Last week’s challenge: The Three-Story Sentence.
So, I saw this thing at Buzzfeed.
21 Stock Photos That No One Will Ever Be Able To Use.
Well, we’re using them now.
Pick one! (Or: use a d20 or random number generator.)
Write a story inspired by that image.
You’ve got 1000 words.
Post at your online space, link to it here in the comments.
Due by next Friday.
(Don’t forget to identify which photo you’re using!)
Fatma Alici says:
Okay 17 seriously killed me. I literally no idea what anyone was thinking what they made that. Mummy + globe + nurse + possible bj = what?
November 14, 2014 — 12:10 AM
jacki214 says:
Hahaha. I think the possible BJ was the high point of the whole series of photos. He’s a patient who needs comforting…
November 14, 2014 — 12:41 AM
mckkenzie says:
Okay, I have no problem at all with this photo because, you know, why wouldn’t a mummy holding a globe need help with his penis bandage? But the impractical shoes the nurse is wearing? Yeah, I don’t THINK so!
November 14, 2014 — 9:47 AM
smkay70 says:
Looks like #11 has a slight case of the blight. Just sayin’
November 14, 2014 — 12:47 AM
smkay70 says:
Gonna have to do the random number generator for this one. Because I can’t even.
November 14, 2014 — 12:49 AM
smkay70 says:
Oh my. I got number 11. The damn business plant.
November 14, 2014 — 1:31 PM
Samantha says:
#4 could be from like, any Shakespeare play. Or, well, a good number of them.
November 14, 2014 — 2:07 AM
andreaspeed says:
Okay, so … I already wrote my story. Boy, when I get seized with an idea, I guess it doesn’t take me long. I picked photo number 8, which is all about the latest diet fad sweeping the nation … http://andreaspeed.com/2014/flash-fic-challenge-the-sensorians/
November 14, 2014 — 3:53 AM
addy95 says:
That was quick and really good. I found it quite amusing and kind of scary, it does point out a message about dieting and sounds like something that people would do in the future or rather do now.
November 14, 2014 — 8:47 AM
Kveldman says:
Great job! Very original. The descriptions and the lead-in were pretty funny, too.
November 14, 2014 — 10:21 AM
Giana says:
That was great, and it’s scary to imagine that this could actually become something real.
November 14, 2014 — 3:18 PM
andreaspeed says:
Thanks everyone! I actually come from a family where everyone seems to have some eating disorder or another, so I could easily see this as something at least one of them would try and follow. (And fail – but just barely.)
November 14, 2014 — 3:47 PM
debwain says:
“There’s no need. Simply looking at food makes me feel full now.” Gold! I really enjoyed this piece. Thanks for sharing it!
November 16, 2014 — 7:40 PM
mannixk says:
I really like the way you wrote this. I kept picturing it like a short film.
November 17, 2014 — 10:23 AM
smkay70 says:
Oh, I could see this being a thing, no problem! I don’t need to eat, I just need to listen to my food more closely. Ha! Great story, I really enjoyed it.
November 17, 2014 — 7:10 PM
jademwong says:
That was captivating and really well-written. I imagined it playing out as a news segment easily and it really says a lot about dieting and all the fads. Seriously well done.
November 17, 2014 — 9:30 PM
Wendy Christopher says:
Very clever, very original and a wonderfully sharp skewer through the media-obsessed society! Loved this one a lot! But whu – hey, what was that last bit about Kent? I live in Kent!
November 18, 2014 — 10:30 AM
andreaspeed says:
Oh no! Kent is fine. I’m sure it was just an alarming lead in to make sure you stay tuned.;) And thanks everyone, I’m really happy with this one. I guess it proves when you get seized with an idea, you should run with it.
November 19, 2014 — 2:57 AM
addy95 says:
ok i am going to do four. this should be fun 😀
November 14, 2014 — 5:13 AM
addy95 says:
Here it is. Hope you enjoy it. I had a lot of fun with this challenge and when the idea came i couldnt stop.
https://adamskistoryblog.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/flash-fiction-challenge-death-is-the-best-solution/
November 14, 2014 — 8:29 AM
Ashlee Jade says:
Very nice.
If I can nit-pick for a moment, it’s Reverend that is the priest, reverent is feeling or showing a deep respect, usually for God. A Reverend is reverent. Aside from that, I enjoyed it, keep it up. 🙂
November 17, 2014 — 11:12 AM
addy95 says:
Thanks. Cant improve without criticism so I appreciate it.
I look forward to reading yours!
November 17, 2014 — 11:44 AM
Pavowski says:
#11 is the result of my random roll… an idea blooms already (sorry), but I wonder if I should prune it (sorry).
