Last week’s challenge: Ten Little Chapters
I have chosen ten random words.
Your goal: to choose five of these and incorporate them into a single piece of flash fiction.
The words:
Whalebone
Foxglove
Djinn
Orphan
Lollipop
Casket
Hermit
Hound
Acid
Topaz
There’s your list.
Choose five.
Write 1000-word short story.
Post at your blog or online space.
Give us a link to the story in the comments below.
Any genre will do.
Due by April 4th, noon, EST.
Jim Franklin says:
Hmmmm interesting, plus a slow day at work to write this in. Hoorah!
Not, that I was just sitting here drinking crap office coffee, waiting for this.
March 28, 2014 — 6:40 AM
dontdeletemeblog says:
Haha! I am doing the exact same thing. Can’t wait to attempt this flash fiction.
I mean….I am working so hard. I love my job!
March 28, 2014 — 10:18 AM
Jim Franklin says:
Well, naturally. We all do… :p
March 28, 2014 — 1:43 PM
Jim Franklin says:
Here it is. After several scum-laden cheapo coffee’s, I can bring you the surprising child-like tale of “Foxglove, Lollipop and the Djinn”. Hope you like it.
http://www.thezombiechimp.com/2014/03/28/flash-fiction-foxglove-lollipop-djinn/
March 28, 2014 — 1:42 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
See, now I want to know who their father is!
March 28, 2014 — 5:50 PM
thomaspierson says:
Once upon a time, in an old forest, there lived… THE MOST BADASS DAMSEL IN THE HISTORY OF BADASSITUDE!!!! This was fantastic.
March 29, 2014 — 2:38 PM
underastarlitsky says:
*like*. great story!
March 29, 2014 — 4:17 PM
Jim Franklin says:
Thanks for the nice comments. Glad you liked it.
March 29, 2014 — 9:36 PM
murgatroid98 says:
Ooh! I’d love to read lots more about Lollipop and her family.
March 30, 2014 — 8:33 AM
joeturner87 says:
Hehe…Whalebone
March 28, 2014 — 7:00 AM
joeturner87 says:
Came in under budget as a penance for last weeks. Enjoy (well, try)
http://joetblogs.wordpress.com/2014/03/29/terriblemds-flash-fition-challenge-five-random-words/
March 29, 2014 — 6:39 PM
fadedglories says:
Creepy but nice
April 3, 2014 — 12:08 PM
joeturner87 says:
Thanks, I wasn’t too sure about it, but I started, and it developed by on its own. I should probably monitor my subconcience :s
April 3, 2014 — 7:45 PM
Topaz says:
Hey, that’s a coincidence – my name is Topaz! 😉
Nice prompt. I think I’ll use this, actually…
March 28, 2014 — 7:39 AM
Pavowski says:
Okay. “The Acid Orphan,” coming up! … Except probably not.
March 28, 2014 — 7:40 AM
Nick Nafpliotis (@NickNafster79) says:
NO! You are now committed to that concept! (Kidding, but I would actually like to read what you could do with that).
March 28, 2014 — 8:45 AM
underastarlitsky says:
don’t tease us! that sounds awesome! please write it! we (as in the royal we, I don’t have a split personality disorder lol) want to read that! 😀
March 29, 2014 — 4:22 PM
Pavowski says:
I have serious mixed feelings about “One Award”. I got it done in just over 800 words and worked in six of the ten.
It’s here: http://pavorisms.wordpress.com/2014/03/29/one-award/
And I just may go back and write “The Acid Orphan,” for reals. It occurred to me several hours after I burped up the title that it actually might fit in with another novel I want to write, someday.
March 29, 2014 — 8:29 PM
Pavowski says:
See, this just goes to show that I should trust my instincts. This idea just wouldn’t go away, much as I tried to reach for something less “silly,” and I had a lot more fun writing this one than I had with my first stab at this challenge.
Meet the Acid Orphan: http://pavorisms.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/the-acid-orphan/
Double-dipping on these challenges: this writing bug I’ve caught must be serious.
March 30, 2014 — 8:16 AM
Ashley Porter says:
Awesome! My favorite so far.
April 1, 2014 — 6:46 PM
fadedglories says:
I’d like to read more and then some more.
April 3, 2014 — 12:13 PM
Pavowski says:
Thanks!
April 3, 2014 — 3:45 PM
Smoph says:
I think your heart was in this one. Different idea, I like it. Could lead to a much longer bit of prose I suspect…
April 4, 2014 — 9:12 PM
Katie Sullivan says:
Great prompt – I think I will actually have to get up off my duff (or sit down on it) and churn something out for this!
March 28, 2014 — 8:48 AM
Mark Gardner says:
Yay! I like the random word challenges.
