Ryan Allen:
Salacious Crumb, Jabba’s pet, indeed crawled maimed from the Sail Barge wreckage, going on to create a vast clone army of himself known as the Knights of Crumb.
Brandon Sparks:
Final Scene:
Wedge steps into his apartment on Rebel-occupied Coruscant. Weary from defeating the true villain (a 30-meter tall, weaponized Gonk droid piloted by the mind-controlled, reconstituted corpse of Jek Porkins), he tosses the keys to his X-Wing on the side table and reaches for the light switch.
The lights flicker, then fade.
Surprised, Wedge looks up to see a hooded figure standing across the room, silhouetted against the Coruscant cityscape. The figure speaks.
“Mr. Antilles, you’ve just stepped into a whole new galaxy. You just don’t know it yet.”
The figure turns and lowers the hood of his tattered Jedi robe, revealing a gleaming bald head and an eyepatch.
“My name is Mace Windu. I’m here to talk to you about the Lobot Initiative.”
Nick Nafpliotis:
Thrawn & Mara Jade make a cameo as nomads on Tatooine before being run over by a rogue podracer dubbed ‘The Canon.’
You three? EMAIL ME. Terribleminds at gmail dot com. Gimme your addresses, yeah?
Now.
Time for this week’s challenge.
It’s a simple one, and based off the fact that it’s been a very Star Wars-flavored week for me…
You should write 1000 words of space opera.
That’s it. Them’s the only rules. One genre. One story. Flash fiction. Normal rules apply: write it at your online space, link back here, due by next Friday (the 18th) by noon EST.
zklimczak says:
I’ll just leave this right here for anyone who needs a refresher on some of the details surrounding Space Operas: http://www.bookcountry.com/ReadAndReview/Books/GenreMap/ScienceFiction/SpaceOpera.aspx
September 11, 2015 — 1:27 PM
Anna says:
Thanks for the link! I ended up going on an Amazon binge when I saw the book recommendations, because the ones I’ve read from the list are some of my favourite books ever. Here’s hoping to find new ones. (I did end up getting the first books of the recommended series instead of the ones featured, just because I hate jumping in at book 15 . . .)
September 15, 2015 — 2:05 PM
zklimczak says:
I’m glad the link helped. I found that gold nugget when I was looking into genre writing. It was interesting to see how they set certain books into particular genres, and it definitely gave me (as it seemed it did to you as well) more books to read.
September 15, 2015 — 3:18 PM
Joe Turner says:
I’m happy for your success Chuck, but saddened by the reality that one day, maybe soon, maybe not so soon, you’ll be too busy to continue to tame the Behmoth that is Terribleminds, and the updates will become as infrequent as a JaJa Binks fan. When that day comes I’ll shed a tear: salty and sweet.
Anyhoo, off to cram a space opera into a thousand words…
September 11, 2015 — 3:16 PM
Mark Gardner says:
How about a War of the Worlds sequel: https://article94.wordpress.com/2015/09/11/war-of-the-worlds-retaliation-excerpt/
September 11, 2015 — 6:21 PM
cchrisman says:
cool! nice work…I’m glad to see so much crammed into 1000 words!
September 16, 2015 — 12:10 PM
Mark Gardner says:
Thanks, Chris, I think I did go a little over the 1000 words, though.
September 16, 2015 — 6:30 PM
smkay70 says:
Action-packed, well done!
September 16, 2015 — 5:25 PM
Mark Gardner says:
Thanks Sabra!
September 16, 2015 — 6:29 PM
Daniel J. Hogan says:
I do love a flash fiction challenge.
September 11, 2015 — 6:27 PM
Donald says:
Here’s a Space Opera flash I did that appeared on a blog not my own…
http://splicketypubgroup.com/space-opera-3/
September 11, 2015 — 6:40 PM
Anna says:
I really like this one. Cool idea!
September 15, 2015 — 1:46 PM
elctrcrngr says:
This is lovely. I must look up some more of your work.
September 15, 2015 — 11:58 PM
dmcclure17 says:
Nicely done!
