WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS.
As always, writers are encouraged to be as innovative as possible with the prompt and 100 word constraints.
Henry David Thoreau said it best.
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
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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 follows the prompt for those who might be distracted by reading a story before writing their own . I enjoy your comments.
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Copyright-Ted Strutz
Genre: Literary Fiction
Word Count: 100
HANAI
I met Kevin online. Our connection began with shared interests and blossomed into more.
“You should visit in person,” said my sister.
“Fat chance. He’s in Hawaii, I’m in Nebraska.”
Last week I received an airline ticket.
“Next Saturday. Icon Grill. Seattle.
Aloha,
Kevin.”
_______________________
He slides into the booth across from me. “You bring it?”
From my purse I take a faded photograph of twins, a boy and a girl. Korean War orphans. I’ve carried it for forty years.
His almond-shaped eyes crinkle as he fishes an identical photo from his wallet.
“Jah-meh, I always hoped to find you.”
*Jah-meh – Korean for sister
Really good! I like it.
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Thank you, Catherine.
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Enjoyed this, brought a tear to my eye.
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Always nice to hear when a story evokes emotion, Rose. Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s an awesome story 🙂
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High praise. Thank you Aliastair.
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🙂
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What a story! Loved it! 🙂
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Many thanks, Ankita.
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A beautiful connection. A very nice story of these two finding each other.
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Dear Dave,
So many reconnections through social media these days. Glad you liked it.
shalom,
Rochelle
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So touching Rochelle. I am sure there has been many of these kind of meetings over the years. You tell such a rich story.
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Dear Joe,
With the rise of social media, I’ve heard more than one similar story on the news. So I decided to add my 2 cent’s worth. Glad you like it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s the kind of reunion you want to hear about
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Same here…and fun to write about.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Poignant – and particularly relevant to all of us…incredible separations caused by that unspeakable but also very immature regime. You kept the suspense to the last second! Masterful..
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Dear Managua,
Thank you for coming by with your wonderful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I was “found” on the internet by my Brother whom I had not seen in almost 25 years. This story brought our reunion back to me. Just lovely..Thank-you.
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Thank you for sharing your story. I never tire of hearing when a piece of fiction I’ve written resonates as someone else’s reality.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s so sweet. It’s interesting that my story is about a search too. I like the Korean in there.
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Glad you like it, David. It’s one of those stories that came together quickly.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I began the story thinking ‘online dating’, but you had a twist, and you did it in only 100 words! A well crafted and heartwarming story.
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You went where I wanted you to go, Lynda. Thank you for your kind words.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
This little story makes my heart soar. I’m an adoptee that has a sibling out there in this big bad world. You’ve no idea the joy it would bring me to have us find each other. Your prose brought a tear to my eye along with a tiny glimmer of hope. Thank you my dear. Very much.
Fondly,
Renee
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Dear Lilac Lady,
Your comments also make my heart soar. I believe you mentioned you were adopted once before on a story I wrote. I hope you find your sibling one day. Stranger things have been known to happen.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your comments back make my heart do the same. I hope you know that. I’m taking a break from my blog. My words have dried up. I’m so very sad…. I’ll still do FF. Not this week, but for next Friday. It’s tough on us passionate ones. We always seem to hurt the most. Don’t we?
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It’s good to take a break once in a while. The artist’s gift is also our curse. To truly convey deep emotion we must first feel it.
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Good to see you in the modern world, Rochelle, although yours are my favourite kind of history lessons!
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Every so often I make a visit to the present, Jen. Although I don’t think my husband is quite so sure of that. 😉
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This was lovely, darling. I’ve read it and re-read it several times now it’s just so touching.
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Thank you. Compliments don’t get much better than that.
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You made excellent use of your 100 words and gave us a story that spanned many years and a multitude of emotions. I hope your FB page wasn’t changed to Korean!! 🙂
janet
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Dear Janet,
i appreciate you’re coming by and reading. Happy you liked it. So far my FB page is behaving and speaking my language.
shalom,
Rochelle
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You pulled a lovely, heartwarming story from this picture and that red booth! 😀
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Thank you, Linda. Happy you liked it.
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What a great story. I have friends who are adopted and some really want to get down into their roots and others that seem to think the opposite. Nevertheless it’s a very sweet story that made me warm inside.
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There are a lot of different situations and stories out there. Glad you liked my story Bjorn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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While not a twin – I have a brother who I had to wait a long time to meet. So I really like this.
I’d add my photo icon but I’m not sure how. Someone helped me last week – Thank you.
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I’m pleased you related to my story, Jules.
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Very sweet, Rochelle.
