The following photo is the PROMPT. Keep in mind that all photos are the property of the contributor, therefore copyrighted and require express permission to use for purposes other than Friday Fictioneers. Giving credit to whom credit is due is proper etiquette.
Please be considerate and make an effort to stay within the suggested word count.
PHOTO PROMPT – © Al Forbes
Due to schedule, travel and novel writing, my ‘story’ this week is a paragraph from the third novel (in progress) in my trilogy As One Must, One Can, which is due out this year. It’s not a complete story. Thank you for understanding. 
Genre: Historical Fiction
(the year is 1907)
Word Count: 98
AS ONE MUST, ONE CAN – EXCERPT
In Kansas City motor cars were rapidly replacing the horse and buggy. Automobiles went faster and did not eat their weight in hay and oats. Even so, Nikolai preferred the clip-clop of horses’ hooves on pavement to the grinding noises and choking exhaust fumes of modern transportation. It did not matter for he could afford neither car nor carriage. If he could, walking, even in winter, would always be his preferred mode of travel for physical stamina. Tucking his head, he pulled his hat down and his coat collar up to shield his ears from the frigid wind.
Nikolai Derevenko – Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Sunday, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by David Clarke of Blog Talk Radio. The interview is an hour long so you might want to come back to it. 😉
An extra special ‘thank you’ to Amy Reese! Click the link to read her stunning review of Please Say Kaddish for Me.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
I love this Rochelle….I have a feeling that for a person like Nikolai his choices limited he sees his life in the most positive of ways… congratulations on the interview… I will get back and listen. I started reading your book a while ago but got caught up in many other things (I have not read a book in ages).. I hope to finish it and review it soon… 🙂
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Dear Björn,
I love all of my characters–well, maybe not all of them. 😉 But Nikolai is in the top five. He’s full of surprises and easily the most complicated.
I hope you’re able to get back to PSKFM soon. I know how busy life can be.
The interview is an hour long. When I listened to a couple of them, I did it in bytes, a few minutes here and a few minutes there.
Thank you for your kind comments as always.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is a wonderful excerpt, I learned so much about Nikolai in those few sentences. Congratulations on your success, well deserved!
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Dear Loré,
Thank you for such nice comments. Nikolai is a personal favorite of mine.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You paint a picture of a person, a place, and a time so succinctly.
And so graphically.
I bow to this ability, and to your talent.
Bravo on the interview, and the continuing success of your books.
Have a hug!
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Dear CE,
Writing flash fiction with Friday Fictioneers has had a huge impact on my longer works.
Your words warm me.
Thank you for the comments, compliments and hugs.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I haven’t reached that page yet – I’ll be looking out for him now. If my mother lived withint walking distance, or the hospital, or even the shops, I’d do the same as Nikolai!
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Dear Liz,
You won’t reach this page in Please Say Kaddish for Me. 😉 This is from the third in the trilogy, a work in progress.
I love to walk when something is close enough and the weather permits. I walk to the fitness center where I swim whenever possible since it’s only a mile away.
Thank you for reading and commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So I’ll have to buy the other two! Fair enough. Keeping fit will hopefully keep me alive long enough to read them 🙂
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Rochelle, I like Nikolai. From that excerpt I appreciate this man’s character. I almost feel I know him. Congratulations on your recent successes; it must be quite a thrill to be interviewed and reviewed.
Did I say I like the way you write? 🙂
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Dear Carolyn,
Nikolai could very well be my most complex character. He’s a physician and a flautist. By this stage, he’s been through some very hard times.
Thank you for the kudos. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like him more and more. 😀
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An appealing trailer for the third in trilogy. Nicely done. Will you be tempted to continue after this one, do you think?
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Dear Sandra,
I hoped this would read well. Even in posting, I found little things to edit. As for a fourth, I’ve learned never to say never. I thought I was finished with PSKFM but Havah kept whispering in my ear.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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‘Frigid wind’ I love that!
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Thank you, Louise. It most definitely describes Kansas City in November. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good thing I am still reading FSAA, otherwise I’d be bummed to have to wait for the next one… 😉 Though, I shall be done soon enough! Nice trailer!
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Dear Dale,
I’m excited to be writing another novel with the same people. I’m happy you’re reading FSAA and enjoying it. (I read your comments on Amy’s blog).
Thank you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😁
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I think that I will stay away from Kansas in November, but I thought Nikolai sounds an interesting chap.
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Dear Michael,
I’m not too fond of winter in the Midwest. Nikolai is one I consider to be my most complex character. Although this one paragraph doesn’t begin to describe him.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely description of time, place and atmosphere
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Thank you, Michael. 😀
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I was instantly transported to Nikolai’s side. I’m very curious how this fits in with the rest of your novel too!