September 16, 2015 — 7:14 PM
zklimczak says:
Sorry, but not sorry, couldn’t keep it under 1000 words. https://thewritingblocks.wordpress.com/2015/09/12/flash-fiction-challenge-create-your-very-own-space-opera/
Enjoy!
September 12, 2015 — 12:36 AM
Ridley Kemp says:
Don’t worry about going long-the payoff was well worth it.
September 14, 2015 — 2:17 AM
Fred G. Yost says:
So, here’s my attempt at one, brought to you while writing on a plane.
http://fredgyost.com/2015/09/12/flash-fiction-challenge-space-opera/
September 12, 2015 — 1:32 AM
Ridley Kemp says:
Loved your pacing and sense of urgency. This looks like a fun universe in which to play.
September 14, 2015 — 2:14 AM
addy says:
very good. I loved how quickly things changed.
September 14, 2015 — 4:59 AM
entrebat says:
Well done!
September 16, 2015 — 10:32 AM
smkay70 says:
Wow, kept me on the edge of my seat, great story!
September 16, 2015 — 5:29 PM
Mozette says:
Okay… I might not be very good at this… but then, I’ve never written this genre before. Please let me know if I’ve done it right – or wrong… or this makes you laugh or gag… 😛
http://youcantgoback-andotherimpossibilities.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/this-is-end.html
September 12, 2015 — 9:00 AM
entrebat says:
That brought a chuckle…
September 16, 2015 — 1:47 PM
cchrisman says:
That was fun! I liked the world you created and the laugh I got when it was kids playing….having gotten frustrated at my own kids for similar reasons I had to laugh.
September 16, 2015 — 3:13 PM
Mozette says:
Thanks guys/gals… my folks have had the same problems with me when I was young for the same reasons. And so I delved into a child’s mind to try and pull it off. 😀
September 16, 2015 — 8:30 PM
elctrcrngr says:
This is one of the best flash pieces you’ve written, IMHO.
September 19, 2015 — 6:34 PM
Marco Cultrera says:
Here’s mine:
http://marcocultrera.com/Upside.php
I hope you enjoy it!
September 12, 2015 — 12:35 PM
addy says:
i really enjoyed this. i loved your delivery of the hive mind and how the lack of it leads to selfishness.
September 14, 2015 — 5:53 AM
Marco Cultrera says:
Thank you! Happy you like it.
September 16, 2015 — 10:59 PM
Patrick says:
Its a start:
http://wp.me/p6BqQP-X
September 13, 2015 — 6:42 AM
JQ Davis says:
Oh dear. This won’t end well for me.
September 13, 2015 — 10:07 AM
Ridley Kemp says:
I could have used another 1000 or maybe 50,000 more words on this one. For what it’s worth, writing space opera when you are sick AND you’re reading “Station Eleven” is an interesting exercise.
http://www.ridleykemp.com/stories/2015/9/13/martime
September 14, 2015 — 2:10 AM
the oncoming spork says:
I took a stab at it. It’s more about the third-chair woodwinds of the Space Opera, really…
https://apostrophobic.wordpress.com/2015/09/14/your-call-is-very-important-to-us-please-hold/
September 14, 2015 — 3:07 AM
dmcclure17 says:
Delightful! I enjoyed it!
September 16, 2015 — 10:38 PM
the oncoming spork says:
Thanks!
September 16, 2015 — 10:39 PM
Carl says:
This is mine, a sequel to a story I wrote for one of these challenges in April.
http://carljshirley.blogspot.com/2015/09/flash-fiction-sequel.html
September 14, 2015 — 12:46 PM
Anna says:
Here’s mine, “Occupational Hazards.” There’s a bounty hunter in it. Sort of. I hope it’s “space opera” enough:)
http://strangeandcuriousthings.blogspot.fi/2015/09/terribleminds-challenge-space-opera.html
September 14, 2015 — 3:07 PM
caroljforrester says:
I had a crack at it, not one of the genres I’m most comfortable with but hey ho, we all need to try new things. [I may have had to google Space Opera just to make sure I wasn’t utterly wrong on what it was.]
https://caroljforrester.wordpress.com/2015/09/14/star-ship-n2p7649/
September 14, 2015 — 5:14 PM
Michael E. Henderson says:
Here’s mine.
http://michaelhendersonnovelist.com/michaelhender/2015/9/14/flash-fiction-the-void
PS: If anyone cares to comment, kindly do it through my blog. You can do it here and on the blog, but I won’t know about it if you do it here.
