Happy Boxing Day

Even though my Christmas plans went pear-shaped and I now have the leisure and lack of distraction, I admit I'm relieved not to have been obliged to pick a winner from last week's offerings as it would have been impossible (and how frequently that now applies, as each of us continually raises our game; hones skills of concise, precise wordery!) Thank you all, yet again, for wonderful entertainment.  

For those in need of mental exercise other than Monopoly and mince pies:

new words for the coming week are: abdicate  love  pith

Entries by midnight Thursday 31st December, new words posted Friday 1st January (winners likely later)  

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.

'Tis the season … and all change again

 The time has long passed when a standard set of criteria can be applied to the week's entries, and it truly has become a no-rules; never-the-same-two-weeks-running entirely discombobulating place to enter if you are trying to do anything other than entertain. Which seems to be fine for all of us, not least because along the way we are so very richly rewarded for our time.

This week is no exception. I have no hesitation in nominating Patricia whose 'Pop-up' entry sent me to searching out 1970s Guinness ads, and the 'tock followed tick' of the waiting surfer. Magic. 

  Words for the coming week are:  aloof  ermine  rigging 

I'll schedule new words to appear Saturday 26th December (!) but don't anticipate selecting winners from the above. Like most folk, our Christmas plans have been altered yet again from the norm and I'll be tidying and making preparations rather than travelling to Wales or hosting family it'll be Dearly Beloved and me spending our first Christmas just us two in 54 years of marriage.  

And hopefully you too will celebrate in the best way currently possible and trust 2021 will be brighter.

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.

And you all deserve a decoration

What a week of entertainment! I doubt it's been surpassed for quality and wealth of enjoyment. And though my picking a winner can be no more than a going through the motions for form's sake, I really cannot say any one piece is better than the rest so having gorged on each and every one, I turned to the comments and tried to work out a universal favourite from them, but that led to even more procrastination as it seemed Perry had won the popular vote. Possibly. Or Holly. Or …  So I decided it had to be me and, after another read, and because WWI themes have an especial appeal,  Jim's 'The spoils of war' grabbed my attention yet again, so  that can be my final decision. Thank you one and all. 

this week’s words are:  Guinness  merge  slur

Entries by midnight Thursday 17th December, new words posted Friday 18th 

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.

Manufactured 'fun'

Several sorts of stomach-churning, neck-tingling, throat-catching brands of horror in this week's offerings and I think it is because David's 'No laughing matter' touches more on a reality I too have experienced – and fear I could again, the enforcement of others' ideas of 'enjoyment' one of the more to-be-feared facets of care in later life (Cue that Who song!!) that make it my winner this week.

Interesting divergence of opinion re Monty Python  et al; my lukewarm attitude has my sons declaring I have no sense of humour, whereas I stoutly claim it to be subtle. Thank you all for the stimulation.

 This week’s words are:  eradicate, tinsel urge

Entries by midnight Thursday 10th December, new words posted Friday 11th

 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.