Smell that?
*takes long sniff*
It is the first flash fiction challenge of the year.
I’VE THAT SCENT OF SHEER STORY POTENTIAL CLINGING TO THE INSIDE OF MY NOSE.
And it is wonderfully sweet.
I’d actually like to take a little moment to say I’m so happy that these challenges seem to get people writing and I’ve seen more than a few folks sell-through stories based on these challenges, which makes the brittle broken snow-globe that I call my heart twitch and shine for one second.
Anyway, let’s get to it.
All you need to do this week is to use a d20 or a random number generator to consult the table at the bottom of the document to roll for a story’s title. It’s a two-part title (meaning, two random numbers 1-20) and whatever title you get must fit the story you write for it.
You’ll have 1000 words, par usual. Post at your blog, link back here. Due in one week — January 17th, Friday — by noon EST. Easy-peasy story-squeezy.
(Example of an earlier, similar challenge here.)
The title tables are (and you’re free to put the word “The” in front of your title):
Column One
- Snowbound
- Devil’s
- Accursed
- Whispering
- Amethyst
- Griefstruck
- Lovestruck
- Red
- Cartographer’s
- Chaos
- Orbital
- Jackdaw’s
- Minotaur
- Invisible
- Dog Star
- Helical
- Flight of the
- Cerulean
- Seamstress’
- Ten-Year
Column Two
- Murders
- Kid’s Club
- Angel
- Vault
- Bookshop
- Champion
- Palace
- Fear
- Skull
- Potion
- Birdhouse
- Encyclopedia
- Peacock
- Prison
- Wire
- Rider
- Story
- God
- Parasite
- Earth
Scire Aude says:
The Cerulean Prison.
First story I’ve written in a very long time (and by first, I mean it!). Be nice but constructive criticism would be great
http://scireaude.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/the-cerulean-prison-flash-fiction-challenge/
January 12, 2014 — 2:09 PM
Aly says:
Sorry if this isn’t too good… I tried 🙁
Jackdaw’s Prison, everyone:
http://dystopiagirl.tumblr.com/post/73117900740/jackdaws-prison
January 12, 2014 — 2:38 PM
Tami Veldura says:
I like it Aly, that was really sad! (but your website background is really distracting, what on earth is on that guy’s face? o.0)
January 12, 2014 — 4:11 PM
Aly says:
Thanks Tami! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
And my background is the Teen Wolf cast… I think the thing on his face is the bandit mask (prosthetic skin – it’s part of his werewolf face!) 😀
January 13, 2014 — 12:26 PM
Kyra Dune says:
Here’s mine. Cerulean Fear. http://theshadowportal.blogspot.com/2014/01/flash-fiction-challenge.html
January 12, 2014 — 4:29 PM
pmillhouse says:
Your story intrigued me as well. I was right there in the closet with James and when the Encyclopedia began whispering to him that’s when I smiled.
January 12, 2014 — 5:28 PM
Wanderer says:
I rolled Cerulean Rider and came up with this:
http://secondstaronther.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/cerulean-rider/
January 12, 2014 — 7:22 PM
Joanna Horrocks says:
Very nice. I especially liked it with the soundtrack!
January 13, 2014 — 2:05 PM
Wanderer says:
Thanks again, Joanna!
January 13, 2014 — 3:18 PM
Joanna Horrocks says:
The moment I drew the title, “Red Prison,” I knew exactly what it meant. Well…I wrote that piece, but while I was debating whether to post it to my blog, this piece stepped up and said “Let’s talk about this.” I’m glad it did. it was an interesting conversation.
“Red Prison” is here: http://joannahorrocks.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/redprison/
January 12, 2014 — 8:01 PM
Jessie Costin says:
That was an interesting conversation – I got goosebumps when you described what the red prison is for some people.
January 13, 2014 — 3:49 PM
Joanna Horrocks says:
Thanks, Jessie – I appreciate that.
January 13, 2014 — 11:51 PM
Kirsten says:
Dog Star Peacock…This should be fun, or impossible….
January 12, 2014 — 10:19 PM
Tony says:
Dog Star God….I think I can do something with this. Just a thousand words? This might go a few rounds.
January 13, 2014 — 12:07 AM
Jessie Costin says:
Accursed Birdhouse.
First flash fiction challenge – has inspired me to actually create the blog I’ve been meaning to create so I’ve got somewhere to post it!
January 13, 2014 — 4:41 AM
Jessie Costin says:
I’m not 100% sure the resulting story totally fits the title, but this is what came out when I started typing, and I liked it too much to care 🙂
http://jessiecostin.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/the-accursed-birdhouse/
January 13, 2014 — 4:54 AM
Joanna Horrocks says:
It’s lovely.
January 13, 2014 — 11:25 AM
Bill Scott says:
Nice job.
January 13, 2014 — 9:02 PM
Joanna Horrocks says:
That’s the same reason I started mine…!
