We all have grandiose ideas for the next best seller. However big those ideas are sometimes they just need a kick start. Sometimes there’s no great thing lurking in the shadows screaming “Write me!” but instead just a short simple scene that plays in the mind. The idea behind flash fiction is to write something out using only so many words.

So here’s the challenge: 70 word fiction in a flash. You never know what you might scratch out of your head.

Anyone interested in adding their own work can do so in the comment section. We look forward to seeing what each and every creative mind can come up with. The requirements are simple, all we ask for is a plot in only 70 words that includes the item(s) below, no more no less. And believe me, that’s not as easy as it sounds.

Here are your items: a dog and a mouse

An inspiration tag is just a phrase or two meant to give you a jumpstart on your creative expression. So read the tag below and interpret it in a creative way. There are no limitations on the medium. In fact we’d love to see a visual or listen to an audio interpretation. Admittedly, some of the tags will lend themselves more to a written format than any other.

So here it is - Tag! You’re It! Have fun!

Evidence usually points to a criminal. This time it point north.

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Develop”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

Here’s this week’s Say What?

Unfortunately, sometimes people don’t hear you until you scream.
– Stefanie Powers

Here’s an exercise to get your thoughts moving. Pick a number (it has to be equal to or greater than 5) and write down something having to do with the Beach that matches each number in quantity.

If you’d like to see an example, take a look at the Gratitude Countdown

We all have grandiose ideas for the next best seller. However big those ideas are sometimes they just need a kick start. Sometimes there’s no great thing lurking in the shadows screaming “Write me!” but instead just a short simple scene that plays in the mind. The idea behind flash fiction is to write something out using only so many words.

So here’s the challenge: 70 word fiction in a flash. You never know what you might scratch out of your head.

Anyone interested in adding their own work can do so in the comment section. We look forward to seeing what each and every creative mind can come up with. The requirements are simple, all we ask for is a plot in only 70 words that includes the item(s) below, no more no less. And believe me, that’s not as easy as it sounds.

Here are your items: a bat and a belfry

An inspiration tag is just a phrase or two meant to give you a jumpstart on your creative expression. So read the tag below and interpret it in a creative way. There are no limitations on the medium. In fact we’d love to see a visual or listen to an audio interpretation. Admittedly, some of the tags will lend themselves more to a written format than any other.

So here it is - Tag! You’re It! Have fun!

What she needed was a key to unlock his mind.

The idea behind Break Away is to let your mind go and see if it will break away from your normal thought patterns.

The word is “Compose”

Here’s how it works:

1. Write the Break Away Word in the center of a paper (or if you’re lucky - a whiteboard).
2. Write/Draw the first thing that comes to mind when you look at the Break Away Word.
3. Write/Draw the next thing that comes to mind.
4. Continue the process for 10 minutes or until nothing new comes to mind

Let your pen or pencil find its own way, don’t try to force any associations into a pattern.

When you’re done, take a look at your paper/whiteboard. Where did you end up? Are there any connections that surprise you?

Here’s this week’s Say What?

…Women have been called queens for a long time, but the kingdom given them isn’t worth ruling.
– Louisa May Alcott

Here’s a simple, but not necessarily easy exercise to expand your creativity and attention. For each letter of the alphabet, come up with the scientific name of something.

Can you complete the list without looking at an online database or newspaper? How many can your friends come up with? Which letter was the most difficult to find?

Which letters spawned mini-lists? How many do you watch? How many of the names evoke strong feelings for you?