More than a sense it's time for an ending

 With me increasingly struggling to find time for my various writings in progress (and too frequently muddling dates), now that Blogger is once again misbehaving I've decided - with more than a little regret - it's time for me to cease hosting The Prediction. I don't intend to delete it, or, in the short term, remove myself as administrator, so will be able to  switch responsibility for administration should anyone volunteer, but will no longer be updating with new words. I'm enormously grateful to those who have kept step with this, posting and commenting over the years, acknowledging how much participating has fuelled my own writing, but have to acknowledge that the ... energy for me to write has somewhat waned. 

Scramble

A week of catch-up following an inspirational gathering of  writer friends staying in a colourful house across the road from Falkland’s history-soaked palace gives me next week’s prompt words:  gift scribble stair 

Entries by midnight Thursday 1st November, new words Friday 2nd

 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.

Absent again - and once again, apologies.

 I thought I had this covered - a scheduled prompt - while I was on a writing retreat with friends; my error further indicates the need for a deputy,  especially since I hate being unreliable. Failing that I'm  considering closing Prediction, which will be a shame after so many successful years, but I do need to concentrate on finishing the two novels currently in progress. 

In the meantime use  amnesia, vacant and fruit-cake as prompts. I'll do my best to be on track by Friday 

Prior to a getaway

 A delicious selection of posts last week - many thanks.  Prompt words for this week a reference to where I'll be staying during the coming week with a group of writing friends: palace queen execute

Entries by midnight Thursday 17th October,   new words  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.   

Friday: flu jab

 A five-minute, golden leaved, blue sky  walk,  ten second wait and entirely painless.

Thank you for last week's entertaining contributions. Words for this week : gentle, trumpet spout

Entries by midnight Thursday 10th October,   new words 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.   

NEEDED: a co-administrator

My internet continues to be temperamental, and it would be useful to have a back-up for when I fail  to post (unless, of course, you can live with the uncertainty), though I admit last week's lack of comment from me was more due to a  few days of focussed activity on my current wip. Best bit, now there's no obligation to declare a weekly winner, is the choosing of a challenging but inspirational trio of prompt words. For this week try brew, constipate mystery

Entries by midnight Thursday 3rd October,   new words  Friday 4th

 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.  

Friday 20th September (Today's excuses)

Eldest grandchild off to university today (!!); husband suggests trip to town where I have books to collect/browse/order, and to read while he is swimming after which I return home where washing needs hanging up (indoors because drizzle threatens) So ... it's a while before I remember the need to post prompt words, despite having especially enjoyed Jim's small feast of words earlier ...  whereupon the internet goes AWOL. So for next week have a go at civilise,  divide and  yawn. 

Entries by midnight Thursday 26th September, new words  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 uses of the words and stems are fine.  

Friday 13th

Back last night from a holiday staying in places which, for the most part, lacked the space to look at a laptop (and, anyway, places to go, things to do ...) but today (as well as unpacking and washing) requires I post some new prompt words for the coming week, so have a go at crumple, peg and powder. 

Entries by midnight Thursday 19th September, new words  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.  ...

As promised

Words for 6^th September:  coast forbid maximum

Entries by midnight Thursday 12^th September, new words  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 uses of the words and stems are fine. 

August over already

 

 and a usefully busy final week for us all - I'm glad not to have to be picking a weekly winner. Inspired by a random bookmark I offer knuckle hospitable lead as words for next week, but regret I'll be busy/away for a week or so and input from me likely to be minimal.  

New words have been scheduled for Friday 6th

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.

Relocation

 We’ve spent the last few days helping our daughter to move into a house less than thirty minutes from us rather than the previous  getting on for six hours. As much as anything, shifting, unpacking, umpteen boxes  has opened our eyes as to the amount of stuff  one accumulates over the years: she’d been in her previous house ten years whereas we’ve been here for fifty; the words accumulate, essential,  sentimental come to mind as prompt words for next week

Entries by midnight  Thursday August 29th,  new words Friday 30th

Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all three words 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.

Glorious!

What with leprechauns, axes, rainbow farts and a neatly-solved case of murder, along with always-good-to-receive confidence-building comments I declare the week’s entries a triumph and recognise I need to further strive for similarly inspirational trios of prompt words,  so how about : bribe bucket vein

 Entries by midnight Thursday 22nd August, new words scheduled Friday 23rd

 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. 

Simply forgot

 

And that despite being inspired to write a second episode – my apologies.

