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.