ANOTHER WEEK OF FRIDAY FICTIONEERS, THE 100 WORD FLASH FICTION CHALLENGE.
Important Note: The Linkz page is for FRIDAY FICTIONEERS STORIES AND POEMS ONLY!!! Last week I pulled two unrelated blog links.
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THE CHALLENGE:
Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going over or under the word count.)
THE KEY:
Make every word count.
THE RULES:
- Copy your URL to the Linkz collection. You’ll find the tab following the photo prompt. It’s the little white box to the left with the blue froggy guy. Click on it and follow directions. This is the best way to get the most reads and comments.
- MAKE SURE YOUR LINK IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH FICTION. (Should you find that you’ve made an error you can delete by clicking the little red ‘x’ that should appear under your icon. Then re-enter your URL. (If there’s no red x email me at Runtshell@aol.com. I can delete the wrong link for you).
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- Make note in your blog if you’d prefer not to have constructive criticism.
- REMINDER: This page is “FRIDAY FICTIONEERS CENTRAL” and is NOT the place to promote political or religious views. Also, you are responsible for the content of your story and policing comments on your blog. You have the right to delete any you consider offensive.
**Please exercise DISCRETION when commenting on a story! Be RESPECTFUL.**
Should someone have severe or hostile differences of opinion with another person it’s my hope that the involved parties would settle their disputes in private.
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My story will follow the prompt for those who might be distracted by reading a story before writing their own . I enjoy your comments. -
Copyright – Sandra Crook
Genre: Literary Fiction
Word Count: 99
BIKER BABE
“C’mon, Natalie.” Brendon grabbed her helmet from the closet shelf and plopped it on her head. “Might be just what the doctor ordered.”
A hundred objections rushed to her lips. His inviting smile dispelled them all and she mounted his motorcycle’s passenger seat.
For the first time in months she felt free. Trees sped by. Lilacs scented the breeze. She didn’t even mind the back-jarring bumps or stomach-dropping dips in the road.
Hours later, exhausted but happy, Natalie eased back against a hospital pillow. Brendon beamed at their newborn son in her arms.
“Yep. Just what the doctor ordered.”
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Heehee! I love posts that make me laugh out loud! I can really picture her, hair flying in her innocence! Very factual too, I think – I mean the need for movement!
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Dear Managua,
A good morning. We’ve made each other laugh out loud. Indeed..it’s more factual than you know. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story Rochelle, just wonderful. I could picture him looking down at Natalie and their precious baby. It reminds me of my son-in-law taking my daughter for a drive in their car when their first baby was overdue. He went over every bump he could find – It worked too 🙂
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Dear Lyn;
Actually a bumpy car ride sent me into labor with my second son. However with my third come-lately son the bike ride didn’t work.
Thanks for commenting and liking.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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the idea is good, but the woman would feel dreadfully scared..
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Dear Nightlake,
Actually, the woman didn’t feel scared at all. Just wanted to be relieved of her nine months plus bundle of joy. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Awwwww! A birth ride story…. sort of cycling into life. Fun. Did they name their son, “Harley”?
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Dear Randy.
It was a 350 Honda. 😉 Glad you like it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, help me Honda…
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😀
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That’s brilliant 😀
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Many thanks, Alastair. Compliments don’t get much better than that.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Stories with real elements are the best
I walked (miles) to push the labor (or the baby)
I love the picture for this week it really helped mobilize the story line
Cheers
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Dear Moondust,
Mobilize…a proper word for this week’s prompt. Hope the walk worked better for you than my bike ride actually worked for me.
All of our experiences are grist for the mill.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The ‘back-jarring bumps or stomach-dropping dips in the road’ remind me too clearly of the roads around my home town. Wonderful imagery and great story.
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Thank you, Sandra,
And I remember the bumps.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely tale as usual with totally surprising ending. Thanks, Rochelle!
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Many thanks, Perry. Glad you liked.
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Rochelle,
You have included so much description in this that I felt like I was careening along the road on the bike as well. Sounds like the ride did the trick. 🙂
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Dear David,
Happy to have taken you along for the ride. Hope it wasn’t too jarring for you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The sense of freedom really came through in your story, Rochelle, freedom in a variety of ways. The care you put into your stories is always obvious and this one was a delight.
janet
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Dear Janet,
Thanks for dropping by. Deep calls to deep. I always appreciate your writing and your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ditto.
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awww this is wonderful. it really appealed to my romantic side 🙂 they sound like a really sweet couple too. i hope giving birth turns out to be this fun. lol ^^
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Dear Kz,
Can’t say that giving birth was fun, but it’s an experience that has no equal! Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We used to joke that if bumpy roads brought on labour, Sebastian would be born as soon as he was conceived! I think I’d have tried the motorbike ride (or indeed anything) by the time he did come though 😉
I love the gentleness that flows through this story of a rough ride. Masterful!
