Last week, over 400 (!) of you wrote opening sentences for the challenge.
This week, your job is to pick one and write a story with that as your opening.
Let’s say you’ve got up to 2,000 words for this one. Write the story and post it at your online space. Link back here (with a shout-out to the author of the original sentence, please!) so we can read it. Story should be done by noon EST next Friday (the 24th).
Pick your sentence and get to writing.
Joe Turner says:
We’ll need at least a week just to pick the sentence!
April 17, 2015 — 11:36 AM
Joe Turner says:
Thanks to Lisacle for her opening line. It inspired me to write this.
https://joetblogs.wordpress.com/2015/04/21/terribleminds-pick-an-opening-sentence-and-go/
April 21, 2015 — 5:58 PM
lisacle says:
Nice! This is the first chapter of a longer piece, you know. 😎
April 23, 2015 — 6:42 PM
curleyqueue says:
So many incredible options- can’t wait to see what people put out there!
April 17, 2015 — 11:51 AM
blewnose says:
How can I go back and read the comments before I start with the story?
April 17, 2015 — 12:58 PM
Pavowski says:
Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the post and you can view the multiple pages of comments.
April 17, 2015 — 1:22 PM
blewnose says:
Thanks!
April 21, 2015 — 10:11 AM
Paul D says:
http://terribleminds.com/ramble/2015/04/10/flash-fiction-challenge-time-again-to-write-an-opening-sentence/
April 17, 2015 — 1:54 PM
Mozette says:
Okay… I picked out Ashlee Jayde’s first sentence…
However, my blog is fucking up… so if you’re having problems seeing my work, let me know and I’ll put the story up here in the comments, okay?
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/remembering-my-death.html
April 17, 2015 — 10:05 PM
Ashlee Jade says:
Thanks for using my first line!
April 18, 2015 — 12:54 AM
Periodically Demented says:
Thanks to Shauna Clinning for her ‘I can’t open my legs’ line.
https://p33d33.wordpress.com/2015/04/18/i-cant-open-my-legs-chuck-wendig-challenge-4
April 18, 2015 — 3:57 AM
Periodically Demented says:
WordPress ate my lunch. Only the first para published and I didn’t notice it until later. Full 1,261 word short now available.
April 18, 2015 — 10:28 PM
ElctrcRngr says:
I chose this one by thesexiestwriter. Thanks in advance for the inspiration.
“Trey sat under a bush in the cold December drizzle, watching the street and rubbing the limp dog that lay twitching in his lap.”
I’ll post a link when the story is done.
April 18, 2015 — 2:19 PM
ElctrcRngr says:
OK, my little story is done. I hope y’all like it. You can read it at
https://elctrcrngr.wordpress.com/2015/04/22/dog/
April 22, 2015 — 11:34 AM
the story hive says:
I picked poorerdick’s line: “Little did Harold know that the sneeze he was about to experience would bring about the end of humanity and the world as he knew it.”
Thanks for the great inspiration. 🙂
I’ll post the link here, when I’m done.
April 18, 2015 — 2:28 PM
the story hive says:
So this is part one – https://thestoryhive.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/tick-tick-tick-achooo/ – be patient with me
April 27, 2015 — 11:38 AM
the story hive says:
part two up now https://thestoryhive.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/tick-tock-tick-achoo/ – I think I’m going to kaboom some parallel universes. 🙂
April 28, 2015 — 12:34 AM
Pavowski says:
I chose this delight from Nicholas:
“The 3rd time I killed Mr. Jenkers, I knew I had a problem.”
What can I say, my cats are on my nerves lately.
Here’s “The Immutable Mr. Jenkers”: https://pavorisms.wordpress.com/2015/04/18/the-immutable-mr-jenkers/
April 18, 2015 — 11:16 PM
Paige S. says:
That was fantastic 🙂
April 19, 2015 — 2:51 AM
Pavowski says:
Glad to hear it! I went back and re-read it today, and man, there are some bits I’d like to clean up, but it seems to have found a positive reception here nonetheless.
April 21, 2015 — 4:25 PM
lizaskew says:
I love it!
April 20, 2015 — 3:31 AM
Catkins says:
Amazing.
April 20, 2015 — 2:13 PM
Pavowski says:
Your handle is making me chuckle. (I think you may be Mr. Jenkers’ evil alter ego.)
