Two’s company, even though there’s plenty room for more

 So thank you Jim, for your participation – post and comments – and hope Antonia’s absence is down to no more than getting to grips with a new computer.

In the hope others will find time to participate – always in short supply at this time of year – I offer

Words for the coming week: educate ribbon squash

Entries by midnight  Thursday December 1st,  new words scheduled for   Friday 2nd as I’ll be away, 

 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.

Envy is allegedly a sin

Another week when it would be wrong to decide one had merit over the other – so my thanks to Antonia and Jim both for their entertaining entries and their comments on mine.

Currently I’m editing a second draft of ‘Snap is not a children’s game’, the fifth in my ‘Love triangles with murder’ series; struggling to find ways of including a few more cliff-hanger endings, because it badly lacks tension, while reading and much admiring writers such as David Mark, Emma Viskic and  Sharon Bolton, each of whose series are both beautifully-written and compelling. 

Words for the coming week: accuse purse question 

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

 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

Brief flash left fingers crossed

 Patricia’s posting of a previous piece looking successful, I had hopes the gremlins had been shown the door, but seemingly not. All the more pleased to read Jim and David’s postings, and hope next week’s words enable more.  

Words for the coming week: bell revelation torso 

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

 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.

Circularity or recycling?

 With so few  – but always strong – participants I have a sense that I am recycling “winners” for the sake of fairness, especially when, in truth, it is hard to decide which I deem “better” than the rest. I trust, however, that you understand this and forgive me if you feel you’ve been overlooked. This week I decided David’s ‘Tangled Roots of War’ intriguing enough to take the top spot, but additionally thank the rest of you for commenting – invaluable if this site is to thrive.

Words for the coming week: industry tall unreliable 

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

 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.

Agitation

 As seen from my window. A gusty Friday morning, trees tossing orange and green, leaves flying, grey clouds heading eastwards in a hurry.  A good day to stay in and write. And re-read last week’s offerings with a view to naming ‘winner’. This week, having applauded Antonia’s epic entry, I pick Jim’s A DETOUR – PART III  as much for its future promise as current entertainment, and thank you all for your comments and participation.

 Words for the coming week: forge hour spot

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

 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.

Loyalty cards deserved

 Another week of nigh-on inseparable, but, for me, Terrie’s ‘Stirrings’, detailing  Bailey’s activities pipped Jim and Antonia at the post. Nevertheless I thank you all for continuing to contribute to what has become a slim-line offering of predictions. No blame intended – I am too often finding it hard to find time + impetus, and am acutely aware of a general slump in most writing sites. To the extent that I’ve told myself  the time might’ve come to put the site to rest. Which seems a shame, but if there’s anyone willing to take over, better to do so while there’s still some activity. 

Words for the coming week: poet scoop twinge 

Entries by midnight Thursday October 27th  new words hopefully posted Friday 28th 

 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.

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.