The addiction of reading

Apologies for the tardiness in posting this week's update – I was too much absorbed in the book I was reading (Peter Benson's 'The South in winter') to remember the need to write one – how much I admire and envy the ability of novelists to do that!  (And that despite both the rich variety of what was on offer this week from each of you, and including the welcome return of Holly!

So a quick re-read this morning and it is the final line of David's 'Better the Devil you know' tale of the Ark that takes my fancy, along with a nod of recognition to Antonia, once again, for her seamless inclusion of the prompt words into an account of her weekly shop activities. Thank you, both, and also to each of you for commenting, which is the life blood of this site.

Words for the coming week: gentle, goose, weave

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

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.

Is no word safe?

The weekly task of choosing prompt words is not exactly onerous, I aim for one that works as either verb or noun; something with a bit of a kick, and, sometimes, that I know will challenge in the expectation of enjoying the skill with which you accept this. 'Espalier' was a light-hearted choice of something whose prettiness might cause some head-scratching – I certainly did not anticipate the breadth of ghastly invention with which it was used. (Nor, I have to confess, the gore!)

So thank you, one and all, for the entertainment. As I am sure you can appreciate, choosing a favourite from this wealth  of possibilities is a greater level of challenge. Perry deserves a mention for his 'Not mushroom for error' – humour all my family but me excel in  – but after much reading and re-reading, it is the elegance of Patricia's 'The girl next door' which stayed longest in my mind.

                        Words for the coming week: applaud court flood

Entries by midnight Thursday 16th December,  new words posted Friday 17th

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.

And now it's December!

 

 I start by echoing John's comment about how wonderfully friendly and supportive folk are on this site. Inventive too,  as has been illustrated this week with wedding disasters  and varied uses of 'bubble', along with I would add, an excellent standard of writings. As ever, I am reluctant to single out the customary one or two winners, and (apparently) ignore the rest, but I am sure you appreciate the variety and the wealth of choice and will applaud your own 'winner'.  Mine, for the wealth of imagination, is David's 'Wedding of the year' 

Words for the coming week: current espalier regret

Entries by midnight Thursday 9th December,  new words posted Friday 10th 

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.

Rare-done

 There were some gruesome, gory offerings this week and no mistake - plenty opportunities for stomachs to turn – encouraging to see how well-followed the Prediction guidelines.  Without doubt, the first indication of the standard set was John's 'Desperate measures' with its trademark wicked twist, which earned him top spot, but I'm going to take this opportunity to also mention Julia (aka Practice)'s Ellis 020 for the sharpness of her responses, and Jim for his inventive and (very) final solution.

 Words for the coming week: bubble contort wedding

 Entries by midnight Thursday 2nd December,  new words posted Friday 3rd

 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.

Weeks of absence, ably filled

And thank you for that, Julia, though I doubt I'm the only one grateful for your participation, well-knowing how fragile the existence of writing groups are. That said, I very much hope to read more of Ellis.

words for the coming week: orifice plug  stretch

Entries by midnight Thursday 25th November,  new words posted Friday26th

And I might be out of practice, but I have not the slightest hesitation in declaring Terrie's 'Fungal transfer' the winner of the week  – truly skin-crawling.

 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.

 

 

Standing Down

The best news this week is that Sandra is feeling well enough to think about take up the reins again from next week, so this is likely my last plucking out a stimulating trio of words! I have to admit, I have found caretaking The Prediction has been a great kick start to get me writing a little again, and I have really enjoyed rediscovering a community where people interact with each others words. Speaking of words...

John's The Rice Chronicles still have me wondering who was the traitor (Justin Bieber perhaps?), Terri's 'Dillo world continues to capture the claustrophobia of trench warfare, Perry's smoky bacon cereal is something I would definitely try! Sandra's inventiveness and atmospheric vocabulary never fails to impress, Jim's rueful spy and David's sibling rivalry raising a knowing smile, and Antonia keeps up the pace with the bonfire night theme.

