I’ll be going through your epic list of potential flash fiction suggestions next week, but for now, it’s time to revive one of the classics: the random song title challenge
Way this works is:
Go to your music player of choice, pull up a random song, and use that song title as the title to your story. You don’t need to make the story about the song or inspired by the song (unless you want to) — all you really need is the title to run with. On iTunes, it’s shuffle, I think, but if you google “play random song” you’ll find plenty of ways to conjure one from the chaos.
Write the story with the song title as your story title.
You’ve got 1000 words.
Write it at your online space, give us a link in the comments so we can all read it.
Due by July 3rd, noon EST.
Andrew T says:
“Dreams We Conceive” by Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
June 26, 2015 — 11:45 AM
Mark Gardner says:
These challenges are always a fun way to flaunt my odd tastes in music.
June 26, 2015 — 11:50 AM
Mark Gardner says:
Ugh, I guess I need lessons on this whole internet thing…
Mine was “Chasing Memories,” by Post Modern Disco: http://article94.wordpress.com/2015/06/26/chasing-memories/
June 26, 2015 — 12:04 PM
Fatma Alici says:
I like how Joy was not filled with any sort of ‘joy’.
June 26, 2015 — 8:14 PM
Mark Gardner says:
Thanks, Fatma!
June 26, 2015 — 11:50 PM
mannixk says:
“What Kind of Man” by Florence + The Machine. Hmmm…
June 26, 2015 — 12:07 PM
Ebonstorm says:
Originally titled: “Ain’t No Sunshine” – Sold as “Black Ribbon” – http://hubcityblues.com/2013/07/07/black-ribbon/
Inspired by Bill Withers, “Ain’t No Sunshine” – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIdIqbv7SPo
June 26, 2015 — 12:18 PM
SamKD says:
Oooh…great story for a great song. Hearing it in my head as I was reading and the whole thing just worked.
June 28, 2015 — 2:20 PM
Pavowski says:
If you read no other story from this challenge, read this one. Very sharp stuff. Meditative and cautionary and just excellent.
June 28, 2015 — 6:30 PM
Christine Frost says:
Wow…I’ve read so many entries for these writing challenges–this one’s one of the most memorable. Thanks for this–beautifully crafted!
June 28, 2015 — 8:10 PM
Diedra Black says:
Deep. I’ve liked your other writing also. You’ve got skills (I almost said talent, but writing is more about hard work, right?).
June 29, 2015 — 11:28 AM
dmcclure17 says:
Very well done poetic prose! I liked it.
July 1, 2015 — 10:35 AM
Sam Phillips says:
Where the Boats Go by M83. Now where did i put that thinking cap…
June 26, 2015 — 12:31 PM
Sam Phillips says:
Ok I know… late. And yes ok I know… too long. But here it is… Where the Boats Go
July 3, 2015 — 5:21 PM
Sam Phillips says:
Ok I know… No link, right? http://idreamofgypsies.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/where-boats-go.html
July 4, 2015 — 3:40 AM
Joelle Reizes says:
Radioactive by Imagine Dragons. Hummmm….
June 26, 2015 — 12:37 PM
Ken McGovern says:
CHUCK! This is a classic!! Man I gotta stop using paint thinner to disinfect my cuts because this was my suggestion for the Challenge to create a Challenge. I didn’t realize that it has been in circulation… again the paint thinner life choice not working out so well. In the immortal words of Spalding “RATFARTS!”
June 26, 2015 — 12:55 PM
Ken McGovern says:
Oh and I am going to go with my favorite band on shuffle… RUSH and the winner is “Beneath, Between & Behind.” Now to figure out how to set up a blog on the interworld… am I gonna need toilet paper and Vaseline to make a blog account?
June 26, 2015 — 12:58 PM
Rose Red says:
“Writing on the Walls,” Underoath
June 26, 2015 — 1:43 PM
SamKD says:
Supertramp’s “Goodbye Stranger.” Kickass choice but the creativity tank is low today. Must ponder.
June 26, 2015 — 2:10 PM
thesexiestwriter says:
Bluegrass song, by about a million different artists: Drivin’ Nails in my Coffin
June 26, 2015 — 2:20 PM
thesexiestwriter says:
Um, I don’t even feel comfortable sharing this one. I’m gonna do it anyway. These flash fiction challenges elicit sicker and sicker things from me.
https://criticalsexualmass.wordpress.com/
June 26, 2015 — 3:51 PM
Mozette says:
Oh, man… that’s … wow… dark… jeez. o.O
June 27, 2015 — 9:23 AM
C R Smith says:
Wow. Good story but I am not sure dark is dark enough to describe what just happened here.
