Winners and words. March 22, 2015

So again, I was sure my closing post had gone through when I posted it. Evidently not.  So I wrote this,using last week's prompts, just now, because it seemed like the thing to do!

“Oh bloody hell.”  Lolly muttered.

She stared at the bottom of the blog page, noticing that yet again her “The Gates are Closed” post hadn’t gone through. She’d about reached the limit of her patience with her rattletrap old computer.

“I’m going to wind up in an asylum if this keeps happening.”

“Now , now…”  the demon whispered in her ear.  “There’s no pride in suicide.  Let me offer you a deal.”

“I just want this fucking post to go through!”

The demon smiled as the entry finally posted and Lolly fell dead.

“The Gates are Closed”

__________________________________________________________

OK!  Random inspiration borne of abject frustration aside, let's get on with it.

Our winner is Noah Heinrich with The Great Game:  I loved the dialogue in this.  Very clever use of the prompts as well.  This was great fun to read!  Thank you.

Also in the winner's circle this week is Patricia Purvis with Cripplegate Junction/Part 5-Cakes And Cautions: On the surface it's a simple little slice of life.  A canteen, some free pastries, and a cute little girl.  But I love ominous you've made it all.  As always, lovely use of the prompts.  Thank you.

And now, the Tome has offered up new words.

Antagonize
Iridesce
Organic

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, March 27th.  Winners and words on Saturday, March 28th.

Glimmers of Green

Greetings all,

There are, as I type this, utility trucks and heavy equipment outside of the house next door.  They are digging for and readying to repair a gas leak.  They've been there for some hours now.  It's just 10:00 PM here.  Something tells me I won't be getting much sleep tonight.  It's all right.  I tend to be a bit of night owl these days.  Besides, the windows are open and there's the tiniest breath of Spring in the breeze.

The Tome is perched on my bed near the open window, waiting to bring forth new words. Let us not make it wait much longer, eh?

Our winner this week is Rob Evangelista with part 3 of his as yet unnamed story.  The prompts are gorgeously woven into this.  I had to read it three times just to find them!  Thank you!

In second place is Sandra Davies with A Change of Focus (120):  First of all, I can't believe it's been 120 chapters.  You have kept this story fascinating and going strong.  This chapter is lushly written and honestly made me shiver in sympathetic pain.  Thank you!

And now for new words.

Asylum
Limit
Pride

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, March 20th.  Winners and words on Saturday, March 21st.

A break in the white

Good evening,

It looks as if we're going to have a bit of slightly warmer weather, and no snow for a few days.  I was out taking pictures today and I saw snow falling from the trees as it melted.  It was lovely.  One hopes the even temporary easing of winter will bring  a bit of hopeful activity to mind and heart.  One wants to believe the long cold will end and Spring will herald a new lightness of Spirit.  There's Always Hope.

Now that I'm finished with the philosophizing, let's get on, shall we?

Our winner this week is Patricia Purvis with The Fifth Victim:  The Ripper murders have long been a subject of interest for me.  There's a feeling in this that's both clinical and sad.  Thank you.

Also winning this week is Antonia Woodville with Infinity 89:  Lovely use of the prompts.  I'm always amused by the Captain's musings on food.  I'm becoming more and more curious about the beast.  Can't wait to read more!  Thank you.

And now the Tome has granted new words:

Creation
Dice
Lunatic

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, March 13th.  Winners and words on Saturday, March 14th.

The Gates are Open!