We’ve done this one before, and it’s always a blast — roll a d20 or use a random number generator, once for each of the two tables below. Then, take each of the results and mash them together in a flash fiction story.
Note: the goal is not to tell a literal fan-fic story set in those pop culture storyworlds — though, I guess if you wanna do that, hey, YOU DO YOU. The goal is to take the spirit of those two properties and find a story that embodies the weird mashup. (The origins of this particular challenge come from that old Hollywood conceit of pitching your original story to executives as X meets Y — “It’s Dennis the Menace meets Game of Thrones ha ha ha right? Hand me money.”)
You have, mmm, let’s say 2000 words for this one.
Due back by next Friday, 8/14, noon EST.
Post the story at your online space.
Give us a linky-poo so we can follow it back.
Now, the two tables —
Table X
- Scooby Doo
- How I Met Your Mother
- Nightmare on Elm Street
- Terminator
- Star Wars
- Chronicles of Narnia
- The Mothman Prophecies
- Snow Crash
- D&D
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer
- My Little Pony
- The Stand
- Captain America
- Inception
- Babylon 5
- District 9
- Princess Mononoke
- Avatar: The Last Airbender / Korra
- Twin Peaks
- Mad Max
Table Y
- Dune
- How To Train Your Dragon
- Nightmare Before Christmas
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers
- Gremlins
- Hellraiser
- Indiana Jones
- Toy Story
- Ready Player One
- Discworld
- American Gods
- 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
- Teen Wolf
- Saving Private Ryan
- Donnie Darko
- The Walking Dead
- Princess Bride
- Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
- Snow White
- L.A. Confidential
Sara Crow says:
I may have to pick this one without a random number generator, because the idea of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Princess Bride” is just about too much for me to handle.
August 7, 2015 — 10:59 AM
parallaxduality says:
Hello. . . my name is Buffy Montoya, prepare to die
August 8, 2015 — 12:22 PM
todddillard says:
Snow Crash meets 20k Leagues Under the Sea! This’ll be fun.
August 7, 2015 — 10:59 AM
todddillard says:
Sidebar: really, really hope someone gets Scooby Dune.
August 7, 2015 — 11:49 AM
todddillard says:
This one came really easy to me. Qaz and her partner Vannah Black are smugglers in a post-apocalyptic world, where everyone now lives under the sea Bioshock style. Their product? A drug called 20k that will get you high with a side effect of merman.
Check it out: http://www.doodle-doodle.com/writing/20000-leagues-under-the-snow-crash/.
August 7, 2015 — 3:47 PM
Anna says:
I loved this one:) Please write the rest of the story! I need to know what happens.
August 10, 2015 — 3:26 PM
todddillard says:
Thanks! Really loved your piece too–“cronuts on its flank”–so good.
August 10, 2015 — 4:18 PM
Kimberly Bowers says:
Inception meets Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Oy
August 7, 2015 — 11:24 AM
Catastrophe Jones says:
I… love you, Chuck.
August 7, 2015 — 11:27 AM
Sara Crow says:
Also…”How to Train Your Mother.” EPIC.
August 7, 2015 — 11:30 AM
persimmonromance says:
I have District 9 meets How To Train Your Dragon. I don’t know. I think there’s a very good story in that, but I’m not sure it’s one I’d write.
August 7, 2015 — 11:38 AM
tedra says:
That does sound like a good book. I can almost see it. With Sam Worthington leading the pack of dragon riders against the aliens..
August 11, 2015 — 4:15 PM
Pavowski says:
“Nightmare on Elm Street” meets “Snow White.” An endless sleep with a hell-spawned demon that haunts your dreams… it’s almost too good!
August 7, 2015 — 11:40 AM
Pavowski says:
Yep, I’m really really glad I worked this one up right before bedtime. Well done, brain.
