FFM Links - 7 July 2020

Welcome to Flash Fiction Month, day 7.

Today we shall be embracing the spirit of chaos!

For the past week you’ve been subjected to the whims of the Hydra, tasked with jumping through literary hoops according to our (slightly fickle) whims. But not so today! Today, YOU are the arbiter of fiction, and it is you who will dole out the challenges to your fellow participants.

For some of you, this challenge is an old favorite. For others, well, you’re in for a treat!

P. S. Even if your FFM style is more relaxed and you’re currently in lurking mode, or don’t usually take part in the challenge events, we heartily encourage you to make an exception for today.

Maybe your could even join us in the FFM Discord Server (if you haven't already), and dip your toe into the proverbial waters - just pay no mind to the sinister banjo music floating through the evening air, it means nothing.

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Instructions

Flash Fiction Month is about writing – and posting – a story between 55-1000 words in length every day during July. Each day we'll upload a deviation where you can post your story for the day, with optional prompts, and the occasional optional challenge.

Paste a link to your flash fiction piece for July 7th in the comments below.

If you write a story every day this month, and complete every challenge, you will undoubtedly sup on ambrosia, and caper with angels. You could also win a prize!

• When you upload your newly minted literature deviations remember to use these official FFM tags: #flashfiction , #flashfictionmonth , #ffm2020

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CHALLENGE ME: Character Mashup!

They say there is no story without character, and for this challenge we would like to celebrate that most central component of fiction.

Today is all about dynamic duos, and the sparks (and witty lines of dialogue) that fly when different personalities come together and two very different characters have to team up.

Perhaps they fight crime, or perhaps they're on some other mission entirely. Are they old friends, or enemies? Family, or strangers? Who can say... But they're here, and for the next 55-1000 words, they're going to have to work together.

Your instructions are as follows:

• STEP ONE: Write a comment below saying “Challenge Me!”.

• STEP TWO: Reply to someone else’s “Challenge Me!” comment with a challenge comprised the following components:

1. ONE line of dialogue to be used in the story Be it a witty parting phrase, some out of context weirdness, or a heartfelt plea for nachos in a fast food joint at 3am. ---- (For example: “Dammit John, you’re only supposed to eat them after the ritual.”)

2. TWO complex characters working together in pursuit of a goal Give us all of your diverse, and unusual character combos! Kindly keep it to one sentence per character, but the more specific/complex/weird your descriptions are, the better! ---- (For example: “She's a street-smart warrior nun from another dimension, who's descended from a line of royal horticulturists. They're a misanthropic math teacher with super-powers and a rat problem.)

• STEP THREE: Once your initial “Challenge Me” comment has gathered a few responses, pick 2x Characters and 1x Dialogue option from the challenges you’ve received and use those elements to write a story!

To ensure MAXIMUM CHAOS we will allow mixing and matching from the different challenge comments you have received. Take 1 x element each from 3 x separate comments if you like, but remember the point is CHAOS so make sure they aren't things that would usually go together. And if you feel like slipping a little optional extra into the challenges you dish out, well, who are we to say no to such a thing.

Remember to challenge as many people as you can!

It's a community challenge so supporting others through prompting is essential! Challenge completion will be by doing all three steps.

When you’ve completed the challenge, remember to let us know by writing "Challenge" next to the link for your submission and posting it in a new comment (not your initial Challenge Me! one).

Not doing the challenge? No problem! Check out the optional prompts below.

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Reminders

Commenting is the stuff of life, today more so than ever. So spare a moment for your fellow writers, donate a kind word or two, and you shall reap the rewards of FFM karma.

Practice self care! Sleep, and then wrestle your half formed dreams into a box where they can be locked away safely, before donating them the 2020 Prompt Bank for proper disposal!

Now is the time for boldness, so hike up your lederhosen and join us on the FFM Discord Server where you belong.

Still haven't signed up for 31 days of flash fiction insanity? Head on over to the 2020 Sign-Up Page, and offer up your name, and while you're there pick up the FFM FAQ for some light reading.