Sunday 25 January 2015

Snowbound

Good morning!  My apologies for being a bit late.  I had connection issues and could not get hold of Miss Rebecca.  Things seem to have righted themselves for the time being.

So, the rumor is that here in New England we are expecting about 23 inches of snow in the next two days or so.  Mind you, it likely won't be that much, but there's a part of me that hopes it will be.  There is something wonderfully relaxing about that much snow.  You simply cannot go out, and no one is going to argue with you about that.  It's an opportunity to let one's mind be enveloped by the deep, thick, silence that comes with that much snow, and to make a little magic in the kitchen with a huge pot of soup or some baked goods.

I find myself already thinking about what dark things might come out in such weather, and what sort of horrors they would bring with them.

This weeks stories were as always, amazing. I must say again how thrilled I am to have new writers among us.  And with that, let me get on with it.

Our winner is is Kerry Liz with Ivory Silence:  I don't think there's anyone who doesn't know the feeling of wanting screaming children to be quiet.  Vanessa's resentment at her situation only heightens that feeling for her, and her solution is terrible and desperate.  Thank you!

In second place this week is Patricia Purvis with THE THROWBACK:  Lovely use of the prompts and great dialogue here.  The last line made me chuckle.  Thank you!

And so, the Tome has brought forth new words.

Blister
Harp
Parent

The usual rules apply: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all of the three words above in the genres of horror, fantasy, science fiction or noir. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine.

Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

You have until Friday, January 30.  Winners and words on Saturday January 31st.  As the 31st is New Years Eve and some folks may have celebrations to plan, or attend, if anyone would like me to extend the deadline by a day or two, let me know in comments and we can do that.

All right, m'dears.  The Gates are Open!


39 comments:

  1. Congratulations Kerry and Patricia - well-earned wins, and hope you enjoy your snow Colleen - we've had very little this year so far, Touch wood.
    Many possibilities with those words.

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  2. I hate snow with a deadly hatred, it stops me doing what I want, getting to places! Enjoy yours, Colleen... and get writing!
    Congratulations Kerry and Patricia!
    News is that my anthology, Dangerous Dreams, came second in the Preditors and Editors Poll 2014 - news is that both Patricia and Kerry write for Thirteen O'clock Press, the imprint I edit for - is it any wonder that the anthologies get that kind of attention with that level of class writers on board?

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    1. Congrats on 'Dangerous Dreams, Antonia. I, like Patricia and Kerry have a story or three with Thirteen O'clock Press. Must be because of the very encouraging editor?

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    2. The Kill

      White against white he moved forward, keeping low. The pups separated from their parents were an inviting target.

      The 700kg polar bear pounced with blistering speed.

      The hunter waiting to slaughter the young harp seals had no chance.

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    3. Michael: succinct and deadly, and a nice turning of the tables.

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    4. As usual, one of your clipped pieces which says everything. Brilliantly done.

      Thanks for the kind words!

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    5. I did not see this coming, but am glad for the end result. You go Mr. Polar Bear! Still, I'm left to wonder if the pups truly were now safe in the presence of such an accomplished hunter or whether it was a case of one eliminated predator being replaced by another. Regardless, this was a wonderfully woven piece in so few words.

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  6. (Yikes...I'll get this right in a minute!)

    LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
    (By: Foxxglove)
    (97 Words)

    It's not easy growing up with only one parent. Still, Dad does his best. He said my Mother was a true angel, so I always picture her sitting on a cloud and playing the harp, but that's such a stereotype and there are no actual photographs.

    Dad told me I could join him in the family business as soon as I pass all the aptitude tests. Took trial by brimstone the other day and came through without so much as a blister!

    My reward was a lovely custom-made toasting fork.

    I think Mother would be proud.

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    1. Like the 'trial by brimstone', the toasting fork and the tongue-in-cheek delivery.

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    2. smart little tale with an interesting twist! liked it a lot.

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    3. I really like this. Seamless use of the prompts. It's all very clever! Had to laugh at that last bit. Thank you!

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  7. Old Wounds

    Having exhausted theories on weather manipulation, we fell silent. Music crackled through old speakers, as if the scratchiness was required of these songs, digital technology be damned.

    “This was old when our parents were young,” I complained.

    “Yeah? When exactly was your dad young? We never did sort that out.” Nate’s anger could have blistered paint.

    “I don’t know. You want to help me find him, so we can ask? Because last time, he ripped your chest open. Twice.”