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Dear Melony,
This is from the third in a series. Please Say Kaddish for Me is the first and From Silt and Ashes the second. Both are available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com and a few other places.
Check them out. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting charactyer. Can’t wait to read your books.
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Thank you, Ansumani. I hope you enjoy my books when you do read them.
Shalom,
Rochelle.
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Dear Rochelle
I love this excerpt, a great taster for the next book. Thoroughly enjoyed the first one, now part way through From Silt and Ashes. I love the way you draw the reader in to this chaotic, sometimes frightening world your characters are inhabiting, the images you create are so vivid.
I like the sound of Nikolai and look forward to finding out more about him.
Thank you
Dee
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PS tried posting my review on the Amazon .com site but it didn’t work. I will try again as Sandra seems to have managed to do it 😐
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Dear Dee,
I’m so pleased that you’re into my second novel. The third one is being a bit of a challenge as, I too, learn more about the characters. They all tend to be full of surprises and I’m quite fond of Nikolai.
As for the Amazon issue, you might ask Sandra. I’m clueless with the review issue. You might just ask Sandra how she did it.
At any rate, thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You know, if I have the time for it, I prefer to walk as well. I think he had it right. Great character study, Rochelle! Congrats on the interview.
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Dear Eric,
I’m also sold on walking. Unfortunately, I live in an area where walking isn’t the most feasible mode of travel. I do walk to the fitness center where I swim whenever I can.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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sometimes, it pays to slow down to appreciate what life has to offer. the faster we go, the more blurry the vision becomes.
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Dear Plaridel,
Good words of wisdom. Thank you for dropping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful character study, and a nice “trailer” for the third book. I’m a walker, like Nicholai, tho this winter the winds haven’t been as frigid as usual.
Congratulations on your interview and review. Hope the rest of the novel writing goes well.
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Dear DH,
Nikolai grew up in Russia so he’s kind of used to winter. I’m a walker also. Slowly but surely, the third novel is happening.
Thank you and Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Aladdin Von Yeti,
I bet Nikolai wishes he had one of your insulated mugs. I’d love to hear your interview, but one hour is a long time without a bathroom break unless you’re wearing the proper protection.
I enjoyed this snippet of your latest project, and especially Amy’s awesome review of “Kaddish” Hopefully, I’ll be able to get an autographed copy of that one next month.
Tommy Tippy, the no-spill blogger
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Dear Tommy Tippy,
Alas, another commitment overrides next month’s conference. 😦 However the author would be happy to autograph and send one or both copies of her novels. 😉
Nikolai is Russian. He can stand up to winter.
Shalom,
Aladdin
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What a great character. You really bring him to life, and his surroundings. Congrats on the interview. 🙂
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Thank you on all counts, Gabriele.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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How times have changed. I often wonder if time travellers from the pre-car era would collapse in a choking heap from our air.
Lovely little snippet of your novel!
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Dear Ali,
From what I understand, the air was pretty well polluted back then. Lots of coal burning stoves and fireplaces. No emissions restrictions. Not to mention poor sewage, waste control and personal hygiene. I guess every era has its pros and cons.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, I didn’t think of that. Pollution is not just a modern phenomenon.
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Nice one Rochelle. For the first time I was going to horse cart etc .which I have seen in childhood. Reading your I have to change, Though your quality of writing is far better. I have read the review of your book, excellent and purchased the book. From tomorrow I’ll start reading. Your sketches are very nice.
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Dear Indira,
Here in certain parts of the Midwest United States there are Amish communities where they still use horse-drawn carriages. Please don’t change what you’re writing.
It makes me happy to know you’re going to be reading my book. 😀
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have started reading it. You draw a beautiful sketch of life. So wonderful writing.
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This is a terrific chapter start. I’m drawn into the story so quickly.
And wow, what a great review. I’m off to purchase it myself now 🙂
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Dear Laurie,
I’ll never get tired of reading that someone’s buying my book. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice excerpt! Feel free to do that more often 🙂
Also, congrats on the interview (though I admit I didn’t listen to it) and Amy’s great review. Kudos!
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Dear Jan,
I just might post excerpts more often as life is filling up. I have a TV interview coming up a week from tomorrow so I’ll be spending some time getting my ducks in line for that.
The radio interview is an hour long and, frankly, I don’t want to listen to it either. 😉 Amy’s review makes me smile and smile some more.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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No apologies necessary. This is delightful and goes well with the prompt.
