F3 – Cycle 62 – Addicted

Posted by on January 6, 2012 Leave a comment (12) Go to comments

"You'd like to think that you're immune to the stuff..." Robert Palmer

Everyone has a weakness, right? Maybe more than one. This weakness influences our decisions and can make us do unexpected things. These unexpected things could be great things…or greatly stupid things or something in between. No matter what, though, our addictions can take us down paths never even considered by others unsullied by addiction. 

Pick your poison and let it influence your protagonist. Is it love? Drugs? Alcohol? Work? Shopping? Violence? Something twisted? Write a story where your hero is addicted to something. And let’s do a pulp story, set in the 1940′s or 1950′s. Maybe he is a private eye. Maybe she is a nurse in trouble. Let it be vivid and wrenching.

Prompt: Write a story set in the 40′s or 50′s where the protagonist is addicted to something
Genre: Pulp Crime or Pulp Romance
Word Limit: 1,800
Deadline:  Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 9:00 pm EST

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  • Glen

    The fact that I had to use Google to find out what the actual pulp fiction genre is doesn’t bode well – but I’ll give it a go…

    • Flannery

      Stretch yourself! It’ll be great…

  • http://cmstewartwrite.wordpress.com/ CMStewart

    I’ve read several definitions of “pulp,” and still don’t have a feel for it. Actually, I still don’t know what it means. :(

  • Flannery

    I think Ron, our founder, explained it well here: 
    http://www.flashfictionfriday.com/2011/03/25/f3-cycle-24-pulp-fiction/. But basically, think crime/noir, hard-boiled fiction for the crime stories. Something like Micky Spillane. Pulp stories tend to be dark and gritty. Your protagonist is usually beat up and has the world against him/her. He has to adapt quickly and use his wits to survive. Romance can be tied up in crimes as well. Sex can be used as a tool to manipulate the situation. Also, love can make you lose your wits. 

    Pulp romances can be set in exotic locations and the characters are bold and bigger than life. Maybe it’s a bodice-ripping, swashbuckling pirate adventure. Maybe it’s love on another planet in a completely different culture. The heroes are rogues and the ladies are strong and independent. They clash and then they really clash. You could also explore a story that is about first love or forbidden love. It should be a bit lurid, if you choose pulp romance. 

    For both genres, vivid descriptions are necessary and so is a certain amount of grit. If you need inspiration, I’d google pulp fiction book covers, which will probably give you a better idea of what we’re going for. 

    At any rate, take a stab at it…I think you’ll find that the rules aren’t as important as the act writing. Follow the muse where she leads you, even if it means a lead pipe to the head. 

    • http://cmstewartwrite.wordpress.com/ CMStewart

      Because you were so kind as to explain pulp and even provide a link and examples, I will give it a shot. :) Thanks!

  • Jenny

    I haven’t entered in a while because I’ve been so busy, but I already have an idea for this prompt, and hope to get it in! Love this, so excited!

  • Ingrid Hardy

    Thanks for that explanation, Flannery. I have never really understood pulp since I’ve never really read it, but your description makes it a bit clearer. I really missed the mark the last time I tried, but might just give it another try, even if it’s a bit off… If one doesn’t try, one will never know!  :-)

  • MRMacrum

    Mines up

    Chicago Likes Things Tidy

    I finished with just shy of 1800 words – Chose crime as my genre

    • http://veronicathepajamathief.wordpress.com/ Veronica Marie Lewis-Shaw

      Since I’m not able to participate this week, I went ahead and commented on your story now, instead of waiting until Friday.

      Very nicely done!  I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

  • I Hardy

    I have to pass this week – I’ve gotten too much to keep up with, and the after-school/dinner taxi service to activites starts with a bang. (they are teens but don’t have drivers licences yet) Hope to be back next week.

  • http://veronicathepajamathief.wordpress.com/ Veronica Marie Lewis-Shaw

    A wonderful prompt, Flannery… I wish I had had the time to do a story… I really want to write some good pulp… or, I should say… see if I can.  :)

    Looking forward to reading some more… :)

  • http://cmstewartwrite.wordpress.com/ CMStewart