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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😦 Note: Please limit your entries to 100 word stories that pertain in some way to the prompt, Last week I pulled two links that had nothing to do with Friday Fictioneers. 😦
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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. However, I respectfully ask for your consideration. Please refrain from taking the liberty of posting 200 words or more as a Friday Fictioneers story. Thank you.)
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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- Like us on Facebook
- My story follows the photo and link tool. I enjoy honest comments and relish constructive criticism.
- Shalom,
Rochelle
For posting and linking tutorial click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkHVLkS3mH4
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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 99
IN BOND SHIPMENT
With a wary glance over her shoulder, Laura rushed into the general store, her lungs burning. She thrust a basket into the shopkeeper’s arms.
“Hold this until the train comes.” She dropped a dollar on the counter. “I’ve more if necessary.”
Just then, a barrel-chested man with savage blue eyes burst in, cracked a horsewhip and bellowed, “That’s my property. This Quaker witch is a thief!”
A calm smile on his face, the shopkeeper reached into the basket and caressed the mulatto infant’s light-brown cheek. “Your son, sir?”
“How dare you!”
The shopkeeper winked at Laura. “No charge, Mrs. Haviland.”
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A GLIMPSE INTO MY PROCESS
Renee snapped this week’s photo in Tecumseh, Michigan where she lives. By the architecture I could tell that the building is old. How old I wasn’t sure but looks like 19th century. So I began the journey on the Google super highway which led me to the Underground Railroad. Tecumseh, for the most part, was anti-slavery and helped many an African American on the journey to freedom. Among these unsung heroes was Laura Smith Haviland. A champion abolitionist, she did have some slave owners angrily on her trail. To Tecumseh’s credit, there’s no record of any escaped slave ever being returned to his or her owners.
For more info on this courageous lady click here.
I love how you weave history and flash fiction together in a storytelling delight! I can imagine you reading your tales out loud. Loved this photo – it took my mind to so many places instantly and I can’t believe I have made it in first this week! Shock! Horror! Be back to read more later! x
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It’s early morning here, Neen. Glad you liked the story and happy to know it reads well. It is a delightful photo…so much going on.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well I doubt I will ever be 1st again 😉 so enjoying being on the reader at the same time as your post today! Great photo – was loving it before I realised it was even attached to your blog or FF… then as I copied and pasted I saw her…. and I nearly called her Laura too – how strange! 😉
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A great look at history from a more personal angle. Your story reminds me of “Desiree’s Baby”.
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Dear Gabriella,
This bit of history took me by surprise in my research. I love it when that happens. I’m happy that it worked. I’ve never heard of “Desiree’s Baby”. I’ll have to look it up.
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It ia a short story by Kate Chopin. I’m sure you’d like it.
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I’ll look it up
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Rochelle, I love the personality you have infused into your characters, even in this short of a space. They all seem so vivid. The shopkeeper is my favorite character. 🙂
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Dear David,
I’m smiling. I have a very clear picture in my head of what he looks like. One of those calm, wry sorts who sees things as they are and doesn’t say more than necessary. Glad you liked him. Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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What a lovely story! Really very sharp too. Love these short short stories! 🙂
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Many thanks, Bastet. I love to write them. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Just a question..do we use the photo as a prompt or do we just write want we want using 100 words? I’m afraid I haven’t quite caught on to this yet.
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Dear Bastet,
I’m glad you asked. The photo is to be used as a prompt. I always encourage writers to write what the photo says to them, not necessarily what they see in the picture. Hope that makes sense.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good…I did the last times I posted a Friday Fictioneer post, but then I wasn’t sure I done it correctly…thanks.
Peace to you too,
Georgia.