Here’s “Bug Report”: http://accidentallyinspired.com/2015/08/09/bug-report/
August 9, 2015 — 9:33 PM
Anna says:
I actually didn’t dare to read this last night before going to bed, because Freddy freaks me out, so I saved it for today. I’m glad I did, because this was super creepy, in the best possible way. Very nice!
August 11, 2015 — 1:23 PM
Pavowski says:
That is the best kind of praise; thanks!
August 12, 2015 — 6:21 AM
JQ Davis says:
Nicely done. I’m not a “Nightmare” fan, but thoroughly enjoyed this.
August 14, 2015 — 1:42 PM
Pavowski says:
Truth be told, I only saw one of the movies, and don’t remember it that well…
August 14, 2015 — 2:35 PM
curleyqueue says:
This needs MORE!! Too heck with the word-count, I want this tale to continue 🙂
August 20, 2015 — 10:45 AM
Angela says:
Good god man. If I have nightmares tonight I’m gonna….like…ya know…not do… anything… to ya. Well done. Thanks for sharin’!
August 12, 2015 — 5:34 PM
Pavowski says:
My pleasure. Sweet dreams!
August 15, 2015 — 8:02 AM
Killerpuppytails says:
I initially got “Star Wars” meets “Indiana Jones” and was killer excited for two seconds until I realized this was effectively like “Guardians of the Galaxy” ,,, which I love to much to try. “Snow Crash” meets “Discworld” it is.
August 7, 2015 — 11:46 AM
Killerpuppytails says:
Hm. Not yet happy with this one, but here’s what I ended up with: https://killerpuppytails.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/flash-fiction-hacking/
August 9, 2015 — 10:28 PM
parallaxduality says:
Scooby Doo meets Donnie Darko. . . . ruh roh raggy. . . zoinks! it’s a giant 6 foot killer bunny rabbit with it’s eye shot out!
Gotta think on this one
August 7, 2015 — 12:15 PM
parallaxduality says:
OK. . .here is what I came up with “Getting It Right”
http://dswilliams.com/2015/08/08/flash-fiction-challenge-pop-culture-mash-up/
August 8, 2015 — 10:14 AM
Stephani Hren says:
Captain America meets How to Train Your Dragon… not quite 2,000 words (more like 770ish), but here we go:
https://stephanihren.wordpress.com/2015/08/07/story-time-under-the-ice/
August 7, 2015 — 12:34 PM
Anna says:
I really liked this one. Beautiful.
August 10, 2015 — 3:33 PM
Fred G. Yost says:
“Terminator” meets “Donnie Darko”. This could be interesting.
August 7, 2015 — 12:35 PM
hearts_longing says:
Oh dear. I got Scooby Doo and The Walking Dead. 😀
August 7, 2015 — 12:48 PM
rhythmandcrime says:
Terminator and Nightmare Before Christmas…Do I hear Arnold (The Muscial)???
August 7, 2015 — 12:49 PM
D.R.Sylvester says:
Glory of glories, musical scwharzenoodle is already a thing! Several things even! Arnocorps, austrian death machine (egh), and an excellent predator musical set to scenes from Predator: “If it bleeds we can kill it.” Can find all of these on the YouTubes
You’re welcome
August 8, 2015 — 9:22 AM
Melissa says:
How I Met Your Teen Wolf. Sounds fun!
August 7, 2015 — 1:05 PM
Sophie Giroir says:
Captain America meets Indiana Jones. LOL I love it.
August 7, 2015 — 1:27 PM
addy says:
“you belong in a museum!”
August 11, 2015 — 7:06 AM
JQ Davis says:
Mad Max meets Discworld. Oh My Word.
Which arc? The witches? The night watch? This will be fun.
My brain keeps trying to add Time Bandits to the mix. I’m not sure if X (or Ecks, in this case) meets Y meets Z is allowed…
August 7, 2015 — 1:35 PM
JQ Davis says:
Rats. Got the story plotted, then had a Tuesday dentist appointment. Got meds, which made me sick, and knocked me out. No writing (or anything else) possible. Gonna try to get this done today, but…y’kno…missed the deadline.
