.
Next week’s words are accent
interfere stark
Entries
by midnight Thursday 28th November, words
and winners Friday 29th
New laptop yesterday, files all gone AWOL or lunatic and this cobbled from a folder of years ago (and posted out of order because the margins aren't behaving). And not one of you has made an effort to make this week’s choice of “a winner” in the slightest bit easy; truly I don’t know when I’ve had a harder selection to choose from. But needs must, so I’ve picked two – Holly for the gorgeous sensuality of her ‘Climate change’ and Jim for what I think is just about the yukkiest of the many gruesome ones this week: 'Doing my job'.
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
Congrats Holly and Jim. Quite the writing duo this week.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John! And congrats to Jim as well. :)
DeleteHolly and Jim, hard to beat the expertise and ideas you're bringing to the Challenge right now! Congrats!!
DeleteI would vote for your entry, Holly. Congrats to you!
DeleteVery nicely done, Holly and Jim. Wonderfully crafted tales well worthy of the top spot.
DeleteNonsensical Ramblings
ReplyDeleteThe starkness of the page weighed heavy so I typed a few lines. The muse on my shoulder interfered once again.
“Use an accent mark to emphasize compatibility.”
“What?” I said. I had the stupidest muse on the planet.
“You heard me. Write it in second person. Everyone loves that.”
“I’m not writing in second person.”
“Fine, write crap, like you always do.”
Euphoria pours from your body as you read, mesmerized by the power of the written word. You contact your unconscious rage and confirm you are no longer stressed. At last, you are at peace.
Nonsensical? Sounds worryingly normal to me ...
Deleteit does sound worryingly normal, I agree with Sandra and wonder if we are deluding ourselves... that this is normality and all else is insanity... including that midnight writing which seems so good but rarely comes out that way!!
DeleteI love the way your mind works. Your pieces are always a joy to read and so essentially entertaining.
DeleteAt times, John, nonsensical ramblings make perfect sense.
ReplyDeleteOnce Upon a Time in 1979
ReplyDeleteThey had done what the protect and survive leaflet recommended. In the darkness beneath the under-stair cupboard, with mattresses piled up as a barrier, they waited as instructed.
Tony said that the stark reality was that it could be weeks before the fall out siren sounded the all clear.
Linda wondered if anyone was left alive to make that decision.
It was hard to understand the announcements on their battery-operated radio due to the static interference. But the accent of the announcer sounded Russian.
They shared a can of cold beans and wondered if their supplies would last.
"they waited as instructed" - horrifyingly chilling, David.
DeleteAh, the seventies... cheap gas, free love, bell bottoms, the cold war. Nicely done, David.
DeleteA grim future, it appears, lies ahead for Tony and Linda, and you expertly suggest that probability, David.
Deletenightmare scenario here, David, beautifully and carefully charted in your 100 word allowance, bringing a vision of what might have been to us. Superb.
DeleteBleak scenario indeed, David. To me, this had a touch of science fiction in the telling. I think this would work well into a continuation. I for one would love to know the future for Tony and Linda.
DeleteStatement of situation [Threshold 279]
ReplyDeleteThroughout those twenty, thirty months my love for Raven had sometimes wavered. On occasion froze beneath the stark numbness of the carelessness with which he dismissed my affection, or bludgeoned by his offering my body to his (surely?) enemy. But ever contrasted by the joyously acute accents of his willing-spoke need for me. And, what, surely, he could not entirely control, his body’s avid response to mine. Those times I remembered. Those sweet and hot-flushed moments after which I refused to allow his cruel negations to interfere with my optimism.
Even as he shrugged and said, ‘Wed? Not any way.’
There comes a point in a relationship, when one must ask one's-self some tough questions. You really bring out the questions in these stories, but the answers are hard to come by for these two, so fraught with sensual grief and blessings.
DeleteIt would be nice if she could permanently encase herself within a shell of 'sweet and hot-flushed moments'. A very poignant presentation, Sandra.
Deleteit's that moment in the relationship when the clear cold light of truth shines in and you see what's been really going on. Nice writing, Sandra, so clear, that last line shows it all really.
DeleteSuch a soul-searching installment with much self-reflection. I truly wonder where it goes from here...but know it will be told with your customary skillful execution.
DeleteChange of focus [353]
ReplyDeleteAt “divorce” a too-hasty swallowing of the iodine-accented spirit swamped Pettinger’s vocal cords, momentarily interfering with what he’d not yet decided was relief or commiseration. For himself or her. Had to be admitted the thought of her long-limbed body sharing the usually stark solitude of his bed appealed, but she a full-time detective, and Aleks, even at eleven, needed better than the work-free hours they could squeeze out between them for child-care.