January 13, 2014 — 11:22 AM
Samantha says:
Flight Of The Murders.
This is gonna be interesting…. :3
January 13, 2014 — 8:07 AM
Jon Jefferson says:
Jackdaw’s Champion were the words given. Finished title became The Night of the Jackdaw’s Champion
http://jonjeffersonauthor.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/the-night-of-the-jackdaws-champion/
January 13, 2014 — 9:10 AM
jenn poniatowski says:
second flash fiction challenge! “The Accursed God” … http://wp.me/p2Rx0C-bW
January 13, 2014 — 9:39 AM
gnashchick says:
Dice hax. My title is “The Accursed Rider.” I thought was “The Accursed God” until I squinted at the cheap D20 that I carry in my purse (Yes, I’m that kinda nerd. I have a D10 in there too) and realized it was a 16 not an 18.
January 13, 2014 — 9:55 AM
Jesse says:
I got ‘Cartographer’s Angel’ kept it as the whole title and wrote…. this
http://fav.me/d721ew8
I’m not entirely certain what to make of it. Other than I cannot read it without a British sounding narrator for some reason.
January 13, 2014 — 11:17 AM
Josh Loomis says:
My rolls brought me ‘Ten-Year Potion’. http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/2014/01/13/flash-fiction-the-ten-year-potion/
January 13, 2014 — 12:52 PM
Phillip McCollum says:
I won “Cartographer’s Earth.” I guess the random number gen was set to Obvious. 🙂
Here’s my attempt to change it up a little: http://phillipmccollum.com/2014/01/13/cartographers-earth/
Thanks Chuck!
January 13, 2014 — 2:43 PM
mckkenzie says:
The Red Bookshop. Okay…that’s doable… 🙂
January 13, 2014 — 3:26 PM
Bill Scott says:
Just finished BLACKBIRDS — good shit. My seventy-five-year-old mother asked to read it when I was done. The phrase ‘slick piece of road pussy’ is still banging around in my head, so not sure if I want to be one to give her the book.
I got 17 & 11 — Flight of the Birdhouse. WTF
January 13, 2014 — 4:14 PM
Bill Scott says:
I could edit for weeks. Best to pull the plug now, and move on.
FLIGHT OF THE BIRDHOUSE posted on my blog.
http://dirtysmellyhippy.blogspot.com
January 14, 2014 — 7:06 PM
dangerdean says:
Gotta say, I liked Flight of the Birdhouse, but Redneck Christmas Miracle spoke to me, as a 46-year-old with a 37-year-old scar the entire length of my left thumb. 🙂
January 15, 2014 — 12:01 AM
L.J. Glover (@theLJGlover) says:
I loved this story. Very original.
January 15, 2014 — 11:21 AM
Tony says:
love it!
January 15, 2014 — 2:40 PM
J. L. Louis says:
Fantastic! I love the ambiguity of fantasy vs. perception of reality for the protagonist.
January 15, 2014 — 3:28 PM
Bill Scott says:
Thanks for taking the time to read and leave friendly remarks. I’ve tripled the total number of comments on my dirtysmellyhippy blog (3).
January 15, 2014 — 6:43 PM
Nicole says:
Hey this is awesome!
January 14, 2014 — 11:14 PM
S.C. Chalmers says:
This was fun – will definitely do it again. 🙂 Mine was Griefstruck Rider.
http://scchalmers.com/2014/01/13/griefstruck-rider-a-flash-fiction-challenge/
January 13, 2014 — 5:24 PM
nuyangwriter says:
The Snowbound Palace…I think the movie version of this is called “Frozen.” Haha.
January 13, 2014 — 6:07 PM
JM Bray says:
I got all nerdy-D&D-buzzed because it involved a d20.
Chaos Angel.
Forget my “inventive brain” for my next book title…I’m grabbing the dice.
January 13, 2014 — 6:26 PM
Smoph says:
You forgot the link JM!
January 17, 2014 — 10:50 PM
L.J. Glover says:
I started a blog just so I could do these, but it’s been a long time coming.
Lovestruck Palace:
http://ljglover.blogspot.com/2014/01/inaugural-post-flash-fiction-challenge.html
January 13, 2014 — 8:01 PM
L.J. Glover (@theLJGlover) says:
Typos now fixed! It ended up being some sort of mafia urban fantasy, and I’m totally keeping my characters for another story. I hated the title at first, but turned it into something I loved.
January 15, 2014 — 10:53 AM
mckkenzie says:
Okay, here’s The Red Bookshop! Feels kind of fateful as the title fit as a backstory for two of my characters. Comments and/or criticisms are welcome…
http://mckkenzie.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/the-red-bookshop-more-chuck-wendig-flash-ficion/
January 13, 2014 — 8:12 PM
mckkenzie says:
Feels kind of weird not having to link to anyone else’s story!! 😉
January 13, 2014 — 8:15 PM
Leah F says:
I liked it! It reminded me of The Neverending Story, which is never a bad thing.