August 14, 2015 — 1:56 PM
SamKD says:
Terminator meets Toy Story. Glad I got two things I knew…there were many I would have had to google.
August 7, 2015 — 1:46 PM
Jemima Pett says:
Last time you did this Star Wars meets Casablanca sparked off a whole new scifi series.
This time I got Terminator meets Snow White. Oh joy!! 😀
Watch for the link Thursday evening for my Friday Flash feature.
August 7, 2015 — 3:15 PM
Mark Gardner says:
I got that too!
August 7, 2015 — 9:00 PM
Jemima Pett says:
Ooops, nearly forgot to post the link!
http://jemimapett.com/blog/2015/08/14/friday-flash-fiction-crystal-and-the-seven-miners/
August 14, 2015 — 4:34 AM
Anna says:
Yeah, I got “My Little Pony” meets “The Walking Dead.” So, here you go, “My Little Zombies.” I apologise to any My Little Pony fans, please don’t hate me. I love ponies, I really do.
http://strangeandcuriousthings.blogspot.fi/2015/08/terribleminds-challenge-x-meets-y-pop.html
August 7, 2015 — 4:40 PM
aproposcrouse says:
I didn’t know I needed to read this until I did. This is an excellent inversion of a standard zombie trope.
August 9, 2015 — 2:29 PM
SamKD says:
Oh yes I like this -very- much too. Well done!
August 9, 2015 — 6:17 PM
Killerpuppytails says:
I also like this very much. Kudos!
August 9, 2015 — 8:14 PM
Anna says:
Thank you so much, everyone! I’m glad you liked it:) Maybe I won’t get pelted with rotten apples by bronies after all?
August 10, 2015 — 3:21 PM
Stephanie says:
Super-creepy-hilarious! Loved it!
August 13, 2015 — 7:45 AM
curleyqueue says:
Great!! The images of what you described came so easily and what a wonderful combo of funny and skin-crawly. Bring on the Equocolipse 🙂
August 20, 2015 — 10:55 AM
curleyqueue says:
er…*Equocalipse*
August 20, 2015 — 10:57 AM
Heather Grossart says:
Buffy v’s Snow White…could be fun!!
August 7, 2015 — 5:35 PM
aproposcrouse says:
Chronicles of Narnia meets Toy Story. An attempt at middle grade it is!
Here’s what I came up with: http://apropossomething.com/2015/08/07/where-the-magic-happens/
Hope you guys like it.
August 7, 2015 — 7:34 PM
Mark Gardner says:
Oh hellz yeah! I rolled a four and a nineteen: http://article94.wordpress.com/2015/08/07/the-brass-automaton/
August 7, 2015 — 8:43 PM
Mariah says:
Mothman and Princess Bride. I’ve not seen the mothman movie but I’ve read, heard, and watched more mothman cryptolore than anyone person ever should so I’m going to run with that.
I’m going to aim to post my write along this time finally.
August 7, 2015 — 10:14 PM
Mariah says:
Mothman’s Bride
http://insani-x.com/mariahavix/writing/mothman-s-bride-a-flash
August 9, 2015 — 12:38 PM
Mozette says:
I picked Inception and Teen Wolf with wonderful consequences. 😀
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2015/08/after-third-peeling.html
August 8, 2015 — 12:55 AM
zklimczak says:
Asked my wife to pick the winning numbers. The Stand meets Toy Story. Behold: The Walking Ted. Looking for feedback on this one. Hope to hear some good responses. https://thewritingblocks.wordpress.com/2015/08/08/x-meets-y-pop-culture-challenge/
August 8, 2015 — 1:12 AM
aproposcrouse says:
I enjoyed this. Although, from the title I was expecting The Walking Dead meets Toy Story. Question though, how did the toys know that the flame men were flame men?