June 28, 2015 — 12:51 PM
lauriegienapp says:
OMG! I hit the jackpot! I got “Somebody that I used to Know”, by WOTE (by the way, I followed Chuck’s suggestion.. I typed ‘play random song spotify’ into the search bar and the first listing was a random song generator by Thomas Kahn… which directed me to ‘click here’.)
June 26, 2015 — 2:39 PM
Anthony Elmore says:
“Gentleman Take Polaroids” by Japan from my Spotify 80’s New Wave playlist. This one’s wide open.
June 26, 2015 — 4:13 PM
Fatma Alici says:
Alright, I used every song I have access to randomize. Mainly, because last time I got a song and it was so unfamiliar I drew a blank. I ended up with “Paper Boats” by Darren Korb and sung by Ashley Barrett from the game Transistor. Linky to song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFrjMq4aL-g
The story ended up sad, and what inspired it was the slightly hidden second vocalist in the piece. Enjoy.
Linky to story: http://www.fatmaalici.com/2015/06/26/paper-boats/
June 26, 2015 — 8:11 PM
Anna says:
I really liked this. Thanks for sharing.
July 2, 2015 — 3:14 PM
Fatma Alici says:
Thanks, I appreciate the comment : )
July 3, 2015 — 9:38 PM
Mozette says:
I jumped onto Youtube and scored a random collection from 2014… the first song off the blocks was ‘Somebody I Used To Know’ by Pentatonix (cover).
Enjoy!
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/somebody-that-i-used-to-know.html
June 26, 2015 — 10:08 PM
ashleyakagaoan says:
I tried to comment on your blog but I don’t think it went through. Anyway, great job! I love the twist!
June 27, 2015 — 3:28 PM
Mozette says:
Thanks… I’ll look into what’s going on with my blog… it does that sometimes :/
June 27, 2015 — 7:27 PM
Mozette says:
I just checked the settings, and there’s nothing wrong there. Maybe, it didn’t let you comment if you’re not a follower of my blog – some blogs are like that.
June 27, 2015 — 7:31 PM
C R Smith says:
I really enjoyed your story. All I could think of was “Well that sure escalated quickly” from Anchorman. Well done!
June 28, 2015 — 2:34 PM
Mozette says:
Hahahaa… I’ve been watching a lot of ‘Angel’… you know how he turns into ‘Angelus’ when he gets only a moment of happiness? Well… yeah, I thought to turn my story on its head like this too; but in a different way. 🙂
June 29, 2015 — 8:43 AM
the oncoming spork says:
Oh man. I got “Better Not Wake The Baby” by the Decemberists. This should be fun.
June 26, 2015 — 11:18 PM
Stephani Hren says:
“Brazil is Here!” by Foals, very awesome song. Here we go:
https://stephanihren.wordpress.com/2015/06/27/story-time-brazil-is-here/
June 27, 2015 — 9:53 AM
Deanmcsmith says:
I got given Bombs over Baghdad by Outkast, you can find my story below. I’m off to read you guys now, hoping for something dark!
http://wp.me/p48Jn4-aSL
June 27, 2015 — 12:37 PM
C R Smith says:
That was an outstanding idea! The entire concept was great! The possibility of the end being a real future was scary. I also loved the President, funny, no-nonsense but semi-aloof in his outlook.
June 28, 2015 — 2:42 PM
Deanmcsmith says:
Thanks, it’s really nice to get some positive feedback, you’ve honestly made my day!
June 28, 2015 — 2:49 PM
Ebonstorm says:
Ambitious and just a bit terrifying. Forget Star Wars, enter Drone Wars…
June 28, 2015 — 4:31 PM
ashleyakagaoan says:
“Best of You” by Foo Fighters.
http://ashley-kagaoan.com/2015/06/27/the-best-of-you/
June 27, 2015 — 1:32 PM
AurorA Dimitre (@32AurorA05) says:
I never actually delete anything off of my iPod, so this had the opportunity to be… interesting. But I ended up with “Follow Me Down” by 3OH!3
http://auroradimitre.tumblr.com/post/122609243266/follow-me-down-flash-fiction-challenge-1000
June 27, 2015 — 2:58 PM
lauriegienapp says:
VERY nice, Aurora!!!
July 1, 2015 — 4:32 PM
AurorA Dimitre (@32AurorA05) says:
Thank you!
July 2, 2015 — 12:07 PM
Kristin Mireles (@kristinmireles) says:
“In a Red Dress and Alone” by Evans Blue. This will probably be sad and depressing.