 So, for the coming week, have a go at amnesia  garotte rainbow

 As ever, much thanks to those stalwarts who contributed so entertainingly last week, and I look forward to seeing what you make of the above.

 Entries by midnight Thursday 15th August, new words scheduled Friday 16th

 

 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.

 

Bingo

Posts from four of Prediction’s most loyal regulars this week make it a full house in my book, and the customary  inventiveness and high quality writing certainly merits a shout of ‘House!’ along with my thanks for your participation. Fingers crossed the words for next week – groin owl whistle – will similarly whet your writing appetites.

Entries by midnight  Thursday August 8th,  new words Friday 9th 

Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all three words 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.

 

New phone incompetence

 

necessitated by a new SIM card which proved my phone was at fault, and trying to set it up and deal with the differences has made me exceedingly bad-tempered.  So I am more grateful than ever for your continued patience and participation and  suggest incompetence vanish cross as words for next week

Entries by midnight Thursday 25th July, new words scheduled Friday 26th 

 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.

Panic, rescue, overslept

 Wednesday lunchtime, an aggressive American woman inserted herself between my desktop screen and me and harangued me about some virus, exhorting  me not to turn off my computer but phone a toll-free number to have it all put right. I didn’t, of course and, long story short took my laptop to Currys where an efficient and friendly woman  put it all right, while telling me that phoning that number would’ve resulted in my bank account being emptied. I did ask Terrie to be prepared to post prompt words, but that having been unnecessary, and then me having woken later than usual so not posting this as soon as intended, I think the above could stand instead as words for next week.

 As ever, much thanks to those stalwarts who contributed last week, and I look forward to seeing what you make of the above.

Entries by midnight Thursday 25th July, new words scheduled Friday 26th 

 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.

Struggling

What with my mobile unable to either connect with the internet or receive phone calls, and suspecting it’s because I’ve done something stupid with regard to selecting some inappropriate setting, I’m feeling more than ever my lack of technical ability. Needless to say I’m grateful for the entertainment you provided last week. 

Words for  this week echo my current mood : blind finger frustrate.

 Entries by midnight Thursday 18^th July, new words Friday 19th 

 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.

Not exactly a foxtrot …

 But good to see that initial slow, slow of the start come to life with highly entertaining (and what passes for a full house of posts these days), quick, quicking into double figures – thank you one and all.

Words for next week: hatch toss uncertain

Entries by midnight Thursday 11^th July 4th July, new words scheduled Friday 12th

 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.

Not only lack of internet …

Wonderful though Scottish hotels in Arran, Islay, Applecross and Ullapool are, their only occasional internet, plus the lack of desk space, meant my laptop mostly stayed in its bag.  Against that, the scenery was fantastic, and (unusually!) no rain meant we could see it in full glory, while bookshops and distilleries gave plenty of opportunities to pause.  So my thanks to those of you who made  entertaining appearances.

Words for next week (when I trust my attention will be better focussed) : delirious open song

Entries by midnight Thursday 4th July, new words scheduled Friday 5th

 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.

 

Scheduled words for Friday June 21st

 

drive embrace,  omen

Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all three words 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.

Scheduled words for Friday June 14th:

 

Bog, cryptic, emergency

Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all three words 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.

Scheduled words for Friday June 7th:

 artist,  iron, perfume

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all three words 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.

A morning of genealogical distraction

 Too, too easy to follow names and dates and potential relationships down enticing-looking holes, only to find the morning has ended and I’ve not done the things I intended to. So, thanking you yet again for participation and entertainment, I now offer three more prompt words for the coming week: free, nettle, refine. Entries by midnight Thursday June 6th. 

Because I’ll be away from home and internet far from guaranteed, I’ll be scheduling  new words for Friday June 7th, 14th and 21st, and my ability to either post or comment might be compromised.  

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all three words 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. 

Aiming for inspirational variety

 Sincere apologises for the occasional repetition of prompt words (but not too sorry insofar as it prompted Terrie’s erotic herbalist!) Thank you for much appreciated participation.  

This selection of words for the coming week - flesh jagged thief - taken from the CD titles on the shelf above my monitor:

 Entries by midnight  Thursday May 23rd,  new words Friday 24th 

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all three words 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.

Every one a winner!

 

A week of exceptionally rich offerings – much thanks to each and every one of you. Hopefully words from the titles of my to-be-read pile will be as inspirational:

Words for the coming week: delirious tackle unfortunate  

Entries by midnight  Thursday May 23rd,  new words Friday 24th 

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all three words 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.

