Last week’s challenge: “Titular Titles.”
So, I’m going through last week’s almost-300 entries of titles (damn), and I’ve gone ahead and chosen favorites. I picked ten I really, really liked, and then I picked another three on top of those ten (for a total of 13), and these three (titles bolded in the list below) should email me at terribleminds at gmail dot com to WIN SOME KIND OF SOMETHING. It’s a surprise. Shhh.
Your goal is to take one of the following titles below and write a short piece of flash fiction (~1000 words) using the title chosen. Post it at your blog or online space, link back here and the comments. Due by May 3rd, noon EST. No contest this time. Just write to write (and to be read).
The top ten titles are, drum roll please —
- Grave Deeds (S.T. Cameron)
- Resurrected, by Wife (Oshvat)
- The Death and Life of the Human Electrode (Albert Berg)
- Those Shoes Are Not Apocalypse Friendly, Francine (Daphne Bee)
- Always Have A Exit Strategy (Josh Loomis)
- John Wayne and the Mystery at Medicine Hat (Wren Roberts)
- Paved Meat: A Roadkill Romance (Bob Bois)
- Three Miles Left to Regret (Jason Heitkamper)
- The Ballad of Scrawny River Fawcett (Allen Morgan)
- You Don’t Bring Me Dead Things Anymore (Chantal Nair)
- Life in Snowglobia (Michelle Palmer)
- Stand-Off On Memory Lane (Kai Kiriyama)
- The Window-Washing Boy (Jenny R)
So, if you’re Jason, Michelle or Jenny, you should email me.
The rest of you ought to get writing.
Brad Stover says:
Congratulations to all the winners. There are some great titles in there!
April 26, 2013 — 12:41 PM
Brad Stover says:
Alright, it’s so late as to be bordering on irrelevant, but I’m very happy with how this story turned out and I want to share it. This one was hard to write, and the story changed two or three times before the end.
The Window-Washing Boy http://bradstover.com/writes/?p=71
May 5, 2013 — 6:26 AM
ryanvgr says:
Those Shoes Are Not Apocalypse Friendly, Francine
April 26, 2013 — 2:15 PM
ryanvgr says:
click my name (ryanvgr) to see the story.
April 26, 2013 — 2:18 PM
Vivian says:
YES! Paved Meat made the list. I was rooting for that one.
April 26, 2013 — 3:09 PM
Bob Bois says:
Are going to write paved meat, Vivian?
If so, I can’t wait to read it.
Paved Meat simply bubbled to the surface last week and I’m finding the story I’m writing….disturbing.
May 1, 2013 — 7:18 AM
francespauli says:
Those titles rule. I had to play too. Thanks for the fun!
http://francespauli.blogspot.com/2013/04/flash-challenge-story.html
April 26, 2013 — 8:07 PM
Michael says:
That was fantastic. Excellent way to use your chosen title. Loved it.
April 26, 2013 — 8:23 PM
Sam Barnett says:
That was wonderful. I loved the youthful playfulness Barton and Myra have retained.
April 27, 2013 — 10:31 AM
Trine Toft Schmidt says:
Loved it!
April 28, 2013 — 10:33 AM
jreinmiller says:
Cute, and really well written. The characters came across clearly, and I was rooting for them the entire time against that dang sheriff!. I enjoyed it.
And on top of that you used the same title I chose and it’s always fun to see what other people do with it.
April 28, 2013 — 6:23 PM
KCummins says:
Really enjoyed reading your story. Such a fun idea.
April 29, 2013 — 11:52 AM
Sales says:
Awesome story. I had to reply here as well.
May 2, 2013 — 1:17 PM
francespauli says:
Thanks everyone. This has been a great experience. I love reading all the versions of the different titles 😀
May 2, 2013 — 1:19 PM
Lester Nieves says:
I made “The Window-Washing Boy” in just under 1000 words.
http://lonieves.wordpress.com/fiction-insanity/the-window-washing-boy/
April 27, 2013 — 12:21 AM
Sam Barnett says:
Daphne Bee’s “Those Shoes Are Not Apocalypse Friendly, Francine” grabbed my attention. My attempt:
http://ihavenotechnicalskills.com/2013/04/flash-fiction-challengetitular-titles/
April 27, 2013 — 10:38 AM
francespauli says:
You rocked that! Great story.
April 27, 2013 — 3:29 PM
Trine Schmidt says:
I liked your story, I could really feel your protagonist’s frustration and well the ending… didn’t see that coming. 🙂
April 28, 2013 — 11:40 PM
KCummins says:
Great read. Creepy, yet funny.