April 21, 2015 — 4:27 PM
mannixk says:
Excellent! Sometimes my cat stares at me that way. Worrisome.
April 20, 2015 — 3:31 PM
Andrew Hickey says:
Oh that is *good*. I like that a *lot*
April 21, 2015 — 3:03 PM
Andrew Hickey says:
(Just to be clear, my first reply to Pavowski, liking his story, was aimed at him. Why WP thinks I want *all* my replies to be replies to him I don’t know :-/ )
April 21, 2015 — 3:32 PM
Andrew Hickey says:
I like that one a lot. The descriptions of Ichabod’s emotions having physical appearances work very well.
(This is meant to be a reply to curleyqueue, but WP is saying “Leave a reply to Pavowski”, so if it shows up there, that’s why.)
April 21, 2015 — 3:31 PM
curleyqueue says:
Found it regardless- thank you so much Andrew!
April 21, 2015 — 5:20 PM
ElctrcRngr says:
Liked your take on this. And your writing, as always, is superb.
April 22, 2015 — 4:13 AM
curleyqueue says:
This is fun and really well-done! Especially enjoy the couple lines right before the end 🙂
April 22, 2015 — 9:07 AM
Pavowski says:
The end upset me a little bit first, but when I accepted the absurdity of it all, it just made me laugh.
April 23, 2015 — 7:02 PM
curleyqueue says:
I think if it makes you a little ill, it must be a keeper! And in the spirit of the story- those two lines were just edgy enough- and a deeper insight
April 24, 2015 — 12:10 PM
shelton keys dunning says:
Thank you, Susan Adsett, for your contribution of: They said everything went right the day his mother died.
I added Vikings. Because Vikings.
http://sheltonkeysdunning.blogspot.com/2015/04/touched-by-gods.html
April 19, 2015 — 1:57 PM
Periodically Demented says:
I really enjoyed your story, SKD. It was really vivid.
April 19, 2015 — 11:45 PM
shelton keys dunning says:
Thank you for stopping by and checking it out! I’m thrilled you enjoyed your visit.
April 20, 2015 — 9:36 PM
mannixk says:
That was awesome. The dialogue was outstanding, IMO.
April 20, 2015 — 3:38 PM
shelton keys dunning says:
Thank you! I’ll take a win for outstanding dialogue. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
April 20, 2015 — 9:37 PM
ElctrcRngr says:
I also found the dialog very realistic. Nicely done.
April 22, 2015 — 6:02 AM
shelton keys dunning says:
Thanks! And thank you for leaving a comment on my blog!
April 22, 2015 — 3:12 PM
addy says:
more please…
that was awesome!!
April 21, 2015 — 7:25 AM
shelton keys dunning says:
Thanks for the awesome! I promise we’ll see Ricci and Vegard again.
April 21, 2015 — 5:56 PM
curleyqueue says:
Really enjoyed your story!
April 22, 2015 — 9:09 AM
shelton keys dunning says:
Thank you!
April 22, 2015 — 3:12 PM
lisboeta1 says:
Shelton, this is a little off topic but I had picked up your opening sentence (which I loved) and started writing a piece. However, life intervene as it often does and I am left with just the first couple paragraphs. I am hoping to finish it even though I have no idea where it’s going (I often write like that). Would you like me to contact you if I ever do finish it?
April 25, 2015 — 6:12 PM
shelton keys dunning says:
Oh, sure! I’d love to see where the idea took you. And I’m thrilled you used it for inspiration! So many great sentences to choose from …I’m pretty stoked.
So yeah, drop me a line whenever it’s done. I’m looking forward to it.
April 28, 2015 — 2:57 AM
Toni J says:
I used Adam’s line “The earthquake and bat infestation shocked everyone at the wedding but Gwen, who had conjured them.” to write this http://tonij.net/2015/04/the-wedding-bats/
April 19, 2015 — 7:28 PM
Christopher says:
Well done, Toni J. When I saw “bat infestation” i didn’t expect it to be touching. Nicely done.
April 20, 2015 — 3:18 AM
Andrew Hickey says:
Nice.