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Dear Jen,
Bumpy roads worked for us with one but not the other. And truth is stranger than fiction. We did go for a bike ride when I was past nine months. Labor still had to be induced.
Thank you for your glowing comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Another masterpiece of seamless writing and smooth storytelling. I think that you cook these things up on the back of a motorcycle, too. Secret’s out now, Rochelle. Good job.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
It’s no secret. 😉
Nothing breaks up writer’s block for me like a nice long motorcycle ride. Thanks for dropping in from your high place.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Utterly perfect story Rochelle. Truly. And stranger things have happened. Well done
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Dear Sandra,
High praise indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fun story i felt !
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Glad you did. 😉
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Another gem of a story. You surprised me at the end in a one-two punch. First, that Natalie was happy and in a hospital. Then, in the next sentence, the reason why that was. Riding a motorcycle while pregnant sounds downright dangerous — yet quirky. Thankfully, it worked out for these guys.
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Alas it didn’t work for me. But at 9.5 months anything sounded logical. Happy you liked my story, Dave.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Perfectly beautiful Rochelle. I love it! thank you, Penny
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Many thanks, Penny.
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I’ve always heard that was a good way to induce labor. Very cleverly written.
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Dear Russell,
Yes and no. Bumpy roads in a car worked with one son but for some reason bumpy ride on a motorcycle didn’t do anything with the next.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Clever story, well told.
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Thank you, Elephant. 😀
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Hahaha; just what every expectant mother needs…!
Still smiling, Rochelle… was really very entertaining..! 🙂
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Glad it made you smile, Carolyn. 😉
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Hi Rochelle,
Sweet, sweet story. Perfect for spring. I have no idea what the photo will inspire me to write. I want you to know, your stories always move me in some way. Your imagery is so vivid. Even in 99 words.
Fondly,
Renee
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Dear Renee,
Thank you for your glowing words that warm me. I’m looking forward to yours.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I forgot to tell you that I liked your mention of lilacs in your story. They are my absolute favorite.
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Rochelle that’s fantastic, you just reminded me of driving my wife over speed bumps to try and bring on her labour when she was two weeks overdue with our first child. We tried so many crazy things to make it happen and they are all coming back to me now. Thank you for waking up my sleepy memory. 🙂
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Anytime, JWD. My husband laughed out loud at this one because we actually did the motorcycle ride. 😉
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I love this story and I love the fact that you tried this yourself. You really get the sense of freedom she feels. Throwing off the confinement of winter and pregnancy, she gets to enjoy her new baby and the spring.
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Interestingly, two out of three of my sons were born in March. Glad you liked the story. I had fun writing it.
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Somehow I don’t think many doctors would recommend a motorcycle ride to move a pregnancy along!! 🙂
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Dear Carrie,
I’m sure they wouldn’t. But youth and desperation can justify any means to an end.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Cute!
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/04/10/4290/
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Thanks!
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“For the first time in months she felt free…” Yep, as wonderful as the outcome(s) were/are, I remember feeling so horribly bogged down toward the end of each pregnancy.
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Dear Lisa,
Toward the end of my last one I was certain I suffered from terminal pregnancy. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I loved the story and felt her excitement as she rode off to delivery 🙂 lovely
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Thanks Camgal.
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True story ? I can see him, not on the chrome…. A good story with a fine twist.
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Dear Bill,
Semi true. See whom? Glad you like it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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Love it. Fun and charming. I can just picture this right down to the baby.
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Thank you, Jamie
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Whimsical and oh how us mothers were taken back. Though I don’t think I could have got up on a motorbike whilst pregnant, unless they had a crane to hoist me! Nice one Rochelle.
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Dear Rambly,
I was pretty unwieldly with a nine pounder onboard. Guess it was the desperation coupled with flexibility of youth. This does seem to have struck a chord with mothers. 😉 Universal subject. Glad you liked it.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I don’t think I could have hoisted myself on a motorbike, and both my girls were late, so it would have come in handy! I guess I should be flattered that it was so cosy they didn’t want to leave, but sometimes desperate measures are called for, and you’ve captured that in a very sweet way in your story. 🙂
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Dear Trudy,
In retrospect I’m not sure how I did. That baby was late and weighed in at just over 9 lbs. Indeed, I was desperate. Happy you liked the story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good fun here Rochelle. Pregnant woman on a bike now that is hot! Loved it!
Tom
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Dear Tom,
Pregnant woman on this bike was desperate to be pregnant no longer. Glad you liked it. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well done Rochelle – since the bike clearly has no motor she may have been riidng with my grandpa 🙂
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Dear Sam,
I use most prompts as a glancing suggestion. Brendon’s bike had a motor. 😉 Thanks for commenting.
shalom,’
Rochelle
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Great ending! I felt like I was riding along with them, enjoying the wind in my hair. I totally didn’t see that end coming! Nice story.
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Dear K,
Nice to hear that my story was that real to you. Hope you didn’t experience labor,too. 😉 in any case, thank you for dropping by and saying lovely things.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story – really made me laugh!