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I see the shopkeeper looking like Johnathon Garvey, Merlin Olsen’s character in “Little House on the Prairie.” What a lovely story! I’ve sometimes wondered how you decide where to start you research, but I realize that you have the information on where the photo took place, something we don’t see, to provide that jumping-off point–no supernatural powers involved. 🙂 You always make the most of your words.
janet
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Dear Janet,
Honestly had to dig deep for this one. I surmised that since Renee took the picture and lives in Tecumseh, MI that could be where she snapped it. From there the rest is…um…well…history ;). Finding the underground railroad connection was one of those serendipities I always hope for.
Yes, I could see Jonathan Garvey as the shopkeeper with a twinkle in his eye as he thwarted the efforts of the slave owner.
Thank you for taking time out from your vacation to read and comment. Now go relax!
shalom,
Rochelle
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Fun photo, lovely story. As others have said, I love how you weave history with fiction so gracefully.
Looking forward to writing something later today…
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Dear Lisa,
Thank you. I’m happy you liked it. My favorite genre’s no secret, is it?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story, Rochelle–lots of action for a short number of words successfully tempered by a calm, no-nonsense ending.
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Dear VB.
Thank you for your words.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I always feel a little bit ashamed when I read your stories, Rochelle. You put so much thought into all of them! I just go with whatever pops into my head!
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Dear MissKZebra,
It starts with something popping into my head first, I just spend a couple of days editing and tightening. When the story warrants I research to make sure I’m not just blowing smoke and steam. Don’t be ashamed…just keep at it. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is a great little story, Rochelle. You really did pack a lot into your 100 words.
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Dear Patti,
I’m pleased that you liked it. Thank you for coming by with your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Like so many stories of resistance, the Underground Railroad is a part of American history which creates such a mixed impression of admiration and distaste (for what they are running from). You give us a glimpse of both sides in this little piece – nicely woven together into 100 words.
My only query is the line “I’ve more if necessary”. When I read it first time, I thought this referred to the contents of the basket, rather than the money. I don’t know if there’s a tweak you could do to make that clearer. Or maybe I just need to read more slowly.
Oh, and I enjoyed the glimpse into your process too!
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Dear Jen,
Slavery is such an ugly slice of American history and when my research path led me there I couldn’t resist.
I’ll give the line some thought, I do have one more word and could add “money” to the sentence. Although when I went back and read it it seemed clear to me. In any case I appreciate the honest crit.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Awesome. The tale becomes even more engrossing when I read the history behind it. I loved the shopkeeper’s reply, “Your son, sir?” Priceless!
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Dear E. A.
So happy you liked my story. It seems my shopkeeper took on a life of his own. As an author I love it.
Thanks for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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another winning piece of historical fiction. i really admire how you put so much research in your work and how you manage to say a lot about your characters without actually describing them too much, wonderful skill. 🙂
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Dear KZ,
Many thanks for your glowing compliments. I’m warmed by them. Always happy to impart knowledge as I am learning. As writers we are both teacher and student. Glad you dropped by my classroom.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely piece Rochelle especially knowing the context of your tale.
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Dear Summerstommy,
I’m glad you liked it. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful, life-affirming and enlightening story–as always!
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Dear Jan,
Many thanks for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle,
Great job of connecting your story to the history of Tecumseh. I went with the Tecumseh connection also, though I took a totally different direction. Ron
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Dear Ron,
I found Tecumseh’s history quite interesting. There were plenty of directions to go, but when I found the tidbits about the underground railroad I was hooked. Happy you liked my story and took the time to comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle your delivery is flawless. I am amazed at the depth of your skill in bringing historical subjects into our weekly habit. Good show.
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Dear Joe,
What sweet words. Nice to read and happy to be part of someone’s habit. Thank you!
shalom,
Rochelle
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wow !
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😀
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Great story Rochelle — I loved the shopkeeper’s line “Your son sir?”.
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Dear Ed,
Always nice to see you here with comments. Glad you liked it. My shopkeeper took even me by surprise and stole the story from Mrs. Haviland. Who knew? 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Amazed, entertained and educated. Wonderful stuff. Thank you.