April 29, 2013 — 11:59 AM
jreinmiller says:
Hah, well that was a twisted character, but his persona and voice came across really strongly. It was a razor’s edge there to keep him somewhat likeable but with the comedic tone I think you just pulled it off.
April 29, 2013 — 8:07 PM
Sam Barnett says:
Thanks for the comments. I was surprised at how giddy with excitement I became when I realized people were actually reading my story. I think writing could get addictive.
Thanks again for the encouraging words.
May 3, 2013 — 12:56 AM
Daphne Bee says:
Loved it, especially the ending!
May 3, 2013 — 1:01 AM
Wren Roberts (@gardsmyg) says:
Oh sweet.
April 27, 2013 — 11:12 AM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
I chose ‘Grave Deeds’ as my title. Unfortunately I’m feeling quite mentally drained at the moment, so this probably isn’t up to the same quality as my previous stuff. Clocking in at a featherweight 751 words…
http://mrurbanspaceman.wordpress.com/2013/04/27/grave-deeds-flash-fiction-piece/
April 27, 2013 — 2:33 PM
francespauli says:
I like it! It gave me a panic attack right along with your protag. Nicely done.
April 27, 2013 — 2:46 PM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Thanks very much!
April 28, 2013 — 2:53 AM
Trine Toft Schmidt says:
Well I liked your story, I loved the line ‘I have no idea how far a sane man will go to die’
April 28, 2013 — 10:46 AM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Cheers!
April 28, 2013 — 11:38 AM
DisastrousCreations says:
Grave Deeds is a good read.
April 29, 2013 — 10:20 AM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Thanks, glad you think so.
April 30, 2013 — 2:09 AM
jreinmiller says:
I thought it was a bit rougher than some of your other stories, but I still really liked the concept and the tone you used on it. The character’s reactions to the situation felt unique and while dark (literally and figuratively) your word choice still gave it some levity. I could actually see a character with this sort of tone being used in a longer piece.
April 29, 2013 — 8:13 PM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Thanks. I think ‘rougher’ is definitely a pertinent word. I literally spewed the story out before falling on my bed and sleeping for almost 12 hours straight. Maybe if I’d written after the mother of all sleeps it would have been a different story altogether.
April 30, 2013 — 2:12 AM
Bob Bois says:
Great job creating that claustrophobic atmosphere. Fun story!
May 3, 2013 — 12:39 PM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Thank you! Wasn’t sure it worked but I’m happy that you felt it did.
May 3, 2013 — 2:33 PM
M. Chapman says:
How do you come up with all these flash fiction challenges?
Do you prepare them ahead of the time or make them right on the spot?
April 27, 2013 — 9:40 PM
Trine Toft Schmidt says:
I chose ‘You Don’t Bring Me Dead Things Anymore’. The story is short and dark, and maybe I would have rewritten if I wasn’t feeling so damn tired today. But anyway, here’s the link:
http://www.trinetoftschmidt.com/2013/04/you-dont-bring-me-dead-things-anymore/
April 28, 2013 — 10:24 AM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
That was great, a really powerful piece as much a promise and a curse as it was a story. I too considered that title, but I couldn’t think of anything suitable. I really love how you’ve written it.
April 28, 2013 — 11:42 AM
Trine Schmidt says:
Thank you.
April 28, 2013 — 11:38 PM
Sam Barnett says:
This piece really grabbed my imagination. I was right there ready to join you in your adventure of retribution. Great Job!
April 28, 2013 — 11:49 AM
Trine Schmidt says:
Thank you Sam
April 28, 2013 — 11:42 PM
Chantal Nair says:
Beautifully done Trine!!
April 28, 2013 — 5:26 PM
Trine Schmidt says:
Thank you Chantal. Congrats on the top 13 🙂
April 28, 2013 — 11:43 PM
DisastrousCreations says:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one.
April 29, 2013 — 10:02 AM
Trine Schmidt says:
Thanks 🙂
April 30, 2013 — 9:59 AM
KCummins says:
Great read. Chilling.
April 29, 2013 — 12:08 PM
Trine Schmidt says:
Thank you KCummins.
April 30, 2013 — 10:02 AM
jreinmiller says:
Well done. The wording was very good, and kept me reading to the end. It really evoked images and the emotions tied to them. I’d pictured a lighter more comedic story for this title, but you did a good job turning it more serious. Especially with that ending line.
April 29, 2013 — 8:18 PM
Trine Schmidt says:
Thanks jreinmiller.
