Last week’s challenge: “The Cocktail Is Your Title“
This week, again we will take 20 subgenres. You will pick two from the list either using a d20 or random number generator (or hell, divine it from the guts of a pigeon, whatever), then you will write a short story that mashes up those two subgenres.
This time, you’ll get 2000 words.
Because I’m sweet like that.
This is due by next Friday, noon EST.
Post at your online space.
Link to it in the comments below.
The subgenre list:
- Haunted House
- Dystopia
- Revenge
- Zombie
- Weird West
- Wuxia
- Body Horror
- Grimdark Fantasy
- Cozy Mystery
- Military Sci-Fi
- Comic Fantasy
- Conspiracy Thriller
- Superhero
- Erotica
- Heist / Caper
- Alternate History
- Parallel Universe
- Noir
- Time Travel
- Shapeshifters
160 responses to “Flash Fiction Challenge: Doing The Subgenre Twist, Once Again”
Shapeshifter Conspiracy Thriller. That’s a roulette jackpot if there ever was one. Not for the pigeon, though…anyone for squab?
Grimdark Fantasy Shapeshifters. Sounds like an adventure.
Man oh man did I enjoy writing this one. I won’t beleaguer you with explanations; I think the story speaks for itself.
In the genre of Grimdark Fantasy Shapeshifters, here’s “Bound Howler”:
https://pavorisms.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/bound-howler/
Well written, saw it coming but enjoyed it just the same!
Perhaps I over-telegraphed the ending; glad you enjoyed it regardless 🙂
Definitely not over-telegraphed – sometimes you want to see it coming so you can make the most of it :). Nicely done.
An excellent job, man! You did a great job at being both grim (Grimm? ;)) and dark here, and I really enjoyed the read.
Much appreciated!
Zombie Haunted House… not a haunted house full of zombies, a haunted house that’s been “killed” and come back even worse. Tickles my darker impulses.
Oh wait, it’s randomized.
> perl -e ‘print int(rand(20)) + 1, “\n”‘
My first roll was “zombie conspiracy thriller”. Way too overdone with Resident Evil. So we’ll be going with the rerolled “shapeshifter dystopia”.
Shapeshifter heist/caper … this should be a lark. And why are we all rolling 20s?
Ok. I am admitting failure. I’m about 4,000 words into this “flash fiction” and *maybe* nearing the halfway point. So I’m pretty sure it’s not going to fit into 2,000 by the end. Trying again with a new roll: 17 + 2, Parallel universe dystopia … ok, that seems like a thing.
Whew. 2080 words. Just about under the wire:
http://www.jpjuniper.com/stories/2014/6/23/the-signs-when-they-come-come-different
JP juniper you are very, very good. I hope you know that. Loved it.
Thank you, that’s very kind of you to say, and very much appreciated. All I really know is that I’m trying, though. I’m glad the story worked for you!
Yes, very well done and bang on board with parallel universe.
Agreed, this is excellent and keeps the surprises coming; nicely done.
Wow. Really, WOW. That was an amazing piece of fiction, and completely hit the points of both genres. I am awed.
I’m going to reiterate everything everyone else has said. Loved it and very well done!
Loved it! It’s a great set-up as well.
Urk. Grimdark fantasy meets cozy mystery. I think those are the most polar opposite options I could roll. Maybe body horror cozy mystery would be harder. Well, I never back down from a challenge, except when I do. Like all the time. Let me see what I can
come up with.
Weird West Heist/Caper – which may sound like a blast to some and maybe it will be for me as well. Looking forward to coming up with something… perhaps…
Okay, I finally managed something:
https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/the-getaway/
And well managed, too. Way to get out of your comfort zone!
Thank you. It was definitely a hard one for me, but I started getting into it once I had a solid plan. I think the story was probably bigger than 2000 words, though. 🙂
I responded on your blog, but I want to say here too – loved it! Excellent job capturing the weird west! 😀
17 & 5 – Parallel Universe, Weird West. Oh I got this.
Superhero dystopia. Has some definite potential, there.
It’s fun time!
[…] Chuck’s doing the sub genre twist. “Wuxia Caper/Heist” could only mean a story from the World of Champion Standing. This event takes place during the first chapter. Enjoy these 2068 words: […]
The internet ate the rest of my post!
It’s fun time! I’ve got a Wuxia Caper/Heist for ya right here. I’m heavy at 2068 words. This takes place during the first chapter of Champion Standing, my Wuxia novel out in February 2015:
http://article94.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/fabias-mission/
I feel loopless- I had to look up Wuxia, and you are writing the genre. Good stuff!
Well done man! Another interesting foray into the world of Champion Standing!
It’s actually chapter zero for Champion Rising. I’ve written another 2200 words, but I didn’t want it out there because it spoils Champion Standing.
