15 May 2026

Published May 13, 2026 by rochellewisoff

The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

PHOTO PROMPT © Fleur Lind

This week’s photo shows a brick enclosure with an opening in the wall that looks like a large keyhole leading to another brick enclosure. Streaks of light seem to be coming through the perhaps grass ceiling. There are large stones on the ground and a bird bath in the right corner. It also looks like there are other little treasures on the ground.

Click the Frog to Participate

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE HOLE STORY

Eleven-year-old Murray breathed in the aroma of his father’s wares in the Lenders’ Connecticut bakery as he strung them on a length of twine. Tomorrow morning, Sunday, customers would line up to buy the roll with the hole for breakfast. A little pleasure to start the week and forget the horror in his parents’ native Poland.

“Pop, your bagels are the best.”

Harry pinched Murray’s cheek. “One day all this will be yours.”

In 1963 Murray and his brothers, Marvin and Sam introduced Lender’s frozen bagels to the supermarkets. The bagelization of America had begun. Please pass the cream cheese.

A little more BACKGROUND

ENJOY!

8 May 2026

Published May 6, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

The photo is a view out a window at dusk. Outside lights are seen through the drawn blinds. House plants are seen in silhouette. One can almost make out a building and water through the window. To the right are blue drapes.

CLICK the froggy to join in.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100

TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS

“I can’t today,” I said. “Are you free next Tuesday?”

“The electrician is coming then,” you replied. “Hopefully he’ll figure out why that bathroom fixture isn’t working correctly. What about Friday? We could meet for lunch, if you’re not busy.”

I checked the calendar app on my phone. “Yes. That looks good.” I marked the date. “See you then.”

After I hung up, I remembered something I wanted to tell you. Oh well, it would keep. We had plenty of time, didn’t we?

This morning, your devastated husband called to tell me you passed away last night in your sleep.

*******

this interview is a year old. It’s kind of long but I wanted to share it again. Thanks to Author Diane Yates for taking the time with me. Last Dance with Annie is about to become an audio book. Watch for updates and details. 😀

1 May 2026

Published April 29, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

PHOTO PROMPT © David Stewart

This week’s prompt is in a restaurant. Looks to be Mediterranean. There’s a plate with a tower of meat. To the right is a have drunk glass of beer. There are plates and bowls of food. There are tables in the background with other patrons and a server in the upper right. The tablecloths are colorful. To the right we can see part of an iPhone and there is a patron at the table looking at his cell phone.

Click the Purple Froggy to join the Fun

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100

SEPARATE KETTLES

Elise and Carla shared lemonade on Elise’s porch. A gentle spring breeze cooled Elise.

“We went out for Mediterranean last night.”

“Not my cup of tea. What did you have?” asked Carla.

“Lamb shish-kebabs.”

The two old friends enjoyed comparing food notes. While they agreed on some things like tacos or corned beef and cabbage, often, their tastes varied.

Carla wrinkled her nose. “Ugh. I’m not a lamb fan. Besides, I see those cute lamby faces in my mind and my heart breaks. You black-hearted woman. How can you stand to eat them?”

“Medium rare with a pomegranate molasses drizzle.”

And just for fun, here’s the most delightful Lamb Chop of all time. Before Jeff Dunham, there was Shari Lewis to the delight of kids like me.

24 April 2026

Published April 22, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

PHOTO PROMPT © Lily

The photo this week is something of a challenge to describe. It looks like a cast iron bowl…perhaps a birdbath painted white. There are large cast iron skeleton keys in the bowl. To the left is a bunch of artificial roses. Hanging from one key in the center is a paper tag on a string. Have fun with this one. 😉

Click the little froggie to join the fun.

Genre: Book Excerpt
Word Count: 100

ART-A-REXIA

(An excerpt from Last Dance with Annie)

Although she tried hard not to, Elise had already taken a liking to the psychiatrist. None of her smart aleck comments seemed to deter him. His calm, even voice and relaxed manner put her at ease.

“It says on your admittance form that you work at a grocery store. What’s your position?”

“Sign maker slash cake decorator.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Odd occupation for someone with an eating disorder.”

She turned her head to avoid his inquisitive gaze. “It’s an art form. Like painting. I love to make flowers like roses and daisies. I’d never eat my canvas, would I?”

Available on Amazon or OzarkHollowPress or Barns&Noble

17 April 2026

Published April 15, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

The photo is a photo of a man taking a photo with his camera of a fruit plate, a cup of coffee, and a glass of orange juice. Behind the food and drinks is an iPad with a black and white photo of a man painting.

CLICK THE FROG TO JOIN

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100

FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

“Shall I tell you a bedtime story?” Barbara tucked the covers around her granddaughter.

Six-year-old Naomi wrapped her arm around her plush pig pillow. “It’s okay I have a story app.”

Barbara gritted her teeth. “Feh on story apps.”

Shutting her eyes, the child grinned. “Bubbie stories are better.”

“Once upon a time, when I was your age, people only used their telephones to talk to people. No texting. No cameras to take pictures of everything we ate.”

Naomi opened her eyes wide. “Gosh Bubbie, you really lived in olden times.”

“It’s true. We didn’t even have a color television.”

