Rats (again)

 Chemical bullets, creepy woods  and tattooed infidelity bad enough, but Antonia’s swarming rats are the stuff of nightmares, so this week I declare her winner while thanking all contributors for posts and comments.

Words for the coming week: cut quick trespass

Entries by midnight Thursday October 20th  new words hopefully posted Friday 21st

 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.

Inseparable trio

 I’ve read and re-read several times, Jim’s ‘A bad idea, Holly’s ‘Forewarned (31) and Antonia’s ‘More Rats and more rats’ and find myself unable to separate them in terms of winner-deserving status, so it’s a triple crown this week, with thanks to all three of you for participating so entertainingly.

So, words for the coming week: dodge   inhibition   no-one

Entries by midnight Thursday October 13th  new words hopefully posted Friday147th

 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

Words in action

 So many excellent pieces describing interactions, fights, intended escapes – lessons to be had from them all – but my ‘winner’ this week is David’s ‘The Ghost Hunter’s Ghost’ which deposited goosepimples to run down my spine.

Holly mentioned the ‘trickiness’ of recent prompt words , and I have  wondered whether that the cause of a reduction of entries, but at the same time I am conscious that too bland a selection can fail to inspire at all. I hope my choice of  words for the first week of October –  ignorant  script  wreak – spark creativity (though there’s no accounting for Blogger functionality) : 

 Entries by midnight Thursday October 6th  new words hopefully posted Friday 7th

 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

I’m heading south-west

On Saturday, we’re taking a flight from Teesside International Airport (five minutes up the road from us) and flying to Newquay in Cornwall for a few days. Weight restrictions, plus the disappearance of the power lead for my Chromebook means I’ll not be taking a laptop so here are prompt words for next week:  craft extricate faint

and for the week after (Friday 23^rd): footstep shave wax

 I’m not sure whether this past week’s absence of contributions was due to lack of time, inspiration or connectivity, but suggest, for continuity’s sake, next week you name your favourite post from these. Normal service should resume soon after the 24^th

 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 once again, apologies

Yesterday’s sad news of Queen Elizabeth’s death seems to have further disrupted  to my concentration; I’ve wandered around the house unable to settle to anything.

However, I promised words for today and am offering you: duty London mourn

 Entries by midnight Thursday September 15^th  new words hopefully posted Friday 16^th

I hope to find time to comment on this week’s entries in the next couple of days 

 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

Apologies

Domestic emergency necessitating a 200+ mile trip to daughter in hospital meant posting this was late and a lack of time to read and judge, but especial thanks to Holly for contributing twice. Plus, of course, I omitted to update the dates!

So, words for the coming week:  blind puddle wire

Entries by midnight Thursday September 8^th  new words hopefully posted Friday 9^th

 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 

Soon be September

Which puts that  that mournful Sixties lament: “Might as well rain until September” (not that rain wouldn’t be welcome here; I’m just surprised how fast the year has gone.)

Despite the relative innocence of last week’s words, they still conjured up plenty of throat gagging nastiness, but I most admired Nestean’s twisty thinking in Jim’s ‘The Chosen III’, which promises much in the way of future episodes.

 Words for the coming week:  drape  electric  wrench

 Entries by midnight Thursday August 25th,  new words posted Friday 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

The fascination of variations

Each week you are offered  three random words. Each week, each of you takes those words and uses them to conjure  up something new, unique and entertaining. That ‘unique’ has always appealed to me because, as a writer it underlines the fact that there is no single ‘correct’ answer; that whatever I do with those words is  ‘right’, and the joy is in seeing just how various are the ways in which the words are combined, to tell a tale that’s never been told before. This week, a lot of intrigue and individual uses; a lot of pleasure in the reading thereof. But I felt quite strongly that Antonia’s ‘Sometimes the Hunger takes over…’ deserved the top spot.

Words for the coming week: shake pink wheel

Entries by midnight Thursday August 25th,  new words posted Friday 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.

Flexibility of rules

And, yes, I admit, despite strict adherence with my own word count, I don’t do the necessary cut and paste to check others. And on this occasion, I’m accepting Anonymous Dave’s explanation he meant to substitute ‘logs’ with the required ‘triangle’ because the ‘terrible fruit’ of the described scene gave such a kick to the imagination.

Thank you all for a week of high class entertainment.

 Words for the coming week:   ash   stitch welcome

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

 

 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. 

Sorry for the delay (but longer to ponder)

And with apologies - a visit to family in Suffolk and a school-friend in Norfolk took up all lap-top time - I have now read and much enjoyed all entries and am putting Jim in the top spot for his Seeking Refuge Part II   -- scary place, threatening happenings and a worrying conversation. 

Words for the coming week:  divert, gravel and triangle. 

entries by midnight Thursday August 11th,  new words posted Friday 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. Lots to catch up on, but in case you are waiting for words for next week, have a go at: divert, gravel and triangle

Winners later today.

Best-laid plans

Sadly the effect of unprecedented heat on the UK’s rail system led to the closure of the East Coast line between York and London’s Kings Cross so my trip to London came to an abrupt halt, me unable to either meet with my friend or get to the exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery, as planned.

