Once upon a time …

Patricia’s comment about how far we’ve come since or beginnings her sent me searching for my first effort, back in February 2011. Entitled ‘Bastard, it ran to just 54 words: “He had coached her, not wisely, except in his own self-interest, but too well, and when her third “I’m late” was said too late, and the grey of his eyes changed as speedily as the Irish weather, from promise to perdition, she knew to jump. Into the outgoing, grey-green, full moon, Spring solstice tide.”

I ran away after this  –  the competition was hugely daunting! – only to creep back, already addicted, later in the year.

Somehow, several of you misinterpreted my selection of winner for last week as David and not Jim – apologies for not making it clear, The final nomination of 2019, as difficult a choice as ever, but because I’ve always had a soft spot for Hamnet, is Patricia’s ‘Hamnet’s Quandry‘, but I hope all you regulars know how much your immense contribution to this site is appreciated – thank you and may 2020 be as enjoyable.

I hadn’t intended to set words for next week, but if desired, have a go with my very first-encountered

prompt words – Irish, coach, tide.

First words for 2020 entries:  feint northern opt

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 2nd January, words and winners 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 uses 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.

It wasn't such a dark and stormy night … and the sun rose well before morning

Which is good to see: I don’t remember December being quite so gloomy as it was yesterday.

At least no gloom here, Plenty other nasty stuff, headed by John’s ‘Unscrupulous’ but also clever stuff (David’s  Steamy Punk Tale) In the end I was torn between either Antonia’s ‘Sending a postcard home...’ or  the untitled Magi tale; then halted for an age on Patricia’s ‘Undeliverable’. In the end, however, it had to be Jim’s  ‘The Journey’ for sheer impact. 

Thank you all for your contributions.

Words for next week: replete thrill yoke

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 19th December, words and winners 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 uses 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.

Blue hills wearing a flamingo-tinted scarf

Is how today began. Regrettably, after a Blake display of cloudscapes, it all went gloomy. Back to the laptop screen where ‘bright’ added extra sparkle to this week’s entries.

Winner this week is John for the latest episode of ‘The Bray Chronicles’ detailing Bartholomew’s insatiable desire for Moroccans. Thank you all for your contributions and comments, which makes this site what it is.

Words for next week: intercourse postcard tobacco

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 12th December, words and winners posted Friday 13^th*

*But maybe late because I’ll likely stay up much of the night for the election results

 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 uses 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.