Richness indeed

Not sure whether it was the chocolate (which, for the most part, I avoided, with considerable regret) or the extra holidays, but there was certainly something in the air that spawned a wealth of entries. Which, having revelled in them, it is now my task to attempt to rank in some sort of order. Terrie treated us to three episodes of armadillo activities plus a stand alone, John, the top-class delight of ‘The Mobster’s Daughter’, and Patricia a pair of inventivenesses in ‘Hobson’s Choice’ and ‘Oblivium’, but for me, the top rung this week went to David for the chill of  ‘In the Valley of the Callipygian Hills’. Thank you all for participation and comment.

Words for next week: blithe notch rainbow

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 2nd May, words and winners posted 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. 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 social media you prefer.

Whisky Bravo

A small celebration for me because I finally declared the three novels in the detective series I’ve been working on since 2011 both finished and something to be pleased with. Relief too, because I can finally get on with finishing book 4, stalled for several months until an early morning train of thought unwound the knots in the plot and set it firing again.

But, enough about me – though it was me who enjoyed another superb week of tiny Prediction tales (most offering a novel’s worth of impact) and I have no hesitation in declaring Antonia this week’s winner, for the enviable smoothness of her ‘Stop the Week’ series - number 43 already.

Some more challenging words this week - the first I have to thank my son for.  

Words for next week: callipygian vacillate yesterday

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 25th April, words posted 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. 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 social media you prefer.

Estuarine mud and museums

Good to see the wide variety of choices picked for last week, while I spent an enjoyable couple of days in the unanticipated sunshine of Kingston-upon-Hull. Congratulations to Dave for coming out on top of the popular vote.

My shortlist for this week began just as numerous and I have to confess to being unable to choose between  a final three: Terrie for entry 55  of The Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries, Holly for the stunning descriptions and appeals to every sense, seen so vividly in ‘Enthralled’ and David T for the clever uniqueness of ‘The Cauldron Pouch’. Thank you all for yet another week of high class entries.

Words for next week: burnish log worsen

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 18th April, words posted 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. 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 social media you prefer.

Trees no longer skeleton, black against a pale blue sky

Is what I’m seeing from my window as I type this, and I look forward to reading your choice of favourites when I return home, having no doubt it has been a tricky one.

In the meantime, see what you can do with these:

Words for next week: caution pouch sweat

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 11th April, words posted Friday 12th

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 uses of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media you prefer.

Your wish is (sometimes) my command

Next week I invite you all to nominate your personal winner from the week’s postings from the prompts below.

I could justifiably claim it revenge for the difficulty you put me to each successive week – this week no exception! – but in truth I shall be away from home next Friday celebrating an anniversary, so will schedule only words.

This week another one of vacillation, trying to decide whether that one is marginally the most appealing, in ways which have no rules but are based on mere (and constantly variable) gut reaction. And it is the truth (and no lessening of prime position for the winner) that given an hour either way, had the sun gone behind a cloud or the phone rung, another might have taken its place . What I can say, in this particular hour, the currently most impactful tale of the week is Patricia’s ‘Party of Four. John’s ‘Once a scoundrel, always a scoundrel’ came close and Terrie’s haiku – first one ever on the Prediction? – a third delight.

Words for next week: syrup scrap wrench

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 4th April, words posted Friday 5th

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 uses of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media you prefer.

Worms not only in the moon

Worms enough found wriggling in this week’s stories, their nastiness insidiously, or otherwise, invading our minds. And giving enjoyment and admiration for the skill and variety with which three comparatively innocent words can be woven to tell such tales. For a master-class in succinctness – a well-trimmed worm perhaps? – check out Rosie’s perfectly-titled ‘The Short Answer is No’.

I thank you all for participation, both in posting and comment, and declare this week’s winner, for a lightly-trod but especially nasty perpetrator: Dave W’s ‘Surprise’.

Words for next week: bruise poster  revolution

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 28th March, words and winners posted 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. 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 social media you prefer.

From new tattoos to singed ears

Another week where I am tempted to delegate, but my conscience tells me that best left for emergencies and holidays. And so, we have enjoyed John’s  episode 3 of ‘Mexican Cutie’, Patricia’s ‘Job well done’ and a yearning to go home, as was Zaiure’s narrator followed by the casual horror of Jim’s ‘Change of  Plans and the  jilting of Monica. AR took the sensible, and brave, way out, Chris fell victim to a nasty scam and Rosie produced a dark elf with singed ears.

.

After much indecision, and counting the many plaudits, I declare this week’s number 1 to be Jim.

Words for next week: digit furtive Lolita

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 21st March, words and winners posted 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. 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 social media you prefer.