    “And you claimed you killed him.”

    “Still harping on that? I buried his bloody corpse.”

    “Death didn’t stick. Kaia confirmed it.”

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    1. Brilliant scene-setting - as always- with the first line, and a killer to end it.

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    2. Yeah, nice. As Sandra says good scene setting. Again, one of those stories you want to go on.

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    3. liked this instalment a lot... waiting on more...

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    4. Absolutely marvelous. I loved that last comment. This was brilliant in its dialogue, but then I'm coming to realize (given the source), what else is new?

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    5. Oh my! You're keeping me on my toes, m'dear! I so wish I had had time to respond! You are amazing with dialogue! Thanks for the twisty last line. That should be fun!

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  8. Rallying [Threshold 52]

    Wife.
    Ravenscar a new-wed wife.
    Eyes, gullet and my heart instantly seared, blistered with pain such as I scarce could breathe.
    Crossed my mind to let Cider-man collect Burk’s parents ransom; let them do what they willed with me, having no wish to remain living.
    But I’d been raised to a harp-strung tune of boldness; been whipped at every sign of cowardice or retreat.
    And Ravenscar too much my future to relinquish at the mere report of wife.
    She’d be no more than flesh and blood. Defenceless against the rib-sliding of a slender blade delivered in the guise of friendship.

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    1. Lovely complexity from Ravenscar. The prompts have directed this story well.

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    2. got the feeling you enjoyed the prompts this week, Sandra! You wove them well into this ongoing saga of blood, guts and horror! Loved that last line.

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    3. Ooohhh...shades of devious revenge. This gets better all the time, but this one was particularly delicious.

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    4. You have an amazing talent for keeping the pressure on and the interest piqued! LOVE this! Great use of the prompts. "...harp-strung tune of boldness..." is my favorite. Thank you!

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  9. [with apologies for product placement!]

    A change of focus [115]

    Vanessa’s fingers on the blister-pack of Paracetamol still shook – loss of dignity as much as pain; Pettinger had never before seen her so scared.
    Setting down a sixth and seventh gold-harped glass of Guinness – he’d begun with Glenmorangie – continuing the conversation, ‘In this case you have to blame the parents. Edward Cherrystone’s eccentricity might not’ve been exactly deadly, but their mother modelled herself on Medusa; how he managed to get three daughters on her I’ll never know!’
    ‘Remind me, Faith was the first-born? You know her? She’s the good one?’
    Failing to conceal a blush, remembering, Pettinger murmured, ‘Very good.’

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    1. Brilliant! Pettinger is such an complex and interesting character! And Vanessa the perfect counterpoint. Also, you have excellent taste in your choice of beverages for your characters! Just sayin'. Great installment! Thank you!

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  10. I was drawn in by the Glenmorangie, not to say the Guinness, being a fan. Again, writing that drags in the reader. Very good :)

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    1. great instalment! and leaving it wide open with that last line.

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    2. This was an intriguing piece with much food for thought. You guys are absolute perfection in this installment genre.

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  11. Infinity 85.
    The storm broke and I was sure I would be carrying a harp ere it ended. Would the blisters the damn wheel gave me be enough payment for a continued existence… I daresn’t ask. What I did, and only this journal be a-knowing it, was took the son from the parents and quietly fed him to the Creature. No one shouted ‘Man overboard’ for the storm were that fierce none would have heard anyway. I saw the grief and felt a touch, be it known it were no more than that, of regret. But our safety comes first.

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    1. Yikes! So ... calm and matter-of fact, with gently slid-in prompts then "quietly fed him to the Creature" Proper kick in the gut of a line. (and so little remorse).

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    2. This is my favourite Cap'n installment thus far. The prompts here were totally seamless and the tale could almost stand alone. I do hope the kid's end came swiftly. LOL.

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    3. Antonia, you delight me more and more with each installment! Beautiful use of the prompts! I may have said this before, but this may be my favorite installment to date! Thank you!

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  12. Ruthless and so the story continues. What be the connection between the Captain and the Creature that he serves it so faithfully? Yes, the prompts slide into the story effortlessly.

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  13. And that's the game for this week, m'dears. The Gate are closed. Please feel free to continue commenting! I'll see you tomorrow with winners and words!

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  14. And that's the game for this week, m'dears. The Gate are closed. Please feel free to continue commenting! I'll see you tomorrow with winners and words!

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