Playing late

Another three words for you, which I hope I’ll get time to have a go at before the deadline - I’m looking forward to a lot of catch-up reading. Hopefully enough of you made something of last week’s words to be struggling to decide your own personal favourite.

Words for the coming week are: bliss south Tudor

Entries by midnight Thursday 30th June, new words and winners posted on Friday 1st July

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 use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

Travelling light, in anticipation

 Luggage space (for two) on a 1969 BSA A65 is limited to what’s left in the panniers after necessary spares have been included, and anyway I don’t fancy submitting my Chromebook to the vibration, so writing for me this coming week will be strictly pen and paper. I’ve taken an early peek at the prompts, but this will be my sole contribution for the week, therefore I’m hoping each of you will comment with your usual enthusiasm and also nominate your personal winner. New words will be scheduled on the 24th and normal service will hopefully resume after the 28th.

As Antonia pointed out it was yet another very good week of writing; triple entries from William and Patricia  and especially good to read something of  Zaiure’s again; her ‘Fog’ a very close runner-up to Rosie’s ‘Another Society Ball’ which Patricia rightly described as a ‘perfect gem’.

As ever, thank you all.

Words for the coming week are: owl omission rose

Entries by midnight Thursday 23rd June, new words and winners posted on Friday 24th

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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

Six day deadline this week

I’ve a 5 a.m. departure for the airport on Friday 17th and because I’d have no time to post words and winners (never mind my own pieces!) the deadline will be midnight on Wednesday 15th June, words and winners posted Thursday. The following Friday, 24th, I shall still be incommunicado in Italy, so will schedule new words, but will have been unable to comments or nominate a winners. Perhaps each of you could name your favourite? Normal service will return after 28th.

So many excellent entries this week that it is, as so often the case, near impossible to choose a favourite, so in the spirit of encouragement I’ll place William’s first episode of “Little Martyn 1665” in the top spot, and would also thank him, Antonia and Patricia for faithfully commenting this week - almost as important as entering.  

Words for the coming week are: bun, imperfect, lemon

Entries by midnight Wednesday 15th June, new words and winners posted on Thursday 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 use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

From ketchup running down a just-dipped chip to a unicorn’s arse ...

... phrases from my first and my latest contribution to a year’s-worth of Prediction. This might not be the fifty-second Prediction post I’ve hosted, but this week’s words complete a twelvemonth.

I must raise my biggest glass to Antonia who has not missed a single week to pen an episode of 'Infinity' – the Captain’s absorbing tale, nor – which I see as an equally vital part of this site’s success – has she omitted to comment on everyone else’s post.

Similarly Patricia who, since returning to the challenge, has contributed comment and at least two and more often than not, three pieces each week, building equally absorbing but different in character serials. I thank you both, as I thank each and every other contributor who so enriches my weekly reading.

For this, and for Antonia’s ‘Infinity 149’ and Patricia’s ‘Cripplegate Junction 47’ I name both extra special joint winners this week.

And William, Rosie and Bill added their very individual voices to the week’s delight.

Words for the coming week are: canvas, feint, mate

Entries by midnight Thursday 9th June, new words and winners posted on 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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

Pale mauve tulips and an orange-flamed coal fire

The tulips a colour I've not seen before and the fire because although it has been dry and sunny in Orkney this week, the mostly north wind has ensured that away from shelter, it has also been very cold.

And fulsome praise for all who contributed what seemed an even richer than usual range of entries. JK offered episode 2 of Gotegodd, setting us all on alert for the next, each of Patricia’s hit high spots, Marmalade the undoubted star of Cripplegate Junction and a sly re-telling of a fairy tale, Antonia’s Captain succumbed to temptations of the flesh and William spoke of an’ intemperate tongue’, but I thought Rosie’s 26th episode of The Adventures of Rosebud, Princes Pirate, one of her strongest so award her the winner’s spot this week; the rest of you snapping at her heels.

