512 Words or Fewer

Sponsor me in the Clarion West Write-a-thon 2009!

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:34:52 PDT

I'm one of the writers participating in the sixth annual Clarion West Write-a-thon, in which you (a generous sponsor) donate whatever amount suits your budget to support this fine writers workshop whose graduates include:David LevineMary Anne...

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Blurbed

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 00:55:59 PDT

My favorite comment (so far) on "Universal Language:"http://twitter.com/StevenGould/status/2692121748That would be Steven Gould, author of Jumper? I didn't even know 'er!

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"Universal Language"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:03:00 PDT

UNIVERSAL LANGUAGEBy Curtis C. ChenI've thrown up exactly three times in my adult life. The third time was the best.The first time was in college. I remember being confused at first—I'd never been that drunk before, and I didn't recognize the...

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Audio: "Universal Language"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:02:00 PDT

I know, I know, lamest title EVAR. Would you have preferred the even more overused "First Contact?"BONUS ROUND: There's an Easter Egg in this week's podcast! After recording, I reconsidered one word choice and changed it in the text, but not the audio....

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Based on a True Story

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:01:00 PDT

Yes, I know that NASA retired their KC-135's in 2004 and have been flying a McDonnell Douglas C-9B Skytrain II since then. I just like the word "Stratotanker."I had the opportunity to ride on the Zero-G Plane a few years ago, and it was an amazing...

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4,400 Words, More or Less

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:10:30 PDT

If you've ever read comic books, you might enjoy my new short story, "Restart," which has just been published in the new online magazine Strangetastic. It begins thusly:My name is Eddie. I am ten years old. I forget things sometimes because I am sick....

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"Zombies vs. Aliens"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:03:00 PDT

ZOMBIES VS. ALIENSBy Curtis C. Chen"But it could be a weapon, Dad!""I said leave it alone."The boy, Jimmy, kept staring at the object on the ground. He pointed to one vertex of the roughly triangular shape. "Doesn't that end look like a parasol...

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Audio: "Zombies vs. Aliens"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:02:00 PDT

Do I really need to explain this one? Okay, good.Music: 'Synth' and 'Keys' stems from "Re: Your Brains" by Jonathan Coulton, licensed under Creative Commons.

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Like Elvis, They are Everywhere

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:01:00 PDT

You'll find zombies featured in movies like Shaun of the Dead; board games like Last Night on Earth; video games like Plants vs. Zombies; and music like this catchy tune:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQYjZc7gKXc

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"Art Attack 2"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:06:24 PDT

ART ATTACK 2By Curtis C. ChenThey stood on the precipice, ready to fall. Their legs were bent in a half-crouch, bracing their weight against the edge of the cliff. They held makeshift blades and shields in a defiant pose that matched the expressions...

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Audio: "Art Attack 2"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:06:08 PDT

Here's the thing about audio flash fiction: You don't have an entire novel, or even a few thousand words, to establish a character and explore his or her vocal nuances. This is more like a thirty-second radio commercial, where every person has to read...

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An Open Letter to Ferdinand Feghoot

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:05:54 PDT

To answer your unspoken questions:NO, this story has nothing to do with the first "Art Attack." It is related in theme only.YES, it did take all my self-restraint to not title this story "Art Attack 2: Electric Boogaloo."NO, I do not endorse the...

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Who is Tipton Peyregne?

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:08:22 PDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9zkpJ1AzU4What is Strangetastic? Find out July 12th.

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"Defeated"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:50:54 PDT

DEFEATEDBy Curtis C. ChenClay felt the motion before he heard the sound. The towncar swerved and screeched, its tires skidding off the highway. Clay's head bumped the inside of his window when the car stopped spinning."Out!" Selby shouted. "Out of the...

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Audio: "Defeated"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:50:44 PDT

I considered titling this story "Defeat of Clay," but decided that was a bit too on the nose. Also, a pun doesn't really set the right mood for this tragic tale.Music: Bass, Drone, and Percussion Loop stems from "Skullcrusher Mountain" by Jonathan...

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You Have to Imagine Rod Serling Saying This

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:50:26 PDT

Here's the original opening I wrote for this week's story:Lincoln Nevins was thirty-nine years old when he was born. But Lincoln was not "born" in the traditional sense. It would be more accurate to say that he was "created" or "constructed."Because...

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"Kangaroo's First Day with the Eye"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:05:30 PDT

KANGAROO'S FIRST DAY WITH THE EYEBy Curtis C. ChenIt was almost noon before Kangaroo came back to Jessica's office to complain."There's a lot of pixelation down the left side," he said. "Is that normal?"Jessica tapped her scanpad on his shoulder and...

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Audio: "Kangaroo's First Day with the Eye"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:04:39 PDT

Before you ask: yes, "Kangaroo" is just his code name.Music: instrumental stems from "Mr. Fancy Pants" by Jonathan Coulton, licensed under Creative Commons.

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Was it a Banana Muffin?

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:28:02 PDT

Banana muffin banana muffin banana muffin banana muffin "Banana Muffin" banana muffin 2004 hi/lo film festival, banana muffin banana muffin. "Banana Muffin" banana muffin, banana muffin banana muffin can't buy the DVD banana muffin banana muffin banana...

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"Ghost Machine"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:03:00 PDT

GHOST MACHINEBy Curtis C. Chen"Hey, I thought you turned off the Wi-Fi," Amanda said."I did," Steve said, rolling his luggage to a stop at the front door."So why is your chat window still going crazy?" Amanda pointed to the open laptop on the kitchen...

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Audio: "Ghost Machine"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:02:00 PDT

All I can say is that Brent Spiner and Ellen McLain both have a lot to answer for. (Not to mention Douglas Rain and William Daniels.)Music: instrumental stems from "Creepy Doll" by Jonathan Coulton, licensed under Creative Commons.

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Technical Difficulties

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:01:00 PDT

I had the germ of this idea a long time ago, and it finally took Scalzi and Twitter to nudge it into storyhood. But don't blame him for my descent into cliché soup at the end.Further inspiration came from a practical joke played by some geeks at my...

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Infrared Coffee

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:25:34 PDT

As you may have noticed, this week's story is delayed again. I won't bore you with excuses. I'm working on it and will have it up before midnight. (If before 6pm, we might fight traffic to go see Jay Lake in Beaverton.) Meanwhile, feel free to...

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"The Color of Questions"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:07:19 PDT

THE COLOR OF QUESTIONSBy Curtis C. ChenAs Detectives Jacob Lanosky and Andrew Dixon watched, Lieutenant Eugene Adler led Jeremy Solis into the observation area next to Interview Room One and right up to the glass partition. Seated inside Interview...

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Audio: "The Color of Questions"

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:07:00 PDT

Music: instrumental stems from "Re: Your Brains" by Jonathan Coulton, licensed under Creative Commons.

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Over There

512words+orfewer@gmail.com (Curtis C. Chen) — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:06:35 PDT