Last week’s challenge: 100-Word Stories.
Once again: the title challenge rears its gorgeously weird head.
I love this challenge and it usually get a lot of play, so let’s do it.
Way this works is: you’re gonna randomly throw together a title for your story.
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. (Examples: “The Dead Boy’s Doghouse,” “Shotgun Promise,” “A Key For Helix.”)
You’ll have 1000 words, par usual. Post at your blog, link back here. Due in one week — June 6th, Friday — by noon EST. And so, the title tables are (note that you’re free to put the word “The” in front of your title or pluralize words as appropriate):
Column One
- Whispered
- Mirror
- Junkie’s
- Amaranthine
- Diamond
- Shotgun
- Labyrinthine
- Bloody
- Seven-Year
- Crown of
- Starship
- Betrayer’s
- Scarlett
- Ugly
- Unlucky
- Dead Boy’s
- A Key for
- Grave Robber’s
- Castle
- Cackling
Column Two
- Murders
- Worlds
- Helix
- Beetle
- Dowager
- Gunslingers
- Firestorm
- Promise
- Sea
- Kevin
- Doghouse
- Pelican
- Breakfast
- Curse
- Coinpurse
- Rider
- Bastards
- Diary
- Souls
- Jackals
bassplyr5150 says:
I give you “Junkie’s Promise”
I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.
The end.
June 1, 2014 — 10:52 AM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Very succinct. For some reason I was expecting robots. I can’t really say why.
June 1, 2014 — 12:25 PM
bassplyr5150 says:
Well, there’s no reason I can’t do a second take. I was in bed last night and that just kind of hit. I’ve been binge watching “The West Wing” lately… 🙂
June 1, 2014 — 12:32 PM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Ah yes, West Wing. I’ve… heard of it. A bit lacking in robots, I believe. Well, if you do go ahead and use the other 964 words Chuck’s allowed us for this challenge, I wish you luck! (this should have been posted here, but my ability to post replies was temporarily disrupted by robots, and it got posted to the main comments)
June 1, 2014 — 1:25 PM
E. P. Beaumont says:
OK, internets have been won and it’s only the first entry. *hands them over*
June 4, 2014 — 11:37 PM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Ah yes, West Wing. I’ve… heard of it. A bit lacking in robots, I believe. Well, if you do go ahead and use the other 964 words Chuck’s allowed us for this challenge, I wish you luck!
June 1, 2014 — 1:24 PM
SmithCassidy says:
I love the idea that nearly everyone who reads this blog has a d20 (or 10) within reach for a little rollin’ pleasure. 8)
June 1, 2014 — 11:40 PM
Jim Franklin says:
I rolled Diamond and Firestorm, here is the unsurprisingly titled tale called Diamond Firestorm.
Hope you enjoy it.
https://keyboardpizza.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/flash-fiction-diamond-firestorm/
June 2, 2014 — 8:37 AM
E. P. Beaumont says:
First, awesome title (here announcing my intention to steal it for future use, particularly if I ever start a band). Meanwhile, on to the story: a huge amount of plot compressed into a tiny space, and like all good narrative the major plot-turn lives at the dead center of the tale. Brava/o!
June 4, 2014 — 11:42 PM
Jim Franklin says:
Thank you very much, much appreciated. The title is rather wonderful, though I can’t claim any responsibility for that.
Hopefully, it’s not too Star Trekky… 🙂
June 5, 2014 — 11:02 AM
Rose Red says:
Amaranthine Bastards!
Ha!
I’ve never done one of your challenges but I read them every week. I am a hesitant participant and a watcher. I am too curious to see where this goes so I’m in.
June 2, 2014 — 8:59 AM
KVeldman says:
Mirror Bastards. Ha.
June 2, 2014 — 11:37 AM
physicsjenn says:
I got “Bloody Jackals,” and wrote this short piece: http://jennwritesstories.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/terribleminds-flash-fic-challenge-bloody-jackals/
June 2, 2014 — 2:19 PM
E. P. Beaumont says:
The implication in the final line is really chilling… not to mention the line right before that. A pleasant retirement … for an old god. Arrrgh.
June 4, 2014 — 11:45 PM
Jon Stoffel says:
Rolled my 2d20 and came away with “Unlucky Jackals.” Wrote this Friday, for various reasons only got around to posting it today. Hope you enjoy!
http://www.jdstoffel.com/2014/05/flash-fiction-unlucky-jackals/
June 2, 2014 — 4:20 PM
AE Smith says:
I got ‘Shotgun Diary,’ and decided to go with a pretty literal interpretation: http://gigantocellularis.tumblr.com/post/87627326672/flash-fiction-shotgun-diary
June 2, 2014 — 5:00 PM
Jon Jefferson says:
The Grave Robber’s Coin Purse
http://www.10thdaypublishing.com/grave-robber-coin-purse/
June 2, 2014 — 8:12 PM
Jen Donohue says:
I got Scarlett Promise.
http://authorizedmusings.blogspot.com/2014/06/flash-fiction-challenge-scarlett-promise.html
June 2, 2014 — 8:19 PM
pathaydenjones says:
This was a good read, well crafted, atmospheric and thoughtful, a soliloquy and reflective piece which distills a good deal of emotional impact into those scarce 1K words
June 6, 2014 — 6:40 PM
Jen Donohue says:
Thank you, very much.
June 6, 2014 — 11:34 PM
Kate Loveton says:
I wound up with ‘Diamond Breakfast’ – well, that might be fun. I will have to think about this!