January 14, 2014 — 12:50 PM
mckkenzie says:
Thanks! I’ve only written Sam as an adult, so it was kind of fun!
January 14, 2014 — 11:14 PM
J. L. Louis says:
Really enjoyed this. I like the subtle fantasy bits mixed into the normalcy of Sam’s life. Also nice that I didn’t need any background on these characters to appreciate what happened here (though I am intrigued about what is next).
January 15, 2014 — 2:53 PM
K. Zorn says:
Whispering Murders
http://kzorn1989.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/whispering-murders/
January 13, 2014 — 9:35 PM
Coyote Twilight says:
Helical Angel. *takes a deep breath* Read away, friends.
http://talewag.blogspot.com/2014/01/hiya-today-im-here-to-post-story.html
January 13, 2014 — 10:03 PM
Neil W. Howell says:
Cerulean Palace
http://neilwhowell.blog.com/2014/01/14/cerulean-palace/
January 13, 2014 — 10:54 PM
CKEndsley says:
Okay, I’m in. If only to play with my gaming dice. They gave me “Flight of the God.” You can see what I did with that at:
http://ckendsley.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/out-of-the-comfort-zone/
January 14, 2014 — 4:59 AM
Rebecca Douglass says:
I like it. Nice bit of interaction, and the bonus of figuring out who all the players are.
January 19, 2014 — 12:54 AM
ckendsley says:
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it. 😉
January 19, 2014 — 4:51 AM
Eva Therese says:
I got ‘The Carthographer’s Vault’ and here is my attempt: http://evathereseebert.wordpress.com/2014/01/14/flash-fiction-challenge-roll-for-title/
January 14, 2014 — 9:54 AM
Jim Franklin says:
Well I finally finished it. Hope y’all enjoy it.
http://www.thezombiechimp.com/2014/01/14/flash-fiction-helical-potions/
January 14, 2014 — 9:54 AM
Leah F says:
The Cerulean Birdhouse
http://thewingedfrog.blogspot.com/2014/01/flash-fiction-roll-for-title.html
January 14, 2014 — 11:27 AM
mckkenzie says:
Lovely story! I enjoyed reading it!
January 14, 2014 — 11:52 AM
Leah F says:
Thanks!
January 14, 2014 — 12:42 PM
L.J. Glover (@theLJGlover) says:
This is one of my favorites 🙂
January 15, 2014 — 11:14 AM
Kathryn Goldman says:
Just lovely. It reads beautifully.
January 15, 2014 — 11:28 AM
Gina Hay says:
http://word-addicted.blogspot.com , I got “accursed encyclopedia”, fun challenge. Enjoy reading.
January 14, 2014 — 12:52 PM
mikes75 says:
I got “Griefstruck” and “Skull” (no snickering over the numbers involved, please).
January 14, 2014 — 2:05 PM
mikes75 says:
Since my link apparently got eaten: http://untitledunited.com/2014/01/14/flash-fiction-griefstruck-skull/
January 14, 2014 — 2:06 PM
mckkenzie says:
Loved it!
January 14, 2014 — 2:17 PM
mikes75 says:
Thanks!
January 15, 2014 — 9:11 AM
J. L. Louis says:
Ohhh… gritty vengeful guilt. A good read.
January 15, 2014 — 3:30 PM
dangerdean says:
That was some great stuff.
January 15, 2014 — 9:39 PM
D.MarieProkop says:
Seamstress’ Wire- time to write my first horror story, it seems…or seams…
January 14, 2014 — 3:36 PM
Courtney Cantrell says:
My roll of the random number generator gave me “Griefstruck Bookshop.” The story’s a little sci-fi, a little William Butler Yeats, a little Lewis Carroll. With a rather dark ending, I’m afraid. But I had a romp of a good time with this one. ; )
http://courtcan.com/writing/flash-fiction-challenge-griefstruck-bookshop/
January 14, 2014 — 3:57 PM
Tony says:
It’s good to see someone else run a little long in the tooth as well. At my last count, I had over 1100 words and no sign of concluding any time soon. I’m loving your story.
January 14, 2014 — 4:41 PM
Courtney Cantrell says:
Thanks, Tony! Glad you like it. And I appreciate you clicking through. : ) Yeah, I figured since we’re not in a competition here, it’s okay to break the rules on occasion.
IF I OFFEND THE WENDIG WITH MY REBELLIOUSNESS I OFFER MOST ABJECT APOLOGIES AND COOKIES MADE FROM THE CRUSHED BONES OF PIXIES AND UNICORN FART SPRINKLES.
January 14, 2014 — 5:16 PM
Smoph says:
Oh the darkness! I liked the use of language in it.
January 17, 2014 — 11:06 PM
Courtney Cantrell says:
Thanks, Smoph! Playing with the language was one of my favorite parts of this story. Good to know that that comes through. : )
January 20, 2014 — 12:47 AM