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!)
108 responses to “Flash Fiction Challenge: Oh, We’re Gonna Use These Photos All Right”
Okay 17 seriously killed me. I literally no idea what anyone was thinking what they made that. Mummy + globe + nurse + possible bj = what?
Hahaha. I think the possible BJ was the high point of the whole series of photos. He’s a patient who needs comforting…
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!
Looks like #11 has a slight case of the blight. Just sayin’
Gonna have to do the random number generator for this one. Because I can’t even.
Oh my. I got number 11. The damn business plant.
#4 could be from like, any Shakespeare play. Or, well, a good number of them.
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/
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.
Great job! Very original. The descriptions and the lead-in were pretty funny, too.
That was great, and it’s scary to imagine that this could actually become something real.
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.)
“There’s no need. Simply looking at food makes me feel full now.” Gold! I really enjoyed this piece. Thanks for sharing it!
I really like the way you wrote this. I kept picturing it like a short film.
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.
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.
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!
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.
ok i am going to do four. this should be fun 😀
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/
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. 🙂
Thanks. Cant improve without criticism so I appreciate it.
I look forward to reading yours!
#11 is the result of my random roll… an idea blooms already (sorry), but I wonder if I should prune it (sorry).
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
Aww. poor Green. I think there might be a longer story in here.
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.
Hive mind?
THEY KNOW WHAT HE’S DONE!!!
sorry. Sorry. I’ll stay quiet
See, you know where I was going 😛
I felt bad for poor Greenie too!
Me too 🙁
ohh i want more! this is pretty good. if you took this into a whole book i could see a brilliant story.
I hadn’t thought an entire book, but I definitely will consider expanding this a bit. Thanks!
You could do some serious psychological horror with 19.
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*
#20 was meant to be #19. THAT’s how much I was traumatized.
Yeah. I did the random number generator and was like, “Please not 19! Please not 19!”
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.”
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
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…!
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…. 😀
Well. These are…interesting?…to the keyboard!
Butter Cookie Love Triangle http://milkaholicclown.com/2014/11/14/butter-cookie-love-triangle/ 500 words. profanity
Pic #2
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 😀
#11 – I think this photo inspired the Southern Reach series…
[…] Flash Fiction Challenge: Oh, We’re Gonna Use These Photos All Right […]
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/
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/
[…] This piece was written as an entry in Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction Challenge for this week. I chose photo #2: http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2014/11/14/flash-fiction-challenge-oh-were-gonna-use-these-photos-al… […]
ooh I got 16 (wanted business plant, so might write something for that later as well) but 16 is pretty nice.
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…
[…] This piece was written as part of Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction Challenge for this week. Random number generator photo #12: http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2014/11/14/flash-fiction-challenge-oh-were-gonna-use-these-photos-al… […]
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/
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/
Surprisingly sad.
[…] Chuck’s Challenge of the week: The Stock Photo challenge. […]
[…] response to Chuck Wendig’s Flash Fiction Unusable Photo Challenge , I took a break from NaNoRiMo and current WIP to remind myself that writing can be fun […]
[…] ever inspired by Chuck’s prompt here – using these photos from […]
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/
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
Cows at a cow concert for me – to the keyboard!
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!
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.”
[…] decided to try another flash fiction challenge from Chuck Wendig’s blog. The task was to come up with a story from a batch of truly bizarre and hilarious stock photos. I […]
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/
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/
[…] His most recent challenge was a throw down to a Buzz Feed article ’21 Stock Photos That No One Will Ever Be Able To Use’ and there are some doozies!! He challenged us to use one of the photos as inspiration. […]
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/
[…] Flash Fiction Challenge: Oh, We’re Gonna Use These Photos All Right […]
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/
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… 🙂
Hehe, that was awesome and creepy but with a surprising and humorous ending!
Nice job. I wouldn’t have had the first clue what to do with that.
Thanks! Sorry it took me so long to reply – lot of ‘issues’ this week…. but sorted now. Glad you liked my effort 🙂
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/
Nice. The end is perfect.
[…] response to a flash fiction challenge at terribleminds: use an unusable stock photo to inspire a story. Here’s the […]
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/
I had fun reading this story, lot’s of activity going on and good imagery.
Appreciate it!
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/
That was funny. Good job.
🙂 thanks
[…] Chuck challenged us to use one of these stock photos that BuzzFeed claims nobody could ever use. I picked #4, and pulled this out of my brain. Enjoy! […]
I chose pic #5 and came in a little under at 973 words. https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2014/11/18/mama/
Really liked this. It made perfect sense. 😀
Nice. I had the same picture and our stories are SO different.
Thanks guys! I’m happy you enjoyed it. Those crazy photos, though! 🙂
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
And my remix, Death Troll: http://theblogwon.blogspot.com/2014/11/death-troll.html
[…] a Chuck Wending friday flash fiction challenge. (see here) […]
[…] week’s Terribleminds.com Flash Fiction Challenge involves using questionable stock photos as inspiration. When I say questionable I mean […]
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
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
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. 🙂
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/