{"id":26697,"date":"2015-05-01T00:01:44","date_gmt":"2015-05-01T04:01:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/terribleminds.com\/ramble\/?p=26697"},"modified":"2015-05-15T07:31:26","modified_gmt":"2015-05-15T11:31:26","slug":"flash-fiction-challenge-a-story-in-search-terms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/terribleminds.com\/ramble\/2015\/05\/01\/flash-fiction-challenge-a-story-in-search-terms\/","title":{"rendered":"Flash Fiction Challenge: A Story In Search Terms"},"content":{"rendered":"

I saw a great tweet<\/strong><\/span><\/a> this week.<\/p>\n

Search History:<\/p>\n

Cat armor<\/p>\n

Buy armor for cats<\/p>\n

Cat jousting tournaments<\/p>\n

How to stop armored cats<\/p>\n

Cat army how to stop<\/p>\n

national guard phone #<\/p>\n

\u2014 Alone Shark (@AbrasiveGhost) April 26, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Search terms tell a story. We’ve seen it used in advertisements. It sometimes plays as a joke on Twitter.<\/p>\n

This is your challenge.<\/p>\n

I want you to take six to ten search terms.<\/p>\n

And I want you to tell a story with them. A narrative progression.<\/p>\n

That’s it.<\/p>\n

Short, simple, easy.<\/p>\n

It can be funny, scary, tragic, whatever.<\/p>\n

This time, there are stakes.<\/p>\n

Prizes<\/em>.<\/p>\n

I’ll give away three physical copies of my upcoming Z-List\u00a0<\/strong>Hackers Vs. Evil Government Surveillance Program<\/strong>\u00a0novel,\u00a0Zer0es<\/strong>. (This means you’ll need to be in the US to receive those copies unless you want to pay the shipping costs to receive the book elsewhere.)<\/p>\n

I’ll pick my two favorites and choose one random winner, too.<\/p>\n

You’ve got one entry.<\/p>\n

One week to do it — due by next Friday (5\/8), noon EST.<\/p>\n

Put your story directly in the comments below.<\/p>\n

Go forth and rock.<\/p>\n

EDIT: Time to announce some winners!<\/h2>\n

Okay, these were\u00a0hard<\/em> because oh so many good ones.<\/p>\n

Some were a little samey-samey — like, okay, sure, zombies and suicide and the standard progression. And a few were good but actually went past the rules — either entered more than once or went over 10 search terms. So: some disqualified themselves.<\/p>\n

My favorites included but were not limited to:<\/p>\n

Douglas Riggs, Elizabeth Mallory, Matt Perkins, Valerie Valdes, ABillyHiggins, Alissa Hodges, Thirstyfish, Tony J, Mrnswen. But, I have to pick\u00a0two<\/em> winners out of there.<\/p>\n

So I’m going to do that with great pain and reluctance because so, so good.<\/p>\n

First up:<\/p>\n

ABILLYHIGGINS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

domination<\/p>\n

define dominatrix<\/p>\n

non-sexual domination<\/p>\n

world domination<\/p>\n

simple plan for world domination<\/p>\n

simpler plan for world domination<\/p>\n

is beyonce world leader<\/p>\n

alternative to world domination<\/p>\n

how to become accountnt<\/p>\n

what to do with broken dreams<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And my second choice?<\/p>\n

ELIZABETH MALLORY<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Best sex positions to satisfy men<\/p>\n

Female why can\u2019t I orgasm<\/p>\n

What are Kegels<\/p>\n

Meditation practices to open sacral chakra<\/p>\n

How to know if you\u2019re in love<\/p>\n

Best way to break up with someone<\/p>\n

Good bars near me<\/p>\n

Date night ideas<\/p>\n

Best sex positions to satisfy women<\/p>\n

Engagement ring sizing chart<\/p>\n

States where gay marriage is legal<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

And then, on a lark, I’m going to throw in\u00a0two more winners<\/em>, because\u00a0so good<\/em>:<\/p>\n

MRNSWEN<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

Symptoms of toxic waste poisoning<\/p>\n

Strongest weight lifted by a human<\/p>\n

How to tell if something is bullet proof<\/p>\n

Average amount of money in a bank vault<\/p>\n

Average police response time<\/p>\n

Private jet charters in my area<\/p>\n

Best country to live in<\/p>\n

Best country to live in with no extradition<\/p>\n

How to defeat a superhero<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

and<\/p>\n

VALERIE VALDES:<\/strong><\/p>\n

how to tell if your spouse is cheating<\/p>\n

can people change<\/p>\n

can people change into bears<\/p>\n

next full moon<\/p>\n

how to build a safe room<\/p>\n

what do bears eat<\/p>\n

can a bear get a human pregnant<\/p>\n

can a werebear get a human pregnant<\/p>\n

bear gestation period<\/p>\n

small bear cages<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Then, we have one\u00a0random<\/em> winner:<\/p>\n

WTF PANCAKES:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Summer family party ideas<\/p>\n

Seasonal produce<\/p>\n

Citrus recipes<\/p>\n

Lemon party<\/p>\n

How to clear browser history permanently<\/p>\n

Therapists on my insurance plan<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

All of you need to email me:<\/p>\n

terribleminds at gmail dot com.<\/p>\n

I’ll need a shipping address in the US where I can get you a copy of\u00a0ZEROES!<\/strong><\/p>\n