April 21, 2015 — 3:21 PM
Afrokot says:
I like it. Especially the final line. =)
April 23, 2015 — 3:09 AM
Mark Gardner says:
I used Maricel Jimenez’s opening line:
https://article94.wordpress.com/2015/04/20/nalas-story-part-nine/
April 20, 2015 — 10:48 AM
Andrea Speed says:
I used Pavowski’s opening line for this story, which may become a longer science fiction story once I get done with my latest novel. It was really fun to write. http://andreaspeed.com/2015/flash-fic-challenge-past-prologue/
April 20, 2015 — 6:09 PM
addy says:
i like it. plenty of action and i love how you describe the sci fi world.
April 21, 2015 — 7:36 AM
ElctrcRngr says:
Your protagonist has great attitude, and you did a good job of hinting at her backstory without giving too much. I really like this
April 22, 2015 — 6:53 AM
curleyqueue says:
David Koehn’s line provided the impetus for my story. Think this challenge is great- can’t wait until it comes ’round again!
https://agcurleyart.wordpress.com/
April 21, 2015 — 12:38 PM
Andrew Hickey says:
I chose Catkins’ “Let’s see, yes, I think this is where it starts.”
http://andrewhickey.info/2015/04/21/flash-fiction-the-fair-folk/
April 21, 2015 — 2:51 PM
curleyqueue says:
Enjoyed the atmosphere of this piece and the feeling of stream of consciousness, and great results for so little time too!
April 22, 2015 — 9:03 AM
Andrew Hickey says:
Thanks! I try to make these things *really* “flash” fiction — just sit down and write and see where it takes me. The first-person stream-of-consciousness style works well for doing that, I find (though I probably overuse it)
April 22, 2015 — 9:15 AM
Kalen says:
Phil Norris I used your first sentence.
http://kalenivey.com/?p=34
April 21, 2015 — 10:20 PM
Afrokot says:
I chose Matthew X. Gomez’s “I have to admit, being dead isn’t nearly as boring as I feared it would be.”
https://nightshadeblues.wordpress.com/2015/04/22/pining-for-the-fjords/
April 22, 2015 — 5:56 AM
Sarah D says:
Thank you to jay x wolf for the opening sentence—Happiness is a cold beer, an enormous burrito, and enough time to down them both before the werewolf catches up with you again
http://sarahwatches4u.blogspot.com/2015/04/flash-fiction-5.html?spref=tw
I think I could write a whole teen book series out of what I did for this challenge
April 22, 2015 — 1:04 PM
lisacle says:
I used John Freeter’s sentence, “I followed the nice man to his basement.” It is considerably less than 2,000 words and needs a big ol’ NSFW warning label across the top. 😎 http://wp.me/p1Tyuy-bd
April 22, 2015 — 3:35 PM
Periodically Demented says:
Liked it. A clever take, and unexpected.
April 27, 2015 — 5:57 AM
Helen Espinosa says:
I used Kalen Ivey’s first sentence “Daddy, are you listening?” It’s coming in around 1,350 words.
https://helenespinosa.wordpress.com/2015/04/22/flash-fiction-daddy-are-you-listening/
April 22, 2015 — 11:55 PM
Simon Bucher-Jones says:
http://simonbjones.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/flash-fiction-challenge.html Here’s mine it’s from Sam Hedenburg’s excellent first sentence “I grew up in the kingdom of the cul de sac”.
April 23, 2015 — 8:50 AM
jakashadows says:
I used the sentence written by Paige S.
“Wild Night” comes in at around 1800 words and started as just a stand alone story but kinda merged with another idea I’m working on. This one is set from the view point of a side character.
https://jakashadows.wordpress.com/
April 23, 2015 — 4:06 PM
Paige S. says:
That was great!
April 24, 2015 — 11:19 AM
Jemima Pett says:
Thank you CrankyAshley for this inspired sentence which also had to help me with my A to Z Challenge themed word for U 🙂
Life in about 2.5 hours (Friday in UK). http://jemimapett.com/blog/2015/04/24/flash-fiction-friday-upwelling/
April 23, 2015 — 4:31 PM
Matthew X. Gomez says:
I used divanyl66’s line: The war has been over for months, they tell me, though nobody bothered to pass us that memo.
https://mxgomez.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/wars-end-a-chuck-wendig-challenge/
April 23, 2015 — 9:35 PM
Periodically Demented says:
As ever, really entertaining, and with an excellent twist.
