Thursday, April 01, 2010

Spring Flash Fiction Challenge: Sweet Dreams


Maybe I'm an April Fool and there have been too many of these challenges going around lately, but I feel like writing this story-or having you write it better than I can. It's been rolling around in my head for days.



It begins in a food/drink establishment of some sort. The radio/juke box/band is playing "Sweet Dreams" by the Eurythmics. A red-headed woman in an electric blue dress comes through the door. And then what?

The story doesn't have to center on these elements. I'm just giving you the initial setting.

You can take it from there.

Stories under 1000 wrds. End date: May 1. If you don't have a blog, Mystery Dawg will post it on Powder Burn Flash. Please advise if you're in. It's only fun if we have at least ten writers. Let's see how much interest there is before we fire the gun.

Please notify me or Gerald So if you can make the time to play. Here's the tune for inspiration.

39 comments:

Loren Eaton said...

I'm in.

John Weagly said...

As someone who is still stuck in the 80's, I'm in.

YA Sleuth said...

I'm in too!

Richard R. said...

Love the song, but I couldn't write my way out of a paper bag (as someone once said). Or if I could I don't know it.

pattinase (abbott) said...

My husband always says the same thing. I don't believe it.

Cormac Brown said...

In, though I have a feeling in my story that this particular song is going to get a clip full. That, or the jukebox.

Chris said...

I'm in.

pattinase (abbott) said...

That's the idea, Cormac. One of those songs that you either love or hate. I was going to use a Dean Martin song but I thought better in the end. Glad to see you show up.

Richard Prosch said...

I need to stretch my genre muscles; I'm in!

pattinase (abbott) said...

Richard-It doesn't have to be crime. You could easily have it be in a roadhouse with Western elements. Just have them switch that old Annie Lennox right off.

Rob Kitchin said...

I'll have a go.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Delighted, Rob, Loren, John, Fleur, Cormac, Chris, Richard and Rob. And Gerald and me. That makes ten unless that glass of wine has made my counting suspect. We're off.

Richard R. said...

IF I were writing something - which I am not - it would be a time travels story about a bar on Mars during the rainy season.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Nothing better than time travel stories.

Paul D Brazill said...

Yep! Been think about it and ...I'm in!

Iren said...

Red Head Walking- Check
New Wave Music- Check
Drinkin Joint- Check

I'm in.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Cool, guys.

Kathleen A. Ryan said...

Sounds like fun, Patti. I'll give it a go!

pattinase (abbott) said...

Great, Kathy.

Cameron Ashley said...

I'm in. So in, I'm actually 1/3 of the way done.

Unknown said...

Late to the party, but I'm in

Dorte H said...

No definite promise yet, but I hope I will have time to participate.

Katherine Tomlinson said...

Sounds like fun. Count me in.

Rob Kitchin said...

Just spent an enjoyable couple of hours doing this. Took the dogs for a walk and the whole thing kind of unfolded in my head, so I thought I'd better get it down pronto. Can you remind us when the May 1st deadline turns round or this will slip me by! Thanks for the challenge.

Jimmy Callaway said...

In.

Cormac Brown said...

"Glad to see you show up."

I'm always lurking, but by the time I swing by, everything I would like to say has been made redundant by about four commenters. When you get twenty to thirty crime writers in a room, apparently a few of them will be on the same wave-length. Nowhere is that more apparent than here.

Yes, "Sweet Dreams" is a great choice, whether you like it or not. It is a well-crafted song, it's catchy in its own way, and to anyone over thirty-five, it will definitely revive several memories. Besides, not enough people know "Ain't That A Kick In The Head" or "That's Amore."

pattinase (abbott) said...

Cormac-I meant more show up to write than show up to read.
I have the feeling most of the people who write these stories are in their thirties so it seemed like a good choice.

r2 said...

Can I play?

pattinase (abbott) said...

R2-Was wondering where you were hiding? Of course.

Seb Duper said...

In, like Flynn.

Cheers,

Deegan

David Barber said...

In, if that's OK?

pattinase (abbott) said...

Absolutely, David.

Kathleen A. Ryan said...

Just double checking - is May 1 (Saturday) the date to post?

pattinase (abbott) said...

Yes. May 1. I didn't think about it being a Saturday but I guess it doesn't matter.

Kathleen A. Ryan said...

10-4. When you wrote, "end May 1" I wasn't sure if it was necessarily the posting date. I wanted to reserve the date on my blog. If you decide to change it to Monday, I'll keep an eye out for an announcement.

pattinase (abbott) said...

I'll change it to Monday, May 3rd. I can use the extra time myself. Thanks for pointing it out.

Kathleen A. Ryan said...

I'm sure we could all use those extra days! May 3rd sounds like a plan. I'll reserve it & put my rear in gear...
Thanks for hosting!

Steve Weddle said...

Sorry I'm late. I saw this when you posted but must have gotten sidetracked. I'm certainly in. Thanks

Christopher Grant said...

I'm late (not deadline late but late still) but I'm in.