March 28, 2014 — 9:00 AM
Mark Gardner says:
I finished up at 450 words. I misread the prompt and worked in all ten. See if you can spot any that don’t belong:
http://article94.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/five-random-words/
March 28, 2014 — 12:49 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
The first challenge I did was ‘pick any 1 from each of these 2 lists of ten’ — I nearly tried to use all 20 because I was so weirdly excited.
Nice job; complete scene in less than 500. Impressive!
March 28, 2014 — 1:15 PM
Pavowski says:
By that rationale, there are about 440 words that don’t belong, right? I kid…
Enjoyed the smash-mouth pace – it fits the challenge and the feel of your piece. If anything, it’s over too quick for me – I’d love to see more of what the hero sees. But it’s got a nice arc and a good turn. Spot on!
March 30, 2014 — 7:00 AM
Mark Gardner says:
I’m glad you liked it! Fitting each scene into a tiny “100” box was crazy difficult. I probably wrote 1800 or so, but the bearded one decreed 10×100, so it was done.
March 31, 2014 — 11:11 PM
Mark Gardner says:
Apparently I’m in the Cat Jones category and also can’t grasp the replying thing.
Anyway, what is a smash-mouth pace? I had intended to write another 500 words, based on the capture, but classes and work killed that.
March 31, 2014 — 11:30 PM
Pavowski says:
If you were a little dude about to tussle with a much bigger dude, your best bet might be to take your first opportunity to smash him in the fargoing mouth, and not give him the chance to draw things out. 🙂
April 1, 2014 — 7:03 PM
Smoph says:
Mark, I have to say, your new(er) blog layout is so much easier to read! It looks good too.
Love what you did with the story. Not every quest is heroic! Awesome.
April 4, 2014 — 9:37 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Done. It’ll show up on my site at 9:30am. Here’s a link, anyway:
http://catastrophejones.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/clever/
March 28, 2014 — 9:06 AM
Mark Gardner says:
Nice work. I’m always a fan of a proper comeuppance.
March 28, 2014 — 1:14 PM
thomaspierson says:
This was a great story. I love the dark talk and savage tones throughout. It reminded me of what Wednesday Addams would have to contend with, where Pugsly not such a willing participant.
March 29, 2014 — 2:26 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Thank you! Haha — that’s an awesome thought. 🙂
March 29, 2014 — 9:24 PM
Pavowski says:
You’ve a nice way with dialogue and character voice. The things they say tell us everything we need to know about them.
March 30, 2014 — 7:02 AM
Smoph says:
Nicely done with your unlikeable protagonist.
April 4, 2014 — 9:40 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Thank you much!
April 4, 2014 — 9:50 PM
kjolly19 says:
Here’s mine. It’s my first attempt to meet your challenge. I hope you enjoy.
http://www.kirkjolly.com/friday-flash-fiction/
March 28, 2014 — 9:16 AM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Dark and sad. Thanks for sharing.
March 28, 2014 — 12:26 PM
Kirk Jolly says:
Thanks, I’m glad you liked it.
March 29, 2014 — 6:35 PM
Trine Toft Schmidt says:
Oh this is heartbreakingly good.
April 2, 2014 — 11:11 PM
Kirk Jolly says:
Thanks Trine.
April 5, 2014 — 1:21 AM
fadedglories says:
I liked it tho’ it’s not my usual cup of tea.
April 3, 2014 — 12:17 PM
Kirk Jolly says:
Yeah it’s very dark and sad even by my own standards but I’m glad you liked it.
April 5, 2014 — 1:25 AM
Smoph says:
Well done Kirk. That is a really good plot-line and a wicked ending.
April 4, 2014 — 9:43 PM
Kirk Jolly says:
Thanks Smoph. Glad you enjoyed it.
April 5, 2014 — 1:32 AM
Mozette says:
It’s amazing what you learn on Supernatural… simply amazing. 😀
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/the-djinns-spell.html
Enjoy. 😀
March 28, 2014 — 10:19 AM
Catastrophe Jones says:
I remember those episodes — nice tie in! 🙂
March 28, 2014 — 12:26 PM
Mozette says:
Thanks! I just watched them a week or two ago. I knew buying the box set was well worth it! 😀
March 28, 2014 — 8:01 PM
Smoph says:
Dark, Mozette. I like it. It’s got good pacing and the plot is interesting.
April 4, 2014 — 9:46 PM
Jen Donohue says:
Last week I had a failure to launch, but this week, something’s already sparked! Stay tuned.