Grimdark fantasy – erotica. Huh, that’s how my NaNo novel last year turned out, slightly to my surprise. Maybe I’ll reroll for something more out of my experience range.
Grimdark Fantasy Cozy Mystery. Really, d20?
A wuxia/heist caper…these two go perfectly together.
Noir Haunted House 😀 Sounds interesting!
I offer you “Ghostgum Creek” as my noir haunted house mashup. It’ll be live in 45 minutes from now. (I post on Fridays after midnight UK time on my blog)
http://jemimapett.com/blog/2014/06/27/friday-flash-fiction-ghostgum-creek/
I randomorg’d 10 – military sci fi and 16 – alternate history. And all that pops into my head is Stephen King’s The Mist (the movie mainly). This’ll be interesting!
Noir… and erotica. Noirotica? Sam Spade in ass-less chaps.
BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I cannot even slightly exaggerate the level of my anticipation over your attempt. 😉
Weird west shapeshifters. Huh. Some quiet time over the next couple of days will give me a chance to knock something out…
Wuxia, never thought that I’ll see the genre here! But there you have it 😉 It’ll be trying out a wuxia/haunted house for me, but actually if you know the wuxia genre, it’s actually quite a natural fit… 😉
Hmmmm Weird West/Noir. I sifted again through the chicken entrails, hoping for another answer, another choice. The six-shooter at my side felt heavy, drawing my attention – the acrid smell of gunsmoke mixed with cowshit as I realised just how much I hate manure…
Great start, can’t wait for the link.
Here we go, an attempt at blending pulpy Noir and Weird Western, but setting it in Australia led me to this In the Hard, Red Earth – I think I got the Weird Western part right, but the Noir, I’m not so sure…
Kick. Ass. Awesome. “Gunsmoke is an incense of its own, an offering.” One of those lines that just makes you go DAMN, that’s good.
Thank you, I’m glad you liked it, JP!
I second JP Juniper. Great imagery. I like the noir story scene-by-scene style.
Cheers, Colin!
Pardon my language, but hell fuckin’ YEAH! You nailed this man. NAILED it. Pitch perfect noir voice with the incredibly awesome choice to set your weird west in the land down under. Moments of this cried Lovecraft, others, King. Great job.
Thanks Mark, for the compliments, and I’m glad you liked the story. I was worried about whether the noir elements came off. And never mind the swearing!
I’m taking on Grimdark fantasy/Wuxia. Off to do research…and hope I capture these genres accurately.
Alright, was feeling inspired. Grimdark fantasy + Wuxia.
This is an origin story for a major character of my WIP – a fire demon, who lives by his own “code” on a mission to obliterate anyone in his path (and also those that are not). I enjoyed this exercise as it helped me practice giving more depth to my characters. There is some violence and “gore” (I’m not a good judge of level or severity, since I don’t usually do the blood and guts thing) – so fair warning.
“The End of Radiance” – https://ghostsinthemachines.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/the-end-of-radiance/
Would appreciate thoughts or feedback. 🙂
I think you did a great job balancing the wuxia elements with the grimdark fantasy – the two genres have some similarities but its hard to capture the feel of both in one piece.
Thank you very much!
Revenge Conspiracy Thriller. Hmmm. How about we set this in space…
Okay… it’s been fun doing this one. 😀
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/vengeful-bitch.html
Gives meaning to “You break my heart, I’ll break your neck.” Good job, Moz.
Thanks, Mark! When I saw those two, I thought it would be great to make a werewolf type one, instead of a vampire one for a change. 🙂
Silly goose, it’s “You break his heart, I break your face.” Apparently somebody needs a John Hughes refresher course. Just sayin’. 🙂
Actually, I was thinking of the Prong song: Snap your fingers, snap your neck.
Ahhh, then consider me schooled. 🙂 Some Kind of Wonderful just happens to be my favorite movie of all time, so it was the first thing I thought of.
I just watched ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’ on Saturday night. Very cool movie. 🙂
Best. Movie. Ever. 😉
Never heard of it. What’s it about?
Here’s a review I did of it… and of ‘Sixteen Candles’ too. 😀
http://mozetteslibrary.blogspot.com.au/2014/06/at-movies-two-john-hughes-classics.html
Check out the label at the bottom of the post called ‘At the Movies’ where you can have a look at the other movies I watch on Saturday nights and review. They’re all my own dvds I’ve collected and watch each Saturday night… 😀
Okay, that was good. I liked this one a lot.
