Cryptic, quick or general knowledge

Crosswords of course, one of this week’s prompt words. In our house my husband does the quick crossword, I the cryptic; he gets first go at the general knowledge. All three provide a different type of workout for the brain and he and I have long admitted we have different types of brain. What type dictates the way each week’s prompt words are used, I do not know. Am just happy at what seems never-ending variety and dedication. And the generosity of those who so generously acknowledge it in others.

Another week where an outright winner was impossible to choose, so honours are divided between Patricia for her sharp-ended episode of ’Kursaal’ and William for the opening of ‘The Truth about Your Demise,’ but perhaps the biggest news is no news of Antonia’s Captain – I trust for no other reason than an unsaved entry!

Words for the coming week are: crossword crude itinerary

Entries by midnight Thursday 31st March, new words and winners posted on Friday 1st April

Usual rules: 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.

Foxtrot writing

It’s been a rare week of easy-writing for me – a 450 words story coming to me in the space of half an hour, and posted before 6 a.m. – and a useful ‘sexing-up’ of several less than sparkling chapters of a novel now undergoing it’s eighth re-write. That I began this book in 2011 will tell you how infrequent such weeks are.

And welcome, of course, are all the definitely sparkling entries for this week’s mildly awkward words. I was cross with myself for failing to remember to use ‘uncle’ in the sense of pawn-shop, delighted to be introduced to Patricia’s ‘Dutch uncle’and Rosie’s ‘cry uncle’, and also with William’s rhyming ‘runkle’.  

Difficult as ever, thank you, but Patricia’s thirty-seventh episode of Cripplegate Junction puts her in second place, while I declare Zaiure this week’s winner. It was going to be for ‘Attack’, but then ‘Mama says’ trumped it.

Words for the coming week are: barge, forecast, project

Entries by midnight Thursday 24th March, new words and winners posted on Friday 25th

Usual rules: 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.

Location lies awry

For reasons entirely beyond my ken, the Live Traffic Feed which I inherited when I took over The Prediction has gone totally bonkers in locating me. I live in Teesside, in the North East of England, but after having been relocated to Kent for several weeks, it has now placed me in Carmarthenshire, in Wales. But last weekend, when I was in Wales , it decided I was in London.

No doubts from me about where to place this week’s winners - I was so delighted with Antonia’s Captain’s good mood in ‘Infinity 137’ that he comes top. William’s poetry skills in ‘Political Viewpoint put him in second place.  As ever, I thank you all for contributing to the week’s enjoyment.

Words for the coming week are: calligraphy, suck, uncle

Entries by midnight Thursday 17th March new words and winners posted on Friday 18th

Usual rules: 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.

Conjuring enchantment

One of this week’s books was ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’ which I at least began when it was first published in 1969, and wish I’d known about when I was studying the Victorians a few years ago. An incredible amount of authorial input melded with an ability to seize voice and era and give the characters voice. And, talking of voice, I’d like to pay tribute to two stalwarts of this site, without whom I’d spend half the week talking, echoingly, to myself so a sincere thank you to Patricia and Antonia.

As to this week’s winners, they were chosen for the conjuring of a single image. Rosie’s ‘blue tree’ enchanted and David’s ‘Magpie Road’ a promise of much to come.

Words for the coming week are:  judder, pure, popinjay

Entries by midnight Thursday 10th March new words and winners posted on Friday 11th

Usual rules: 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