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.”
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 welcome constructive criticism. 
- Shalom,
Rochelle
Copyright – Sandra Crook
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 99
ROSE OF SHARON
Annetta’s blonde hair, blue eyes, and well-turned figure kept her alive for the worst part of two years at Ravensbrück.
A year after the liberation, she accepted an invitation from Gershom, a Treblinka survivor, to join him and his friends in Palestine.
At Kibbutz Ein HaNatziv they planted olive trees. Amid the date palms Annetta felt her spirit revive.
One day while strolling through Beit She’an’s ancient ruins, Gershom led her to sit on one of the amphitheater’s stone steps and then knelt. “Marry me.”
“You’d marry a…whore?”
“No…you…” With calloused hands he caressed her cheeks. “…are altogether lovely.”
.
.
.
For the history behind my pound of fiction click here.
Ancient amphitheater in Beit She’an, Israel.
Copyright- Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Founders of Kibbutz Ein HaNatziv- 1946
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
FRIDAY IS MY BIRTH
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Happy Birthday.
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Excellent; social commentary of a more profound nature than mine. A diverse take on the prompt photo, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
Your comments mean a lot. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for the lovely picture. 😉
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Your normal very high standard, Rochelle.
Beautifully crafted as ever.
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Many thanks to you, Kind Sir.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
this a very sweet story of renewal and putting the past away. I love how your stories are often rooted in history. I’ve learned a lot by reading your Fictioneer stories. Thank you.
-David
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Dear David,
As I’ve come to an age where my personal memories are written in history books, I’ve come to appreciate history more. Honestly, when I was a in school I slept through history and social studies classes. Guess I’m making up for lost time and learning all I can. If I’ve taught someone else along the way, so much the better.
Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A beautiful and profound story, Rochelle. 🙂
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Dear Celestine,
Thank you. It’s lovely to see you here,
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, this piece is alive with history and personality. I want so much to stop and read the history lesson on your link… hopefully when Sebastian’s asleep I’ll get time!
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Dear Jennifer,
There’s always time to go back and read the link. Not a happy one for sure. Thank you for the glowing comment. I”m warmed by it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The idea of her being a whore is just not possible, whatever her personal thoughts are. Well-penned.
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Dear Managua,
No argument there. Annetta’s a survivor. I’m pleased you liked my story.
shalom,
Rochelle
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You have a treasure of stories, darling, and this is a jewel. I did go and read the article you linked to, and it made me cry. Thank you for this.
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Dear Helena,
Incomprehensible that such things actually happened, isn’t it? I cried when I read the article, too. Heaven help us when we read such things and feel nothing. Thank you for your kind words, darling. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story is lovely as well, a testimony to the power of love and survival.
janet
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Dear Janet,
The will to survive is amazing, isn’t it? It makes me wonder what I’d do in a similar situation.
Thank you for your lovely words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reblogged this on Bastet and Sekhmet's Library and commented:
It’s nearly Friday Fictoneers time!!!
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Moving story, and moving history. I love the way you craft such moving stories, and then tell us what it stems from. As a Jewish mother, I got this, and was touched anyway… but the history is fascinating. That first line: “Annetta’s blonde hair, blue eyes, and well-turned figure kept her alive for the worst part of two years at Ravensbrück,” is gorgeous, and really packs a punch!
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Dear Dawn,
It thrills me that you fully understood my intentions. The Holocaust has been woven into the warp and woof of our people, hasn’t it? I grew up with the admonition, “Never forget what ‘they’ did to ‘us’.
Thank you for your insightful comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I didn’t grow up with it, but in raising a Jewish family, it’s become part of the fabric of my life, integral to my husband and children. Powerful stuff.