10 April 2026

Published April 8, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

The photo is a seascape. On the beach some seagulls are resting. A sailboat with a brightly colored sail is on the water. The sky is overcast.

CLICK ON THE FROG TO HOP ON BOARD

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE FROZEN SEA WITHIN US

Shadow monsters chased Franz. Twisted trees and thorny brambles caught his clothes. He snapped open his eyes.

The wind howled outside, sounding like shouts of tyrants and wails of children.

“Mother! Father! Help!” He cried out. “A drink please! I’m so thirsty.”

Father loomed over him.

Instead of water or the comforting words the child longed for, Father carried him to the balcony. “Never disturb my sleep again, you little insect.” The door locked behind him.

Frigid wind whipped through the boy’s thin nightgown. For the rest of his all-too-brief life, Franz Kafka despaired of ever winning his father’s love.

“A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us.”
― Franz Kafka

If you have ten minutes to spare CLICK to know more about him.

3 April 2026

Published April 1, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

In this week’s photo we see the top of some sort of wooden cabinet. On top of it is a rust colored bucket with a handle close to the top rim. There are other objects next to it but I can’t tell what they are.

NOTE: To those who enjoy snapping photos, particularly unusual ones, I am currently looking for potential photo prompts. You can send them to me at runtshell@gmail.com. Thank you.

CLICK FROG TO JOIN

Genre: Fiction
Word Count: 100

TAILFIN ROAD LOCOMOTIVE

“GG why don’t you get rid of this old rust bucket,” asked twelve-year-old Amy. “Grandma says it’s held together with duct tape and prayers.”

Wind ruffled Greg’s silver-white ponytail through the open window. Fuzzy yellow dice dangled from the rearview mirror. It was true. His 1957 Chevy had long since outlived its life expectancy.

“I can’t get rid of Josephine. My folks gave her to me as a graduation present in 1971. If she could talk, what tales Josephine would tell. In fact, Amy, dear, you might not be here today had it not been for this old rust bucket.”

27 March 2026

Published March 25, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

The photo looks to be a lattice or wooden fence covered with spider webs and vines. From the way the photo is framed it almost appears to be a window. Through the openings we see green grass, a tree, and the sky. The webs are so thick they look like they’re made from yarn of thick thread.

CLICK THE FROG TO JOIN

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

A CANTERBURY TALE

A rock shattered the window. Heart thumping, Prudence picked it up and placed it on the mantel like a trophy. “I’ll not back down.”

She read her advertisement in the April 1833 edition of “The Liberator.”

“…the first Monday of April next, her school will be opened for the reception of young Ladies and Little Misses of Color…”

She recalled the angry white townsmen who had recently banged on her door spewing their heated displeasure.

“Such a boarding school will lead to intermarriage,” they claimed.

Prudence Crandall stiffened her back, glared at them, and said, “Moses had a black wife.”

CLICK to know more

It doesn’t exactly go with the story, but it kept playing in my head, and just seems to fit. 🙂

20 March 2026

Published March 18, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

The prompt this week is on the side of a road. To the left there’s a line of parked cars. It looks like the photo was snapped in autumn as there are fallen leaves along the curb. The foliage in the picture is still pretty green so it’s probably not late fall. In the foreground is a road sign with arrows, one black one pointing down and a curved red arrow pointing up. There’s a yield sign icon at top right of the sign. (I’m confused 😉 )

Click Frog to Join

Genre: Questonable
Word Count: 100

Apologies to those whose first language is not English.

WAR OF THE WORDS

Rochelle buried her throbbing head in her hands. “I can’t take it anymore. Don’t they see the error in sentences like these—Joe and me had a great time today in the park. Or Mary laughed at Joe and I.”

“It’s not rocket science.” Dale sighed. “What’s left if you take out ‘Joe and’? ‘Me had a great time today at the park?’ Or ‘Mary laughed at I. Ridonkulous!’”

A sympathetic passerby chimed in. “When’d it all went in the wrong direction? If we applied those rules we learned in elementary school things would go much more smoother, wouldn’t they?

Grammar Police: To Serve and Correct

I hope the video made you laugh. If not, I apologize.

13 March 2026

Published March 11, 2026 by rochellewisoff

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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

This week’s photo has us inside what appears to be an art gallery with blue walls. Hanging from a square light fixture are red and golden ornaments. There are canvasses on the blue wall. One painting is of a floral arrangement. To the left there’s another section with red wall.

Click the artistic frog to join. (Thanks, Keith)

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100 (Not counting the lengthy title 😉 )

“MY ILLUSTRIOUS LORDSHIP, I’LL SHOW YOU WHAT A WOMAN CAN DO”

With pigment-stained hands, her revered mentor seized her breast. “You have a gift, child.”

Seventeen-year-old Artemisia clawed his cheek and writhed to escape his grasp.

His relentless laughter echoed in her ears as he thrust himself into her. Despite her anguished cries, no one rescued her.

***

The gallery guide points out the drama in Artemisia Gentileschi’s vibrant paintings depicting strong women. In her second rendering of “Judith Beheading Holofernes” the red-hot intensity on the heroine’s face is palpable.

Did Artemisia pay back her assailant on canvas?

Agostino Tassi may have stolen the flower of her youth, but not her gift.