September 14, 2015 — 5:50 PM
Pavowski says:
I went and wrote a very serious, very melodramatic, very galactically-scaled thing. It was tedious as all. So I backed up, tossed that thing out, and wrote this much more amusing bit of fun instead. Not my usual style, but fun all the same.
Here’s “The Button at the End of the Universe”.
http://accidentallyinspired.com/2015/09/14/the-button-at-the-end-of-the-universe/
September 14, 2015 — 7:41 PM
the oncoming spork says:
I was hoping this would be something Adams-esque. Not disappointed! XD
September 16, 2015 — 10:46 PM
Pavowski says:
Glad you enjoyed it!
September 17, 2015 — 5:16 AM
Natalie says:
Hi,
Hope the following link works.
http://wp.me/p1MxFw-3C
September 15, 2015 — 3:14 AM
dmcclure17 says:
It works, Natalie. Good, intriguing stuff going on here.
September 17, 2015 — 1:01 AM
Agira Varnin says:
Writing a flashfiction – space opera was really hard. Please
http://reapersconcept.blogspot.in/2015/09/a-space-opera-flash-fiction-1000-words.html
September 15, 2015 — 10:35 AM
Janet Vandenabeele says:
This really captures the soul of a space opera. You have a great set up here. There are some run-on sentences you might want to fix. I say they can be used in some cases, especially to convey breathless pacing or a character’s thoughts that race or run on.
September 16, 2015 — 11:09 PM
M.A. Kropp says:
Okay, here’s my contribution. A short vignette in an idea I am developing now. (So this was particularly appropriate.)
https://makropp.wordpress.com/sheila-a-deuce-laforse-story/
September 15, 2015 — 4:27 PM
Aimee Ogden says:
Cute ending! I like the AI personalities, especially the conflict between JJ and Deuce. Would’ve liked to see more of Deuce’s inner life here? What was she up to before being interrupted by the attack? How does she feel about causing the deaths of everyone on board that other ship, even if they wanted to kill her first?
Also, there are some problems with paragraph break points during dialogue that make it hard to tell who’s speaking. For example:
“I was thinking it was pleasant to talk to another intelligence. Harmon’s is not much of a conversationalist. And most of the rest of them won’t interact. Sheila was different.” Deuce squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head.
“Yeah, Harmon’s AI is a bit stiff, but that’s how he likes it.
… Which makes it look like Deuce is saying the first line, since it’s tagged with her action. Instead:
“I was thinking it was pleasant to talk to another intelligence. Harmon’s is not much of a conversationalist. And most of the rest of them won’t interact. Sheila was different.”
Deuce squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. “Yeah, Harmon’s AI is a bit stiff, but that’s how he likes it.
So Deuce’s action is tagged to what she’s saying, not to what JJ is.
September 16, 2015 — 2:42 PM
M.A. Kropp says:
1000 words doesn’t give you a lot of room for detail, does it? It was tough keeping to the limit. This may get expanded or included in a longer piece at some point.
And, *sigh*, the dialogue. Yeah, getting that right is something I struggle with. It’s one of those things where *I* know what I mean, but…
Thanks for the comments. They do help.
September 16, 2015 — 3:50 PM
thanosrules says:
https://grouchyguyscifi.wordpress.com/2015/09/16/io-is-a-miserable-bitch-flash-fiction/
went a little long as well…
September 15, 2015 — 8:20 PM
dmcclure17 says:
A fun read! Nice pacing and an enjoyable narrative voice.
