mashstories

"At 28, the pigs strap me down, prepare the shot. Mama hides her eyes and cries. I’m 27. Guilty. Death penalty. Lethal injection. Because I killed someone. Or my art did. They don’t distinguish between us. Last meal? Paint thinner with a side of oil paint. Cadmium Red, please. Or Prussian Blue. I get beat for my smart-ass mouth."

"The Anarchist's Guide to Fine Art", written by J.C. Nathans and narrated by Joe Biedrzycki, was inspired by the keywords "congress", "art" and "jealousy".

Can you take three randomly assigned words and craft them into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"It seemed a shame to burn it. It was beautifully constructed, a fragile shell of coloured paper pulled taut over a wire frame. Hideous too, but beautiful in its way."

"Lit Up", written by Owen Archlimb and narrated by Duncan Stripp, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile".

Can you take three randomly assigned words and craft them into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"Summer doesn’t end around here. It just fades a little. Halloween decorations go up, Ugg boots come out, and the boys play football with their t-shirts on. Visitors arrive in smaller numbers, but their look stays the same, everything about them oblivious to our season of Less Summer."

"Summer Doesn't End Around Here", written by Stefanie Sidortsova and narrated by Erin Lillis, was inspired by the keywords "common", "Halloween" and "missile".

Can you take three randomly assigned words and craft them into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"Duncan’s eyes fixed on the red folder sitting on the table. Despite the loud hammering coming from the workshop next door, he could still hear the relentlessly slow clicking of his watch."

"The Knaves", written by Tiffanie Sisman and narrated by Duncan Stripp, was inspired by the keywords "carpenter", "vinegar" and "taxes".

Can you take three randomly assigned words and craft them into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"What would happen if I was somebody else? Would I still struggle with my feelings, swathed in guilt, or would there be no shame? Maybe those thoughts wouldn’t even exist at all."

"What if?", written by Suzanne Burrows and narrated by Lorraine Ansell, was inspired by the keywords "Halloween", "common" and "missile".

Can you take three randomly assigned words and craft them into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"Adams tried to look reassuring as he attached electrodes to the boy’s head. The boy’s parents winced.

'Competition is so fierce these days,' said the father. 'We wouldn’t consider doing this otherwise.'"

"Inspiration Inc.", written by Phill Presley and narrated by Duncan Stripp, was inspired by the keywords, "congress", "art" and "jealousy".

Can you take three randomly assigned words and craft them into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

“'Hey, Jules, you think this is a bullet hole, man?' I asked, wiggling a finger through a tear in a blue plaid zoot jacket."

"Chippy Chippy Dank Dank", written by Bea Idness and narrated by Joe Biedrzycki, was inspired by the keywords "ankle", "criminal" and "fashion".

Can you take three randomly assigned words and craft them into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.

"'Assume the position, 084629, or force will be administered,' a human voice echoed through the spartan cell. The prisoner snarled as she complied. She hated following orders, but that didn’t stop her hands from reaching for the metal bar near the entrance, completing the circuit with the steel beneath her feet."

"Sibling Rivalry", written by Fred Yost and narrated by Elisa Berkeley, was inspired by the keywords "congress", "art" and "jealousy".

Can you take three randomly assigned words and craft them into a story of 500 words or fewer? Take the Mash Challenge at http://mashstories.com.