Spice of life

It’s always a pleasure and a source of  delight to see how many varieties of nastiness can be drawn from seemingly innocent words. Last week’s innocuous selection brought  tattoos, death metal and drunken gerbils.   Brought fuzzy-felt and disembowelment, poodles, Robin Hood and sexual secrets, shelf-stackers, type-casting and a Teddy in a castle.

And I’m expected to make some sort of judgement as to which this week strikes me as ‘the best’?

However, checking the tone of your comments, I doubt there’ll be any complaint about Terrie’s ‘beer-flustered gerbils being counted this week’s winner, nor that I declare there were too many second-placed to individually name.  

Words for next week: crate nerve simultaneous

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 14th March, words and winners posted 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. 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 social media you prefer.

The guilty pleasures of binge reading

Is what I’ve been experiencing this week. One after another, addictively, all six of Jane Casey’s novels featuring  detectives Maeve Kerrigan and Josh Derwent.  And following Patricia’s question about publication, I should have mentioned ‘The Blacksmith’s Wife’ which was my first Prediction serial. Lulu seems to have lost the Preview, but if you click here  it’s possible to read all episodes and see at least the first 20 slightly disarranged illustrations.

This week’s winner? John, for both his witty comment on the English language and for the promise of ‘Mexican Cutie’, despite it having put a sliver of a relentless song in my head. In second place, Patricia, for ‘Autumnal Equinox’. Thank you all for a week of excellent reading, and I urge you to check out Zaiure’s too-late-to-qualify ‘Furrow’

Words for next week: felt map tenuous

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday 7th March, words and winners posted 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. 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 social media you prefer.

The impossibility of making space

Space on my bookshelves, that is; so much so that I was almost relieved when five of the twenty-seven books I’ve read this year are destined for the charity shop;.

Near-impossible also, to choose a single  ‘winner’ this week. I’m tempted to name Patricia’s ‘Avant-Couriers’ as persuasion to take this further, and there’s three or more jostling for position, but  in the end it came down to Dave T.’s ‘Strange Voodoo and Jim Deegan’s ‘Tomorrow?’. And I simply could not choose between them. Thank you all for taking part and commenting.

Words for next week: gig plough wit

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday, 28th February words and winners posted Friday March 1st

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 uses of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media you prefer.

Hearts flowering scarlet here, no doubt.

But what a flowering of talent this week - every one a winner - and so difficult to choose: John’s trip to Kursaal, Terrie’s hammer-hoisting Atlas,  Jim’s avenging father, Zaiure’s released claws, Patricia’s moody purples and silkscreen T shirt, Antonia’s empty shelves and, finally, Rosie’s cliffhanger ending.. To say nothing of the serials and Dave W’s too late to qualify but good to read.  

In the end, and by the merest wolfish whisker, I chose Zaiure’s ‘After the bath’, and thank you all for the enjoyment.

Words for next week: facsimile knit roll

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday February 21st, words and winners posted 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. 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 social media you prefer.

From subtle to bright

This week I’ve been struggling with colour, trying – and failing – to get the printed actuality to match the subtlety of greenish-grey I intended. Yesterday I decided to drop subtlety and and spent  several enjoyable hours playing with primary shades. Fingers crossed they’ll come out as intended.

And somehow, although on re-reading there’s no actual mention, Dave W’s ‘Fixed’ put colours in my mind with sufficient strength for me to declare him this week’s winner.

And yet again, I thank you for your contributions, all of which enable me to visit several shades of brightness.

Words for next week: caramel Degas seize

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday February14th, words and winners posted 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. 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 social media you prefer.

Achingly beautiful, near-singing dawns

Is what we’ve had several of this week, sliver of a waning moon west of Venus. But oh so cold, and this morning awakening to a dusting of snow.

There’s been some achingly beautiful, achingly painful and achingly good writing this week too, much appreciated as I’ve been busier than usual  on other projects.  

My choice of winner is Terrie, but I confess I cannot choose between episodes 42 or 43 of her ‘The Secret Armadillo Soldier (SAS) Diaries’ - unfailingly pleasurable and stimulating.

Words for next week: flex peter ravage

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday February 7th, words and winners posted 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. 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 social media you prefer.

So your chimneys I sweep, and in soot I sleep (William Blake)

I was reminded of another delicious word this week, but I’m saving that for later. Hopefully this selection will not cause head-scratching and discombobulation, and the birthday boys post their entries  before they begin to celebrate.

But at least it made picking a winner easier: Patricia provided three well-researched pieces, of which my favourite was the succinct ‘Basic Instinct’, and Antonia’s Mad Italian 90 earns second prize. As ever, thank you for the entertainment and for the reading and commenting which ensure this site stays alive and kicking.