However, my favourite this week, for the juxtaposition of the French Revolution and a robot execution, is Patricia's Inhuman - so well done!

Words for the coming week are contract, support, surrogate

 Entries by midnight Thursday 18th November, new words posted Friday 19th November

 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.

Chilled nights and smoke in the air

Bonfire night is here - I really don't know where the year has gone and how November has stolen up on us already. It was great to see all the variations on the gangster theme last week, with nameless and named men, and nameless and named victims. And those gulls squalling in the background! I loved Terri's spattered shoes, John's half sunken pylons and Jim's rank effluent - a descriptive and atmospheric week for sure. 

However, my choice for winner this week is Sandra with Change of focus [446] because I had absolutely no idea how she was going to manage to get the prompt words into a scene with Pettinger naked on his doorstep - but she managed it - and the chillingly laconic "river deliveries" was a delight! 

Words for the coming week are crackle, smoke, traitor

Entries by midnight Thursday 11th November, new words posted Friday 12th November 

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. 

Convalesence

Thank you all for your poems and stories this week, it's always great to see how many permutations of meaning you all can wrest out of the same words! Sandra has had a successful follow up operation and we're looking forward to having her home again; and I'm starting to understand how difficult it is for her to choose just one entry for the week, so I'm going to choose two.

First up, John's Heed the Warning Signs which created a fantastic microcosm of conflict, and I liked the juxtaposition of the boy's small hand staying his dog, and the hard gnarled hand of the harasser. My second winner of the week is Jim's Don't - I got caught up in it's rhythm and was definitely not expecting the final line! 

Words for the coming week are gangster, gull, pier

Entries by midnight Thursday 4th November, new words posted Friday 5th November (Bonfire Night in the UK!)

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. 

Cheers everyone, and can't wait to see what you create next week - Julia

The search continues...

Sandra continues to recover from her stroke, but is currently awaiting further hospital procedures, so it's Julia here stepping in while the search for a deputy continues. My apologies for not being as familiar with the serial works of all the fabulous regulars here! 

There was a definite medical theme to the words last week, but a wide range of inventive stories which I enjoyed reading. There were several entries where I had to search for the prompts, so seamless was the writing! However, my personal favourite for the week was David 's Place your bets please which I found particularly apt as the COP26 climate conference looms.

Words for the coming week are bark native appropriate 

Entries by midnight Thursday 28th October, new words posted Friday 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 Twitter or Facebook or whichever. 

Vacancy for a deputy administrator

 Vacancy for a deputy administrator

I mentioned the idea a few months ago but didn't foresee being victim of a sudden stroke, and although recovering well I will at some time need to go in for further procedures. so a volunteer will be needed so as to avoid a gap in words and winners. I was grateful for Julia's input and her choice of tender system overwhelm

 

words for the coming week:  needle prescribe thermometer

 

Entries by midnight Thursday 21st October,  new words posted Friday22nd

 

A hastier than usual perusal has me declare Perry's 'Must be autumn this week's winner, but thank you all for contributing in these unusual circumstances.

 

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.

 

 

Dates uncorrected again, but no mistakes on your part.

 No mistaking today's date either since it's our wedding anniversary. A richness of years that does not, I am glad to say, match the entries here for gore and horror. What are too well-matched to separate are Patricia's four entries and although all of you once again offer superb examples of the genre, this week the prize is hers.

Thank you all for participation and - especially - for your comments which adds to the richness here. 

words for the coming week:  bridge coward swallow  

Entries by midnight Thursday 7th October,  new words posted Friday 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 Twitter or Facebook or whichever.

A round dozen

A round dozen

And, unsurprisingly, every one nigh on a winner. I never thought of seven dwarves rebelling, nor of the Magnificent. Was entertained by Rudy's rash behaviour about to get him into trouble again and the Grande Dame coming out in spots, and I clapped my hands at a haul of grandfather clocks. But, remembering we're about horror, and how, even after the forewarning of the title I still found myself gagging at the end, I have to award this week's top spot to David for  'Your tongue shall be split'.   

words for the coming week:  exquisite  glove  snap   

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

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.