Scheduled words

 

 to cover my absence, for week following Friday 10th May, taken (to avoid mis-influencing) from my pinned-up address list: 

blacksmith drew  ocean

 Entries by midnight  Thursday May 16th,  new words Friday 17th 

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all three words 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 Facebook or whichever

First, an apology

 I should have been more alert  to the fact that a ‘cousins’ ending to Thresholds new, along with a head full of following up family trees  my choice of  prompt words was unintentionally influenced in my favour. To avoid a repetition I’ve made sure to avoid making the same mistake again and have chosen

words for next week from the pile of to-be-read books two feet from my left elbow: consume delirious yesterday

 Entries by midnight Thursday 9th May, new words scheduled 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.

Nothing entertaining to say

 Having remembered, at 5 a.m., I’d this post yet to write – distracted yesterday evening by following up family history queries (interest recently awoken after some fifteen or so years, it’s taking time to remember who’s who, and how I ascertained it) I find I’ve nothing to say, except my usual thanks to you for turning up and posting and commenting, so …

Words for next week: ancestor evidence  probate 

Entries by midnight Thursday 2nd May, new 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 uses of the words and stems are fine.

Bringing characters alive

Terrie’s surprise , at the unexpectedness of Raven’s companion wearing a skirt, echoed mine when I I saw her readying herself for Raven’s healing applications. I saw her  complete and vivid, recognised the likely input of Westerns but carried on regardless, which is one of the glorious charms of being a writer. Reading other’s  creations is the other side of a valuable coin, for which I thank you.

Words for next week: starch, steam, stonemason 

Entries by midnight Thursday 25th April, new words scheduled  posted Friday 26th 

 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.

 

Innocuous words portraying nastiness

This was the initial idea behind Lily Childs beginning Fridy Prediction, and once again, much ingenuity was brought to bear on last week’s innocent trio, giving rise to much enjoyment. Thank you all.

Hopefully, the words for next week (taken from titles on an adjacent pile of to-be-read novels) will do likewise: consume  mist  relish 

Entries by midnight Thursday 18h April, new words scheduled Friday 19th 

 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. 

One night away

To celebrate the 61^st anniversary of our getting together, my husband has booked a night away, in the vicinity of Middleham, where Richard III grew up – joyously wide, windy and high-sky beautiful Yorkshire countryside,with the occasional sight of racehorses - so as I’m not sure when we’ll be back, here are next week’s works: corner forbid, smother

Entries by midnight  Thursday April 11th,  new words Friday April 12th

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all 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 Facebook or whichever. 

One of those mornings

 where I bring my just-poured coffee upstairs. Collect and take downstairs the washing and put it onto wash. Come back upstairs, clean my teeth, check my emails, search my laptop for the Prediction folder (it is fond of playing hide and seek) then spot my coffee lurking and gone cold.

So, last week’s posts. All very good – entertaining and thought-provoking - and good too to have a visit from John Howe – hope to see you again, John.

Words for the coming week: avalanche list swivel

Entries by midnight  Thursday April 4th,  new words Friday April 5th

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all 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 Facebook or whichever.

Binge-reading books in a series

 Tuesday saw the long-awaited arrival of book #11 in Jane Casey’s Maeve Kerrigan series, so that day lost to reading, Wednesday ,I re-read the entire book. Which not only explains my tardiness in posting and commenting but also leaves me very envious of Jane Casey’s talents, and prompts; hence the following prompt words:

Words for the coming week: adopt jealousy talent

Entries by midnight  Thursday March 28th,  new words Friday March 29th

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all 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 Facebook or whichever.

Access non-negotiable again?

 I was away from home much of the past week, but apart from Terrie’s stalwart effort, activity once again appears to be challenging. Hope use can be made of this week’s offering:

                                   Words for the coming week: bath removal tea

Entries by midnight  Thursday March 21st,  new words Friday March 22nd

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all 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 Facebook or whichever.

Poetry effective as a weapon?

I’d like to think so; Jim’s sterling effort well worth making, since a full house was entertainingly achieved  - thank you all. The following, I promise, not inspired by a visit to the dentist.

Words for the coming week: teeth torture transparent

Entries by midnight  Thursday March 14th,  new words Friday March 15th

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all 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 Facebook or whichever.