Which meant I had time enough to read and enjoy all the Prediction had to offer, to thank all of you who posted and commented, and award Terrie top spot for her intriguing ‘Love endures’

 Words for the coming week: evolve   muscle scorch

 Slightly extended deadline: entries by midnight Monday August 1st,  new words posted Tuesday 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.

Living in the north-east

 Has, for the most part meant we’ve escaped the high temperatures much of the south of the UK experienced of last week. Next week, however, I’ll be heading to London for the first time in seventeen years, to meet a writing friend visiting from Alabama, and will need to think carefully  about cool clothes (in the temperature sense!)

Here, the final line of Antonia’s short piece  winner provided chill enough to declare it winner – well done to her and to all of you for contributing such entertainment this week. 

Words for the coming week:  blush fiction tantrum 

Entries by midnight Thursday 21st July, new words posted Friday 22^nd (but maybe not the winners)

 

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.

UK’s political mayhem

 I doubt anyone could’ve predicted the events here of the past 24 hours – and it ain’t over yet.  I’m glad to see it has not brought the submission of Prediction posts to a standstill, and the standard – which this week  included resurrections and God-lit candles ­– as high as ever. While I sympathise with Antonia’s saddening situation it is David’s frequently-demonstrated  ability to do widescreen in 100 words that wins him this week’s top prize. And, as always, thank you for commenting.

Words for the coming week:  ragpicker scourge steam 

Entries by midnight Thursday 14th July, new words posted Friday 15th  July 

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.

Pleading Mercy for my absence

 Apologies, but mind-space as much as time ran out last week; I did make progress with ‘Mercy for a Friday Child’, having had good advice and encouragement from writing friends and didn’t want to waste the inspiration. So thank you to those who did contribute, and to Holly in particular for her intriguing ‘Salacity [23] which left a lot of space for imagination to roam. 

Words for the coming week:  burn quicksand  result 

Entries by midnight Thursday 7th July, new words posted Friday 8th  July 

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.

Becoming too Venetian

 A confession: I never count the words for entries when choosing winners (and have been known not to notice when prompt words are absent) so if those required by Blogger to remain Anonymous could identify themselves by adding their name it won't be counted and would be helpful. Which is not to say so many of you are unrecognisable by your style. This week it is the inimitable style of John’s ‘I’m innocent I tell you’ that ticked the box for me, but I thank you all for your participation.

Words for the coming week:  bubble, hope weak

Entries by midnight Thursday 30th June, new words posted Friday 1^st  July

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.

Left us all with fingers crossed

Antonia, that is. One of the more disturbing but beautifully written  posts this week – all  intricate but light in touch as filigree – and it’s also good to see so many comments, which I think is an important element: if only to let us know what we’ve posted has been read. This week, the top spot goes to MRMacrum for his ‘The Secret of God’ – a large tale told in a small number of words.

Words for the coming week:  cast ringlet suicide 

Entries by midnight Thursday 23rd June, new words posted Friday 24thth 

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.

"Goodwill to all" short-lived as ice-cream in the sun

Which is a pity but I suppose that's the nature of being human. And it could equally be claimed, to some extent, folk posting here are similarly striving for top-dog-status (though with a good deal more charity of heart.)

So many lovely phrases displayed for our delectation this week, amidst tales of tremendous gore and gruesomeness, and since the depiction of horror is to some extent, why we write  here (some with more dedication that others)  it was obvious to me David's 'The dustbin men merited top place, I also found Holly's 'Gravity fails' more than a little terrifying.

Words for the coming week:  available,  third, yoke 

Entries by midnight Thursday 16th June, 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.

June a month for jubilation

 

Not least because some of us managed to find our way to Holly's Prediction @ Wordpress. [Now mothballed, with a signpost back  to here, in case we need to use it again] And jubilation also because Jim managed to get Blogger to do as he wanted, and post 'Anticipation 1' which I thought strong enough to earn the number one spot this week.  Thank you for your persistence. (and sorry Patricia has decided enough is enough.)

 Words for the coming week: baptise olive tentative

 Entries by midnight Thursday  9th June, 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.

Hats off to Holly

 Who has set up a new home for Prediction at https://predictionfiction.wordpress.com in the hope that those apparently locked out by Blogger can continue to participate.

 Like all new places it looks unfamiliar - stark and in need of decoration - and we aren't sure where everything is, nor, exactly how it works, but for the sake of such regular contributors as Jim and Patricia, I hope it can be made to work.  For the time being, I am posting in both places, so no-one is left not knowing where we've moved to, and I hereby declare the week's top spot goes to John for his perfectly-titled 'Odd, but possibly true'

 Words for the coming week (fingers crossed all will have a go, in  the new place as well as the old): cotton triangle yesterday

 Entries by midnight Thursday  2nd June, 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.

No solution

 Having deleted some 90+ posts - many with comments numbering in the hundreds - without solving the problem of some of you being able to upload posts. I've paused: it was an uncomfortable exercise, erasing history.  Only one idea since - does it work if instead of copy/paste you compose, type out word by word, your entry? SO frustrating, not least because your words are sorely missed.

 Some rich offerings did make it, I'm glad to say, and top spot (not that it was easy to choose) goes to David, for the intriguing promise of  his 'Wedding Day''

               Words for the coming week (fingers crossed all may play) merge saffron torque

Entries by midnight Thursday  26th May, 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.