A couple days ago I posted a quote on Facebook that said, “Original ideas appear at the nexus of dissimilar concepts.” I didn’t get a lot of comments on it, but what I meant by it was that I sometimes come up with novel idea by sticking two very different things together. For example, I might put the picture of cogs below with the word “chocolate” and come up with the premise: “A chocolate factory in Switzerland is sabotaged by the Jelly Bean Army, sparking the first of the Candy Wars.” 
Okay, I just made that up on the spot. They’re not always very good, but it’s a good way of getting the creative juices flowing and thinking of things from a different angle.
So, now it’s your turn. Below there are three pictures with random words attached to them. The words were provided by my wife, who didn’t see the pictures and wasn’t sure why I was asking her to give me random words, as evidenced by the first one.
Your challenge is to give a one-sentence story premise based on one of the picture-word combinations (do as many as you want, of course). Multiple entries are encouraged. I’ll let this go for a week and then pick the best one and give them some sort of prize. I’ll let them pick from some choices and although it won’t be money, I’ll try to make the choices cool. So, here are the three pictures:
1. “Mermaid/Jerk”
2. “Car/Peacock”
3. “Kneeling Man in Woods/Violin”
Ready, set, go!
The Green-Walled Tower 
April 30th, 2013 at 11:10 pm
Mermaid/jerk: Kevin thinks he’s won the jackpot when the hot new girl at school asks him out — until he discovers she’s actually a mermaid with a taste for human flesh — HIS flesh.
Car/peacock: Reginald Hammersworth, secret agent extraordinaire, is ready for his next big mission … until Z gives him his new ride: a cute little red car with a sassy AI named Mrs. Peacock.
Kneeling man in woods/violin: All he ever wanted to do was play the violin … until an ill-fated trip into the woods crushes both his hands and his dreams.
April 30th, 2013 at 11:23 pm
Awesome! 🙂 I like the AI called Mrs. Peacock. It couldn’t be a “Miss” I suppose.
April 30th, 2013 at 11:29 pm
I figure it’s a Mrs., since I picture her as extremely British. Perhaps people refer to her as “marm”.
April 30th, 2013 at 11:41 pm
That’s the kind of AI you need to keep you from speeding, I guess. And to make sure you tuck in your shirt.
April 30th, 2013 at 11:32 pm
Mermaid/Jerk: A young mermaid living near the waters of the Caribbean, smells the spicy scent of jerk chicken and vows that one day she will taste the deliciousness of it all…she was sick of eating kelp.
Car/Peacock: Mr. Pea wanted to go cock-fighting, but didn’t have a way to get there, so he decides to steal a car which will ultimately lead to a police chase and all sorts of fun ensues.
Kneeling man in the woods/violin: A young man decides to propose to his girlfriend in the woods and hires a violinist to play during his proposal, but while he was on his knees, his girlfriend runs off with the violinist instead.
April 30th, 2013 at 11:43 pm
Nice. 🙂 That last one is hilarious.
May 1st, 2013 at 1:27 am
A great idea, David. I may come back with an idea. I agree it’s a great way to create, when you are not so tied to an idea.
May 1st, 2013 at 3:11 pm
That mermaid jerk stole my sea shells; who does she think she is!
The ones with the biggest tail feathers always drive the smallest cars.
Master, do I really need to treat the violin wood with dung?
May 1st, 2013 at 4:00 pm
Pls find my contribution below:
Mermaid/Jerk: Mermaid sighted in disputed waters sparks territorial fight between warring neighbours
Car/Peacock: Ill-informed animal lovers protest at the advertisement, ‘Peacock for Sale’
Kneeling man in the woods/violin: Violinist takes refuge in woods after being barred from the International Violin Competition
May 2nd, 2013 at 10:14 am
The mermaid thought the tuna fish looked scrumptious until she swallowed and felt the hook jerk, embedding itself into the roof of her mouth.
Red convertibles and peacocks, both go screaming around corners to attract chicks.
Please Mom, if you help me find my way out of this jungle, I promise I’ll practice the violin every day for the rest of my life.
May 2nd, 2013 at 11:02 am
Mermaid/jerk – Cataloguing the progressive disappearance of too many unique sea creatures, an oceanographer succumbs to despair – but a chance glimpse of what appears to be an actual mermaid jerks her into another reality and adventure that few will believe.
May 2nd, 2013 at 11:29 am
I like that one. Good use of the word “jerk”. 🙂
May 2nd, 2013 at 2:59 pm
I am catching up with posts right now, will try it later! loved the idea, and yes, I agree with you! they may give us one brilliant idea for sure and lot of funny/interesting ideas.
May 2nd, 2013 at 6:47 pm
I’ll keep the challenge open for a while, so take your time. 🙂