June 27, 2015 — 3:43 PM
Kristin Mireles (@kristinmireles) says:
http://mireles-musings.blogspot.com/2015/06/in-red-dress-and-alone.html
June 28, 2015 — 1:39 AM
C R Smith says:
Good story. Simple but very descriptive. I enjoyed it.
June 28, 2015 — 8:40 PM
Kristin Mireles (@kristinmireles) says:
Thanks!
June 28, 2015 — 11:07 PM
Kristin Mireles (@kristinmireles) says:
I was partially inspired by a short story written by Tennessee Williams that beautifully captured loneliness and social awkwardness.
June 29, 2015 — 12:13 AM
lovespicyfood says:
I really enjoyed your story. Good stuff!
June 28, 2015 — 9:17 PM
Kristin Mireles (@kristinmireles) says:
Thanks!
June 28, 2015 — 11:07 PM
Diedra Black says:
I like this. I think many people have felt this way. Much easier to sit at home and read than go out and have an experience yourself.
June 29, 2015 — 12:18 PM
Christine Frost says:
“Six Bells Chime” by Crime and the City Solution — images are emerging…will be interesting to see how this turns out!
June 27, 2015 — 5:53 PM
Fatma Alici says:
Alright, I used every song I have access to randomize. Mainly, because last time I got a song and it was so unfamiliar I drew a blank. I ended up with “Paper Boats” by Darren Korb and sung by Ashley Barrett from the game Transistor.
The story ended up sad, and what inspired it was the slightly hidden second vocalist in the piece. Enjoy.
Linky to story: http://www.fatmaalici.com/2015/06/26/paper-boats/
June 27, 2015 — 6:27 PM
Adan Ramie says:
My random shuffle gave me a Joan Jett classic and an opportunity to bring up the book I’ll (hopefully) release later this year: https://adanramieblog.wordpress.com/2015/06/27/bad-reputation-terribleminds-prompted-flash-fiction/
June 27, 2015 — 9:37 PM
Mozette says:
Nice! Love the mind-play in it. 😀
June 28, 2015 — 12:12 AM
Adan Ramie says:
Thanks, Mozette!
June 28, 2015 — 7:25 AM
Mark Gardner says:
Excellent, Adan. This shows us how maladapted Lee really is!
June 30, 2015 — 4:01 PM
Andre Gonzalez says:
Song for Someone (U2) — Story coming soon.
June 28, 2015 — 4:02 AM
john freeter says:
Panda Eyes & Teminite – High Score
A group of classically-trained musician high school girls must transform themselves into a pop band in order to save their after-school program.
Inspired by this:
June 28, 2015 — 4:20 AM
C R Smith says:
Crash My Party by Luke Bryan……….. the result is nothing like the song but I enjoyed writing it. This is my second stab at letting the world see my stories so I hope someone enjoys.
https://moralitypuzzle.wordpress.com/2015/06/28/flash-fiction-challenge-crash-my-party/#more-60
June 28, 2015 — 12:50 PM
jessicodes says:
Loved the twists. Your story had plenty of surprises for being so short. Thanks for sharing.
June 29, 2015 — 4:07 AM
C R Smith says:
Thank you very much! It makes my day when others enjoy the products of my imagination.
June 29, 2015 — 8:28 AM
Pavowski says:
“Dead Inside”, by Muse.
Pandemics and paranoia. Whee. http://accidentallyinspired.com/2015/06/28/dead-inside/
June 28, 2015 — 2:34 PM
Ebonstorm says:
Gross, beautiful, and everything in between. Keep writing, you have the knack for the good stuff of a story.
June 28, 2015 — 4:36 PM
C R Smith says:
I loved this story! I love variant takes on standard genres. Your writing style is outstanding, it flowed so elegantly. Keep up the good work.
June 28, 2015 — 10:45 PM
Pavowski says:
Much appreciated!
June 29, 2015 — 7:13 AM
Chanteys Lion says:
Currach by Elephant Revival
My first short story, first challenge and first share.
https://blueferns.wordpress.com/2015/06/28/random-song-title-challenge-currach/
June 28, 2015 — 6:08 PM
Chanteys Lion says:
Currach by Elephant Revival
My first short story, first challenge and first share.
https://blueferns.wordpress.com/2015/06/28/random-song-title-challenge-currach/
June 28, 2015 — 6:23 PM
SamKD says:
Nicely done!
