘The Tunnel of Love’ image from Kleven, Ukraine for my piece ‘The Path’ which you can read here: http://wp.me/p2K3fC-2o http://keithbwalters.wordpress.com Thanks again.
January 20, 2013 — 6:40 PM
Riley Hill says:
I liked your use of the silence in this short. It really added to the overall mood.
January 22, 2013 — 2:15 PM
lwpatricks says:
Well written and interesting! Sticks with you for a while.
January 22, 2013 — 11:03 PM
Michael says:
I chose the floating island-looking thing from Venezuela for “Big Daddy vs. The Machine.”
http://michaelallison.blogspot.ca/2013/01/big-daddy-vs-machine.html
January 21, 2013 — 1:37 AM
Riley Hill says:
Entertaining–on several levels. The twist at the end was unexpected and apropos.
January 22, 2013 — 1:40 PM
Michael says:
Thank you, Riley.
January 22, 2013 — 11:13 PM
lwpatricks says:
Teenagers…lol. You have a wonderful knack for writing thrillers! Keeps a reader reading, which is the ultimate goal of any writer 🙂
January 22, 2013 — 11:08 PM
Alan John says:
Michael, I really like it. I commented on your page but wasn’t sure it took. The idea of the daughter at home eating popcorn and later being angry with her father for ruining her party is intense. Is this the direction we’re headed, are we already there?
January 25, 2013 — 12:43 PM
Jeff Xilon says:
I picked Mt. Roraima, Venezuela and crafted a Korean-influenced wuxiaesque showdown between a witch-warrior and a Lovecraftian demon. Find it here: http://www.jeffxilon.com/flash-fiction-challenge-inspiration-from-unreal-looking-real-places/
January 21, 2013 — 1:50 AM
Riley Hill says:
Some really fine imagery here. The pacing was balanced and the tone excellent. Good voicing. Enjoyed.
January 22, 2013 — 1:46 PM
lwpatricks says:
Entertaining fantasy tale! I love martial arts. Not enough Wuxia stories out there.
January 22, 2013 — 11:13 PM
Jeff Xilon says:
Thanks Riley and lwpatricks. I’m glad you liked the story.
January 23, 2013 — 11:01 PM
Josh Loomis says:
This ended up being a bit short, but I think it works. I chose Hang Son Doong Cave in Vietnam for ‘The Journal of the Cave’. http://wp.me/pTjOb-bUi
January 21, 2013 — 8:20 AM
Riley Hill says:
Loved this! This would make an intriguing start to a full novel that I’d really enjoy.
January 22, 2013 — 1:28 PM
Rebecca Ralston says:
I picked Mt. Roraima, Venezuela. My composition is called ‘The Mist.’
http://rebeccaralstonwriter-com.webnode.com/news/flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places-for-terribleminds-com/
January 21, 2013 — 2:33 PM
Riley Hill says:
Spoiler alert: I didn’t really expect the full experience of the mist in this tale and was pleasantly surprised. The cadence you used felt like the mist. A nice reading experience.
January 22, 2013 — 1:52 PM
joeturner87 says:
I chose Door To Hell – Turkmenistan. Really enjoyed this challenge, thanks Chuck. Anyway here it is
http://joetblogs.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/terribleminds-flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places/
January 21, 2013 — 5:25 PM
Riley Hill says:
Joe, I’ve gotta say, I was taken in from the start with some of your colorful description. The bar scene was really well developed (and oozing). I liked the story twist and development, but felt like it was just getting going when it was over. I’d like to read this as a longer piece.
January 22, 2013 — 2:05 PM
joeturner87 says:
Thanks Riley, glad you found something to like about it. I must admit I struggle with short stories. The short part always eludes me, and I just end up with a scene of an expanding idea :S
I have to commend you for your feedback, you’ve taken the time to reply to everyone; you can’t hear it, but I’m giving you a round of applause.
P.S – Oh and by the way, well done on converting crop circles from tinfoil hat conspiracy into tongue in cheek comedy. Nice.
January 22, 2013 — 3:53 PM
whirlingnerdish (@whirlingnerdish) says:
I picked Namibia. At 1000 words exactly (whew), I call it “Shadewood.”
http://whirlingnerdish.blogspot.com/2013/01/flash-fiction-challenge-shadewood.html
January 21, 2013 — 7:43 PM
Riley Hill says:
Amazing the number of emotions I went through reading this. Very fine and well-written.
January 22, 2013 — 2:10 PM
Max says:
Nice, albeit sad. Thanks for sharing.
