WELCOME TO FRIDAY FICTIONEERS.
😀 A hearty congratulations goes out to Madison Woods, Friday Fictioneers creator, who is marrying her beloved on the 22nd of this month! A blessing on your head! Mazel tov! Mazel tov! 😀
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.”
THE CHALLENGE:
Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going a few words over the 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. (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).
- While our name implies “fiction only” it’s perfectly Kosher to write a non-fiction piece as long as it meets the challenge of being a complete story in 100 words.
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- ***PLEASE MAKE NOTE IN YOUR BLOG IF YOU PREFER NOT TO RECEIVE 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 photo and link tool. I enjoy honest comments and relish constructive criticism.
- Shalom,
Rochelle
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Copyright – John Nixon
Genre: Swap Meet
Word count: 99
IF WORDS COULD MAKE WISHES COME TRUE
“This looks real old, Grandpa,” said nine-year-old Noah.
Edmond set down a piano-shaped teapot to look at a dog-eared book his grandson was leafing through. “Well, I’ll be! It’s Tom Swift and his Airship.
“Seventy years ago Pop got me an almost identical copy at a flea market like this. It was old even then.” Edmond took it from him. “His last day of leave. A month later the telegram came from the war department.”
He opened to the first page. The cramped handwriting blurred.
So sweet!
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Dear Satya,
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Brilliantly conceived and executed.
Loved it.
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Dear Elephant,
Your words put a smile on my face. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story grew on me there, as the reality of it all did. A very nostalgic journey in a few words. Quite something to really happen. Great imagination.
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Dear Managua,
Glad you liked my story. It is loosely based on a true story. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very nice story.
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Thank you.
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Oh wow. I really like that. I like the bit you put on the end as well. A lovely ending.
As an aside … you missed the : from John Nixon’s web address
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Dear Al,
I’m glad you liked my story. I hope you caught that the book inscription is the ending and part of the word count.
Thank you for the aside. I think I’ve taken care of the problem.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I did. The fact that it was the exact book. To Eddie from Pop. Makes it all the better 🙂 Truly fantastic
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it’s beautiful. your stories always have an effect on the reader. when i read the message on the book my heart literally twitched.
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Dear KZ,
Mission accomplished. 😉 Thank you for such a heart-twitching comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ll hand over the sweetness baton to you this week. You can have it. I don’t need it anymore. 🙂
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Dear Adam,
I’ll take the sweetness baton this week but maybe not next week.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sometimes used books I buy have messages in them and I enjoy wondering about them. You brought one of these stories to life. 🙂
janet
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😉
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old memories. sentimental and sad. a wonderful story
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Dear Nightlake,
Thank you for your wonderful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A sad story, but with a sense of a happy ending. It seems he might get the chance to read it to his Grandson the way Pop never did to him. Beautiful as usual, Rochelle.
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Dear Jennifer,
This story is based on a true one, although I’ve changed the setting. I think Edmund and Noah will have a good time reading it together. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This was so good Rochelle. It felt so real.
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Dear Joe,
Glad you like it. It is based on a true story. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh boy! Now that’s what I call a super thrift store find! Oh wouldn’t I love to come across something like that one of these days! Great story Rochelle! Loved the way you tied it all together. (Is that actually your book?)
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Dear Linda,
Someone I know did have a similar find at a second hand book shop in Israel. The story stuck with me so when I chose this prompt I felt compelled to recount it in some small way.
The book in the second picture is mine.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another great piece, Rochelle. I love the trip down memory lane. I’ve actually held of copy of Tom Swift books in my hand. They were my Dad’s. Great stories in those. Grandpa seemed mighty cool. Very touching story.
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Dear E. A.
I recently saw a Tom Swift book at a thrift store. Personally, I think Edmund is a very cool grandpa. 😉 Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a sweet story, even though Pop never got to read it to him. I like how you ended the story with the inscription.
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Dear Patti,
I’m glad you picked up on the fact that the inscription is the ending line to my story. And, of course, I’m glad you liked the story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very sweet. I suspect we’ll find a lot of recovered treasures this week!
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Dear Lisa
There has been a lot of sweetness this week. Glad you liked.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Love it!
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Really? Thanks!
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Wonderful post, Rochelle. Love the direction you took, and the photo included. Tugged on my heart.
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Dear Dawn,
Always happy to tug a heart-string or two. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s a mitzvah. And you have a gift. 🙂 dawn
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Rochelle. I loved this story and the tie that bound the hearts of these men, 3 generations of family, through time.
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Dear Dana,
Thank you for your kind words. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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love the world that you enter when you enter a thrift shop. The prompt today was delightful Rochelle. Your reflection one so many would love to have after 70 years
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Dear Leslie,
I often wonder when I go into a thrift shop if I might find something I or my parents might have donated. Glad you liked the prompt and my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The second book, the pic of the open book reminds me of my Great Grandmother’s journal that was so lovingly given to me on my 16th birthing day. I have often taken it out and read it for the joy, the sound of her “voice” (which I do remember as I grew up in her home) giving sage advice, and most of all the recipes that have been passed down for generations before her. It is a great treasure. Now, how to write just that… I can do it, but in under 100 words…that will be a challenge indeed!
