The tulips a colour I've not seen before and the fire because although it has been dry and sunny in
Orkney this week, the mostly north wind has ensured that away from shelter, it
has also been very cold.
And fulsome praise for all who contributed what seemed
an even richer than usual range of entries. JK offered episode 2 of Gotegodd,
setting us all on alert for the next, each of Patricia’s hit high spots, Marmalade
the undoubted star of Cripplegate Junction and a sly re-telling of a fairy
tale, Antonia’s Captain succumbed to temptations of the flesh and William spoke
of an’ intemperate tongue’, but I thought Rosie’s
26th episode of The Adventures of Rosebud, Princes Pirate, one of her strongest
so award her the winner’s spot this week; the rest of you snapping at her
heels.
Words for the
coming week are: match, donate, nefarious
Entries by
midnight Thursday 2nd June, new
words and winners posted on Friday 3rd
Many congratulations to Rosie. That was indeed a brilliant installment, to say nothing of originality. Has it really been 26 episodes? How time doth fly!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I see "nefarious" is one of the new prompt words. Could anything be more fitting to embody what takes place here each week?
Congratulations Rosie.
Deletewell done Rosie!
Deletebrilliant instalment, Rosie, well done you!
DeletePast memories [Threshold 115]
ReplyDeleteAs wood exposed to wind and rain becomes silvery and lined so had his face but the cinnamon and wood-smoke of his skin, the tautness of his embrace, exactly matched my memory.
Barely into double figures, I’d confused ‘nefarious’ with ‘nephew’; misunderstanding the role he played, as, I belatedly understood, had my father.
‘When he realised –‘
‘You left –‘
‘For your mother’s –‘
‘Never said good-bye –‘
‘Why you see me here today, but you? What with –?’
‘Ravenscar –‘ He heard the yearning.
‘Aye. Your mother failed to donate common-sense if it’s him you’ve let take your heart.’
Beautiful descriptive passages. "Cinnamon and wood-smoke" in reference to skin is absolutely stunning in its visual impact. This is a poignant installment that tugs at the heartstrings.
Deleteoh, love this instalment. Such good words, such vivid descriptions. Fabulous.
DeleteLove the three dimensions evoked by woodsmoke and cinnamon.
DeleteChange of focus [181]
ReplyDeleteOnce they’d applied their minds it didn’t take three guesses; the photographer’s appearance as lacking in nefarious intent as the dulcet tones of Edith Edgewater mis-matched the vitriol of Project Jezebel.
DI Pettinger queried, ‘Step-nephew?’
DS Brickwood, ‘Edgewater’s step-sister’s bastard son. Sperm donated by the devil according to –‘
‘Bollocks, he looks –‘
‘Looks wholly deceptive. There’s history there, murky as a unicorn’s arse.’
‘He’s a record?’
Optimistic, ‘Bound to have –‘
‘Still need evidence –‘
DC Moth, persistent, ‘Like I said, sir, press release –‘
Brickwood in support, ‘Witnesses. Someone might’ve seen him –‘
Pettinger, marginally reluctant, ‘Okay then.’
Snappy and sharp dialogue exchange. Something at which you do so excel. Had to chuckle at "murky as a unicorn's arse." What a picture that doth conjure! Have to say that the prompt words were so cleverly included here, that I almost proclaimed: "Ahah, you forgot to use...oh wait. No you didn't!"
Deletethat is the way to write dialogue. Someone posted dialogue on the critique site, asking what was wrong with it. Well, it was all TELL, giving information to the reader. Not like this, which conveys everything with a few words.
DeleteThank you! My problem, Antonia, is that I'm very poor on the fill-in bits, especially when it comes to novel-size writing. Have to go back and add it after.
DeleteMiss Goody Two-Shoes
ReplyDeleteShe never regarded my donation to be as valuable to the cause as contributions from the others. I know that now. But I have hatched a nefarious plan. (Surprise! I know a few swanky words after all.)
Mindful of the straw, I strike a match and drop it into the stolen slipper. It blazes ruby red.
Now let's see Miss Goody Two-Shoes get home with only one.
Another wicked re-telling - am I right in thinking you are a fan of Angela Carter?
DeleteLoving your re-imaginings of fairy tales
DeleteI'm sorry to say I've never heard of Angela Carter. Does she also like to compose nasty little twists on classic tales? I promise that I have not filched anything from anyone. Just my own warped imagination investigating what might have transpired had a happy ending been out of the question. I also like to work on "What If" types of scenarios too. Some I've finished include the Lady of Shallot marrying Sir Lancelot and Janis Joplin giving birth to a daughter by the name of Pearl, courtesy of Jim Morrison.
ReplyDeleteWasn't suggesting plagiarism for one moment, Patricia!! I'm admiring, because this approach is something I can never get my mind turned to, but I know Angels C's 'The Bloody Chamber' is one such alternative take and think she may have more. I am not very familiar with her myself, but have a book of her stories yet to read.
DeleteI am a big fan of Angela Carter, and she has written many "magical realism" novels. As well as The Bloody Chamber,(reworked fairy short stories), she also wrote The Company of Wolves, which was turned into a film with Angela Lansbury; based on the Little Red Riding Hood tale
DeleteSeems as though I am in good company on a creative basis then, although nowhere near as talented as the referenced Angela Carter, I'm sure. She certainly sounds like an intriguing author, but I'm wary of actually reading her stories since I fear I might subconsciously pick up on her ideas and incorporate them into my own versions. I've seen people do that, albeit without intent. Maybe when I'm through with my "Fractured Fairy Tales" though. Hmmmm......