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Dear El,
It pleases me to have exchanged laughs with you this week. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a clever title Rochelle. We did several laps around our local Wal Mart the night before our son was born because he was heading for eight days overdue. Sometimes you have to “shake them loose”!
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Dear Joe,
Glad you liked the title. I had some good influence with that. Sometimes those maneuvers work and sometimes they don’t. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not been on a bike, to stir up the muffin. But being sent home because you aren’t quite baked…now that can be a pain. Very cute write.
Raynard may be pale, but he’s got stones. One nestled in his breast bone for a heart. But he’s just riding way to fast for any of us to get a real good look. 🙂
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Dear Jules,
I’ve been sent home before too. Very frustrating. Thanks for dropping by and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I guess if you’ve gotta get there, you use whatever transportation you can find. Nice job.
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Dear Shirley,
The bike ride wasn’t exactly meant for transportation so much as shaking the little guy loose. Glad you liked the story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful. I like stories with symmetry. This begins and ends the same, yet with new meaning in the end. I enjoyed it much.
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Dear Eagleaye,
Love the pen name! Welcome to our little bus, as we call it. I’m happy you enjoyed my story. Thank you for the feedback.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story reminded me of many elements from my own life, though Pete sold his bike a while before the boys appeared in our lives. Great telling and a super twist that made me go ‘Oh’ and re-examine the story – which I love. It’s good to have time this week to be back with Friday Fictioneers (and I even posted on Friday for once as well).
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Dear Anne,
Great to have the Orchards back among us. Half the fun of writing a story like this is the feedback. I enjoy the fact that this has stirred some memories, not only for the mothers in the group, but for the dads as well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I keep hearing stories about women using a bumpy car ride to induce labor. While I intend to never find out if that’s true, I did enjoy the story. Great idea.
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Dear Atiya,
And it seemed a great idea at the time. Son #3 was just too stubborn. The bumpy bike ride didn’t jar him loose.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I saw the title and wondered where you’d take us–and it was to a perfect place. 😉 I know of people who went horseback riding or moved the lawn to induce labor, but a motorcycle? Inspired! Great story.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/siblings/
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Dear Maggie,
Inspired by personal experience ;). Late baby desperation. Thank you for dropping by with such kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely fun story, all the better for being based in truth. I’m glad the ride worked for Natalie.
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Thank you, Sarah Ann.
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Now doesn’t that sound like fun! Even better when based in truth. Excellent!
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Thank you, Jackie. Glad you liked it. It was fun to write and brought back a lot of memories for both my husband and me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Described perfectly.
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Many many thanks. 😀
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If she wasn’t in labor I’m sure she was by the time she got to the hospital after that ride. I felt like I was riding with her.
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Dear Kim,
That was the whole idea. To jolt her into labor. Glad you liked and related.
Shalom
Rochelle
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Lovely story with the most unexpected twist! Even more amazing that it’s based on a true story. I tried to stay away from writing this week but you inspired me to link up. Cheers to that! 🙂
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Dear Nandini,
Happy to inspire. Thanks for your lovely comments. We’ll be reading more of you, right?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Of course!
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One word: OUCH !!!
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😉 The end justified the means.
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Not sure if you’ve seen my blog. Any time you fancy using one of my photos, help yourself 🙂
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Dear Alastair,
I haven’t really looked at your blog other than to read your stories. I appreciated the offer and as Lora, Ted and Janet can tell you I do come by and take my pick.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂 Photography is the main aspect of my blog 🙂
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Dear Rochelle
Loved it, laughed out loud as I remember my sister trying almost the same thing to give her overdue baby a hurry-up. Glad it all ended happily. Great writing
Take care
Dee
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Dear Dee,
Glad you laughed. When you’re desperate even the silliest sounds sublime.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, Rochelle! Even with the title shoving hints in my face, I had no idea where this story was going until the very end – beautiful twist! And you picked out just a few perfect details to keep the story moving – the inviting smile, the lilacs, the bumps and dips, then you scare us with the hospital and immediately turn it into a happy ending. Great story!
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Dear Sharon,
Thanks for the glowing comments. Glad you enjoyed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Girl, that was one wild ride! Great job on this story and a unique take on the prompt.
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Thanks for coming along for the ride, Sandra. And thanks for the glowing comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was fun. I think I have some bugs in my teeth after that ride.
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Glad you liked it JK. Don’t forget to floss. 😉
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Thanks to some good ideas from my FFFriends, I have revised my FF story. Please check it out and see what you think. I enjoyed the process and learned some things along the way… http://tedstrutz.com/2013/04/11/friday-fictioneers-devil-of-a-luck-revised/
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Hi Rochelle
A lovely tale with a tone that perfectly matched the story arc. Also a really great title – all the best flash titles need to work hard and, when reviewed by the reader, add something to the tale. Yours did just that!
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“Yep. Just what the doctor ordered.” Highly questionable but it worked. Good story.
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