March 28, 2014 — 10:35 AM
Jen Donohue says:
I linked further down, but it occurred to me it might be useful to link with my original comment. Sorry for the duplicate!
http://authorizedmusings.blogspot.com/2014/03/flash-fiction-klara-and-clockwork-djinn.html
March 30, 2014 — 6:10 PM
charlieray45 says:
I don’t often do flash fiction – too hard to write so little. :-). This, though, was too tempting to ignore.
http://charlieray45.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/unintended-consequences/
March 28, 2014 — 10:54 AM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Damnit, now I want to know what comes next!
March 28, 2014 — 12:19 PM
fadedglories says:
Maybe your Djinn would get along with mine.
April 3, 2014 — 12:23 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
I remember those episodes! Nice tie-in.
March 28, 2014 — 12:23 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
…obvs I don’t know how to comment correctly. Time for more caffeine.
March 28, 2014 — 12:27 PM
Erin says:
My contribution, “Foxglove”: http://www.erinmhartshorn.com/friday-flash-foxglove/
March 28, 2014 — 12:29 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Enjoyed it — I think it would also work well as part of a much larger piece.
March 28, 2014 — 1:19 PM
Erin says:
Thank you! I get that a lot with my flash. 😉
March 28, 2014 — 1:36 PM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Sorry, broke the word-limit! http://mrurbanspaceman.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/the-blue-stone-a-flash-fiction-piece/
March 28, 2014 — 12:54 PM
mlhe says:
Your extra words will find balance in my efficiency. Great post, Mr. U. Spaceman.
March 28, 2014 — 1:05 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Very well done. Definitely enjoyed reading this one.
March 28, 2014 — 1:26 PM
fadedglories says:
It’s got a lovely sense of location and a chilly atmosphere. I liked it lots.
April 3, 2014 — 12:28 PM
mlhe says:
Under word limit but this was a lot of FUN!
http://mfourlbyhfourepoetry.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/mavlos-education/
March 28, 2014 — 12:59 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Can tell you enjoyed writing this one. Easy to follow, and entertaining. Thanks for sharing!
March 28, 2014 — 1:30 PM
thomaspierson says:
And here we are:
http://coffeekeys.quora.com/Flash-Fiction-Tribute
March 28, 2014 — 1:43 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
I have no clue how you managed to make the name ‘Dorphus’ elegant, and yet, you did. This was brilliant. I loved reading it.
March 28, 2014 — 5:44 PM
Jim Franklin says:
Well, seeing as I had soooo much extra time I couldn’t resist writing another one, using the other five words. Hound, Hermit, Acid, Whalebone and Orphan.
Hope you like it… Supposed Injustice
http://www.thezombiechimp.com/2014/03/28/flash-fiction-supposed-injustice/
March 28, 2014 — 1:51 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Ohhh, Jeremy. I may have even liked this one better!
March 28, 2014 — 5:51 PM
Jim Franklin says:
aye, me too. 🙂
April 1, 2014 — 11:13 AM
Fatma Alici says:
This one ended pretty short, but I usually end of over shooting the 1,000 words by a smidgen, so I’ll cut myself a break here. I really like how it turned out, it has a dream-like quality.
Effort and Result
http://www.fatmaalici.com/2014/03/28/challenge-five-random-words/
March 28, 2014 — 6:13 PM
Smoph says:
Interesting supernatural story Fatma. I wanted to know what the significance of those figures was, and the events that they wrought on others.
April 4, 2014 — 9:48 PM
Fatma Alici says:
The woman in the story pops in my stories on occasion. Almost leads to some reality bending weridness that i don’t entirely get.
April 4, 2014 — 10:38 PM
inkoherent says:
Here’s mine. I’ve never tried this before, but it seemed serendipitious that I created a blog and up came Chuck’s Challenge, so I went for it. I used whalebone, foxglove, orphan, acid and hermit in 968 words … http://inkoherent.wordpress.com/
March 28, 2014 — 6:40 PM
Smoph says:
Welcome and good job! I love the ending phrase of the first paragraph. It’s perfect for the story.
Also interesting idea, and a complex protagonist, which is pretty difficult to do in 1000 words.
April 4, 2014 — 9:52 PM
conniecockrell says:
I haven’t read anyone else’s story yet. I wanted to write mine first. Here it is, scheduled to post next Friday (April 4th) at 0300 Arizona time. http://wp.me/p2AyuM-jE Now I can enjoy your stories.
March 28, 2014 — 6:41 PM
angelacavanaugh says:
I couldn’t help it, I used all 10 words! it’s got a twist, might be a bit evil…
Orphan
http://angelacavanaugh.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/flash-fiction-friday-orphan/
March 28, 2014 — 7:53 PM
Mark Gardner says:
I had to hunt down half of them which means you did a good job using them.