Squirreling elsewhere?

I've been head-down editing this past few weeks, little head space for much else. 'Snap is not a children's game' version 4 almost done, then it'll need 'resting' before I re-read. Re-reading this week's entries it's hard to decide which of Perry's or Jim's is the nastiest, so I declare a well-deserved draw and thank you, Antonia and Patricia for your posting and comment participation. 

words for the coming week:  allege  rash  seven 

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

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.

Harvest reaped and stooked

A sparse field, compared to last week's rich harvest,  for which the choosing of a winner (two votes for John, and one each for Patricia, Antonia and Terrie) provided the perfect demonstration of my  weekly dilemma. I do wonder how much of a difference the choice of prompt words make, as I aim for something inspirational and no obvious pairings (then struggle to inspire myself!) The one person who never seems to have this problem, who always delivers a smoothly entertaining  example of their use, is Antonia:  this week's 'Stop the week' a perfect, shining example. 

Apologies too for my lack of comment - every time I tried, I deleted the post. Possibly Blogger or maybe some response to a clearing of cookies. Fingers crossed all will be well next week. 

words for the coming week:  lotion  trite  understand 

Entries by midnight Thursday 16th September,  new words posted Friday 17th 

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.

Holiday distractions

As well as the internet being intermittent, free time  has been at a premium. I've not yet read any of the past week's entries (72 as I type this!) so trust each of you will nominate your personal favourite. I'll make sure to do so when I get back. 

As promised, words for the coming week:  curlew   knock   warp 

Entries by midnight Thursday 9th September,  new words posted Friday 10th 

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.

Miss You

Next week I shall be in Orkney and although internet connection should be easy, and new prompt words will be scheduled to appear sometime on Friday 3rd September, I ask each of you to name your favourite entry of this week.

I know I keep saying this, but each week it seems a new set of stops has been pulled out, a new level of inventiveness attained. Which, as ever, means the singling out of just one isn't anywhere near as enjoyable as the reading of them all. However, I was especially impressed with the sharp brevity of Patricia's SNAFU so will elect that as top of the bill this week (to mix several metaphors.)

Words for the coming week:  drum    sorrow   stone

Entries by midnight Thursday 2nd September,  new words posted Friday 3rd

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.

First of the rules

 is that we write horror (something I rarely achieve, being more comfortable with the cosiness of noir). Jim's 'An answer' fulfilled that to overflowing, as I'm sure we all agreed, but, as ever, well done and thank you to the rest of you who added to the week's entertainment,

 Words for the coming week:  dream  odour  virtue

Entries by midnight Thursday 26th August,  new words posted Friday 27th

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.

Wealth of entries

What with Perry's cast management, David's brilliant structure, Terrie's cheeky giggling and Jim's physically-challenging existence, along with Antonia's gleam of optimism, it has been a good week.  John's 'The lounge singer', with the extra bonus of craft beer and for putting the melancholy of  'Turn the page' in my head, propelled itself to the front, but thank you all. 

Words for the coming week:  cuddle  theatre  Waterloo 

Entries by midnight Thursday 19th August,  new words posted Friday 20th 

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.

 

High clouds and a hint of rain

And more than a hint of difficulty about separating, selecting  any one of these entries and setting it above the rest, truly a difficult choice. Eventually, after many reads and re-reads (NOT a chore!) ,  Jim's 'A Question' wriggled its nose beyond the rest,  because of its having left me curious. 

Words for the coming week:  craft  gig  impregnable 

Entries by midnight Thursday 12th August,  new words posted Friday 13th 

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.

Action and reaction

 Terrie chuckled and winced, Jim laughed, Patricia was amused and Antonia thought about the money, while for me it was the eyebrows I admired. Whichever the response, they were all excellent reasons to award John's 'Going Green' top spot this week. Thank you all for your comments and contributions. 

Words for the coming week:  grease question wrinkle 

Entries by midnight Thursday 5th August,  new words posted Friday 6th 

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.