This week’s challenge is not one of subject, theme, or other detail — the challenge is simply one of length. Because normally? You get 1000 words. Today? You get only 100. (I think this is technically called a “drabble.” You can call it “Bobo” for all I like.)
So:
Go to your online space.
Post 100 words (no more!) of fiction.
Link back here so we can all see it.
Due by next Friday, 3/27.
That’s it.
I double dog dare you to do it.
(edit: I also double dog my friend, Erin Lynn Jeffreys Hodges, to try it, too.)
Tastyniblets says:
I’m using this challenge to revisit a character from a flash fiction story I wrote last week..
http://tastyniblets.co/2015/03/23/100-word-flash-fiction-jenkins-strikes-back/
March 23, 2015 — 7:52 AM
spoonfedbyaliens says:
I enjoyed this… It left me wanting to know more!! Good work!
March 23, 2015 — 9:08 AM
Danno Pugatch says:
Here’s my 100, an idea I have for a short story: https://penzu.com/p/6a541c97
March 23, 2015 — 8:10 AM
realdavidlove says:
Can’t read your story without having to download the app. Is there any other way?
March 25, 2015 — 10:44 PM
Chris Taylor (@inspectorgothic) says:
Here’s my 100 words, this was good fun!
http://goo.gl/j5UP9X
March 23, 2015 — 9:56 AM
jacki214 says:
Interesting and unexpected. 🙂
March 23, 2015 — 8:04 PM
Simon Bucher-Jones says:
And here’s mine – I’ll read other people’s tonight because my lunch break is over – http://simonbjones.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/drabble-writing-task-100-words.html
March 23, 2015 — 10:24 AM
jacki214 says:
I like it! The twist was great. 🙂
March 23, 2015 — 8:03 PM
Josh Loomis says:
It’s good to be back.
Here’s The Wreck.
http://www.blueinkalchemy.com/2015/03/23/flash-fiction-the-wreck/
March 23, 2015 — 10:34 AM
jacki214 says:
Thought provoking.
March 23, 2015 — 8:05 PM
Paige S. says:
https://pznb.wordpress.com/2015/03/23/the-sacrifice/
Yeah for short flash fiction!
March 23, 2015 — 11:47 AM
maggiros says:
I love these. A drabble can be as tight and balanced as a sonnet. Here’s mine. http://www.maggie-secara.com/2015/03/100-words-princes-of-serendip.html
March 23, 2015 — 1:19 PM
Alice E Keyes says:
100 words exactly and I used last weeks cocktail name
Norse Goddesses and Screaming Viking
http://aliceekeyes.blogspot.com/p/norse-goddesses-and-screaming-viking.html
March 23, 2015 — 1:48 PM
Mel Douleur says:
Also 100 words exactly!! http://wp.me/s3LwDZ-unlocked
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading most of the other submissions so far. They actually gave me the courage to try it myself!
March 23, 2015 — 2:16 PM
boozoojack says:
Quite a challenge: https://boozoojack.wordpress.com/2015/03/23/liminal-space-voyage
March 23, 2015 — 2:50 PM
jwhiteaker3 says:
Thought I’d finally jump in:
http://www.gardenofdeadsouls.com/blog/?p=35
March 23, 2015 — 4:04 PM
Keith Rawson (@Keith_Rawson_) says:
Here you go: http://lifeinmetropolis.com/terribleminds-flash-fiction-challenge-100-words-only/
March 23, 2015 — 4:35 PM
mannixk says:
Eeeww! And by that I mean, nicely done.
March 23, 2015 — 10:39 PM
spoonfedbyaliens says:
That was gruesome! Nice work, I enjoyed it
March 24, 2015 — 2:44 AM
Leena says:
http://www.wattpad.com/113422400-creatures-on-the-riverside Guh, I’d like to actually write a longer story on this…I hate you for the 100 word limit. I really do.
March 23, 2015 — 5:46 PM
Alice E Keyes says:
thanks for the laugh
March 23, 2015 — 9:20 PM
Henry says:
100 words, with a punchline from a conversation earlier today.
http://fistfulofwits.com/2015/03/23/flash-fiction-almost-a-cantina/
March 23, 2015 — 5:46 PM
Alice E Keyes says:
enjoyable
March 23, 2015 — 9:25 PM
Bill Rose says:
Quite a challenge. Here’s mine, 100 on the nose.
http://www.greensphinx.22slides.com/wendig
March 23, 2015 — 7:30 PM
Alice E says:
Let’s go, indeed
March 23, 2015 — 10:02 PM
jwhiteaker3 says:
2nd try. Sorry if it double posts.
http://www.gardenofdeadsouls.com/blog/2015/03/look-ma-no-hands-100-word-flash-fiction-challenge/
March 23, 2015 — 8:27 PM
cleefrost says:
This challenge has been haunting me since Friday. I present “The Manipulative Phantom.”
http://www.herravendomain.com/the-manipulative-phantom/
March 23, 2015 — 10:11 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
I like this one — I can picture the postcard curling and bubbling and turning to filmy ash.