March, coming in gentle but cold

 Last week’s two entries, if I may say so, gave me much pleasure – Terrie’s cleverness in her search for a use of  'estuary' and my getting a grasp on Raven once again. The weekly practice of crafting impact in 100 words once again worthwhile. I do hope Blogger wasn’t to blame for absences of other regulars.

Words for the coming week: bark  consume  vary

Entries by midnight  Thursday March 7th,  new words Friday March 8th

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all 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 Facebook or whichever.

Lighter mornings, full moon and pink-framed clouds ...

 Led me to lie in bed, rehearsing an opening sentence.  Unsurprisingly the bubble burst before, finally arisen, I had it half-written. Good to see, however, that we had what amounts to a full house this last week, however, following a conversation with Terrie, I am wondering whether it is necessary/desirable for me to declare a “winner” each week? Please let me know your preference.

Words for the coming week: commit estuary plough

Entries by midnight  Thursday February 29th,  new words Friday March 1st

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction using all 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 Facebook or whichever.

Blogger clogging things up again

 And I regret I’ve no idea how to clear whatever is the sticking point. Knowing it has sorted itself in due course, I’ll persist for a while; if not I can only suggest someone else sets up a new version. Thanks, as always to Terrie and Jim for persistence and thereby providing excellent entertainment.

 Hopefully the words for next week will help: Words: caustic plumb rod

Entries by midnight Thursday 22nd February, words and winners posted Friday 23rd

 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.

Sticking to essentials

 Because having been nigh on a week without internet (changing suppliers not as problem-free as hoped) I’ll supply words for the week and get round to reading last week’s entries as soon as time permits. (And thank you for the 'January's gome'  suggestion, Patricia; I've not yet followed that up. 

Words for next week : boil funnel wither

Entries by midnight Thursday 15th February, words and winners posted Friday 16th

 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.

‘January’s gone’

Which, I’m fairly sure is the title of a song, but nothing on Google rings any bells, and no further clues (unless I accept cookies) so I’ll maybe have to spend time searching the tapes made for me by my youngest son some years ago.

Another week with no need to declare a ‘winner’, since both of you are stars,  just to thank you for your participation. As ever I wonder about my choice of words, recognising the need for something which ignites a spark of inspiration, but does nothing to stifle direction.

Words for the coming week: fillet gnome yelp

Entries by midnight  Thursday February 8th,  new words Friday February  9th

 

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all 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 Facebook or whichever.

Farewell Prediction Stalwart - may you rest in peace

Much saddened to hear news of Antonia’s death. Ever-reliable in her attendance at, and in support of, Prediction, ever-entertaining with tales of her shop, and her cats, and ever encouraging. To be asked for a story, then offered publishing  — and payment — gave me a boost that lasted months.

So … no prizes last week, but heartfelt thanks for participation.

Words for the coming week: button skull wring

Entries by midnight  Thursday February 1st,  new words Friday February  2nd

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all 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.

Lateness rewarded

 Sometimes, I draft this post some hours before midnight strikes and schedule it to appear earlier than I can guarantee I’ll be up. Today, my sometime tardiness in doing so has been amply rewarded with Terrie’s entry 256 from ‘The Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries’ ,  posted with just seven minutes to go, when I was tucked up in my bed. (A chilly walk to a local pub for a Thai chow mein having taken up my evening)

And while I’m sure we  all agree David’s ‘The Green Boy of the Wild Woods’ was the top place knockout entry of the week, I’m also awarding Terrie consolation prize for persistence, along with one to Jim for his weekly dose of gruesomeness and never-failing, always thoughtful and very welcome, comments. 

 Words for the coming week: behind coast laconic

Entries by midnight  Thursday January 25th,  new words Friday January 26th.

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all 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.

Finger-crossing good

Thanks to crossed fingers or extra January energy, this was a week of rich and inspirational pickings for which I thank you all equally, while awarding Rebecca a ‘welcome-back’ prize - hope you are able to re-join the regulars.

 Words for the coming week: ash salt seed

 Entries by midnight  Thursday January 18th,  new words Friday January 19th .

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all 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.

Fingers crossed for inspiration and activity in 2024

 A thoroughly enjoyable family Christmas; more than a dozen new books (titles providing this week’s prompt words) and the discovery that my writing mojo (whisper it quietly) appears to have emerged from the doldrums currently fills me with optimism – here’s hoping you can say the same!

words for the coming week: angel thunderclap contagion

Entries by midnight  Thursday January 11th,  new words Friday January 12th .

 Usual rules: 100 words maximum (excluding title) of flash fiction or poetry using all 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.