June 2, 2014 — 10:20 PM
Zuri says:
A Castle of Souls.
http://boldfaceletters.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/flash-fiction-a-castle-of-souls/
June 2, 2014 — 10:36 PM
Allison Maruska says:
Diamond’s Promise
http://allisonmaruska.com/2014/06/02/flash-fiction-diamonds-promise/
June 2, 2014 — 11:02 PM
Helen Espinosa says:
I rolled Mirror’s Curse.
https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/mirrors-curse/
June 2, 2014 — 11:38 PM
Josh Loomis says:
Come aboard, and sail the Ugly Sea. If you dare.
http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/2014/06/02/flash-fiction-the-ugly-sea/
June 3, 2014 — 9:52 AM
joeturner87 says:
10 & 17: Crown of Bastards…interesting.
June 3, 2014 — 4:13 PM
stephenseibert says:
The Junkie’s Soul
http://stephenseibert.wordpress.com/2014/06/03/the-junkies-soul/
June 3, 2014 — 7:48 PM
Free Jack Klugman says:
Rolled an 18 and an 18, which netted me “The Grave Robber’s Diary.”
You can find the result here: http://freejackklugman.com/shorts/the-graverobbers-diary/
I was surprisingly pleased with the result.
Enjoy!
June 3, 2014 — 10:06 PM
KL says:
Loved the tone, created a great feeling of authenticity. The diary format really works as well!
June 4, 2014 — 2:19 PM
pathaydenjones says:
I’m not seeing many comments on the blog yet so will get things kicking as I wrap my workweek. The Diary is an entertainingly creepy read, which you might think is following a bit of formula in the midpart, but as my old English teacher used to say, thre is nothing new under the sun, and my old LT would say, it’s all about execution. The ending of a story is hard to nail and I really liked the way FJK wrapped this up. Don’t read late at night 🙂
June 6, 2014 — 6:27 PM
Free Jack Klugman says:
Thanks for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed it!
June 6, 2014 — 9:02 PM
KL says:
Well, I’ve lurked for long enough, I guess. Time to give things a try, so….
I rolled “Starship Unlucky”, resulting in:
http://randodad.blogspot.com/2014/06/flash-fiction-challange-starship-unlucky.html
June 4, 2014 — 2:10 PM
epbeaumont says:
The crown of creation … is the Crown of Bastards.
http://epbeaumont.com/2014/06/04/flash-fiction-random-title-crown-of-bastards/
June 4, 2014 — 6:50 PM
pathaydenjones says:
I got a good one, and yes I was honest! The Bloody Helix
http://pathaydenjones.com/stories/the-bloody-helix/
June 4, 2014 — 10:59 PM
E. P. Beaumont says:
Must say I enjoy your process notes (and so does my partner, who looks over my shoulder in some of my writerly endeavors). This one was a particular treat, as I love creation stories. I like the resonance of the last line, too, with its promise of score-settling apocalyptic Jackals vs Cats action (hmmm… sounds like an otherworldly West Side Story kinda setup.)
June 4, 2014 — 11:50 PM
Doug Daniel says:
“Starship Souls”
http://douglasdanieldotcom.wordpress.com/2014/06/04/flash-fiction-challenge-starship-souls/
June 5, 2014 — 1:05 AM
Kate Loveton says:
“Diamond Breakfast”
http://kateloveton.wordpress.com/2014/06/05/diamond-breakfast/
June 5, 2014 — 7:42 AM
William Grit says:
http://williamgrit.com/2014/06/05/karate-class-a-key-for-bastards/
June 5, 2014 — 1:53 PM
underastarlitsky says:
Here’s mine. a bit later than hoped cuz i’m on vacation…I got a 7 and 3, so here’s my The Labyrinthine Helix http://wp.me/pBqgu-ak
June 5, 2014 — 2:07 PM
Adan Ramie - Author Blog says:
It was hard to stick to 100-or-less on this one, but I just made it.
“Junkie’s Bastards”
https://adanramieblog.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/junkies-bastards-by-adan-ramie/
June 5, 2014 — 2:10 PM
Jasmine I. says:
“Labyrinthine Promise”
http://jasminei.com/caffeinated-awakenings/labyrinthine-promise/
June 5, 2014 — 2:39 PM
Jim Bentley says:
Oh great Taco Lord Wendig, I offer unto you this 1000 word entry with a taco cat and some whiskey.
http://mrjimbentley.wordpress.com/2014/06/05/the-bloody-diary/
June 5, 2014 — 5:11 PM
Jesse says:
I netted myself ‘Grave Robber’s Dowager’ and that was fun
http://mertus.deviantart.com/art/Graverobber-s-Dowager-458848225
June 5, 2014 — 9:15 PM
Rebecca Douglass says:
Good story! Fun, in a way, and at the same time grim!
June 7, 2014 — 12:58 AM
M.J. King says:
This is awesome. But you knew that.
I rolled Grave Robber’s Promise
http://mjkingwrites.wordpress.com/2014/06/05/grave-robbers-promise/
June 5, 2014 — 10:23 PM
Matthew X. Gomez says:
Betrayer’s Bastards here. http://mxgomez.wordpress.com/2014/06/05/betrayers-bastards/
June 5, 2014 — 10:34 PM
Rebecca Douglass says:
Cackling Murders. That’s the last time I ask my boys to help out by picking a number between 1 and 20. Still, it ended up being fun to write!
http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2014/06/friday-flash-fiction-cackling-murders.html
June 6, 2014 — 12:13 AM
LittleBlackDog says:
“A Key for Jackals.” I’m over the word count, but thought I might post it anyways since I did finish it. Also, I am terrified because I haven’t written anything in a long time. Ack!
https://lilliangordontaylor.wordpress.com/2014/06/06/a-key-for-jackals/
June 6, 2014 — 1:06 AM