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Thank you, Lisa.
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Rochelle, every week you manage to infuse your stories with so much emotion and feeling. This one being no exception, so very well done! Thank you, Penny
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Thank you for the lovely compliments, Penny.
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Yeah what Penny said ^^^
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What I said to Penny.
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🙂
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Aww . . . I love happy endings. A great tale from a great storyteller – as always.
Yours truly,
Brain Surgeon
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A sweet compliment, Dr. Humor.
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I love the surprise with this, while figuring at first that it would be a date. Very nice story and reminder that connections can be found everywhere.
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Amazing how the internet has broadened our horizons and shrunk our world, eh, Sheila? Happy you went where I wanted you to go and liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Funny, you don’t look Kore-ish.
Good quick tale. Randy
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Kore-ish on my great uncle’s mother’s side. 😉 Glad you liked it, Randy.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a wonderful and creative story. Love to read about hopeful things like families reuniting.
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Thank you.
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wow. you’re really great at these.. stories that are very real and touch the heart…
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Thank you, KZ. I really love writing them.
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A very sweet story. I assumed the man and woman were late teenagers or early 20s until I got to the end — surprise!!
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Always happy to surprise, Ed. Glad you came by to comment.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a lovely story from the prompt…an ideal meeting place!
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From what Ted says I’d like to see this place in person. Thank you for you nice comments, Maggie.
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Lovely story, makes me smile.
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Happy to give you a smile, Lily.
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Clever story, well written, very well developed.
Loved it.
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Many thanks, Elephant.
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Great story, Rochelle; I didn’t expect that at all. Always rewarding to visit your Fictioneering. 🙂
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Glad you came by, Joanna.
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A lovely tale Rochelle. Gives one hope that on the web of life, we will all eventually find who we’re supposed to and need to =)
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Dear Troy,
I believe as long as we’re breathing there’s hope. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A touching story, Rochelle, and a personal one for some of the Fictioneers. Well conceived and well written.
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Many thanks, V.B.
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Hell, Rochelle… once again you blow me away with your story! There will be lots of meetings at the Icon Grill this Friday I am sure… maybe none this touching.
Glad you liked my photo. It will be fun to read the stories. I saw you used my photo when Janet tagged me on facebook and her story appeared on my page… almost moved to tears by that one, she will be hard to beat. Instead of a story this week, I will tell our friends a little about the Icon.
My life of late has been hectic with a combination of work and the end of my daughter’s Fast Pitch Softball season. She is a junior at Friday Harbor High School, and I go to all her games and take pics for them to have. That involves a lot of trips to the mainland and travel. My writing time has suffered, but it’s not only the writing time, but the time to read everyone else’s stories… and that does go hand in hand. I try to keep up with my faves, and this week plan to read all the stories.
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Oops… Major Typo Dept I meant my Granddaughter not my daughter. Oh, to be that young again. The funny thing. While Isabel is not a ‘spitting image’ of my daughter Ashley, when she is at bat concentrating on the pitcher, I see Ashley under that batting helmet. Ashley’s baseball career ended at 12, when I took her to the Emergency Room with a broken wrist, obtained sliding into Home Plate… Isabel plays with the same intensity.
You can see her under that batting helmet on my facebook page. Other pics of the girls in a couple albums are there too.
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Hey Rochelle,
Nothing like a good rainy day to bring me indoors….been busy. Just glad to have a few moments to read some of the stories this week. A great job as always. At first I thought you were going to meet up with Doug. I think I dropped out of this thing last April only to come back in September when I had more time. I hope to find the time to squeeze a few stories in this summer. Well I enjoyed you touching story and I hope to catch up soon.
Tom
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Hey, Tom… I did the same thing last year. Trying to do the same as you this year… you know how badly everyone will miss us!
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Oh, btw, the ‘Doug’ comment is Priceless!!!!!
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🙂
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I am sure they will be fine without me….Have fun out there Ted. I will try and stop in once and awhile….I always enjoy your work.
Tom
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Someone will miss both youse guys…ME.
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Hi Tom,
Glad you had time to swing by. I know you’ve been busy and I’ve missed you. I’m pleased that you liked my story. Me? Meet up with Doug? I have no idea what you’re talking about. In any case it’s nice that you went for the bait. I’ll look forward to stories from you this summer. Best wishes in your current endeavors.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A heart warming story 🙂
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😀
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A really lovely story Rochelle. I enjoyed it.
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Always lovely to hear, Sandra.
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Rochelle, this is beautiful! I was sucked into what I thought was a budding romance and was pleasantly surprised by the twist. (Also, my apologies to the other Fictioneers that I don’t comment on this week; I’m working on a deadline and hope to be more freed up in coming weeks!)
