Chuck Wendig: Terribleminds

Flash Fiction Challenge: “Roll For Title!”

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

  1. Snowbound
  2. Devil’s
  3. Accursed
  4. Whispering
  5. Amethyst
  6. Griefstruck
  7. Lovestruck
  8. Red
  9. Cartographer’s
  10. Chaos
  11. Orbital
  12. Jackdaw’s
  13. Minotaur
  14. Invisible
  15. Dog Star
  16. Helical
  17. Flight of the
  18. Cerulean
  19. Seamstress’
  20. Ten-Year

 Column Two

  1. Murders
  2. Kid’s Club
  3. Angel
  4. Vault
  5. Bookshop
  6. Champion
  7. Palace
  8. Fear
  9. Skull
  10. Potion
  11. Birdhouse
  12. Encyclopedia
  13. Peacock
  14. Prison
  15. Wire
  16. Rider
  17. Story
  18. God
  19. Parasite
  20. Earth

terribleminds

410 responses to “Flash Fiction Challenge: “Roll For Title!””

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      • 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!) 😀

        Reply

  19. 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.

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  20. 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.

    Reply

  26. […] Yep, you heard me. But the difference is that I’m going to try and play with words. Over at Chuck Wendig’s thought-provoking blog, he offered up a challenge of the random story generator starting with a title … and then to write 1000 words about it. [Here's the link if you want to play along.] […]

    Reply

  27. 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

    Reply

  31. 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.

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

      • 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.

        Reply
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