Words for the coming week are: match, donate, nefarious

Entries by midnight Thursday 2nd June, new words and winners posted on 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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

Bad spells of wine, good spills of words

Despite last week’s too-phonetic spelling there was still a wealth of good reading this week – do check out later minute entries by William and Rosie. Thank you all for contributing and those of you who took time to comment.

In order to persuade her to return with at leasr a second episode of Gostegodd, I’m awarding top place to Jk Davies, which also saves me having to choose between Antonia’s episode 147 of Infinity and Patricia’s  The Rook's Nookery, episode 45 of Cripplegate Junction.

Words for the coming week are:  awry, freelance, fulsome

Entries by midnight Thursday 26th May, new words and winners posted on 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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

Circle to Circle

This Friday I am in Stanton Drew, in Somerset, site of England’s little-known third largest stone circle. Next Friday I'll be on my way to Orkney, home of the ever-fascinating Ring of Brodgar - time for writing may be curtailed.

This necessarily brief, and last week's entries thinner on the ground than usual, but even had there been a dozen I suspect William's entry would have been a winner. Hopefully time and Real Life will be less of a restraint so as to make more use of the words for next week:

Words for the coming week are:  knave, Rioja, boot

Entries by midnight Thursday 19th May, new words and winners posted on 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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

May the force remain with you

From Chris’s cruel diagnosis, Patricia’s round peg suicide, William’s wonderfully-phrased ‘truancy of life’ and DI Pettinger’s latest murders, there’s been a lot of death around this week. At least Rosie’s Pirate Princess only suffered an accident. 

But the excellency of Antonia’s Captain was no accident and for this exceptionally strong episode of 'Infinity'  – the 145th – I name her this week’s winner. And, as she rightly says, despite the deaths, the standard of writing here is decidedly uplifting. Thank you one and all.

Words for the coming week are:  fleapit, sable, rapid

Entries by midnight Thursday 5th May, new words and winners posted on 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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

Maybe bold and tricky better than too bland

Antonia, Chris and William might concur with this.

I looked back at the prompts offered in 2012 by Lily Childs (Prediction’s originator - check out http://lilychildsfeardom.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/lilys-friday-prediction.html for a taste) and Phil Ambler. Rarely were they innocuous or multi-interpretable as have been offered here lately, and I’m wondering whether stronger, less compromising words might be better received. To which end I plan to separate and stir and occasionally re-offer some of these old ones for a bit and see what happens.

That said, this week’s planned words are challenging enough for me to have to look up the meaning of one of them! And, bland words or not, you all managed to make something entertaining. By the usual whisker, for the lightness of his rhymes and the weightiness of his message I declare  William’s  ‘Bitter Illusion’ this week’s winner.

Words for the coming week are: bracket, diagnose, ludic

Entries by midnight Thursday 5th May , new words and winners posted on 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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever so

DIY Illustration

It occurred to me that The Prediction has much in common with a weekly magazine – one with a central core of regular contributors plus guest writers whose contributions appear when time and inspiration permit. On second thoughts, so vivid is the writing that it is more a comic, each piece accompanied by a strip of illustrations, drawn by an equally varied core of artists.

In some ways the requirement to declare a weekly ‘winner’, as well being near impossible because each chimes with a different sort of pleasure, seems superfluous, but since it is expected I assign top place on the podium this week to Chris for his Ellis Island. As ever, the rest of you are jostling just half a step down. Antonia and Patricia were kind enough to nominate my watercolour inspired piece as a worthy winner which I much appreciate. As I’ve said before, we all write for the pleasure and approval of our peers, and the giving and receiving of comments is what gives this site its especial strengths.

Words for the coming week are: dock, register, settlement

Entries by midnight Thursday 28th April , new words and winners posted on Friday 29th

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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

“And such a deal of skimble-skamble stuff”

I’m not waving a banner for Shakespeare, after last week’s polarisation of opinion, but spotting the above, from Henry IV part 1, I though it might catch the eye on Facebook. Also, of course, we’ve had a deal of gloriously rich offerings, from which I declare ... well, really it is exceptionally hard this week, so I’ll say Patricia by the merest whisper, and ditto for the sixteenth episode of ‘Kursaal’, and each and every one of you runners up.