March 25, 2015 — 10:12 AM
Herzog says:
I’m gonna take the plunge.
Please be gentle.
http://shadoworgan.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/flash-fiction-challenge-100-words-only.html
March 24, 2015 — 8:13 AM
K.Gman says:
Very good. A chilling glimpse at a potential future reality.
March 24, 2015 — 5:03 PM
Herzog says:
Thanks, i wish it was more than 100 words, i want to do more with this.
March 24, 2015 — 11:18 PM
K.Gman says:
Then you should. Why not? Treat it as a prompt and write on!
March 26, 2015 — 10:17 AM
Herzog says:
Yeah, i was thinking about writing more about the universe this short story takes place in.
March 26, 2015 — 10:57 AM
M says:
Woohoo! My first shot at this.
https://creativelingering.wordpress.com/2015/03/24/flash-fiction-100-words/
March 24, 2015 — 12:01 PM
L.K. Union says:
A bit of humor… http://lkunion.com/fiction-bits/
March 24, 2015 — 12:22 PM
Ada Ireland says:
“The Fall” at 100-ish words.
http://unashamedwriting.com/the-fall-super-short-flash-fiction-or-drabble-if-you-will/
March 24, 2015 — 1:04 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
I love temptation — this was nicely done. I bet, if you tried, you could do it 100 words. I’ve got a spare word counter, if you need.
March 25, 2015 — 9:00 AM
K.Gman says:
I don’t have a blog… is it against the rules to post here? If so, please do delete, with my apologies.
100 words exactly…
You say that I should leave, so I begin to pack.
“Should I take this with me?” I ask about a souvenir we bought together.
“That’s fine,” you respond.
My touch lingers on the red ribbon wrapped around our letters and notes. “I should just throw these away, then?”
“That’s fine.”
I gather up every photograph in which I appear beside you, and every item I ever touched, and every breath that called your name. “I guess I’ll be going.”
“That’s fine,” you say.
So, I leave.
And now I exist only so that you can be fine without me.
March 24, 2015 — 1:39 PM
jacki214 says:
Love the inner dialogue and that last sentence really captures this side of a harsh break-up.
On the topic of blogs, you can easily start one, then even if you don’t use it as your journal, you’ll have it to post things such as this drabble and other writing challenges.
See this link for a list of blog hosting sites – with descriptions: http://www.dearblogger.org/blogger-or-wordpress-better
Search a list of how to articles: http://www.wikihow.com/Main-Page
I have a WordPress blog, but I’m no authority… learning as I go. I Google questions when I have them and most of the time the answers are out there. You should give it a try!
March 25, 2015 — 12:10 AM
K.Gman says:
Thank you so much for the feedback! I rarely write at all, actually, so I doubt I have the need for a blog. I just lurk here for the perspective and humor of Chuck and his commenters. But, something about the short and sweet nature of this challenge inspired me. I will certainly keep these resources in mind, though, just in case. Thanks again!
March 26, 2015 — 10:13 AM
Aaron Cornwell says:
I had never flown before this, I looked out the window and saw the city being swallowed by clouds. It was beautiful yet frightening. My hands were sweaty and my leg trembling, I just wanted to scream. It wasn’t because it was my first flight, it was the men waving their guns.
Please give constructive criticism, it is one of my first pieces.
March 24, 2015 — 2:22 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
I think what catches my eye first and foremost is that you’ve only got one leg. Whether that was on purpose or a typo, it’s definitely thought-provoking.
Next, the sudden twist of ‘aw, nervous about flying?’ to NOPE. GUNS. Cue the record scratch!
I like it, and I wonder where it could go — but I also think you could’ve done more, because you barely used half your word limit.
March 25, 2015 — 8:45 AM
Harriette Reece says:
One? Hah, I have twenty seven. http://nineoverfive.blogspot.com/p/a-rabble-of-drabbles.html
March 24, 2015 — 5:58 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
“Chocolate Box Romance” is one of my favorites. Makes me laugh out loud. 😀 😀 😀
March 25, 2015 — 10:08 AM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Swear to god I’m not creepy.
March 25, 2015 — 10:09 AM
Kristin Mireles says:
No worries; I laughed too. But then again, I’m fucked up in the head.
March 27, 2015 — 11:27 AM
J.C. McKenna says:
Here’s my stab. http://jcmckenna.com/?p=411
Three sentences was easier than 100 words.
March 24, 2015 — 6:23 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Nicely done! All love to our glorious Teddies! 😀
March 25, 2015 — 8:49 AM
Alice E Keyes says:
Poor teddy.
