Friday 18 March 2016

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.

45 comments:

  1. When did you last see your father? [Threshold 105]

    The parchment O’Bedrun held – whether history or forecast – implied connection between his family and mine. As much from fear of miscegenation as annoyance at his disparagement of my appeal, I bargepoled lust as one would a plague-boat.
    Sharply, ‘How worth? What do you know of my father?’
    Sly, ‘I’d ask the same of you.’
    Damn. ‘Only his name –‘
    ‘Which he gave to you. Anything else?’
    He hoped merely to project mild interest but I’d seen the momentary gleam of greed flash purple across the topaz of his eyes. But greed for what?
    Ravenscar, mind full-stretch, wondered the same.

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    Replies
    1. "I bargepoled lust as one would a plague boat." has got be my favourite line of the week.

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    2. What a sensational image is that of greed flashing purple across topaz eyes. Really like that you refrained from using the traditional green reference. Greed for what indeed? I am eager for the answer.

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    3. interesting instalment, where is this going is the question and what devious routes are you taking to get there... ever entertaining.

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  2. Thank you! A boost for my weekend. :) Good luck on your novel edits! I'm still trying to finish my first draft. :P

    And congrats to Patricia! Cripplegate Junction continues to inspire.

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    Replies
    1. Much applause for Zaiure for your always amazing entries. I've said it before and I'll say it again, the talent here is totally outstanding.

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  3. Congrats Zaiure and Patrica, you wowzer me each week.

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  4. The truth about your demise.

    You were a rough but ready youth when you barged into my life.
    You were new upon the scene, I should have forecasted strife.
    Me? I was searching for a project, someone to take under my wing.
    You already had the look, so it didn’t matter you couldn’t sing.

    I’m an ageing pop Svengali that fed upon your youth.
    The world thought you had talent, but no one needed to know the truth.
    When you believed the world was at your feet, whilst I pulled all the strings.
    You made our secret world unravel, so I killed you pretty thing.

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    Replies
    1. Impressively fast, and impressively phrased. This grabbed with the first line and dragged me inexorably into another sleazy world.

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    2. This was utterly enjoyable. It gave me visions of a much more darker Phantom of the Opera than even the original. I have always found the relationship between Svengali and Trilby (as well as that of Rasputin and Alexandra Feodorovna) to be fascinating and so, adore the reference cited here. I can only echo Sandra's observation of impressive.

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    3. outstanding, no other word for it.

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  5. Life of a man

    Well he pushed himself in, barged in actually
    To tell the man who was going to lie
    His forecast was wrong about his life
    He was going to report that it was full
    3 young kids and a wife he loved

    However,his project, to make all equal
    Would put his soul in deep of injury
    As some don't like what he was suggesting
    But he could not stop the way he was thinking.

    He now lies dead with his family at his side
    The rich and powerful put him aside
    To retain the thrust and continuous power
    Holding us all below thier thumbs, forever

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    Replies
    1. A deeply touching and harrowing piece Laurence.

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    2. Dramatically conceived Laurence!

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    3. This comes with so many varied connotations that it is impossible to focus upon just one for comment. Given that, I will just say that this was outstanding and moved toward a chilling and unexpected conclusion (for me anyway).

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    4. clever, cold and unpredictable,. Could anyone ask for more?

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  6. Actions Speak Louder

    Maxine's prowess with a needle is exemplary and the precision of her bargello designs in particular, quite enviable. Rumour has it she can forecast the exact placement of a stitch without even looking.

    Her finished projects would doubtless echo such sentiments if not for the fact that their lips are sealed.

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    Replies
    1. A splendidly vicious piece Patricia. I love it.

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    2. Precisely pricked and patterned, with an instinct I can only envy!

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  7. Cripplegate Junction/Part 38-Barriers

    The Station Master secured the door behind him, tucking the key into his waistcoat pocket.

    "Don't want anyone barging in on us, do we my dear fellow? That would be decidedly inconvenient at this junction." He chuckled. "Slip of the tongue. I meant juncture, of course."

    The projection of his persuasive tone filtered into the Canteen, where Violet was twiddling the knob of a wireless.

    "I'm trying to get the weather forecast, but it keeps bringing me Workers' Playtime," she complained to nobody in particular.

    There was nobody in particular to hear her anyway since the Canteen was now empty.


    ---------------------------------------------------------
    To read the earlier installments (a suggestion only) which led to this point in the tale please visit: http://www.novareinna.com/cripplegate.html
    A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
    ---------------------------------------------------------


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    Replies
    1. Aha! Dastardly deeds afoot. And I picture Violet with one of those semi-circular starched white head-dresses (hardly hats but I can't think what else they're called) mid brown hair, ever so slightly stooped. So vivid the characters in this series.

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    2. I love when what is written can conjure pictorial images that were not of the author's personal creation. Do I see Violet in that light? Well, that would be telling now, wouldn't it?

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    3. Right from the first all action has been carried out against the backcloth of the Ladybird world of Peter and Jane, in a way that Kursaal does not. All to your credit.

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    4. terrific instalment, setting up for some goodies in the future.

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  8. I could have sworn when I came here earlier today I saw a freestyle poem penned by Sandra. Am I imagining things?