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Dear Jules,
Pleased, complimented and happy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very clever Rochelle – I really loved hearing about your thought processes, and the historical context of the story…
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Dear Valerie,
I love it that you came by, read and commented. Thank you. Historical fiction is a particular favorite of mine.
shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great history lesson and a take I never ever would thought about. Terrific job as always!
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Dear Perry,
This story wasn’t my first thought for sure. I just followed the threads. Glad you liked it.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love that we get to learn something new about a particular person in history. She was a feisty woman, surely.
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Dear Freya,
Apparently she was a tigress. I would love to have met her.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh yes! So would I! In a ‘she scares the pants off me, but I like it’ kind of a way!
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Always go here to learn something new…this was just awesome.
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Dear Björn,
Thank you for your high praise.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Gosh. This one hit me deeply. Very vivid and emotional piece, Rochelle.
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Dear Rachael,
It pleases me to know that my story touched you. Thank you for letting me know.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well done, Rochelle. I never would have connected this character to the picture. I love your connection to history, and telling of such an unexpected tale. That’s what I love about this group, too.
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Dear Amy,
Google is a wonderful tool. I wish it had been around when I was in school or, for that matter, that I’d given a second thought to history. Better late than never, right. I didn’t know about Laura Smith Haviland until this past week. Now I will never forget her. Glad you like it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Pluperfect.
Aloha,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
Mahalo.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Once again, you present a scene from a powerful part of history… you do such a good job writing historical fiction, Rochelle.
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Dear Dave,
It’s nice of you to say so. Thank you for coming by.
shalom,
Rochelle
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That the Underground Railroad existed is one of my favourite historical facts. I love the snapshot you’ve delivered with both tension and bravery.
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Dear Denmother,
I didn’t know how far the underground railroad reached. It’s been a learning experience for me. Thank you so much for coming by with your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A wonderful glimpse into the work of many unknown and unsung heroes.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/prima-ballerina/
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Thank you, Maggie. Glad you liked it.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Courage in the midst of fear, compassion trumping ignorance. A story I would like to hear more often – impeccable as always, Rochelle!
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Dear Troy,
In following the thread that led to Laura S. Haviland, I read others that were equally compelling. True heroes we read little of in the history books. thank for your comments.
shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the historical colour and texture to this story. It makes it all the more original.
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Dear Ann,
Many thanks.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Welcome.
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Brilliant moment – that touch – both of your ‘pen’ and store owner, but so tragic, the racism that pervaded our history – therefore so important stories like these are read.
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Dear Managua,
I agree that stories like this shouldn’t be forgotten. For every piece of fiction there are more that are tragic and true. Thank you for dropping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fantastic inspiration from this little snap. a real story with real sentiments and a feeling of danger – and your taking us all on the google highway to the Underground Railway was a wonderful addition.
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Dear Lindaura,
Thank you for your warm comments. I’m often asked how I arrive at some of my stories that seem to have little or nothing to do with the prompt. So I thought it would be fun to show how I got from point A to point B. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent story as usual! Amazing how you got that great story from the picture. 🙂
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Dear Jackie,
It started with the picture and went from there. Thanks for dropping by with your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hope it all turned out ok in the end. A brave woman! Is it part of the story of “The Radical Mrs Hamilton”?
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Just had a read of your “process” so ignore earlier silly comment. Long may Laura Smith H live in our thoughts.
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Dear Patrick,
From this story forward Laura will live in my thoughts. 😉
shalom,
Rochelle
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I love how you focus on the things that are not the center of attention. This is a very neat take on the photo!
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Dear Joseph,
Thank you for your neat comments. 😉
shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
You have woven a lovely piece of history into your story again – I love how you do that. What a brave woman Laura Smith Haviland was, thank you for telling her story too.
Take care
Dee
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I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever work and
reporting! Keep up the great works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to our blogroll.
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