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Dear Kristin,
All the best to you on reaching your deadline. Glad my story took you where I wanted you to go. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I always enjoy the beautiful way you combine history and love. Wonderful!
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A sweet tale, rich in emotion and with a great twist.
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Such a sweet, heartwarming story. You touched my heartstrings in very few words. That takes talent. I really loved this.
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Dear E. A.
How kind of you to say so. Thank you for your heartwarming comments.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh that was wonderful!! I loved the twist too!
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Thank you, Pam. I enjoy a good twist at the end. Keeps the reader on his or her toes.
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My story of the photo is up… http://tedstrutz.com/2013/05/09/friday-fictioneers-the-icon-grill/
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Makes me want to visit, Ted.
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Beautiful. Moving. A great read. Something to mull over.
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A great compliment. Thank you.
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Reblogged this on The Cheese Whines and commented:
This was a wonderful little story with a surprise ending.
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Thank you, Cie. A reblog is a high compliment indeed.
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Such a heart warming story Rochelle, loved it
Dee
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Thank you, Dee.
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Loved the subtle twist and the theme of connection – really lovely story!
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Thank you Erin. I happy you enjoyed it. I had a lot of fun writing this one.
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Ah, very nice, and a wonderfully happy ending. You capture the history so deftly.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/if-at-first-you-dont-succeed/
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Happy you liked it Maggie. Thank you for your kind words.
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Very sweet. They’ve come a long way to get to this reunion in more than one way.
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A long way indeed. Thank you, Pete.
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Beautiful story beautifully done. In this day and age, naturally the first thought the reader has is a match from a “singles” website. You keep the suspense just right until the description of the photograph. Perfect.
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Dear Sandra,
Thank you for your kind words. Of course it was my intent for the reader to believe this was about two singles who met online. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent! Now go write the rest! Five out of five stars on Amazon.
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Thank you, kind sir. Friday Fictioneers is good for fodder for a long time to come.
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Hi Rochelle
You’ve led me down the garden path again – I thought it was one thing, and it turned out to be something else entirely. I love the Korean spin on this, especially the crinkling of his almond eyes. Great stuff!
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Dear EL,
Glad you kept me company on the garden path. My pleasure, as always, to lead you there. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve sooo missed everyone. Been away with my terminally ill fatherinlaw. He’s going into the nursing home this weekend, so finally, Mom has realized that he can’t be cared for at home any longer. It’s bad. That said, I’ve been spending the endless hours of sitting working on some writing that I haven’t gotten posted yet. Will give the pic above a try…
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Sorry for all of you. That has to be a very difficult situation!! All the best with it.
janet
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Thanks, Sustain. It is a difficult time, no doubt. Just stepping one small step at a time, and writing one word at a time, too.
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Love it. So beautiful!
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/05/09/friday-fictioneers-5102013-genre-horror-humor-pg13/
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Thank you, Scott.
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Well done as always! I love happy endings 🙂
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Dear Jackie,
I love happy endings, too. Sometimes I even wright one. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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hi Rochelle — a good story as always.
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As always, thank you, Bill. Missed your writing this week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You always fool me at the end. Another heart-felt story well-told!
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Dear Perry,
Always happy to fool you and glad you liked it.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely flash, with a perfect twist – you are talented in this genre.
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Thank you, Neens. Lovely of you to say so.
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Hi Rochelle,
I liked this. It’s a poignant story (with a happy ending, I hope) and it has an historical dimension which appeals to me. One thing snagged – the narrator refers to her “sister” in the first section. Then you conclude by telling us “Jah-meh” means sister. Isn’t this a bit too many sisters? The first could just as easily be “my girl-friend”. Not meaning to be negative – it’s just how it struck me.
Cheers, and thanks for curating Fictioneers,
John
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Dear John,
Yes, I see this as a happy ending. As for the perceived snag, all comments are welcome. In this case it’s intentional. I could’ve said “adopted sister” but that would’ve been a giveaway. and, you’re right I could’ve said “girl-friend.” Good point. Perhaps at some point, when my stories go into print, I’ll take the change into consideration.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story – I thought it was going to be a typical couple pickup (with disasterous consequences etc.), but it ends up filled with hope and a beautiful ending.
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Dear Roger,
Haven’t seen you around for some time. Glad you swung by and liked my story. I never get tired of hearing that a reader went in the right directions. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this story – it is so poignant and touching.
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Thank you, Sarah.Keep your eye out for tomorrow’s prompt. 😉
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