Originally I wanted to write something lighter as well, my god didn’t start out so sinister but he sort of took control. Gotta love it when characters do that.
April 30, 2013 — 10:02 AM
Bob Bois says:
Great angry-god story, Trine. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
April 30, 2013 — 7:14 AM
Trine Schmidt says:
Thank you Bob.
April 30, 2013 — 10:04 AM
Billijean Martiello says:
Very creepy…in the most complimentary of ways!
April 30, 2013 — 3:58 PM
Trine Schmidt says:
Thank you Billijean.. I happen to think in this instance that creepy is a very complimentary word 🙂
May 2, 2013 — 9:51 AM
lpstribling says:
Congratulations!
April 28, 2013 — 11:33 AM
Doug S says:
My good friend told me about this, thought I’d give it a shot.
http://dougsbigassblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/three-miles-to-regret.html
April 28, 2013 — 5:27 PM
jreinmiller says:
There were some really interesting titles selected that gave me ideas, but in the end I chose: Stand-Off On Memory Lane. I’m pretty happy with how it came out.
http://www.jqpdx.com/2013/04/28/stand-off-on-memory-lane/
April 28, 2013 — 6:14 PM
Trine Toft Schmidt says:
Great story, Simple and elegant. I like the resolution, the compromise they didn’t want to make, but did anyway.
April 29, 2013 — 9:46 AM
francespauli says:
Great story and cool concept. 🙂
April 29, 2013 — 11:41 AM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Here’s the response from further down which SHOULD have been for you: “Really interesting take on divorce and memory, I thought the whole thing was very bittersweet and poignant. Overall a great piece with lovely flow and just the right amount of hurt and anguish to keep it sharp.”
April 30, 2013 — 4:51 AM
jreinmiller says:
Thanks, everyone. 🙂
April 30, 2013 — 7:27 PM
keithbwalters says:
Great titles to choose from. I went with ‘Three Miles to Regret’ – which you can read here: http://wp.me/p2K3fC-36
April 28, 2013 — 7:15 PM
jreinmiller says:
Really creepy. I liked your pacing and the way you told the tale in alternating paragraphs of details and explanation. I thought it worked well.
April 29, 2013 — 8:26 PM
Bob Bois says:
I like what you did conceptually with that title. And I have to agree with jreinmiller: you chose an interesting structure for your story. Good job!
May 3, 2013 — 12:48 PM
KCummins says:
This challenge is a great idea. I chose Michelle Palmer’s title, Life in Snowglobia. The story is posted here: http://kcummins.tumblr.com/post/49150530353/flash-fiction-life-in-snowglobia
April 28, 2013 — 10:58 PM
Trine Toft Schmidt says:
Nice story. It could expand to so much more, especially if the girl didn’t discover the secret right away. My mind is racing with all sorts of adventures to be had with a store like that near by.
April 29, 2013 — 9:54 AM
KCummins says:
Thank you for your comments. I really appreciate it and plan to take another look based on your suggestion.
April 29, 2013 — 11:36 AM
jreinmiller says:
I agree, that is a cool concept. I could see it having a lot of possibilities if given enough time to develop.
April 29, 2013 — 8:29 PM
KCummins says:
Thank you
April 30, 2013 — 12:31 AM
Josh Loomis says:
“You Don’t Bring Me Dead Things Anymore.” It’s about a break-up.
http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/2013/04/29/flash-fiction-you-dont-bring-me-dead-things-anymore/
April 29, 2013 — 9:23 AM
jreinmiller says:
I thought you had a good balance of just enough information to keep the story going, without too much to weigh it down. The characters felt interesting and it was cool how you even worked the title into the story. Probably because of your image at the top, but I also a comic book vibe off of it. I could see panels for many of your descriptions. I liked it.
April 29, 2013 — 8:37 PM
Bob Bois says:
Good story Josh – the revenge of the lab assistant. As for leaving him there ‘with the dead things’? Nice touch.
May 3, 2013 — 12:52 PM
Matt Gomez says:
I used “Always Have An Exit Strategy” by Josh Loomis. Interetingly enough, I used the same character that I used for the last flash fiction stroy challenge. Huh.
http://catholicdemon.livejournal.com/40617.html
April 29, 2013 — 10:29 AM
Trine Schmidt says:
Nice story, I really liked it.
April 30, 2013 — 10:13 AM
Matt Gomez says:
Thank you!
April 30, 2013 — 11:53 AM
Bob Bois says:
Nice twist at the end, Matt. “What’s your mom’s name?” That’s wicked.