March 28, 2014 — 9:22 PM
Doug Daniel says:
Here’s my piece. It’s probably a failure.
http://douglasdanieldotcom.wordpress.com/2014/03/28/flash-fiction-challenge-five-random-words/
March 28, 2014 — 10:38 PM
murgatroid98 says:
I thought this was very good. I like how your Topaz handled the General.
April 3, 2014 — 7:41 PM
mdayon12 says:
I’m a mom. This is based on a true story that happens to me everyday. Don’t judge me’http://kissmetoomanytimes.wordpress.com/2014/03/29/flash-fiction-challenge-five-random-words-2/
March 29, 2014 — 5:31 AM
fadedglories says:
This is the best story I’ve read so far. It came alive.
April 3, 2014 — 12:37 PM
abillyhiggins says:
“Djinn Without a Cause,” using the words Djinn, Orphan, Hermit, Hound, and Acid:
http://billypeery.wordpress.com/2014/03/29/djinn-without-a-cause/
March 29, 2014 — 1:10 PM
fadedglories says:
Very funny and well told.
April 3, 2014 — 12:39 PM
Shane Vaughan says:
Here’s my wildly childish, ridiculously over the top, silly litle piece:
“Once upon a Desert Dream”
Find out what a lollipop, a djinn and a camel are all doing at a circus in London…
http://writesomethingsmidge.blogspot.ie/
March 29, 2014 — 2:23 PM
cfjeanjean says:
That was good fun to read! 🙂
March 31, 2014 — 12:18 AM
Nick Nafpliotis (@NickNafster79) says:
I must say, I’m still not sure what to think of what I came up with…although I did find a way to set the story in Lovecraft’s Mistakonic Valley. That’s always a plus 🙂
The Lake Offering
http://www.ramblingbeachcat.com/2014/03/flash-fiction-friday-five-random-words.html
March 29, 2014 — 4:01 PM
Jon Stoffel says:
I rolled myself a tale consisting of foxglove, orphan, lollipop, casket, and acid.
I present… “By the Time I Am Home”
http://www.jdstoffel.com/2014/03/by-the-time-i-am-home-flash-fiction/
March 29, 2014 — 10:51 PM
Nick Nafpliotis (@NickNafster79) says:
Good lord that was heart breaking. Nice work.
March 30, 2014 — 1:44 AM
Jon Stoffel says:
Thanks, and I’m sorry 🙂
March 30, 2014 — 12:28 PM
Mark Gardner says:
I hadn’t planned on reading any more FFC tonight, but based solely on Nick’s comment, I did. I’ve always believed that writing sjouke illicit some kind of emotion – anger, fear, happiness – whatever. I seem to enjoy sadness-evoking stories, and yours did it wonderfully. Great work!
March 31, 2014 — 11:23 PM
Jon Stoffel says:
Thanks for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed it!
April 2, 2014 — 1:14 PM
Sam Phillips says:
My first attempt at one of these challenges. Whalebone, Foxglove, Hound, Acid, Orphan…
and the result… “Waste not.”
http://idreamofgypsies.blogspot.com/
March 30, 2014 — 8:07 AM
underastarlitsky says:
Here’s mine. my words: whalebone, acid, orphan, casket, hermit. I call it, Little Orphan Ivy http://wp.me/pBqgu-9O. 1,000 words on the dot.
March 30, 2014 — 12:05 PM
Jen Donohue says:
Ooh, lots to read!
All right, here’s mine (I suck at titles most of the time):
Klara and the Clockwork Djinn; or, Matchmaking at the Museum
http://authorizedmusings.blogspot.com/2014/03/flash-fiction-klara-and-clockwork-djinn.html
March 30, 2014 — 1:30 PM
cfjeanjean says:
Ooh I liked this, kind of want to see what happens next! Are you going to do any more with it?
March 30, 2014 — 7:31 PM
Jen Donohue says:
Thanks so much! I’ve toyed with the idea of doing a serial piece on the blog, and a steampunk pulp-serial would be a lot of fun, I think.
March 30, 2014 — 9:33 PM
cfjeanjean says:
I picked whalebone, topaz, orphan, acid and foxglove. Although I decided to go for a more literal interpretation of the word foxglove: my story has foxes wearing gloves. I had a lot of fun writing this one!
http://celineslouchelounge.wordpress.com/2014/03/30/flash-fiction-the-orphan-seeker/
March 30, 2014 — 7:23 PM
Brent McGuffin says:
I used 5 words and hinted at three more.
My girlfriend read it and asked for more. I guess that’s a good thing.
Here’s, The Hermit: http://wp.me/p4u5GE-6
March 30, 2014 — 8:41 PM
Ashley Porter says:
I finished mine today. It’s called, ‘The Hermit has a Visitor’.
http://www.reader-writer.com/?p=114
March 31, 2014 — 12:38 AM