November 14, 2014 — 5:40 AM
Pavowski says:
I fear my ending is too abrupt, but like kudzu, this one really wanted to keep growing out of control.
Inspired by Photo #11, here’s “Lettuce Be”: http://wp.me/p4p1YR-iE
November 15, 2014 — 11:37 PM
andreaspeed says:
Aww. poor Green. I think there might be a longer story in here.
November 16, 2014 — 5:44 AM
Pavowski says:
I definitely think so. I had this big idea about how the Greens share a hive mind but… heh there just wasn’t time for it.
November 16, 2014 — 5:48 AM
addy95 says:
Hive mind?
THEY KNOW WHAT HE’S DONE!!!
sorry. Sorry. I’ll stay quiet
November 17, 2014 — 12:06 PM
Pavowski says:
See, you know where I was going 😛
November 17, 2014 — 6:09 PM
smkay70 says:
I felt bad for poor Greenie too!
November 17, 2014 — 7:12 PM
Pavowski says:
Me too 🙁
November 17, 2014 — 7:37 PM
addy95 says:
ohh i want more! this is pretty good. if you took this into a whole book i could see a brilliant story.
November 17, 2014 — 6:26 AM
Pavowski says:
I hadn’t thought an entire book, but I definitely will consider expanding this a bit. Thanks!
November 17, 2014 — 6:27 AM
Ashlee Jade says:
You could do some serious psychological horror with 19.
November 14, 2014 — 6:56 AM
Wendy Christopher says:
I think I actually got one picked out! But I have to say… these photos… WHAT WERE THEY THINKING..? The ‘WTF Highlights’ for me were:
#5 – This is supposed to be one of those ‘Insert Mother-in’Law joke here’ kind of pictures, isn’t it?
#10 – PLEASE tell me this is not a type of porn that actually exists…
#12 – And you would use this as a motivational business image… when, exactly?
#17 – Good to know the NHS have been trained to heal just about anything…
#20 – AAAAAAARRRRRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!! *faints*
November 14, 2014 — 7:22 AM
Wendy Christopher says:
#20 was meant to be #19. THAT’s how much I was traumatized.
November 14, 2014 — 7:23 AM
Allison Maruska says:
Yeah. I did the random number generator and was like, “Please not 19! Please not 19!”
November 19, 2014 — 11:44 PM
Courtney C says:
I’ve never participated in one of these, but how could I not with inspiration photos like you’ve provided? Random number generator says I’ll be working on #21.
P.S. – Does #19 remind anyone else of cut up hot dogs? Not in a “mmm yummy” sort of way…more in a “I’ll never feed my daughter a hot dog again.”
November 14, 2014 — 8:48 AM
Mozette says:
BWAHAHAHAAAAAAA! I’ve done it again… objects having love lives… yes… anyone who doesn’t want to be creeped out by these things, don’t read it… otherwise, please do. 😀
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/childs-play.html
November 14, 2014 — 9:12 AM
Wendy Christopher says:
Well I’m never gonna be able to watch Toy Story again, after this..! Can you be creeped out in a good way? I think I was creeped out in a good way 🙂 It was very well written, very funny. Won’t be tidying up my kid’s bedroom for a while though…!
November 18, 2014 — 10:45 AM
Mozette says:
I saw the dolls and remember an ‘Amelia Jane’ book I have from my childhood… and kinda took it from there 😀 Then, a friend of mine mentioned Toy Story too…. 😀
November 18, 2014 — 10:48 PM
Joe Turner says:
Well. These are…interesting?…to the keyboard!
November 14, 2014 — 10:15 AM
milkaholicclown says:
Butter Cookie Love Triangle http://milkaholicclown.com/2014/11/14/butter-cookie-love-triangle/ 500 words. profanity
November 14, 2014 — 10:37 AM
milkaholicclown says:
Pic #2
November 14, 2014 — 4:25 PM
lisaprose says:
I keep wanting to do this but I haven’t done fiction on my blog and I am very very new to writing… anyone have tips on getting over such fears?
November 14, 2014 — 11:32 AM
milkaholicclown says:
Just start doing it. Open up Word or Wordpad instead if it’s more comfortable for you. Get excited or angry about something and take out your energy on the keyboard. You can clean it up in the aftermath.
November 14, 2014 — 11:46 AM
mckkenzie says:
You’ve absolutely come to the right place! Chuck has a lot to say in this blog on “writing through the suck” and “giving yourself permission to suck.” That is, don’t stress about it. Just get it on the page and then edit and revise to make it good. As somebody else said (and I’m paraphrasing here), you can edit a bad page, but you can’t edit a blank page.
November 14, 2014 — 12:08 PM
Mikey Campling says:
This is a good place to spread your wings. Have a go. It’s all good fun. Don’t stress over it. Set yourself a time limit, say 1 hour, and just blast something out.