March 26, 2015 — 9:47 AM
Daniel Andrlik says:
Here’s my piece. http://www.andrlik.org/fiction/flash/midnight-stroll/
March 24, 2015 — 6:27 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Oh — I like this one! It’s hard to do a twist in 100 words, but yours was lovely.
March 25, 2015 — 8:51 AM
Daniel Andrlik says:
Thanks!
March 26, 2015 — 2:34 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Here we go:
https://catastrophejones.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/chuck-wendigterrible-minds-flash-fiction-challenge-drabble-dialogue/
March 25, 2015 — 9:01 AM
Kristin Mireles says:
Fun read. I imagined British voices reading the dialogue. Does stoat felchin’ mean what I think it means?
March 27, 2015 — 11:40 AM
Catastrophe Jones says:
It likely does, considering we’re both fucked up in the head. Also, yes, British voices, definitely.
March 27, 2015 — 11:48 AM
Colin says:
100 word flash fiction challenge? Sign me up! 🙂
http://www.colindsmith.com/blog/2015/03/25/chuck-wendigs-flash-fiction-challenge/
March 25, 2015 — 10:53 AM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Ow, ow ow ow. I fucking well hate Hemingway, but this reminded me of him. In a good way. Superb.
March 25, 2015 — 11:50 AM
katemcone says:
https://katethesape.wordpress.com/read-my-stuff/ Here’s mine, clocking in at exactly 100 words (sans title). It’s called “RAWR!”
March 25, 2015 — 1:07 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Ha! Cracked me up. I love it.
March 25, 2015 — 1:32 PM
katemcone says:
Thanks! 😀
March 25, 2015 — 2:22 PM
Alice E Keyes says:
Made me smile.
March 26, 2015 — 9:51 AM
katemcone says:
Aw, yay!
March 26, 2015 — 10:11 AM
ShadowCub says:
Being a SciFi/Fantasy con goer, and a Fur (which includes scalies like dragons) I just had to comment and say that this was an absolutely DELIGHTFUL romp through only 100 words!
March 27, 2015 — 3:15 AM
katemcone says:
That’s awesome!!! I’ve been going to DragonCon the last few years – LOVE IT. Part of this was from my experience at the Yule Ball. 😀
March 27, 2015 — 8:13 AM
Mir says:
Wanted to get as close to the 100 as I could. http://smallwrittenkingdoms.tumblr.com/post/114592746735/when-the-queen-is-well-said-master-hixis-the
March 25, 2015 — 1:28 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Ooh! Nicely done — makes me want to give the narrator a high five!
March 25, 2015 — 1:33 PM
Rebecca Douglass says:
Nice! Take that!
March 27, 2015 — 8:35 PM
Diedra Black says:
You can find my contribution at https://diedrablack.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/a-hulk-a-picard-and-a-longshot/.
March 25, 2015 — 1:36 PM
stevechatterton says:
Here’s mine. 94 words. The Pianist: http://www.wattpad.com/114080153-short-stuff-the-pianist
March 25, 2015 — 2:34 PM
lisacle says:
I’m having a hard time thinking up a title for this piece, but it comes in just under the limit at 97 words. http://wp.me/p1Tyuy-bF
March 25, 2015 — 2:52 PM
Jasmine says:
Without the title it it 98 Words. Forgive my blog site its fairly new and under construction lol https://www.tumblr.com/blog/timeandspacekid
March 25, 2015 — 5:58 PM
Toni J says:
Here’s mine – The Blue Thing – http://tonij.net/2015/03/the-blue-thing/
March 25, 2015 — 6:02 PM
Alice E Keyes says:
I wonder if the girl is safe?
March 26, 2015 — 9:53 AM
Jasmine Smith says:
Don’t know if the other one posted. It’s my first try comments and criticisms are welcome lol http://timeandspacekid.tumblr.com/
March 25, 2015 — 6:12 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
lol — Puffin-Stuff. It’s adorable and macabre all at once.
March 26, 2015 — 9:14 AM
spoonfedbyaliens says:
I enjoyed writing the drabble I posted earlier in the week so much, I thought I’d have another go. I present: We are not alone
https://spoonfedbyaliens.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/flash-fiction-100-word-drabble-we-are-not-alone/
March 25, 2015 — 7:03 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Ooh. I definitely like it. Ominous.
March 26, 2015 — 9:12 AM
katemcone says:
Chilling! Loved it.
March 26, 2015 — 10:54 AM
addy says:
love it.
March 31, 2015 — 10:30 AM
Andrea Speed says:
Ending the world in under a hundred words. Which is very hard. http://andreaspeed.com/2015/everybody-hates-monday-a-microfic/
March 25, 2015 — 9:30 PM
Catastrophe Jones says:
Ha! Reminds me of Cabin in the Woods.
March 26, 2015 — 9:10 AM