Weird West Wuxia…I have no idea what this will look like…I’ll hopefully be back with something decent
So I have an ongoing series I call the ‘Capes Universe’. It’s my own little superhero playground, and I’d been looking for a way to wrap it up as I’m putting together a collection. This challenge gave me a good opportunity. So, I’ve taken ‘superhero’ as well as ‘shapeshifters’ (although there’s only the one in the story) and maybe even a dash of ‘body horror’. (if what happens to Aspect counts. )
“The Battle Of Sanctuary Pen”, starring my ‘Flash’ analogue ‘Fleet’, is 2000w words exactly, not counting em dashes, if Open Office Writer is being truthful. If you feel you need more backstory than the piece itself gives, click on the ‘capes’ tag in the tag list to the right and read from the bottom up. (Eventually I’m going to do a special page that collates them all together in order for easier reading)
http://www.agincourtdb.com/2014/06/the-battle-of-sanctuary-pen.html
[…] week’s flash fiction from Chuck Wendig over at Terrible Minds is another genre mash-up. I ended up getting Wuxia/Grimdark Fantasy. I think this would best be suited for an origin story […]
Noir / Body Horror
Oh dear… putting on thinking cap! 🙂
This sounds fun – the noir narration style could make the description of the body horror elements really atmospheric and evocative. I’m looking forward to this one.
Oh my! Glad you reminded me about this – it is due tomorrow! Guess I know what I’ll be doing tonight… trying to write a story that is ‘really atmospheric and evocative!’ 😀 The pressure is on! I agree – it is a fun pairing of words for a story. I’ve never written anything ‘noir’ before. Let’s see what happens!
4 and 7 – Zombie Body Horror. Yup, that should work 🙂
I got “alternate history superhero”. 16 and 13
https://angelacavanaugh.wordpress.com/2014/06/21/flash-fiction-friday-kennedy-and-king/
I like the idea of hero turned villain. Heisenberg is the most recent for many fans. Then, you paired it up with the beginning of a David and Goliath story. Great work!
Marvel-ous job (geez, sorry, I feel punny tonight)! Really, a solid take at an alternate super history!
I’m jealous. I wanted Noirotica. I have Zombies and Revenge, this is going to be a stretch of my poor brain. But I will bite into it with great voracity.
Noir Dystopia – Me likey!
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/4543380/
Stop using the roller! give me your address and I’ll send you a D20.
Brother, I am the king of nerds. 😉 I have a bunch of d20’s. I also know myself well enough to know that if I feel slightly uncomfortable with a result, it’s hard to resist rerolling. Invisible Castle keeps me honest, and forces me to confront my weaknesses. 🙂
Are they random D20s or spin down D20s?
Random – I like to chance fate. 😉 Besides, I am almost always DM and roll a lot more than my players do, so random helps keep TPK’s down. 😉
erm… am I missing something? what the hell is a d20?
A 20-sided die.
They make those? Hmm… you learn something new every day.
Who needs a d20? Just throw 4 normal dice, add up the 4 numbers and subtract 4. If you only have one, throw it 4 times and subtract 4. Simple. Repeat for the second genre choice. Another simple method: ask a friend to pick 2 numbers between 1 and 20 🙂
Oh, Bree! You’re breaking my heart! Someone, get this girl in a D&D game, ASAP! 😉
Lol. I’ve never tried D&D. I’m a WoW girl at heart from the very first release…
WoW is the digital evolution of D&D, so I guess it’s close. 😉 Should you ever find yourself in Middle Georgia, look me up! I’ll run you a proper game, and gift you a d20 all for your own.
woohoo!
At last, my entry! This one was tougher than I expected it to be. http://wp.me/p4AFse-cq
I had a teacher once. His name was Mr Blackman. That he was from Fiji didn’t mitigate the teasing he got from the name. He was a very good teacher though. But one of my friends called him Norm. One day I asked him why he called Mr. Blackman ‘Norm’. He looked at me deadpan and said “Noir Homme … Black man…” The joke itself was kinda noir-ish now that I think about it. But you are now my noir homme, Mark. 😉
I’ll drink to that, with a couple of fingers of cheap whiskey and a smirk. 😉
Great job capturing that Noir feel, especially with the names. It might have been tough to write, but it ready pretty easily. Loved it!
Thanks! I hide what I hope was a subtle hint to the nature of Neris in her name…
[…] Chuck’s challenge this week: Subgenres. […]
Revenge in the Weird West…which actually started as Revenge upon Revenge. Can a genre be mashed upon itself?
[…] this week’s Chuck Wendig challenge, is another subgenre mash-up. I chose #10 (military sci-fi) and #16 (alternate history) via random number generator. So…I […]
I got military sci-fi and altnerate history. Not sure how well i did with it, but here’s my story, The Earthling Invasion! http://underastarlitsky.wordpress.com
Well done! I love the twist of Earth invading Mars, and the ending…hmmm…the implications are limitless.