May 3, 2013 — 12:56 PM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Thank you. (Almost) half-rhyme is a good time.
April 29, 2013 — 11:28 AM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Ignore this message, it ended up in the wrong place thanks to the shittiness of Internet Explorer (please don’t hate me, work make me use it on their machines).
April 30, 2013 — 2:09 AM
Curtis Edmonds (@Curtis_Edmonds) says:
I made a slight modification to one of the titles, for consistency’s sake. (Consistency is such a bitch, but at least she’s not ever late and she likes going to the same restaurants I do.) THOR SLAYMASTER’S EXIT STRATEGY. Read it, live it, ignore it. http://www.curtisedmonds.com/thor-slaymasters-exit-strategy/
April 29, 2013 — 11:29 AM
Trine Schmidt says:
Funny story. I like your dialogue and characters, I like Thor 🙂
April 30, 2013 — 10:24 AM
Cameron Mount says:
A short short flash. Pretty cliche, but again, I had fun entertaining myself.
Life in Snowglobia
April 29, 2013 — 5:20 PM
Beth L. says:
Three Miles Left to Regret – for those journeys when home isn’t where the heart is.
http://knotachance.tumblr.com/
April 29, 2013 — 9:30 PM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Really interesting take on divorce and memory, I thought the whole thing was very bittersweet and poignant. Overall a great piece with lovely flow and just the right amount of hurt and anguish to keep it sharp.
April 30, 2013 — 4:47 AM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Oh FFS. Goddamn stupid internet explorer. THIS COMMENT DOES NOT BELONG HERE! YOU MAKE ME SO ANGRY *switches to Chrome*
April 30, 2013 — 4:50 AM
Billijean Martiello says:
I used “Resurrected, by Wife” for my entry…please enjoy and comment 🙂
http://teatimeforwanderer.blogspot.com/2013/04/resurrected-by-wife.html
April 30, 2013 — 3:48 PM
Miles A. Reid-Lobatto says:
I used ‘Those Shoes are not Apocalypse Friendly, Francine.’ Please read and enjoy, it’s a story about shoes… and the apocalypse… and feelings… but mostly shoes.
http://intheinfiniteabyss.blogspot.com/2013/04/those-shoes-are-not-apocalypse-friendly.html
April 30, 2013 — 11:24 PM
StaleCoffee says:
I am only doing this to spite my brother, you bastard, so whatever.
http://rvheight.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/fash-fiction-challenge-yadayadayada/
April 30, 2013 — 11:53 PM
Sales says:
As always, brother, your work is on point. I tip my hat, sir.
May 2, 2013 — 1:05 PM
StaleCoffee says:
Just keeping the status quo dear brother
May 3, 2013 — 7:15 PM
Sales says:
Spent some time trying to think of an intro to this. I’m sure my brother said something coy and spiteful. Well, here’s to looking for writers.
“Always Have A Exit Strategy” (Josh Loomis)
http://evheight.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/chuck-wendigs-flash-fiction-extraveganza/
April 30, 2013 — 11:55 PM
StaleCoffee says:
(I already posted but not sure if it went through blah blah blah round 2) I wrote this to smite my brother, Sales you wanker.
http://rvheight.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/fash-fiction-challenge-yadayadayada/
May 1, 2013 — 2:29 AM
Jami Dabney says:
First attempt at the flash fiction challenge. I chose Three Miles Left to Regret. Hope y’all enjoy.
http://authorjmdabney.blogspot.com/2013/05/wendigs-flash-fiction-challenge-titular.html
May 1, 2013 — 3:11 AM
Valerie Valdes (@valerievaldes) says:
Because “out of harm’s way” doesn’t necessarily mean “safe.”
“Always Have an Exit Strategy”
http://candleinsunshine.com/asthemoonclimbs/short-story/always-have-an-exit-strategy/
May 1, 2013 — 3:35 PM
KGombert says:
OK, I’ll play. My New Year’s Resolution is to start a writing blog and, by golly, start writing already. So, here’s my first blog entry.
I chose: John Wayne and the Mystery at Medicine Hat
http://kgombert.blogspot.com/2013/05/john-wayneand-mystery-at-medicine-hat.html
May 1, 2013 — 8:22 PM
Kristin Mireles says:
Paved Meat: A Roadkill Romance
http://mireles-musings.blogspot.com/2013/05/paved-meat-roadkill-romance.html
May 1, 2013 — 9:39 PM
Bob Bois says:
It’s so great to see what another writer does with a title, coming at it from a completely different perspective. You did a great job making us care about Duke and Rhonda and their roadkill romance. Hard to do with a constricted word count. I especially like the line, “There was just something about the way she rolled around in her own shit.” – the essence of romance!
