Not Scott Walker …

But nevertheless an attempt to make it easy – or at least easier – on myself, I decided this week’s winner would be the one with the most appealing, entertaining, individual use of  ‘goldfinch’. An entirely random rule and unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. So, we had lone and embroidered goldfinches from Terrie, ditto Patricia (along with a ‘tiny caged’ one) , a pendant from John and a ‘tumbledown lounge’ from Jim, but I was most charmed with Antonia’s ‘goldfinch in a flock of seagulls’ and am pleased to declare her this week’s winner.

Additionally, I’d like to echo John, Antonia and William’s gratitude for the richness of this site. While others languish somewhat, this has never missed a hale and healthy beat. Long may it last!

Words for next week:  palm vista weld

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 30th April, words and winners posted Friday 1st May

 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.

Yet again, a nigh-on photo finish

And yes … as predicted by John (truly, John, you’d be welcome to share responsibilities here), this week provided some tough judging, but hand in hand with that, of course, some fantastic reading and plenty of good-mannered, generous and very welcome comments.

In the end I went for the marginally more breath-taking – breath taken on reading the title – of David’s “The Water, Like a Witch’s Oils” but assure you that John, Terrie and Patricia were all jostling for places right behind.

Words for next week: extract  goldfinch  tallow

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 23rd April, words and winners posted Friday 24th

 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.

The guilt of pinning a tale

This yet another week where to choose one above so many excellent offerings has me dithering, even though I do know you understand that not being feted and hailed ­– or offered so much as a biscuit – is no indication of less than meriting. We write for the joy of writing, in the hope of entertaining our peers and to a large extent the accolade is unnecessary. Except, somehow, it is. But, more important, is the acknowledgement of our peers, that we have written, have entertained. So this week I thank you all, and pin the tail on William’s  ‘Coming to terms II’.

Words for next week: fret  sea-glass  tear

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 16th April, words and winners posted Friday 17th

 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.

Sweet tooth

A listing in the paper this week, of the contents of food parcels for the elderly, included Custard Creams, which would suit me, but not my husband. (Not that either of us dare eat them anyway – too easy to ramp up the calories) However, for an ending par excellence, I declare Patricia's Kursaal 'The Obfuscation Orb' takes the Prediction biscuit this week. '

As ever, thank you for your entries, your comments and for not upbraiding  me about my omitting to change the date in last week's cut and paste.

Words for next week:  biscuit  quilt  suffice

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 9th April, words and winners posted Friday 10th

 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.