And thank you all for so diligently commenting - it is the life-blood of this site.

Words for the coming week are: bruise, benevolent, margin

Entries by midnight Thursday 21st April , new words and winners posted on Friday 22nd

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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

And not a mention of a goat

Bill’s Black Widow – this week’s standout winner – was a fully complete and satisfying  story in 100 words. The joy of reading such perfection is much enhanced when, like me and Pettinger, William and his butter knife this week, you’ve tried umpteen times to arrange words which not only incorporate the prompts but contain a bit of a buzz. Now and again, words assemble themselves with ease and almost without input, and I’m tempted to put it down to luck, but in truth I see it as a small reward for the constant practice put in the rest of the time. And for not so much a buzz as a kick, Patricia’s ‘Tough love’earns‘ an honourable mention.

Words for the coming week are: Shakespeare, six, pattern

Entries by midnight Thursday 14th April , new words and winners posted on Friday 15th

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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

Litotes (or that Tom Jones song)

'Litotes' being a) one of those words I can never remember the definition of, and b) yet another of those writing processes I do without needing to know what it is called. Mark Forsyth’s ‘The Elements of Eloquence’ calls them ‘elements of rhetoric’ and devotes thirty-nine challengingly-titled chapters to describing them. I was readily familiar with only three of such terms, and found the book a fascinating read, but I’m still unable to name any more. I don’t anticipate using any of them as prompts!

This week’s winner is someone whose writing never fails in its eloquence, but it was for the impact of “Well, there be many a person with a different skin under the one we all see” that I declare Antonia’s one hundred and fortieth episode of ‘Infinity’ this week’s winner.

Thank you all for participating – even the late-arriving Rosie whose 18th episode of the Princess Pirate is hugely entertaining ­and for commenting – such a strong element of this blog.  

Words for the coming week are: absent exact, butter

Entries by midnight Thursday 7th April , new words and winners posted on Friday 8th

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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

Cryptic, quick or general knowledge

Crosswords of course, one of this week’s prompt words. In our house my husband does the quick crossword, I the cryptic; he gets first go at the general knowledge. All three provide a different type of workout for the brain and he and I have long admitted we have different types of brain. What type dictates the way each week’s prompt words are used, I do not know. Am just happy at what seems never-ending variety and dedication. And the generosity of those who so generously acknowledge it in others.

Another week where an outright winner was impossible to choose, so honours are divided between Patricia for her sharp-ended episode of ’Kursaal’ and William for the opening of ‘The Truth about Your Demise,’ but perhaps the biggest news is no news of Antonia’s Captain – I trust for no other reason than an unsaved entry!

Words for the coming week are: crossword crude itinerary

Entries by midnight Thursday 31st March, new words and winners posted on Friday 1st April

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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

Foxtrot writing

It’s been a rare week of easy-writing for me – a 450 words story coming to me in the space of half an hour, and posted before 6 a.m. – and a useful ‘sexing-up’ of several less than sparkling chapters of a novel now undergoing it’s eighth re-write. That I began this book in 2011 will tell you how infrequent such weeks are.

And welcome, of course, are all the definitely sparkling entries for this week’s mildly awkward words. I was cross with myself for failing to remember to use ‘uncle’ in the sense of pawn-shop, delighted to be introduced to Patricia’s ‘Dutch uncle’and Rosie’s ‘cry uncle’, and also with William’s rhyming ‘runkle’.  

Difficult as ever, thank you, but Patricia’s thirty-seventh episode of Cripplegate Junction puts her in second place, while I declare Zaiure this week’s winner. It was going to be for ‘Attack’, but then ‘Mama says’ trumped it.