November 14, 2014 — 2:07 PM
andreaspeed says:
Just do it! Write yourself a story. It doesn’t matter if you post it here or not. (Although I hope you do.) This is just a place for fun. No pressure.
November 14, 2014 — 3:49 PM
Mozette says:
Write your story like you would any other… then give it a go and show us.
Yes, you’ll be nervous… yes, you’ll wonder if we like it… and yes, there’ll be people who don’t like it.
But that’s what being a writer is all about.
Don’t worry about what we think – write for yourself and nobody else, then post it.
There’s no right or wrong about what you’re writing, just enjoy the process. 😀
November 15, 2014 — 12:21 AM
Amber says:
#11 – I think this photo inspired the Southern Reach series…
November 14, 2014 — 1:30 PM
Brandon O'Brien says:
Here’s mine. “Payback” #21 http://wickedflagon.wordpress.com/2014/11/14/chuck-wendigs-flash-fiction-challenge-oh-were-gonna-use-these-photos-all-right-21/
November 14, 2014 — 1:32 PM
Mikey Campling says:
I got 21 on the random number generator. A crazy picture deserves a crazy story, and a dame with a gun can only lead to the mean streets of noir.
MC Productions Presents: “A Bad Day For Bernard”
Hope it gives you a laugh: http://mikeycampling.com/flash-fiction-challenge-bad-day-bernard/
November 14, 2014 — 2:02 PM
mat says:
ooh I got 16 (wanted business plant, so might write something for that later as well) but 16 is pretty nice.
November 15, 2014 — 5:17 AM
smkay70 says:
I got business plant and I am not sure at all what to do with it. I’m sure I will figure it out but yeah…
November 15, 2014 — 4:36 PM
milkaholicclown says:
I’m trapped at home with my three little people. Finding it hard to concentrate on my current WIP and 1,000 word goal due to the background noise of the Xbox, Ipad, talking, yelling, arguing etc. I decided to write another story. I used the random number generator and got #12. And here is the story “Tamales” 500 words:
http://milkaholicclown.com/2014/11/15/tamales-flash-fiction/
November 15, 2014 — 11:50 AM
milkaholicclown says:
And one more, because procrastination is an ugly thing and I really like this game. Good writing practice for me. “CELERY MAN” #18
http://milkaholicclown.com/2014/11/15/celery-man-flash-fiction/
November 15, 2014 — 1:17 PM
andreaspeed says:
Surprisingly sad.
November 16, 2014 — 5:48 AM
ZonieMama says:
OK, my 1st FF Challenge.
I’m sorry if it’s limited to ONLY 1000 words. I thought 1K was the minimum, but on re-reading, I’m not sure.
I enjoyed it, even though celery is NOT my favorite vegetable. (Curse you, Random Number Generator!) Hope someone else gets a kick out of it, too.
http://lynnacfrost.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/photo-18-baba-yaga-and-the-celery-head-man/
November 16, 2014 — 10:07 AM
mat says:
not super happy with this, but have been struggling with second and third drafts recently for submission so this was a welcome break.
http://reticulatedmetalarms.wordpress.com/2014/11/16/orange-juice-sharks-and-cucumber-shotguns/
Like the milkaholic one I may have to use a couple of the other pics as well
November 16, 2014 — 10:08 AM
alreadynotpublished says:
Cows at a cow concert for me – to the keyboard!
November 16, 2014 — 8:03 PM
debwain says:
OK, this is my first challenge. Please be gentle with me!
http://www.debwain.com/2014/11/flash-fiction-challenge-green-man.html
Thanks for prompting us, Chuck!
November 16, 2014 — 8:09 PM
mannixk says:
Aww. Poor Green Man just wants to find love. I particularly enjoyed the line: “…his eyes fixed and held her so that the chlorophyll content of his person no longer troubled her.”
November 17, 2014 — 10:21 AM
mannixk says:
I got #3. Not sure the result is all that inspired, but I would’ve been at a complete loss if I had to do celery man. Sorry, it’s long too.
http://makesmesodigress.com/2014/11/16/the-chemistry-of-fear/
November 16, 2014 — 8:34 PM
Allison Maruska says:
I rolled #5. I’m just glad I didn’t get the finger cutting one.
http://allisonmaruska.com/2014/11/16/flash-fiction-the-lost-wedding/
November 16, 2014 — 10:08 PM
alreadynotpublished says:
Wrote this one on the train ride home from work this afternoon. It’s pic #9 the cows and the microphone, I think the random number generator took it easy on me! It isn’t the dark and gnarly usually found on this site, but I think it’s a fun read. I give you Bovine Balladeers.