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You’ve just outdone yourself with this one Rochelle. And oh that last line!! 😀
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Dear Linda,
Your words make me smile. As for the last line, special thanks go to King Solomon. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beauty…amid the ruins. A lovely message… 🙂
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Dear Millie,
“Beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning.” Thank for your lovely words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle. This was lovely,tender and melancholy. Just how I take my romance. 🙂
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Dear Dana,
Many thanks for your lovely words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So sweet. Everybody needs love, and it looks like she found it at last, in planting trees and calloused hands. Love the background you created in this.
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Dear E. A.
I’m pleased that you liked my story. I love it when characters write themselves into my heart. Annetta and Gershom did just that. Thanks for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful
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Thank you, Helen. 😀
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Great story as always and interesting research. No wonder you’re the boss!
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Dear Perry,
No Rich Voza’s the boss. 😉 Oh wait you weren’t calling me Springsteen. Thanks for commenting. Love the research.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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beautiful.
and i loved the way hugmamma said it “Beauty…amid the ruins.” 🙂
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Dear KZ,
Thanks as always for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This story is so positive.. after all those disasters. Tenderly and still hinting enough of a stark background, very good.
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Dear Björn,
Every so often, a happy ending is called for. I can’t imagine the courage it would take to rise above such trauma. Thank you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I was not anticipating a love story, but I do admit love stories go well with black coffee on rainy Thursday morns.
Thank you for sharing.
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Sad what some had to do to survive – and then live with themselves afterword. I remember reading Exodus when it came out. That was the first I knew of the holocaust. My parents never talked about it. I remember thinking that I would have survived cause I was so cute, being so naive at the time that I did not realise what it really meant, me with my green eyes and chestnut hair… Lovely story.
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Dear Lindaura,
It’s funny how some parents swept everything under the rug while others, like mine, made sure that we’d never forget. Incidentally, one of my aunts was a blue-eyed blonde. Thank you coming by with your comments. You made me smile.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear JK,
Black coffee goes well with anything in the morning. 😉 An occasional love story is good for the soul. Thanks for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for sharing your historical stories, Rochelle, lest we forget, or–for some of us–would never have known. It is hard to imagine how cruel mankind can be.
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Dear Patti,
We must never forget. History’s my passion and I’m happy to share. 😉 Thank you for your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is beautiful Rochelle. You have put so much depth into these characters in just 100 words. Amazing!
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Many thanks for the high praise, Joe.
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My pleasure!
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Dear Chi Chi,
I echo Bjorn’s comment. This is a very positive story. The past is simply that. Everyone is worthy of love. – Hans
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Dear Hans,
Every so often I have to write a happy ending. 😉 Glad you liked.
Shalom,
Chi Chi
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People have to survive. We cannot condemn. These stories must be told.
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Dear Patrick,
In my opinion, all of the Annettas out there are to be commended and this is why I tell their stories. Thank you for your affirming and insightful comments.
shalom,
Rochelle
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She was never a whore, but a victim of an unspeakable crime. He understood. Your link was worse than harrowing. Ann
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Dear Ann,
Of course she wasn’t. Thank you for your insightful comments. I agree the link is horrible…horrible because it’s true. The truth of it is that Annetta most likely would’ve been used up and killed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My views might be radical, but I believe those poor women did the honourable thing of striving to stay alive. I think all prostitutes are victims, actually, even those who say they like doing it for reasons a/b/c. There was a TV series a while back, about a ‘high-class’ ‘call girl’, starring Billie Piper, which glamourised the sex ‘business’. It made me really angry. Ann
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No argument here, Ann. 😉
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I agree with Patrick. There is no shame in doing what one must in order to survive. I’m glad Gershom understood that! Thank you for your stories; I’ve learned a lot from them.
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Dear Danny,
I can receive no greater compliment. I’m happy to pass on the knowledge that I gain through research. Thank you for your kind words. And of course Annetta has done nothing wrong.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very touching story…it’s good when vision goes beyond surficial happenstance, thanks for this wise story.