April 27, 2015 — 6:01 AM
J M Beal says:
Here’s my contribution, started from:
“As Willow wiped the blood from her face, she regretted her decision not to wear a hat.” Submitted by MsShonnerz.
http://www.jmbeal.com/blog/well-that-escalated-quickly
April 23, 2015 — 9:36 PM
Henry says:
I used The Story Hive’s (edited) opening line, and came up with frantic murder in the desert.
http://fistfulofwits.com/2015/04/23/flash-fiction-blood-in-the-desert/
April 23, 2015 — 10:37 PM
the story hive says:
That was fun, Henry!
April 24, 2015 — 11:32 AM
Henry says:
Thanks! I’m glad you liked it 😀
April 27, 2015 — 6:49 PM
Andrew T says:
I used poorerdick’s line: “Little did Harold know that the sneeze he was about to experience would bring about the end of humanity and the world as he knew it.”
https://whatrealityisthis.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/flash-fiction-challenge-harolds-sneeze/
April 23, 2015 — 11:42 PM
Afrokot says:
A micro-fill “Candy Man,” 285 words. Many thanks to John Freeter for the sentence, “I followed the nice man to his basement.”
https://nightshadeblues.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/candy-man/
April 24, 2015 — 3:07 AM
Periodically Demented says:
Really fun and with a great twist. Immensely enjoyed, thanks.
April 27, 2015 — 6:08 AM
Kristin Mireles says:
I used mannixk’s line, “On the morning of her thirteenth birthday, the whites of her eyes turned inky black.”
(As I read over it, I questioned whether or not it was realistic for a 13-year-old to do the things she and her friends do, but some kids really do grow up that fast.)
The Things They Forgot to Mention in Puberty Class
http://mireles-musings.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-things-they-forgot-to-mention-in.html
April 24, 2015 — 4:14 AM
mannixk says:
Thanks for using my sentence. Jessica is one insatiable girl! 🙂
April 24, 2015 — 9:51 AM
dhippensteel says:
I opted to use the opening line provided by lisacle
http://wp.me/p41CL6-zh
April 24, 2015 — 8:10 AM
lisacle says:
I am intrigued! This is a great set-up for a much longer piece. 😎
April 27, 2015 — 1:41 PM
Alice E Keyes says:
I used the opening sentence from Lina. Thank you.
He never thought his love for the extraordinary would take his life.
1295 word count
http://aliceekeyes.blogspot.com/p/captain-hank-myer-iii.html
April 24, 2015 — 9:59 AM
Paige S. says:
I also used the story hive’s opening line and have this incomplete little tidbit.
https://pznb.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/flash-fiction-2000-words/
April 24, 2015 — 11:10 AM
the story hive says:
Awesome! I can’t wait to know what happens next. Thanks 🙂
April 24, 2015 — 11:39 AM
poorerdick says:
I used the line, “Lucifer was right, you are a monumental douche.” by Phil Norris for a ~1800 word story this week:
https://poordicks.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/flash-fiction-challenge-lucifer-was-right-you-are-a-monumental-douche/
I hope anyone who reads it, enjoys it.
April 24, 2015 — 11:55 AM
TooManyJens says:
Bit late, but here it is. I used a line from the story hive.
https://toomanyjens.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/flash-fiction-challenge-pick-an-opening-sentence-and-go/
April 24, 2015 — 12:27 PM
Ada Ireland says:
I used “The Dark God rose behind her, quietly building the fury it would unleash,” by Periodically Demented.
http://unashamedwriting.com/the-dark-god-flash-fiction/
April 24, 2015 — 1:27 PM
katemcone says:
Turning mine in a little late — had some difficulties wrangling it, but it was still really fun. Thanks to “Addy” for the first line — “Never shout “You found my diary!” when they discover the Necronomicon, no matter how true that statement may be.” It’s around 1,940 words, Urban Fantasy.
https://katethesape.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/the-time-my-diary-almost-killed-me-new-flash-fiction/
April 24, 2015 — 2:27 PM
addy says:
thanks for taking up my line. loved the story and thought it was good fun. loved the protagonists name having both h.p. lovecrafts name and the wife of hades.
thanks 😀
April 27, 2015 — 4:28 AM
Rebecca Douglass says:
Forgot to come link back. “Ubehebe,” using an opener from Ada Ireland.
http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2015/04/u-ubehebe-crater-flash-fiction.html
April 24, 2015 — 2:53 PM