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Thank you, Alicia. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Even now a days feet are sometimes the most reliable, and certainly the most quiet and least smelly. Well, sometimes. 🙂
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Ageed, Alice. I’m a walker, too. 😉
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Before I could buy a car on my own. I walked everywhere. Still have the legs to prove it! LOL Walking is the best, even today!
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Dear Yolanda Renee,
I didn’t get my driver’s license or first car until I was in my early 20’s. Another story I won’t go into. At any rate, I did a lot of walking and didn’t mind it. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
A story I can relate to. There were many cold, cold days I used to walk with my collar up to my ears to stay warm as I walked to school. We always walked. Cars were a BIG luxury and we didn’t have one for a long, long time. Eventually, it was like a badge of honor in our neighborhood.
Nikolai Derevenko is real. He is every man from those times. I enjoyed your bringing him to life very much. Your protrait is exceptional. Is this a new cover for your book? I like it very much. OR …. was I oblivious to the other. I hope not.
Congratulations on your radio interview. I will be back to listen to it as it is quite late here right now. Just wanted to squeeze my story in.
Have a GREAT weekend …
Abrazos y Besitos, mi amiga
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
This is a very tiny glimpse into Nikolai from the third novel in a series. The cover pictured “Please Say Kaddish for Me” is the first. Not pictured here is “From Silt and Ashes” which is the second.
My parents bought their first car the year I was born. Nonetheless, I like to walk.
Abrazos y shalom,
Rochelle
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Good piece from your book, Rochelle. Your characters always come to vivid life through your writing and art. This was no exception. Well written as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
This is such a tiny snippet of Nikolai that I’m not sure how his actual character comes through but I guess it does say something about him. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, I know your new book is going to be amazing I love the description here – the clip-clop of horses’ hooves on pavement to the grinding noises and choking exhaust fumes of modern transportation…Nice! This illustration of Nikolai, I want to tell you, is really how I pictured him. That’s pretty incredible. How did you do that? Thanks for the mention. It was really my pleasure!
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Dear Amy,
Nikolai is near and dear to my heart. Havah notwithstanding, he’s probably my most complex character. You’ll find out much more about him in From Silt and Ashes and I’m learning more about him in writing As One Must One Can.
Thank you for reading, commenting and writing that stunning review. My agent pinned it and posted it on her website. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I enjoyed his character a lot and he is very complex. I can’t wait to read more about him. I imagine your head must be filled with all these characters. However do you go to sleep at night? Do you dream about them?
You’re so welcome! I’m so excited she pinned the post. Yay! I’m so honored, Rochelle.
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Beautifully written. I can picture it clearly.
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Thank you, Kathy. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’ve piqued my interest for your latest novel already.
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I’m happy to hear that, Dawn. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
congratulations on the interview and good luck on the rest of your book. I can’t say I agree with Nikolai. Although I enjoy walking, I’d rather take a car in the winter. 🙂
-David
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Dear David,
The interview’s a long one and I’m getting mixed reviews. 😉 Live and learn, right?
Maybe a little sour grapes on Nikolai’s part, but I think being a physician, he really does know the benefits of walking. I’m with you though, when it comes to winter–I have a car and I know how to drive it. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I loved this excerpt from your novel-in-progress. Your writing pulled me into the experience of Nikolai, in just that short snippet. Congratulations on your continued writing success. I listened to a section of your interview; fingers crossed for ‘editor’s choice’ selection. I was most intrigued by your comments about Fiddler on the Roof. That play has been a favourite of mine since I played a small part in the chorus as part of a local amateur dramatic society when I was younger. Cheers, Margaret
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Dear Margaret,
How much fun it must’ve been to be part of Fiddler on the Roof! I loved the play and the movie. I’ve seen several renditions of the play and, of course, own the movie. I know most of the songs by heart and a good percentage of the lines. However, FOTR is a very watered down, romanticized version of what the Jews suffered at the hands of the Russians.
Thank you for your comments on my paragraph. Of course, there’s so much more to Nikolai. I think he’s my most complex character in the books and he continues to surprise me. And thank you for taking the time to listen to that somewhat rambling interview. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You can almost feel the biting wind on him. I think in those days, most people would prefer the animal drawn carriages to the ones that seemed to have no control.
Thanks very much for using my photo.
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Dear Al,
It’s a really great picture and it was still floating around my queue. I’m sure you know how that can be. 😉
I’m glad you felt the wind. It means I succeeded with the paragraph. People can be resistant to change, can’t they? I was furious when Jan bought our first computer. What on earth do we need that thing for?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I remember when there were computers that were faster than a 486. I wondered why when things couldn’t be that powerful. Haha. Oh how things change
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