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    Replies
    1. No - I was unhappy with the (over-hasty) final line and removed it for re-jigging. It will be back

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  9. Philosophy

    Fatalists eschew astrology
    – forecasts from the stars’ alignment with the moon,
    as if time of birth dictates projection of one’s arc of life,
    the time and type and temperament of one’s death.

    I accept I’m rudderless
    – my life a barge along the straight and narrow,
    enhanced by taking random chances, seizing branches
    launching blind into the tide, but at least the choice is mine.

    What’s done is done
    – and, if we’re talking clichés, what will be, will be,
    not every act by choice, events too often foist unwanted;
    it’s what we feel, how we deal with them, dictates the flow.

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    Replies
    1. This was an absorbing piece, Sandra. So many lovely phrases evoking so many vivid images. I think my favourite phrase is: "at least the choice is mine." I just adore that sentiment. Many congratulations on this. Would I be right in assuming this is not your first attempt at free style verse? It's far too polished to be an initial tryout.

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    2. Thank you Patricia. I describe myself as an 'occasional poet' but that's because occasionally words align themselves into a poem, rather than me setting out to write one. Don't know exactly what the definition of 'free style verse' is, and this one took a lot more working than the graph one I did two or three weeks ago.
      Some years ago I was invited to join the Poetry Circle on the strength of what I'd not realised was a poem and I tried to post regularly but couldn't keep it up.

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    3. In my ignorance of poetry genres, I classify anything that doesn't have a significant sing-song rhyme as "free verse." It's an ability I envy since any attempt at poetry on a personal level MUST rhyme or I am unable to complete the piece. A serious fault, I'm afraid, which is why I usually don't waste any time on the process.

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    4. liked that a lot. The poetic side of you shows up in the instalments anyway, it's just distilled in this poem.

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  10. Change of focus [171]

    DC Henry Moth’s forecast of an alphabet-driven agenda of murder being disproved – Melanie the fifth – and John Pettinger suffering the indignity of his boss barging into a briefing to crow about it, the investigation stuttered.

    DNA from condoms too corrupt; Abel Ackroyd and mates (tattooed or otherwise) confirmed innocent, likewise new-belt, lost braces, bloke.

    But both Beverley and Melanie were known to have been cited as harlots by a local bearer of a social conscience, who, to loud fanfare, had launched ‘Project Jezebel’ in a bid to wipe out sex crime.

    Some muttered she’d also like to wipe out sex.

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    Replies
    1. Ah, those "social conscience" individuals with their holier than thou attitudes. What a pain they are in the derrière of us more sinful mortals. Love the "Project Jezebel" reference. What a great title that would be for a book. Yet another intriguing episode in a saga that I hope never reaches a conclusion.

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    2. me too, Patricia, loving this saga.

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  11. Kursaal (Episode Thirteen) -- "Isabel la Gaya"

    Isabel la Gaya deigned to name her place of business, preferring the symbols of her craft adorning the exterior -- tarot cards, zodiac cups, crystal balls and such - to speak for themselves. Her forecasting ability was unrivalled regardless of the medium.

    The beaded curtain of Isabel's sanctum prevented intrusion by any who might be tempted to barge in on her readings, which were always optimistic. The mood of Isabel's clientele upon departure was carefree, almost foolhardy.

    Post-mortem photography was Isabel's pet project. She was rather skilled at it. The walls of her establishment displayed some of her favourites...past and present.

    ---------------------------------------------------------
    To read the earlier installments (a suggestion only) which led to this point in the tale, please visit:
    http://www.novareinna.com/kursaal.html
    A link to return to "The Prediction" can be found on the site. Thank you.
    ---------------------------------------------------------

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    Replies
    1. Eeugh!! - that final word, that 'present', is like a stiletto to the gut, presicely aimed and delivered.

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    2. beautifully done, right down to that last dagger word!

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  12. The Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #17
    A Yurt Barges In

    “Natasha, I know you think pouring over those shipping forecasts will help with our current “project,” but-” I said, as she interrupted in semaphore, as usual.
    “But this is so much better than being disguised as a stupid barge and appearing in their midst.”
    “I know, but the barge trick always works.”
    “Look at Henry’s weather report. I can’t be a barge, the costume isn’t water resistant, the paint will run.”
    “Okay, fine, what’s your plan then?”

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    Replies
    1. Oh, the wonderful shipping forecast! So poetic (at least in the UK) and a magical title too Rosie. Natasha sounds like a mixed blessing of a friend.

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    2. I liked this. Interrupted in semaphore conjures such pictures!

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  13. just so you know, I did enter, but Blogger didn't save it! Will post the entry (late and out of time) when I get home today!!
    And then the Captain and I can work on the next instalment...

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  14. Infinity 139

    The man showed up and, as I thought, useless. Put a cutlass in his hand, he be like to throw it overboard and barge into the enemy instead. You need to project fierceness, to terrify them afore they get their senses together when you boards a ship.
    Bad weather be forecast and the Infinity needs to sail on, to find more merchantmen and clippers. I do be craving more tea, that I do and I don’t be craving paying for it. Grog’s better but tea do go down well. What picture am I giving of a fierce cap’n then?

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    1. Ah, but he's only drinking tea out of sight of crew, isn't he? Lovely smooth use of prompts and excellent continuation from last week - Captain's ability to spot incompetent well-honed

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    2. Love this episode, as Sandra mentioned Seemless use of the prompts. A wise man our Cap'n tea is an excellent replacement for the Grog, as I can testify this weekend.

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