May 2, 2013 — 6:57 AM
Kristin Mireles says:
Thanks! I was afraid the ending was a little too dark. But in real life, strays don’t usually get a happy ending, so it fits.
May 2, 2013 — 8:24 AM
Bob Bois says:
Never apologize for the emotional tone of your work! Dark is good.
May 2, 2013 — 8:46 AM
jeffandwendy says:
This was a lot of fun. I picked the title “The Window-Washing Boy.” You can read it here: http://jeffandwendy.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/the-window-washing-boy/
May 1, 2013 — 11:04 PM
Billijean Martiello says:
I commented on this before…but it seems it didn’t take!
Nonetheless, Here is a recap of what I wrote:
I think this is my favorite story of this challenge, thus far! Firstly, because it was completely unexpected. I don’t even want to comment on details of it for fear of spoiling it for other readers. Secondly, The character of the boy was great, especially considering that you had 1,000 words to accomplish it. I fell for the story paragraph one, because of him. Lastly, it was a fun read, and I can tell that you enjoyed writing it, Great job!
May 3, 2013 — 12:04 PM
jeffandwendy says:
Thanks!
May 3, 2013 — 12:23 PM
Jeanne B. says:
I picked “Three Miles Left to Regret” but “Grave Deeds” picked me, so here’s an attempt at a sequel to my last entry that goes a bit over 1000 words (1252, if you’re counting).
http://jmboverthinking.blogspot.com/2013/05/flash-fiction-challenge-titles-have.html
May 2, 2013 — 2:44 PM
crow365 says:
I picked “You Don’t Bring Me Dead Things Anymore”:
http://nickegelhoff.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/flash-fiction-challenge-the-titles-have-been-chosen/
May 2, 2013 — 9:01 PM
Daphne Bee says:
Here’s mine! This was so much fun!
Those Shoes Are Not Apocalypse Friendly, Francine
http://daphneblankenship.tumblr.com/post/49493277274/those-shoes-are-not-apocalypse-friendly-francine
May 3, 2013 — 12:52 AM
Bob Bois says:
There were so many great titles from which to choose, I printed them out and will try to write stories to all of them. However, I was compelled to write the title I originally entered, “Paved Meat: A Roadkill Romance”. The story that came out is light years from the one I originally envisioned. It takes all kinds to make this world…don’t judge. Great challenge as always, Chuck. http://sittingindarkness.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/paved-meat-a-roadkill-romance/
May 3, 2013 — 12:58 AM
V Rose Dahrke says:
Am I the only one who picked “The Death and Life of the Human Electrode”? If so, I’m a little sad. I wanted to read other versions. Like, you know, by people who didn’t slightly misread the title until after the story was written. ‘Twas a great challenge either way,though.
http://tentavailetimes.wordpress.com/2013/05/02/the-death-and-life-of-the-human-electrode/
May 3, 2013 — 2:08 AM
Billijean Martiello says:
I feel you…I’m the only “Resurrected, by Wife” thus far, and I was looking forward to seeing how mine compared.
I think that more people didn’t choose your title because it seemed complicated and technical. Your story was so beautiful, sad, and poignant. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I read it twice through, and I very much enjoyed it.
May 3, 2013 — 11:27 AM
S T Cameron says:
I picked “Grave Deeds” which is coincidentally the title I submitted.
http://stcameron.com/?p=596
May 3, 2013 — 7:39 AM
Jack Vanish says:
Blah! Way late. I also chose Grave Deeds, but I gave it the subtitle “A Tale of Lucky and Goode”. http://flyknifecomics.com/flash-fiction-6/
Not as happy with this as the others, but it’s more important to write than to be perfect. I can always refine it later if I feel like it!
Also, for those interested, I’ve got an ongoing serial novel that started as a Flash Fiction here: http://figment.com/books/623611-Floodgate-Star. Give it a read, if you like what I write!
May 3, 2013 — 8:31 AM
rebeccadouglass says:
I added a twist. I took the list of title to my Jr. High after-school kids at the library and let them chose which one I’d write. it wasn’t what I’d have chosen, but here’s Life in Snowglobia
May 3, 2013 — 10:44 AM
rebeccadouglass says:
Sheesh. Should’ve had another cup of coffee before posting. At least the link works. Please disregard the failures of typing!
May 3, 2013 — 10:46 AM