September 17, 2015 — 10:01 AM
entrebat says:
Declaration of the Twice Gifted.
“The Golden Hand, Benevolent Deputy of the Celestial Emperor, Twice Gifted of the Dragon Turtle, Leader of the Six Dynasties, Shum Jinjing did not know about the blip.”
September 16, 2015 — 7:44 AM
Aimee Ogden says:
Nice atmosphere and worldbuilding! I liked this piece, though I felt it did drag a little while introducing all the dignitaries by name — seems like it might have been better handled mid-narration rather than stopping mid-story to rattle off all those names and titles? But still, engaging concept — nice work!
September 16, 2015 — 2:34 PM
entrebat says:
Thanks!
September 17, 2015 — 12:11 PM
dmcclure17 says:
A great introduction to what sounds like a fascinating universe.
September 17, 2015 — 10:35 AM
entrebat says:
Thanks!
September 17, 2015 — 12:11 PM
Aimee Ogden says:
Cutting this down below 1,000 words was REALLY hard. how do i worldbuilding?!
http://aimee-ogden.tumblr.com/post/129212299336/terribleminds-flash-fiction-challenge-space-opera
September 16, 2015 — 9:14 AM
Janet Vandenabeele says:
Wow, I really want to read more of this story! But you did a great job at using 1000 words well.
September 16, 2015 — 10:48 PM
Aimee Ogden says:
Thank you! 🙂
September 18, 2015 — 2:23 PM
entrebat says:
Groovy concept. It’s got me intrigued.
September 17, 2015 — 12:59 PM
Aimee Ogden says:
Thanks! And thank you again for reminding me to find a space for the word “groovy” in my vocabulary more often.
September 18, 2015 — 2:24 PM
Alice E Keyes says:
Here’s my One Act Expanse Flop –
http://aliceekeyes.blogspot.com
September 16, 2015 — 12:34 PM
Alice E Keyes says:
It is just over 800 words
September 16, 2015 — 12:36 PM
Janet Vandenabeele says:
My first time entering the challenge. I thought NO WAI when I saw it but then had a lunch hour epiphany.
http://aliyamirat.tumblr.com/post/129232736821/flash-fiction-space-opera-style
September 16, 2015 — 4:08 PM
Anna says:
I really liked this one. Nice ending:)
September 17, 2015 — 8:52 AM
dmcclure17 says:
Nice! Sort of reads like journal entries. I like the line “It started out like most clusterfucks” so much I think you should lead off with it. 😉
September 17, 2015 — 10:48 AM
Janet Vandenabeele says:
That’s a good idea if I ever expand on this. Or I might just use it again on something else. I’m sure I’ll have no problem creating another clusterfuck. 🙂
September 17, 2015 — 10:26 PM
dmcclure17 says:
Turned out to be more military sci-fi than space opera, but I think it’s a fun read regardless. 988 words. Enjoy!
https://dmcclure17.wordpress.com/2015/09/16/the-space-opera-a-wendig-flash-fiction-challenge/
September 16, 2015 — 6:04 PM
Janet Vandenabeele says:
I liked it. But I’m a sucker for the military-flavored space opera myself. The tech terms were easy to follow and it’s clear what the “thing the character wants” is. I’d say you bitch blasted the challenge.
September 16, 2015 — 10:26 PM
dmcclure17 says:
Thanks Janet! Glad you liked it. I’m curious, though. I’m unsure what you mean by “thing the character wants.” Are you saying Cricket’s motivation is clear? Or something else?
September 16, 2015 — 10:45 PM
Janet Vandenabeele says:
Didn’t want to give any spoilers, and “motivation” has become such a murky word, but yes, that’s where I was going. The concept is that your reader should always know what your character wants.
September 16, 2015 — 11:28 PM
nkharrold says:
I may have been heavily influenced by a Kurosawa binge I had recently… just sayin. http://wp.me/p5c84O-2b
September 16, 2015 — 10:22 PM
Adan Ramie says:
Does it count if it’s an elegy?
https://adanramieblog.wordpress.com/2015/09/17/elegy-to-a-space-opera-and-now-for-something-completely-different/
September 17, 2015 — 10:00 AM
Rebecca Douglass says:
That’s kind of a fun variation on the assignment 🙂 And can any of us think of space opera without thinking of Star Trek?