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😉
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Always making a memory, that Rochelle. What a terrific serendipitous moment. A pleasure to read, as usual.
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Dear Honie,
I do my best. 😉 As I’ve said before, my story is based on a true story. Always a pleasure to receive such kind comments.
shalom,
Rochelle
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That was so sweet. Made me remember when I used to collect old books, especially those with handwritten notes in them. Always had my imagination going. Excellent story!
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Dear Jackie,
I can only imagine the stories behind those inscriptions. Glad you liked my story.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Tender story, Rochelle, and your use of the inscribed book made it so real. Very nice.
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Dear VB,
Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I did not catch on to the inscription being a part of the word count as mentioned above. Very clever, Rochelle! A lovely and touching story.
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Dear Lynda,
I’m glad that in the end you did get it. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love this story because I always wonder if I’ll come across something I recognize when I’m digging around thrift stores, flea markets, and antique shops. What a treat for Edmond to find a treasured part of his past after so many years! I’m impressed by how you were able to sum up his emotions in such a simple sentence…”The cramped handwriting blurred.” I wanted to give him a hug!
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Dear Michelle,
What a treat for me to receive such a comment. I love it when a story is completely understood. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sentimental piece, loved it 🙂
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Many thanks, Camgal.
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Well up to your usual standard, Rochelle. Sweetly done.
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Dear Sandra,
It’s very nice of you to say so. I hope the onslaught of sweetness this week didn’t send anyone into a diabetic coma. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re an artist how you set up a scene and select words that speak to much more. The last word in the last sentence hit the scene home for me, in that I could easily imagine the boy and grandfather in the store, with the grandfather tearing up.
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Dear Dave,
I’m humbled by your glowing comments. The last sentence is actually the book inscription but if it all worked for you, who am I to complain?;)
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sweet and sad… telling a real story just from an idea… wonderful… memories are that way.
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Dear Björn,
The idea was actually a true story. Glad it rang true for you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What sweet nostalgia.
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Dear JK,
What a sweet comment. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle,
It’s spooky how close our concepts were on this story, though there are differences. Great minds . . . and all that. Ron
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Dear Ron,
Nice that we both saw books. Yes, we do have great minds. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. Thanks for dropping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A gentle tale, full of meanings. Shalom!
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Dear Freya,
Thank you for your comments. Glad you liked.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely story, Rochelle! Plucked my little heartstrings 🙂
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Dear Jan,
I hope the plucking of your heartstrings brought forth a nice melody. Thank you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, I love this, Rochelle. What good luck!
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Dear Amy,
Many thanks for your lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Really so lovely, gave me a shiver. 🙂
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I had one of those “Ahhh . . .” moments right before the screen went blurry.
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Dear Magoo,
Perhaps you should get new glasses. 😉 Always happy to inspire and aaaaaaah moment.
Shalom,
Hanna
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A lovely way to bring things full circle.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/reminiscing/
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Dear Maggie,
And the seasons they go round and round. Thank you for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was a great story – what a lovely ending!
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Dear Draliman,
Thank you for dropping by and leaving such a nice comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful that Edmond found his book again. Your story is so full of un-stated emotion and pulls at the reader’s heartstrings, well mine anyway.
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Dear Sarah,
If ya gotta write a sweet story, go for the heartstrings. Glad it tugged at yours. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aw, Rochelle – you should stop making me cry! Seriously, it’s another well-told and touching little story.
Not particularly seriously, I had to smile a little over “Edmond set down a piano-shaped teapot to look at a dog-eared book” – yes, I know what “dog-eared” means, but the two descriptions side by side made me think of a child’s book with floppy cardboard spaniel ears attached to the cover 😉 . That’s just me and my out-of-control imagination, though.
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Dear Sharon,
You cracked me up with the vision of the floppy-eared book. As for making you cry. No apologies. I simply say, “Thank you. Mission accomplished.”
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well done, once again!
Scott
Mine: http://kindredspirit23.wordpress.com/2013/09/18/friday-fictioneers-ff-good-will-bride-pg13/
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Thank you, Scott. You’re very kind. But then it’s been a sweet week, hasn’t it?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It has!
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One day, my now two year old grandson flips through my books, he’s not going to understand why people bothered printing them when the electronic version is much more convenient and less germy. So sad. Lovely story, Rochelle.
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Dear Mary,
A sad but true commentary. And as much as I love the printed book, I find that the Kindle is great for reading in bed. Technology is both blessing and curse. Thanks for commenting. Glad you liked my story.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
I was fascinated by the possibility of a piano-shaped teapot. I am having trouble picturing this in my mind.
Very sad momento. You spin a fine yarn!
Shalom!
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Dear Terry,
Actually the piano-shaped teapot is more than a possibility. It was a recent reality in a Chicago thrift store. I’m still kicking myself for not taking a picture of it.
Thank you for your fine compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a lovely story. A great way to finish it with the photo of the book!
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Dear Steve,
Thanks for dropping by and commenting. 😀
shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful story.
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Many thanks, Shirley.
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I love the twist. 🙂
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Dear Melissa,
Nice to see you back. 😉 I love a good twist, too. Glad you liked mine.
shalom,
Rochelle
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