Tuesday, October 27, 2009

New Flash Fiction Challenge: Walmart, I Love You.


Steve Weddle recently posted a link on facebook to this. (People of Wal*Mart) and suggested along with Keith Rawson) that Aldo, Gerald and I host a flash challenge using this site as our inspiration.

What I would like to propose is a 750-800 word story that is set, or at least partially set, in a Wal*Mart Store.

It could also be a story that refers to such a store in a meaningful way. If you take exception to Walmart, name it something else. We'll know what you mean.

Post the story on your own blog or on Aldo's Powder Burn Flash . I'm thinking of November 30th. Please don't post your story ahead of time--it throws things off. Let Aldo know if you want him to post it. Let Gerald or me know if you're "in" as soon as possible.
Walmart shoppers: beware.

57 comments:

  1. I'm in. And I can't imagine my store will be named Wal-Mart.

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  2. 800 word story in Wal*Mart? Loved to.

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  3. Yup, I'm busy as Hell, but I'm still in.

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  4. Keith-It's an intention more than a pledge. I don't mean to pin anyone down. Maybe I should say that.

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  5. No, no, no. I didn't take it as that at all, Patti. I love doing the FFC's. And, c'mon, 800 words about wal-mart shoppers, I'm so there.

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  6. Oh dear! I have been looking forward to this for ages, and now it comes - on the day when my new online writing course begins.

    Well, November 30th is in a distant future so I s´pose I am in. (It must be possible to google some WalMart flavour somehow).

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  7. Oh I am so in. Love that site!

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  8. Nobody should feel they are making an iron-clad promise. I just like an idea of what's coming down the pike.

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  9. I started a Malmart short story a while back, this might be the time to finish it. Count me in.

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  10. I think people should take one specific photo as their inspiration and include a link to that photo with the story. That's what I'm going to do. So many to choose from!

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  11. Well, I hate to make fun of real people--or a specific millieu that shops at stores like Walmart. I don't mind making fun of the store or its policies though. Of course, that would be libelous, I guess.

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  12. Eric-Did you use Malmart deliberately or was it a typo. I like the idea of calling it Malmart.

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  13. Full disclosure: I shop at Walmart at least once a week (there are two "Super Walmarts" within a ten-mile radius of my home), and I just spent a gleeful few minutes looking at those pictures. It reminded me of one of my favorite lines, from the movie "Bull Durham": "The world is made for people who aren't cursed with self-awareness."

    Now, where did I leave my skin-tight, hot-pink, three-sizes-too-small latex hot pants?

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  14. I hope you were not offended, Deb.

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  15. No type-- Malmart, which I stole from the comic book series Teenagers from Mars (they call it Mallmart)-- Which I need to reread and do a FFB on sometime down the road.

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  16. typo even-- I could see why you might think that with my typo foot acting up.

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  17. I'm in. It's been ages since I've done one of these and it's about time to get back to it.

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  18. I bow to the greatness of this idea. People of W*M is one of my absolutely favorite web stops. I've only tried my hand at flash fiction once. This is just the inspiration I needed to pick up the pen again. Now to browse People of W*M and select my muse!

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  19. Glad to have you P.M. Just let me know where you will post. Powder Burn Flash is available to any who choose it.

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  20. My fiction joints are getting rusty...maybe this will oil them up a bit I am in...just never in a Wal-Mart if'n ya gets my drift.

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  21. I've only been in a Walmart twice so I will have to make a trip to get inspired, Mark. Poems count.

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  22. I think Cormac and Chad responded on facebook. And Sandra on her blog.

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  23. Patti--I'm not offended at all--I just shop at Walmart. I'm looking forward to reading the stories inspired by the pictures. I'm not a writer, but the image of the woman with the ankle-tracking-bracelet seemed to me to be a great starting point for a story.

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  24. Don't think for a second that I'm going to be left out of this.

    I'm definitely in.

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  25. Hum, a horror short set in Wal mart. I can concieve it.

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  26. In many ways, horror lends itself best to Walmart.

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  27. Patti,

    Love your quote, "In many ways, horror lends itself best to Walmart." That is hysterical. I'd love to give the contest a try...

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  28. The Bently Little book The Store is about a walsmart type store that is evil. It's worth checking out of the library.

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  29. Great, Kathleen. It may be horror for me. I guess I need to walk through the place. None near me for some reason.

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  30. I'm in. BTW: It's no longer Wal*Mart but Walmart (one word) now.

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  31. Anonymous7:11 AM

    I'll give it a go!

    Katt Dunsmore

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  32. I'm in. QA buddy of mine who runs a theatre in Berkley and I discussed doing a People of WM stage play a few weeks ago.

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  33. Jack-Is that Berkley, Michigan, if so let me know if you do it.
    I'm going to compile a list because I think I am missing a few people who responded on facebook. Not that it matters, I guess. Just send me your link or let Aldo know.

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  34. Jerry House5:47 PM

    Patti, are you psychic? Or did you already know that Wal-Mart is going to start selling caskets and urns? Gotta be a story there.

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  35. Guess what? I just heard a story on the radio that Walmart is now stocking caskets in some of the stores. Hmmm. Thought it might help with plot ideas.

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  36. Cindy Woods4:28 AM

    The perfect way to celebrate the holidays. I'm there.

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  37. Great, Cindy. Just let me know where it will appear.
    R2-Cuts down on the funeral expenses, I guess.

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  38. Al Tucher5:11 PM

    I plan to contribute also. It's a great idea.

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  39. Great, Al!! Posting on PBF?

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  40. I'm in, Patti! What a cool project - I have just the idea...!

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  41. Great, Kate. Just let me know the url unless Aldo is posting it.

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  42. Al Tucher3:49 PM

    Yes, PBF on Nov. 30.

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  43. What R(squared) said, and yep, I'm in. I'm three rewritten sentences away from finishing, because I wanted to get it out of the way. Right now I know far more about Walmart and denture products than I ever cared to know.

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  44. Dentures, caskets, this should be interesting.

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  45. Great, Kaye. Just send me the url.

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  46. If it's not too late, I'd like to throw my hat into this ring.

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  47. If it's not too late, I'd like to throw my hat into this ring.

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  48. Hi Jimmy-Just let me know where you will post it. Great to have another story. Should be great fun.

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  49. Hi Patti,

    If it's not too late can I please enter?

    This will be my first FF Challenge and, if it's all right with you, I'll post my effort on my Brit Grit blog on the 30th.

    Best Wishes.

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  50. Anonymous11:36 AM

    Ah, what the hell. Count me in. I'll put it up on my blog http://danielboshea.wordpress.com/

    Dan O'Shea

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