September 18, 2015 — 11:16 AM
Adan Ramie says:
ST is actually the first thing that pops into my head, as I’m much more of a Trekkie than a … what do Star Wars fans call themselves? … Anyway. I’m glad you liked it. 🙂
September 18, 2015 — 12:56 PM
Rebecca Douglass says:
Cheating on the “Friday” part of my Friday Flash, just to get it in here well under the wire 🙂
http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2015/09/friday-flash-shuttle-down.html
September 17, 2015 — 3:10 PM
Adan Ramie says:
Captain Lee is after my heart. Tough, no-nonsense, and a firm grasp of her duties… What a great character!
September 18, 2015 — 9:38 PM
Jemima Pett says:
I nearly posted this on Saturday, then remembered I don’t publish till Friday, and that would give you a dead link all week…. but now its just an hour or so till Friday here, and then you can read…
http://jemimapett.com/blog/2015/09/18/friday-flash-fiction-surviving-the-sleeve/
September 17, 2015 — 5:34 PM
cchrisman says:
1000 words is super short! Wow… http://christinechrisman.com/a-day-off-my-very-own-tiny-space-opera/
September 17, 2015 — 5:58 PM
Matthew X. Gomez says:
This may well be one of the most derivative pieces I have written, bordering on pastiche almost. Still, it was a fun thing to write.
https://mxgomez.wordpress.com/2015/09/17/on-the-run-a-chuck-wendig-challenge/
September 17, 2015 — 9:37 PM
Rebecca Douglass says:
Derivative or not, it was a fun read!
September 18, 2015 — 1:37 PM
Henry says:
I wrote a middle grade piece earlier in the week inspired by this, but it was 2000 words. Now I have an adult sequel that meets the 1000 word goal!
Here’s the 1000 word one:
http://fistfulofwits.com/2015/09/17/flash-fiction-barium-deeper/
And here’s the first piece:
http://fistfulofwits.com/2015/09/16/flash-fiction-barium-deep/
September 18, 2015 — 12:38 AM
Matthew says:
I’m a little late, but here’s my crack at a space opera.
http://www.matthewmarchitto.com/blog/2015/9/17/flash-fiction-challenge-space-opera-edition-the-coralhound-queens
September 18, 2015 — 4:20 AM
crow365 says:
Here’s mine, “The Conversation”: http://nickegelhoff.com/2015/09/18/flash-fiction-challenge-your-very-own-space-opera/
September 18, 2015 — 7:09 AM
graphx023 says:
Mr. Wendig a buddy of mine directed me to this site and I was very enthusiastic about trying one of your writing challenges. So here is my Space Opera “Generations” in 1000 words…enjoy…and please anyone comment. https://graphx023.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/generations/
September 18, 2015 — 10:41 AM
Rebecca Douglass says:
I thought that was an interesting twist to the heroic space opera. I do encourage you to work on polishing the prose more, even for flash fiction…I was distracted by places that read pretty rough.
September 18, 2015 — 11:21 AM
smkay70 says:
Here’s my effort, just in under the wire. First fff in awhile, and I am pretty rusty…that’s my excuse anyway.
http://sabrakay.com/finally-flash-fiction-friday/
September 18, 2015 — 11:35 AM
BMan says:
My entry into this particular foray, The Arthinian Dagger:
https://readthatwritethis.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/the-arthinian-dagger-1st-draft/
September 18, 2015 — 11:54 AM
joshuamneff says:
A wee bit late, but here is “The Game of Puppets and Demons”:
http://www.goblin-cartoons.com/2015/09/21/the-game-of-puppets-and-devils/
September 21, 2015 — 8:20 AM
Joshua M. Neff says:
Um, “The Game of Puppets and Devils”, obviously. *drinks more coffee*
September 21, 2015 — 9:31 AM