Dictionaries of different ages and sizes

Zaiure’s use of ‘sabulous’, and my search for its meaning reminded me of the dictionary game we played in Alabama last month – inventing plausible definitions of words such as ‘shypoo’, ‘megass’ and ’kipsie’. A two volume Oxford dictionary (supplied by Gita) had an abundance of unusual words to play with.

As with words (but even more so this week, so much the standard continues to rise) the choice of winner is a tricky one and I’ve had to declare a tie, between Gita’s ‘Cobalt Blue’ and Patricia’s ‘At a convent in Brittany’, but Antonia and Zaiure, William and Rosie posted almost equally wonderful pieces - all a joy to read. The other strength of this site is the comments, not so much for the praise as acknowledgement that we’ve been read – what every writer craves.

Words for next week  are: alpha, convulse, refulgent

Entries by midnight Thursday 1st September, new words and winners posted on Friday 2nd

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.

Precisely

At the tiny village primary school I attended we occasionally did exercises in ‘précis’.  I invariably finished mine in three minutes flat and sat for another seventeen watching others slog and mutter, red-faced and frantically rubbing out. I wished we did more of it because it was the one occasion I was able to shine but, unlike Antonia, I’ve never been offered a job on the strength of it.

As ever, there’s been plentiful demonstration of tight-worded strength in the telling of tales this week, one of which was, for me, a clear winner: Jk’s Gostegodd 03. Apart from my delight at the title and the tale, I am each time impressed with how much is conveyed in so few words; long may this serial continue.

Words for next week  are: amanuensis, bow, rattle

Entries by midnight Thursday 25th August, new words and winners posted on Friday 26th

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.

Strong spells and tricksy tales

And, as I was enchanted by, and rewarded, last week’s stand-alones, this week it is the turn of episode 59 of our second longest-running serial, Antonia’s ‘Infinity’ and the ever-fascinating Captain to occupy the high place on the podium. with our newest – William’s tenth episode of Little Martyn – one place below. In truth, each of Antonia’s episodes is worthy of winning almost every week, but for me, episode 159 has all the elements that make it such a staunch success. And I thank you all for participating and for commenting.

Words for next week  are: bramble, drift. sally

Entries by midnight Thursday 18th August, new words and winners posted on Friday 19th

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.

Tales of Tardis Quantity

As a serial serialiser myself, I have long appreciated the several others that run on this site, offering twists and turns for a regular cast of characters. This week, however, my especial admiration has been for two complete and very individual tales: Gita’s ‘Her contribution’ and Jk’s ‘The disgraceful widow', each of them seeming several times larger than the number of words it took to tell them. I declare them this week’s joint winners.
Thank you to all of you who take time to comment – such acknowledge of other’s posts is part of why this site is so successful.

Words for next week are: packet shore zodiac 

Entries by midnight Thursday 11th August, new words and winners posted on Friday 12th 

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. Serialised 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 you prefer.