Words for the coming week are: barge, forecast, project

Entries by midnight Thursday 24th March, new words and winners posted on Friday 25th

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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

Location lies awry

For reasons entirely beyond my ken, the Live Traffic Feed which I inherited when I took over The Prediction has gone totally bonkers in locating me. I live in Teesside, in the North East of England, but after having been relocated to Kent for several weeks, it has now placed me in Carmarthenshire, in Wales. But last weekend, when I was in Wales , it decided I was in London.

No doubts from me about where to place this week’s winners - I was so delighted with Antonia’s Captain’s good mood in ‘Infinity 137’ that he comes top. William’s poetry skills in ‘Political Viewpoint put him in second place.  As ever, I thank you all for contributing to the week’s enjoyment.

Words for the coming week are: calligraphy, suck, uncle

Entries by midnight Thursday 17th March new words and winners posted on 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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

Conjuring enchantment

One of this week’s books was ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’ which I at least began when it was first published in 1969, and wish I’d known about when I was studying the Victorians a few years ago. An incredible amount of authorial input melded with an ability to seize voice and era and give the characters voice. And, talking of voice, I’d like to pay tribute to two stalwarts of this site, without whom I’d spend half the week talking, echoingly, to myself so a sincere thank you to Patricia and Antonia.

As to this week’s winners, they were chosen for the conjuring of a single image. Rosie’s ‘blue tree’ enchanted and David’s ‘Magpie Road’ a promise of much to come.

Words for the coming week are:  judder, pure, popinjay

Entries by midnight Thursday 10th March new words and winners posted on 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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers

Leap of imagination

As Patricia commented, ‘hare’ is a word which carries much potential; one of the criteria I aim to use when seeking words. Crossword clues are a useful source, and the titles visible on spines of books and CDs shelved on the wall right before my eyes often furnish a word or two. Wherever they come from, I’ve no more knowledge of next week’s words when I write this week’s pieces than you have.

As ever the pieces posted have been impactful and a joy to read, but this week reference to real-life horrors set the standard for selecting winners, and William’s ‘Hiding from the world’ and Patricia’s ‘The  Final Solution’ take joint first.

Words for the coming week are:  stick, opportunity, credulous

Entries by midnight Thursday 3rd March new words and winners posted on 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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

Daisy fresh, but dastardly

One of the five books I read this week was Howard Spring’s ‘Shabby Tiger’, first published in 1934. Not read for some forty years I was delighted to find was just as beautiful, fresh and wonderful as ever.

Hundred word drabbles are a very different breed to novels, but no-one can doubt the freshness of what turns up on the Prediction each week, prime examples of which are Rosie and Zaiure for their party-themed pieces (late arriving, but worth waiting for). For the vividly-delivered kick of macabre, this week’s top spot goes to Patricia for her ‘Artistic licence’. Her use of ‘Christian’ as a first name is guaranteed to creep me out, after ‘Jane Eyre’. And thanks to Kai for his double helping of 'Immortal'

Words for the coming week are:  hare justify slurry

Entries by midnight Thursday 25th February new words and winners posted on 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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.

All clouds equipped with silver linings

 Hard 

Hard though several of us claimed to find last week’s prompts – uninspiring at the very least – this was not in the slightest apparent in the imaginative ways they were used, to the extent that choosing a winner was harder than ever. Nor does anything present itself as a useful point of judgement this week, so I’m going to place Zaiure’s ‘Remnant’ as winner, by a narrow margin, for the sheer kick of pleasure it gave me.  And will name Patricia, for ‘Kursaal’, Rebecca and Bill as very worthy  runners-up for similar reasons. I should also like to say how appreciative I am of your comments; on my pieces as well as everyone elses. It has always been a strength of this group; it matters to us to know we’re being read, and it means such a lot when folk say so.

Words for the coming week are:  contour, prevaricate, recipe

Entries by midnight Thursday 18th February new words and winners posted on 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. Serialized fiction is, as always, welcome. All variants and use of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media best pleases you and, if you like, remind your friends that we are open to new and returning writers.