Words for next week: brittle orphan sculpture

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday January 31st, words and winners posted Friday 1st February

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 uses of the words and stems are fine. Feel free to post links to your stories on Twitter or Facebook or whichever social media you prefer.

Three for the price of one

Which was what John’s ‘The November Wind’ delivered to me this week, no doubt unintentionally. The title had my head veering between ‘November Rain’ and ‘Mandolin Wind’ and then the text delivered ‘The Edmond Fitzgerald’, thus it became this week’s sure fire winner. Not that I want to create a precedent!

I’m also going to mention three others which each delivered a sparely depicted insight into tragedies: David T’ Atlantic Crossing, Bill’s ‘Becalmed and Patricia’s ‘God Speed.

Thank you all - a great and varied week of reading. Look forward to next week’s variations.

Words for next week: ankle fuliginous worry

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday January 24th, words and winners posted 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. 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 social media you prefer.

Time for a cuddle

Not that I’m fed up with gore and evisceration, mutants, mayhem and cross-dressing, you understand. Just that I’ve had a pig of a day (pdfs, nothing dreadful!) cannot choose between five top tales, and a home for teddy bears feels highly enticing, so this week Antonia takes the podium for the 29th episode of her ever-entertaining  ‘Stop the week I want to get off.’ (For another treat, do check out Rosie’s entry)

I thank you all for the considerable entertainment of your writing, your contributions of well-considered comments, and look forward to seeing what horror you can wreak with these gentle words:

Words for next week: mariner poem rut

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday January 18th, words and winners posted 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. 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 social media you prefer.

Wheels on the road

A fortnight off, much of it very pleasurable, and now to get to grips with a new year and the achieving of one resolution (made for the third year running) to get three much-laboured over novels out into the world and a fourth one finished, to which end I’ve spent several days reading the 360 pages of the first one aloud and am now suffering from a sore throat. 

No shouting needed to pick the first winner of 2019, even though I confess it’s the eighth time I’ve been made to feel slightly nauseous by the vivid nastiness in Jim Deegan’s Conscription series - excellent stuff!

Words for next week: appendix barrage cure

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday January 10th, words and winners posted 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. 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 you prefer.

To raise a glass

Today being Winter Solstice, and me having been born five minutes too soon to claim myself a ‘child of’ (and more years ago than I envisaged myself reaching) I send you all greetings for the season, however you intend to spend it, and thank you for your contributions to this place over 2018.  It gives me a great deal of pleasure to declare Patricia’s ‘Pierce the veil’ as the final winner of the year, especially when she has contributed – as many of you have – so much to the success of Prediction. Long may it last.

Because of the way the dates fall I’m sure I am not going to be the only one hard-pushed to find time to properly read and appreciate, never mind contribute anything, so you have a fortnight to find a use for the following: 

Words for next week: hedonist saturate wishbone

Entries by midnight (GMT) Thursday January 3rd, words and winners posted 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. 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 you prefer.

Ragged robins

I thank for your merciful acceptance of last week’s dice-throwing and have given myself a strict talking to about responsibility and not shilly-shallying.  Hasn’t made it any easier, I’m no happier about the ones I ‘discard’ in the interest of naming a winner, despite the very considerable pleasure I – and, judging by the comments, the rest of you – gain from so many of them. Neither am I able to be very analytical as to why; it’s more often than not  just a gut kick.  Without doubt this week, despite roses and patchwork people,  one of the biggest was John’s ‘Ragged breath’ – truly visceral, as Terrie said – and very closely followed by Zaiure’s ‘Poison’. I am grateful for the opportunity to read all of them.

Words for next week: pile solstice vicarious

Entries by Midnight (GMT) Thursday 20th, words and winners posted Friday 21st December

  

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 you prefer.

Shock horror! (sort of)

It did come as a bit of a shock to be reminded this time last year I was bed-bound and barely able to walk, thanks to some vicious South African infection. No less of a one was that seven weeks later I walked eleven rough-country miles, although not by choice! This week, I found making a choice from a shortlist of six almost as difficult, not least because I cannot find anything in the way of common qualities to use as criteria.

So what I did was ... throw a dice. And the dice selected, from my list of six equally-merited pieces, Terrie’s 33rd instalment of the SAS Diaries. The other five were David W’s ‘AGAIN’, David T’s ‘Ticks and Crosses’, Bill’s ‘Lips’ and either Patricia’s ‘Things that go bump in the night ’ or ‘Can do’, but I thank you for all of them.

Words for next week: contagion graft mercy

Entries by Midnight (GMT) Thursday 13th, words and winners posted Friday 14th December

  

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 you prefer.