He expressed this to Sally, fully acknowledging her especial rapport with his son.
She smiled. ‘I know. And I’ve a solution –‘
‘You have?’
‘I have a sister.’
I loved how Pettinger couldn't tell if he was relieved or miserable. I've never heard iodine-accented, but I liked it. What man wouldn't be intrigued with the sister reference?
DeleteMy eyes lit up at the mention of a sister. Have a feeling Pettinger's reaction may well have run along similar lines.
DeleteHow thoughtful of Sally! One wonders if Aleks will become a chip off the old block.
ReplyDeletehe's bound sure to, Jim, it's on (Sandra's) cards, methinks. Pettinger is as enigmatic as ever, but there are hints of humanity...
DeleteWHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND
ReplyDeleteI trapped her in an alley, her back against a wall.
But this young woman wasn’t cowering with stark fear like the others.
As always when hunting, I dressed in black to accent my villainy. That alone should have her shivering uncontrollably.
She wasn’t.
Growling, I took a threatening step. At six-six, 255 lbs. I towered over her.
Obviously thinking she could interfere with my plan, she laughed.
SHE LAUGHED!
I decided her death would be gruesomely prolonged.
I slowly revealed the serrated twelve-inch knife I held behind my back.
She quickly revealed the 9mm Luger from behind her back.
Ultimately satisfying, Jim. Usually, when one dresses to enhance one's villiany, it has a meager effect. Very entertaining... the perfect outcome. The good guys don't often win around here.
Deleteoh that is so good, what a satisfying ending. I'm suffering from insomnia at the moment, I can dwell on this in the dark hours and work out who will kill who...
DeleteAh, you go girl! Teach that potential killer that not everything comes so easy.
DeleteThe first sentence the opening line to a Blues song, but I agree with John - his having to dress the part shows even he doesn't believe size is everything.
DeleteThe Bray Chronicles
ReplyDelete“Interference!” said the provincial guard. “You impeded my shot on goal.”
Bartholomew Bray shrugged. “My apologies for not understanding the game. I assumed that was the point.”
“Your stark attempt has drawn blood.” The young guard dabbed at his ear with a sleeve.
Bartholomew no longer cared about the game. He detected a Moroccan accent and savored the exotic blood in his mouth.
“Everyone back to your posts,” Bartholomew said. “Not you. You come with me.”
Bartholomew noticed the other guards watching. He would have to be careful.
“You… go to your post now.” This Moroccan would have to wait.
I can fully sense Bartholomew's disappointment here. However, I also sense he'll find a way to overcome.
DeleteWell, one has to hope it wasn't the entire Moroccan team he was playing against!
DeleteCaution with such intentions is a wise decision. Very sly, John.
ReplyDeletewhat is impressive about this instalment is the clever use of the prompts. Like it!
DeleteStop The Week; I Want To Get Off (73)
ReplyDeleteLast week I said, ‘when something integral sells.’ So the Christmas window is done, showers of tinsel and loads of toys, when someone came in to buy the whatnot which bolstered the side of the display… it was a major interference but it was a sale, stark reality, sell something, it’s not a good week (yet). The man has an East Cowes accent, I dare not upset the locals… it actually brought me something better, a Victorian cake stand, gifted back to us. The customer/friend said he never uses it… it is permanent, no buyers this time!
An enchantment capsule indeed. The idea of a Victorian cake stand sounds quite lovely. And the description of the Christmas window, almost like that of a Santa's Grotto.
DeleteThe cake stand gifted back... now that was something positive, a good sign for the Christmas season.
DeleteI got diverted by the East Cowes accent - somehow never thought of it, and am now trying something halfway between Kent and Somerset for size (in my head!)
DeleteThe Mad Italian (132)
ReplyDeleteThe stark reality is, the parties are morally corrupt; their lies expose shortcomings on the so-called budget projections, their blank faces deny racism of any kind when we all know it is there. It’s hard to ask them to probe, to interfere with the committees who deal with such things, for these are their associates, with the accent on that word. There are no friends in politics. My opinion is, for what it is worth, most of them are writing their farewell speeches without knowing it. There is nothing left to offer. The electorate are sick of it all.
"Nothing left to offer." What a dismal statement that is and yet, one that rings with disappointing truth. These observations are always so insightful.
ReplyDelete