Scarlet book with rust-stained label

Another week for me of dealing with very welcome feedback on a novel, hence too little headspace for a standalone. Luckily Patricia, perhaps buoyed by last week’s win, found herself full enough of stories to take up the slack.

This week my admiration was snared by especially felicitous phrases: jk’s "trickling upward", David’s “almost akin to grief.” and John’s “to consider cashmere mittens” but it was Antonia’s “platitudes made a cashmere raft” which win’s this week’s prize. Additionally, a round of applause for Rosie’s The Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess which reached its 100th episode.

Words for next week:  eviscerate devote tab

Entries by midnight Thursday 2nd November, winners and words posted Friday 3rd

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.

Body butter, blue-wrapped mints and a grubby plaster

Just some of the detritus on my desk (and note to self -‘detritus’ an excellent future prompt word).

Despite the relative quiet ordinariness of last week’s words, some pretty gruesome tales were spun. Because I have an inexplicable fondness for poor Clive  Bailey, I’m declaring Patricia’s ‘Cripplegate Junction/Part 118’ my poignant winner of the week.

Words for next week: cashmere grief upwards

Entries by midnight Thursday 26th October, winners and words posted Friday 27th

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.

Tacking thumbs and pricking blisters

This week showed up the gap in my knowledge and understanding of several aspects of the horror, fantasy and science fiction genres this site promotes . It’s taken a couple of years for me to be revealed as a fraud but John’s ‘From the mouth of the dragon’ which garnered such praise from everyone else bypassed my understanding by miles. Nevertheless, I name him as one of a trio of winners this week, alongside Jk’s Ellis 010 and  David’s TRASH Rash, and thank you all for a thoroughly entertaining week of reading, both posts and comment.

Words for next week: score vulnerable wicked

Entries by midnight Thursday 19th October, words posted Friday 20th

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.

Overcoming duplicity

I ceased checking for duplication of prompt words a while ago, which is why olive appeared for the third time last week. I would apologise but for the fact that you all incorporated the word in an impressively inventive and  well-oiled manner.

And because I had longer to savour it, thanks to an earlier-than-usual posting, I have no hesitation in declaring  Rosie’s ‘My Grandmother’s People’ – episode #97 of 'The Adventures of Rosebud, Pirate Princess' this week's winner. The consistently high standard and unique voice makes this one of my (many) weekly treats.
 

Words for next week: argue petechial spring

Entries by midnight Thursday 12th October, words posted Friday 13th

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.