http://alreadynotpublished.wordpress.com/flash-fiction/bovine-balladeers/
November 17, 2014 — 4:35 AM
Jessica Ruprecht says:
I randomly generated #7 (the woman ogling her better half) and came up with the following (rather silly) fiction:
http://jessicaruprecht.com/2014/11/wanted-two-legs-possibly-stocky/
November 17, 2014 — 9:05 PM
Wendy Christopher says:
Okay, here’s my effort, for picture no. #1 (viewable in my story.) I even managed to stick to the word limit of 1,000! http://wcprawncrackers.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/always-something-there-to-remind-me.html
And now I’m going off to have a gander at other people’s stories… 🙂
November 18, 2014 — 10:15 AM
smkay70 says:
Hehe, that was awesome and creepy but with a surprising and humorous ending!
November 18, 2014 — 10:27 PM
Allison Maruska says:
Nice job. I wouldn’t have had the first clue what to do with that.
November 19, 2014 — 11:54 PM
Wendy Christopher says:
Thanks! Sorry it took me so long to reply – lot of ‘issues’ this week…. but sorted now. Glad you liked my effort 🙂
November 24, 2014 — 9:15 AM
smkay70 says:
I got #11. Took me a minute to come up with something…I can already think of a dozen changes I would like to make but I’m gonna “leave” it as is. Sorry, couldn’t help it. I titled it “Turning over a new leaf”
http://sabrakay.com/flash-fiction-friday-folks/
November 18, 2014 — 3:28 PM
Allison Maruska says:
Nice. The end is perfect.
November 20, 2014 — 12:02 AM
Jon Stoffel says:
I rolled myself a celery-head-guy. Stepped out of bounds with ~1400 words, but what can I do? I present… “Eat Your Vegetables” http://www.jdstoffel.com/2014/11/flash-fiction-eat-your-vegetables/
November 18, 2014 — 4:57 PM
smkay70 says:
I had fun reading this story, lot’s of activity going on and good imagery.
November 19, 2014 — 5:27 PM
Jon Stoffel says:
Appreciate it!
November 21, 2014 — 3:48 PM
the story hive says:
So here it is: “DEAD SERIOUS AND NOT SORRY”. 649 words.
It is pic #4
http://thestoryhive.wordpress.com/2014/11/18/dead-serious-and-not-sorry/
November 18, 2014 — 5:00 PM
Allison Maruska says:
That was funny. Good job.
November 20, 2014 — 12:09 AM
the story hive says:
🙂 thanks
November 20, 2014 — 11:21 AM
Helen Espinosa says:
I chose pic #5 and came in a little under at 973 words. https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2014/11/18/mama/
November 18, 2014 — 9:12 PM
ZonieMama says:
Really liked this. It made perfect sense. 😀
November 19, 2014 — 3:44 AM
Allison Maruska says:
Nice. I had the same picture and our stories are SO different.
November 20, 2014 — 12:12 AM
Helen Espinosa says:
Thanks guys! I’m happy you enjoyed it. Those crazy photos, though! 🙂
November 20, 2014 — 5:23 PM
magicant2000 says:
Well, I went with the one that seemed easiest since I’m still settling into this flash fiction thing. Priest and body in the casket. I actually have a second concept I may write as well, in a King/Bachmann-style remix. But for now, here’s Console Freak:
http://theblogwon.blogspot.com/2014/11/console-freak.html
November 19, 2014 — 3:39 AM
Joel says:
And my remix, Death Troll: http://theblogwon.blogspot.com/2014/11/death-troll.html
November 20, 2014 — 8:17 PM
Sarah Joan (@By_SJD) says:
Here is my third try at this flash fiction thing it’s shorter and I had an idea for a story like this a while ago but never wrote one. I hope it’s alright and makes sense
http://sarahwatches4u.blogspot.com/2014/11/flash-fiction-3.html?spref=tw
November 19, 2014 — 11:46 PM
Ridley Kemp (@MrRidleyKemp) says:
That was tougher than I expected.I was worried about the “professionalism” of my story until I remembered that professional photographers produced those photos.
http://www.ridleykemp.com/stories/2014/11/20/what-if-the-slippery-slope-is-really-just-a-waterslide
November 20, 2014 — 4:11 PM
Rebecca Douglass says:
I couldn’t do it. I was traumatized by just looking at the pictures. I had to fall back on our alternative challenge and an old friend, Xavier Xanthum, Space Explorer. I suppose I shouldn’t post the link since I didn’t write the right story. 🙂
November 20, 2014 — 11:09 PM
Jemima Pett says:
I went for the cows at the concert. One for the ageing hippies among you!
http://jemimapett.com/blog/2014/11/21/friday-flash-fiction-bella-and-the-ayrshires/
November 21, 2014 — 1:52 AM