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Dear Georgia,
Your comments on and reblogging of my story warm me. Because Gershom had most likely been through his own set of horrors he saw Annetta’s true soul. Glad you liked it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome, and very likely it is as you say…and I didn’t like it…I loved it! Peace, Georgia
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I loved this, and I admire the way you merge history into your stories.
It’s amazing how you give your characters such depth in only 100 words!
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Dear Draliman,
History is my passion. Anytime I can weave it into a story I’m there. Glad you came along for the ride. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Your story melted my sparkly heart. Sometimes the love of another changes our entire history. We forget who we were and become more than we ever expected to be. That love can come from someone else, or it can even be when we find that love within ourselves. Thank you for a wonderful story.
Love,
Renee
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Dear Renee,
Thank you for your sparkly, if not insightful, comments. You caught the main point of the story. Gershom’s love and care is what saves Annetta from a life of self pity.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s the beauty of unconditional love. It doesn’t erase our brokenness, but heals us like a reset bone. Once it has been healed completely, it is stronger than before the break.
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Sad and lovely. What it took to survive those places was inconceivable. The redemption here of two survivors is a beautiful thing and well told. Mazel tov to the happy couple.
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Dear Erin,
I can write all I want to on the subject but I truly have no idea what it was like. Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely story!
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Thank you, Barbara. 😀
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Rochelle, your writing always draws me in, and I love that you educate me along the way. I had no idea. But then, it appears that most don’t know.
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Dear Lynda,
There are so many untold stories. Even though this dark blight on history was a fact that I grew up with, I’m still learning. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love a happy ending. One never knows what one will do under certain circumstances. The will to survive is strong. I also love the history lessons as I never paid much attention in class either. Now it’s much more interesting. I love learning.
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Dear Jackie,
With more of my personal memories ensconced in the current history books, I find myself wanting to know more. I can’t imagine what I would do under similar circumstances. Terrifying. Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What an amazing story, Rochelle. I love your historical fiction. It’s such a treat and a learning experience, too!
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Dear Amy,
Your comments make me smile. Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle,
There’s so much backstory in that one word toward the end of your story. Pretty amazing. ron
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Dear Ron,
I’m curious to know which word you refer to. In any case, I’m happy you liked it. Thank you for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Once again your history is harrowing, but there is redemption which lifts us. Thanks.
Here’s mine: http://unexpectedpaths.com/friday-fictioneers/martyr/
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Dear Maggie,
And that is the point for the story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, I finally tried out writing for this. Several of the folks I follow had been encouraging. Hope I did it correctly–please let me know.
Your story takes my breath.
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Okay, I am probably being dense, but I don’t see the timing in any of the instructions I can find right now. I thought this competition closed sometimes on Sunday. But I am uncertain.
Is it still open? If so, I finally wrote something, but didn’t want to enter when I was not sure of the timing.
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Dear Charles,
First this is not a competition. The link up closes Tuesday evening so you still have time.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you Rochelle. Apologies for misstatement.
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dear Rochelle, sitting here crying…what a wonderful story. Thanks for the link to the article in “Spiegel online”, I found it in German then. Again one of those things that are forgotten as long as somebody comes and digs them out…
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Dear Carmen,
Your comment means a lot to me. While we should never forget, there’s a lot of forgiveness to be offered on my side of the fence. Now I am crying.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
it´s the same for me – I am very happy you answered on my comment…
maybe it´s the chance for us, who are born after ww2, to break down fences. We can meet peacefully and with love and respect for each other.
Liebe Grüße
Carmen
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Dear Rochelle
A truly uplifting story. I love the things I learn from your knowledge and research.
A dark, horrific time that blighted generations on both sides of the conflict for vastly differing reasons. The world must never forget that mankind is capable of such utter evil. It still goes on under a different name.
Take care
Dee
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Dear Dee,
It is horrifying to see what mankind is capable of. And just when you think you’ve heard them all and it couldn’t get any worse, another comes along to prove you wrong.
In any case, I’m glad you’re back and that you liked my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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