January 22, 2013 — 6:44 PM
whirlingnerdish (@whirlingnerdish) says:
Thank you to you both! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
January 22, 2013 — 8:39 PM
Anthony Elmore says:
What if the stairway to Hell takes you neither up or down? http://www.barelyok.com/terrible-minds-flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places.html
January 22, 2013 — 10:37 AM
Anthony Elmore says:
Forgot to add: Both the Chand Baori and Door to Hell inspired me.
January 22, 2013 — 10:53 AM
Riley Hill says:
Got some great chuckles here. I’ve had days like this…
January 22, 2013 — 1:33 PM
Max says:
Thanks for the link, really awesome photos, would’ve missed it if not for your blog. Em… So no SPECIAL SPECIAL prize for these, huh? Ah, what the hell, might as well give it a try anyway…
January 22, 2013 — 6:38 PM
lwpatricks says:
Here’s my entry. Inspired by The Tunnel of Love in Kleven, Ukraine, I present to you:
Return to Eden – An Environmentally Friendly Apocalyptic Story.
Take a walk through Mother Nature’s v***na.
http://lwpatricks.com/publications/flash-fiction-return-to-eden-an-environmentally-friendly-apocalyptic-story/
January 22, 2013 — 7:45 PM
Beth L. says:
“The Way Station”, inspired by the picture of The Metro, Stockholm. and somehow I couldn’t stop listening to Casey Driessen’s song The Heartbeat Kid when I worked on it. Presented for your perusal.
January 22, 2013 — 11:49 PM
David Grigg says:
Here’s my story, inspired by the image from MORAVIA, CZECH REPUBLIC. Not at all the image I thought I would end up using! It’s also inspired by a true news story I read last year.
It’s called “Not All Those Who Wander” and it’s here: http://narratorium.com/2013/01/23/not-all-those-who-wander/
January 22, 2013 — 11:59 PM
Rhalina says:
Hi Chuck. New reader (well 4 day old reader) and first time poster. I took a shot at the challenge and had a lot of fun.
http://manuscriptsofamentalpatient.blogspot.com/2013/01/flash-fiction.html
January 23, 2013 — 11:53 AM
srmurdoch says:
I chose Namibia.
http://srmurdoch.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places-namibia/
January 23, 2013 — 4:30 PM
normalitybytes says:
Managed to crank this out through my vodka-infused haze. This first-timer’s rather proud of herself.
http://normalitybytes.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/i-did-it/
January 24, 2013 — 1:20 AM
Louise Sorensen says:
HI All. It’s January 24. When I clicked on the link last Friday for my story prompt, it worked. Now, it seems not to. Will post story when I find a similar pic.
January 24, 2013 — 11:46 AM
The Monkey Bellhop says:
Same deal, here’s another link if you haven’t found it already… http://ikeepsit100.com/2013/01/21/24-places-that-look-not-normal-but-are-actually-real/
January 24, 2013 — 5:26 PM
Kelly says:
Inspired by Chand Baori. Thanks for the challenge!
http://countlesslives.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-next-step.html
January 24, 2013 — 1:28 PM
normalitybytes says:
I enjoyed this. Well done!
January 24, 2013 — 6:05 PM
S.M. Hutchins says:
Hi, Chuck and fellow visitors, It’s my first time taking part in this challenge (long time reader of the blog, though). Here’s my story based on the photo of the hilly field in Czech Republic:
http://www.livewonderstruck.com/flash-fiction-the-field/
January 24, 2013 — 2:27 PM
Tracy says:
I picked the Naval Shipyards in Vallejo, and envisioned it as the entry to a flooded lab…
http://kaeldra.blogspot.com/2013/01/flash-fiction-impossible-place_24.html
January 24, 2013 — 3:46 PM
cats17 says:
Catherine Sonnier
The pink lake, Lake Retba, inspired a story of isolation and desperation.
http://cathywritesdotnet.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/pink-matter-grey-turmoil/
January 24, 2013 — 11:47 PM
Allyson says:
I ended up going in a different direction and picking a spot in Texas. I had a great deal of fun with this.
http://allysonmwhipple.wordpress.com/2013/01/24/flash-fiction-challenge-photos-of-impossible-places/
January 25, 2013 — 12:15 AM
jreinmiller says:
I went with Chand Baori. Those were all some great photos though.
Here’s a link to the same photo set as the link on above isn’t working.
http://www.buzzfeed.com/miniusanotnormal/25-places-that-look-not-normal-but-are-actually-r-7lct
And then a link to my story:
http://www.jqpdx.com/2013/01/25/stairs/
January 25, 2013 — 12:48 AM
G! says:
I picked Gullfoss. Here’s my entry: http://welltemperedwriter.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/fosse-grim/
January 25, 2013 — 2:34 AM