June 30, 2015 — 8:29 AM
C R Smith says:
Great story, keep sharing more stories
June 30, 2015 — 8:08 PM
jessicodes says:
I couldn’t use spotify from Japan (tweeted them, no response). I ended up with Sillyworld by StoneSour. Thanks for the motivation. This is my very first posted fiction, and outside of my typical genre. I hope you like it or kick me with some good criticism.
http://jessachandler.com/2015/06/sillyworld/
June 29, 2015 — 4:02 AM
AurorA Dimitre (@32AurorA05) says:
Ooh, definitely interesting! I liked it. 🙂
July 2, 2015 — 12:10 PM
jessicodes says:
Thanks, AurorA Dimitre. Now, I need to get in there and edit ruthlessly. 🙂
July 3, 2015 — 5:02 AM
Eva Therese says:
My story, Just a little lovin’ (Dusty Springfield). https://evathereseebert.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/flash-fiction-challenge-the-random-song-title-jamboree/
June 29, 2015 — 7:42 AM
Anna says:
Nicely done. I really liked this.
July 2, 2015 — 3:02 PM
Tyler Cumbersnitch says:
I got Helena, which is originally by My Chemical Romance but I drew the Chasing Safety version. A.k.a. the screamo version. I’m thinking I’ll take inspiration from the lyrics, but maybe give it an angry flavor for the screamo.
June 29, 2015 — 9:24 AM
lauriegienapp says:
‘Somebody that I used to Know’, by Walk Off the Earth
http://teapotmusings.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-second-flash-fiction-challenge.html
June 29, 2015 — 12:38 PM
Fred G. Yost says:
Nicely done!
July 2, 2015 — 6:53 PM
Reginald Sampson says:
Bad Blood by Taylor Swift with Kendrick Lamar
http://herostarentertainment.blogspot.com/2015/06/chuck-wendig-flash-fiction-challenge.html
June 29, 2015 — 5:17 PM
Henry says:
“Thin Line,” by Jurassic 5 (feat. Nelly Furtado) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrnkrQlgXIk)
I think I actually was more inspired by the song’s contents than by the title. My piece is all about the fear and tension that wrap themselves around teenagers’ romances and friendships, justified or not. Enjoy!
http://fistfulofwits.com/2015/06/29/flash-fiction-thin-line/
June 29, 2015 — 6:16 PM
SamKD says:
I really like this.
June 30, 2015 — 8:44 AM
Henry says:
Thanks Sam! I’m glad you do 🙂
June 30, 2015 — 10:46 AM
Fred G. Yost says:
I think that fear is just a universal truth of humanity. Excellent job capturing it.
July 2, 2015 — 6:48 PM
Anna says:
I got “Hooked on a Feeling” by Blue Swede, and this is what I came up with. (Yeah, I need to stop listening to that Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack :))
http://strangeandcuriousthings.blogspot.fi/2015/06/terribleminds-challenge-random-song.html
June 29, 2015 — 6:33 PM
Ridley Kemp says:
Lovely. Reminds me a little of Mike Carey-era Hellblazer, which is a good thing in my book, with a very different point of view.
July 2, 2015 — 4:11 PM
grahamwrites says:
“Fucking in the Bushes” from Oasis. Christ. I was tempted to roll again, but let’s see where we end up. It got me listening to the Snatch soundtrack and I ended up having to watch the movie again as a result, So I kind of owe it to it.
June 30, 2015 — 7:21 AM
Shay says:
So… I may have gotten caught up in reading other stories here. Everyone has done some great work, and it was tempting to keep reading! I have, however, finished the challenge. (Yay!)
(:
My random song choice, (which conveniently enough, I’d never heard before today), is:
“I’m Ready” by Geographer
http://wp.me/p66Sbs-1f
Enjoy! (;
June 30, 2015 — 3:32 PM
SamKD says:
“Goodbye Stranger” by Supertramp. Blogger isn’t letting me view my blog for a better link but it’s the most recent post here: http://samkdsonlinepace.blogspot.com/
Been trying to do some non-terribleminds writing too. Y’all are free to read and comment on any/all of it.
June 30, 2015 — 4:27 PM
dmcclure17 says:
Good stuff! Fun read!
July 1, 2015 — 4:13 PM
SamKD says:
Glad you liked it!
July 1, 2015 — 7:05 PM
Fred G. Yost says:
Nice! Well, not nice, per say, but you know what I mean. You do a good job of reusing a character and balancing enough info for a new reader to not be lost and not restating things to the point of redundancy.
July 2, 2015 — 6:39 PM
SamKD says:
Wow, thanks!
July 2, 2015 — 6:44 PM
nkharrold says:
“Gold Lion” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs… felt reminiscent and irreverent. Went with some nearly micro-sized fiction: http://wp.me/p5c84O-23
July 1, 2015 — 12:18 AM
AurorA Dimitre (@32AurorA05) says:
Oh, I really enjoyed this one. It’s got that quality about it that just… makes you feel awesome reading it. Awesome job.
July 2, 2015 — 12:11 PM