August 9, 2015 — 2:21 PM
percykerry923 says:
Inception meets How to Train Your Dragon. I am so Goddarned lost!
August 8, 2015 — 2:16 AM
parallaxduality says:
How to Train a Sleeping Dragon?
August 8, 2015 — 12:18 PM
JQ Davis says:
So, my brain keeps pitching Firefly meets Time Bandits…yeah, I know. Not an option. I may have to write it before I can concentrate on Mad Max meets Discworld, though. (#weirdwriterproblems)
August 8, 2015 — 3:44 AM
Fatma Alici says:
I got District 9 and How to Train Your Dragon which are two of my favorite movies. Super awesome.
Result — Space Dragons!
http://www.fatmaalici.com/2015/08/08/x-y-challenge/
August 9, 2015 — 2:06 AM
Fatma Alici says:
Okay, why do I keep getting caught in moderation loops? I’m a spammer, I swears!
August 9, 2015 — 2:07 AM
Mozette says:
I keep getting the moderation loops too… it lasts for a few days then it goes away. Never used to do this to me, but now it does. I have contacted Chuck about it, but dunno what’s happening with it. :/
August 13, 2015 — 9:08 PM
Sam Phillips says:
I rolled Mad Max meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers… Mad Invasion of the Max Snatchers?… (he thinks on…)
August 9, 2015 — 9:06 AM
lightningstarlight says:
Terminator meets Diskworld…should be fun.
August 9, 2015 — 2:33 PM
Jennifer R. Donohue says:
I got “D&D” meets “Saving Private Ryan” and I don’t think I can do that in 1000 words. But I might have my next fantasy novel idea now. Thanks!
August 10, 2015 — 4:48 PM
kevinlute says:
Long time stalker, first time poster. I got D&D and Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Came in right at 2000 words, and just hope somebody reads it. Thanks!
https://kevinlute.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/flash-fiction-challenge/
August 10, 2015 — 8:09 PM
S. J. Mcquillan says:
I got Avatar meets Snow White. So many ideas…and still pleased with myself having a character named Contumely Cyano as a result
August 11, 2015 — 10:16 AM
tedra says:
I got Inception and Gremlins. This should be fun…
August 11, 2015 — 4:13 PM
thanosrules says:
I rolled Star Wars and How to Train Your Dragon..which was cool. This is my first post on here. here is my story:
https://grouchyguyscifi.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/26/
August 11, 2015 — 7:54 PM
Matthew X. Gomez says:
Hellraiser plus Terminator= Magnum Opus
https://mxgomez.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/magnum-opus-a-chuck-wendig-challenge/
August 11, 2015 — 8:58 PM
john freeter says:
I got District 9 and Dune. Don’t know much about Dune beyond “spice” and giant monster worms, so I ended up with something more like Blade Runner. Still, I liked how it turned out.
https://johnfreeter.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/kechoo/
August 12, 2015 — 2:05 AM
john freeter says:
Not everything’s better in moderation
August 16, 2015 — 3:31 AM
Ashlee says:
I failed miserably on this one. Check it out!
http://cubiclemonster.weebly.com/writings
August 12, 2015 — 10:06 AM
Mila says:
How I met your mother and girl with the dragon tattoo?
Oh fuck me, this is going to go so wrong…
August 12, 2015 — 8:40 PM
thanosrules says:
https://grouchyguyscifi.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/26/
I seem to have been moded out? The Dragon Star above. Mash up of Star Wars and Train your Dragon
August 13, 2015 — 1:55 PM
peterjam says:
I got The Stand meets The Walking Dead. Those properties aren’t that different, which was a good thing for me since I’m just getting started in this. As always, sorry for my english, I’m pretty sure I missed some mistakes. I hope you guys enjoy it, here it is:
https://peterjam.wordpress.com/2015/08/14/flash-fiction-challenge-the-stand-meets-the-walking-dead/
August 13, 2015 — 11:51 PM