DeleteAnd I hope I didn't come across as overly-defensive or insulting, Sandra. I just wanted to make sure you didn't suspect me of pinching the works of another. Anyway, I'm sorry if I sounded brusque. Are we good?
DeleteWe're very good Patricia - I feel I know you well enough not to take mistaken umbrage at your comments, especially as I've had instances where folk misunderstand what I'm getting at.
Delete... and no, you didn't come over as defensive or insulting!
Deletesliding in at the end of this discussion to say, lovely piece, Patricia, really liked that!
DeleteKursaal (Episode Twenty Two) -- "C.C. Sebastian"
ReplyDeleteC.C. Sebastian worked the last nocturnal shift at the Kursaal's ticket kiosk. With unmatched eyes of mud brown and cerulean blue, pallid complexion and gaunt physique, C.C. was perfect for enhancing the nefarious atmosphere of the facility's witching hours, when the park often descended into affable miscreancy.
A staunch advocate of blood donations, C.C. promoted this noble ideal at every opportunity. Unfortunately, his efforts were restricted to the nighttime only. A lamentable medical condition dictated that C.C. take shelter during the day lest the rays of the sun cause his flesh to burn.
---------------------------------------------------------
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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Yet again, I am awed by your powers of invention! Love the mismatched eyes and 'affable miscreancy'.
Deleteand the killer twist at the end! fabulous character creation.
DeleteAffable miscreancy, love that.
DeleteCripplegate Junction/Part 47-Jaunts And Journeys
ReplyDeletePoppy placed her tip jar on the Turnstile Kiosk's narrow counter. Courtesy of generous donations, she would travel to London. Its history, both nefarious and respectable, was fascinating. All this was dependent upon the Booking Office finally reopening and the Express actually stopping at Cripplegate but in anticipation, Poppy had her matching set of secondhand luggage packed and ready.
At Marmalade's insistence, Poppy moved a case of Licorice Allsorts so he might have access to the cat flap leading to the passageway at the rear of the station. With a jaunty twitch of his tail, Marmalade strolled into the shadiness.
--------------------------------------------------------
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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Took three readings and a check of what the prompts were before spotting them - supremely smooth insertion of them here and a lovely rich episode.
Deletegot to comment on that last line, Marmalade strolled into the shadiness. Says everything, so it does. Superb instalment.
DeleteThe prompts were laid down smoother tha Marmalade.
DeleteInfinity 149.
ReplyDeleteAh, such far reaching dreams! I should remember that if the sun shines, rain follows. The fulsome female did what all females do and why they are frowned on as passengers on a ship – she went looking to find what nefarious things us pirates got up to. And donated herself to something akin to the Creature. All we found was body parts that didn’t match up. Now I be afeared even more of what be on board and how I keep it from the crew. I said some evil spirit came aboard in the night and hoped they believed me.
Oh dear - should have guessed it wouldn't last. And how gruesome that "body parts that didn’t match up"! I've an uncomfortable feeling the Captain's due to meet new challenges.
DeleteOh my goodness. That I did not expect! How lovely and gruesome are "body parts that didn't match up." Does this mean that the beastie who is "akin to the Creature" might have claimed more than one victim? Can't wait to find out more regarding what the Captain be "afeared" of. Absolutely brilliant continuation...and at 149 no less. Quelle talent!
DeleteExcellent twist in this tale what gruesomeness awaits. Can't wait to find out.
DeleteOn my Hols at the moment the Title of this piece may give a clue where. Just got 20 mins on a borrowed laptop to get this posted.
ReplyDeleteIn The Shadow Of The Winking Man
Willingly I donate my time for free,
edging your indecisive soul closer to me.
Pumping out my lies from every position,
controlling your thoughts is my only mission
I do these things because I can
to put your thoughts under the shadow of this winking man.
I make you think that it's only you that holds the truth,
but I just need your cross in my box at the polling booth.
I strike the match to your powder keg of hate
Step back, and wait,
for you to join the apocalyptic cry!
For that, is nefarious I.
A flawless piece, as always William. I stand once again in awe of how you can poetically rhyme the assigned prompts. I have enough trouble working them into a cohesive storyline!
DeleteAh - a part of the country I've never visited. And thank you for this sly contribution, both to Prediction and politics. And the 'indecisive soul'
DeleteRosebud, Natasha, and I are honored! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThe Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess #27
Ancient History
If you think a princess would also favor the favored sport of her people, you’d be incorrect. But, one of the newest supporters donated something, really someone, who ought to be away from all this nefarious idiocy. Who looks at a highly publicized match and thinks “this is the best place to hide my secret experiment who didn’t consent to any of this and probably wants to escape my evil clutches”? Especially when said “experiment” was the love of my grandmother’s life and we are still one of the most powerful families in the world? Do you see the stupidity?
As enigmatic as everything that went before. Your style of writing is very unique. I love it.
DeleteYour style, as Patricia says, but also the voice and the ability to evoke such strong imagery. Teasing episode, this.
DeleteThe Ties That Bind
ReplyDelete"I'm gonna donate his body for science, see."
"But he ain't dead."
"Yeah, I can fix that."
"Oh, right. I'm sure you got a nefarious plan?"
"Gonna give him one of my famous neckties, and when he's done twichin' I got a guy who takes 'em to this college place. Some perfesser needs stiffs, I guess."
I had to smile at the thought of dapper Nate Delacort wearing a hempen necktie without a handkerchief to match; he'd be horrified. But the cops would take care of this goon, and he just told me who was behind the whole scheme.
Marvellous, magnificent and I want more. The atmosphere remains such an integral part of the story.
DeleteWhat an opening! And the ending so strong, too. 'dapper Nate Delacort' so vividly evoked.
Delete