Fuck. Alternate History + revenge. So not my area. Although …. there is someone I am dying to kill for revenge reasons. Maybe I’ll write her fantastic death. Might do me some good. 😉
I don’t think I translated the roll correctly, but whatever. I went with dystopia shapeshifters.
http://allisonmaruska.com/2014/06/22/flash-fiction-drakes-flight/
Interesting read! Love the concept here or a post apocalyptic world filled with shapechangers. It definitely makes me want to know more about the cause and the reason for the forms they gain…
Thanks! This is so totally different from anything I’ve ever done. I love these challenges.
I do too! They really help open up the creative floodgates!
Weird West/Noir.
I think I can do something with that…
[…] to be a challenge, and it was. Anyway, as I have already stated, the challenge this week was sub genres in 2000 words or less. It’s my first real try at actioney type things and a fight scene, so […]
This is my first time participating in one of these challenges. I rolled up “Dystopia Comic Fantasy,” a combo I found surprisingly satisfying. Here’s the link:
http://kevintreadway.blogspot.com/2014/06/short-fiction-party-of-one.html
This is an absolutely wonderful story. JJ
Thank you so much!
Delightfully troll — I mean droll–and well written. …”unmistakable sounds of approaching adventurers: ” LOL Very entertaining.
I’m glad you liked it. I dug into my experiences with table-top RPGs to get the flavor /just/ right. 🙂
I am very envious of your end result. Well done!
Thanks, I honestly think it represents something of a breakthrough for me.
It really was fantastic. I am a huge fan of comedic fantasy and you absolutely nailed it here!
I got Time Traveling and Shapeshifters. This is my submission at 1750 words.
Disclaimer 1: I know nothing about such subgenres as shape shifters but I do love a good time travel story. Therefore, I don’t know if I portrayed either in a passable way
Warning 1: This is graphic and profane. Sorry, it just came out that way. It went weird. Or maybe a shape shifting Poe from the past possessed me. Anyway, be warned.
http://colinjkeats.wordpress.com/2014/06/24/in-the-briney/
All comments critiques appreciated.
Well done! An excellent read! I’d love to delve deeper into the rules of time-travel in this world, as they seem intriguing! Plus, love all the StuffBooks!
Couldn’t choose 2 sub genres, so I included em all. Great fun. Thanks, Chuck.
http://www.jjtoner.net/short-stories/the-quippos-caper/
*slow clap*
I am too speechless to say anything else. 😉
Bravo!
[…] story was written for Chuck Wendig’s recent Genre Mashup writing prompt. I rolled the ‘zombie’ and ‘haunted house’ genres, both of which are […]
I got “zombie” and “haunted house,” resulting in a story titled Bloody Dandelion Blast. Any feedback is appreciated.
http://wp.me/p4Jc72-j
WOAH! Ok, consider yourself followed. That was terrifying and awesome!
Ack! Military SciFi and Comic Fantasy? It took a couple of days but I came up with Mystery on Titan. http://wp.me/p2AyuM-lS Enjoy.
Space-faring dragons? Yes please! 😀
[…] Good point. Next, check out Terrible Mind’s writerly prompt (and I hear A might actually participate – stay […]
[…] week, another interesting challenge form the terrible mind of Chuck Wendig! This week, we had to choose two story genres at random, and mix them together into a single […]
Thanks, Mark – I was worried, both about the noir-styling and the choice to set it in my neck of the bush. Glad it worked, and thank you very much for the compliments!
Seriously, it was awesome. I love, LOVE when people set westerns (weird or not) in Australia. So many people Stateside forget that the whole world existed in that time period, and that Aussieland had a western expansion of their own.
Never written a flash fiction/short story before so I thought I’d try my hand at it! Had a lot of fun writing this!
http://ceaselessevolution.wordpress.com/2014/06/25/flash-fiction-challenege-subgenre/
Quite creepy. Which is to say: well done.
Thank you!
This was an excellent first! your imagery and grasp of the body horror and dystopian genres is clear, and I liked the twist at the end. My only suggestion would be to set up the protagonist so that it’s a little clearer how she has the knowledge to do what she does (trying to be vague to not spoil things). Otherwise, great job!
Thank you for your critique Mark, I appreciate your input!
So…Grimdark Fantasy/Superhero. Took a bit to work out, and not sure I really captured the whole Superhero aspect all that well, but:
http://randodad.blogspot.com/2014/06/and-streets-ran-red-flash-fiction.html
Your story was awesome. Perhaps a bit more comedic fantasy than grimdark, despite the gore elements, because man, I was chuckling through the whole thing. Very enjoyable read.
Much appreciated, thank you!
Thank you! The chuckles helped start my day perfectly! 😀