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.
***************************************NOTICE****************************************************************************
Dear Friday Fictioneers,
Our fellow fictioneer CEAYR asked that I extend his apologies for his lack of participation of late. While he doesn’t mean to be rude, our friend is dealing with physical issues that prevent him from being more involved.
Thank you for understanding.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Genre: Fact and Fiction
Word Count: 100
SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE
“‘…The taller officer, an imposing presence with dark skin, fascinated Havah. Although she had read about them in Professor Dietrich’s books about Africa and American history, she had never met a Negro face to face.’”
“What year does your book take place?”
“1904.”
“I hate to burst your bubble,” says my fellow writer with smug conviction. “I realize it’s historical fiction but I seriously doubt there would’ve been a black officer back then.”
I whip out my Kansas City history book and point to a photo of uniformed Lafayette Tillman on horseback. “Second one on the KC force. Next question.”
.
.
.
https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2015/11/10/character-study-lafayette-a-tillman/
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Doing your research always pays. 🙂 This made me smile.
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Dear Gabriele,
There are some great quirks and unexpected facts if you do your research, aren’t there? Glad you smiled. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved this! Just loved it.
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Thank you, Loré! 😀
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Woah!!! Great story! It pays to pay attention, eh? 🙂
And your prompt for this week just made me say: WOAH! 😀
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Dear Rosema,
Thank you for your two ‘woah’s’. 😀 Glad you enjoyed my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I really do! 🙂 Thank you! my mind is now thinking for a story that will do justice on this ‘Woah-inducing photo. 🙂
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Your writer colleague should have known better than to question your research abilities, Rochelle. 🙂 Fascinating prompt this week too.
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Dear Sandra,
To be fair to the other writer, this happened quite some time ago and very early in my writing career. It was a large group and I wasn’t well known. The fun in it was that I had been excited to put Tillman in the story because he was the real deal, but I also knew I was going to get questioned. Sort of like casting my hook and I wasn’t disappointed. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Superb.
A history lesson with a built in chuckle.
And thank you for your kind words in the intro.
One-armed hug.
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Dear CE,
If kind words would heal what you’re going through I’d send a 100,000 of them. Glad my story afforded a chuckle.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Research always pays off! Now I know I should be even more diligent in keeping my sources. Great story, as always, Rochelle! 😀
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Dear Melony,
This was quite early in my novel writing. I’ve found such wonderfully unexpected things in research. And it has paid off in the long run. I knew that day I was going to be called on it and was prepared. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story! Ah! the rewards of research! 😉
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Dear Emmy,
Research has many great rewards. This remains a favorite story of mine because it’s true. 😉 Thank you. Glad you liked it, my poetic friend.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is awesome! The first thing that came to my mind when I read 1904 was if there were African American police officers and I was so surprised with your answer. This is why research is so important! 🙂
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Dear Rashmi,
It was such a delicious find that I had to put this amazing man into my novel. He fit like a kid glove. I knew that day I would be questioned and I wasn’t disappointed. 😉 I’m glad you enjoyed. Yes, research is über important, particularly when writing historical fiction.
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Several times I have gotten into an argument about a certain historical fact (especially something like an arcane detail about the caliber of such and such weapon available in such and such year). This is why we spend so much time doing unlovely research! Well done.
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Dear J Hardy,
I really do love research. Ironically, it was something I detested in school. Finding those arcane bits is tantamount to…well, never mind. I felt particularly victorious that day. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great post! It is good to know your facts and be able to present the knowledge. Even better to have concrete proof. Well done!
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Dear Mary,
It certainly was a good thing that day. Such a find just had to go into the book. Since then I’ve found more wonderful things about the Tillman family. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I always stories with a touch of history. Thank you for sharing this one, Rochelle. Learning is a lovely thing. 😀
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Dear Maria,
I’m glad you enjoyed my story. This is a favorite anecdote of mine. I really love doing the research and finding little known historical facts.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure, Rochelle. Yes, I noticed. Most of your stories are well thought of and teeming with new information. Glad to be one of your readers. 😀
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A good writer always does their fact check 🙂 nicely done and interesting when compared to the photo prompt. We all keep learning and should keep an open mind I think.
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Dear Ifeoma,
There’s so much to learn and I’m always excited to find little known historical bits. I’m finding lots of them for my third novel that took place right here in my own hometown. I think that sometimes my husband thinks I’ve lost my mind when I do my research happy dances. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well I hope to learn that research happy dance of yours cause I’ll need it in school 🙂 great find! I’m sure he knows you haven’t lol
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Reminded me of the KC Historical Display at Union Station where they had Tillman’s picture. We ran it on the news, it was in the video. Pretty cool.
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Dear Kent,
Of course you’re familiar with this story, since I’ve told it a bazillion times. Still makes a great anecdote. Mr. Tillman was an interesting person…someone I wish I could find more info on.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Absolutely! I think it’s a great story and, who knows, maybe you might end up his biographer. Something to think about, really. As passionate as you are for research … you get the idea. 😉
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That wouldn’t be a bad thing. I won’t say never as my writing path seems to be taking a few side streets lately. Perhaps a trip downtown is on the horizon for research on Mr. Tillman. He really was fascinating. I hope I’m true to him in my novels. Yep, he’s showing up in AOMOC. 😀
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Oh yeah!
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CEAYR, My deepest prayers are with you. Hope you will be well soon, and until then, enjoy the reads! 🙂 ❤ ^^ (heartprayers)
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Love it, Rochelle! Isn’t it fun when people try to tell you that something didn’t happen, or that someone didn’t do something and you have not only pictoral/video proof, but written word as well! Excellently told. 🙂
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Dear Jelli,
There is nothing, almost nothing anyway, that I like better than someone telling me something couldn’t have happened. I knew going into that critique group I would be questioned. I was armed and loaded for bear. 😉
Thank you for your affirming words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well that settles that! Well researched Rochelle. Your love of history shines through so well in your writing and your ability to give such a human perspective to what many would only see as facts and images from a book is captivating. Nicely done.
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Dear Chris,
To such a lovely compliment I’m going to reply with a simple “Thank you.”
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And I’ll respond with an equally simple “You’re welcome”. 🙂
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Good for you for closely checking your sources, Rochelle. I’m sure that particular fellow writer will be very cautious about questioning your material, again, if the person ever does. Well done. I’m so sorry to hear C.E. Ayr is having health problems. All good wishes go to him in getting well again. —- Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
In all honesty, I don’t remember who the person was. It was quite early in my writing path and I was something of a novice. The group was a big one and I didn’t stick with it very long because the schedule interfered with work. I’ll admit that it was a crowning moment.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Love it when research pays off!
Made me chuckle.
Hugs,
Heidi
🙂
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Dear Heidi,
Research does indeed pay off. Glad to make you chuckle. One of my favorite moments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Anyone who knows you should not question your facts. I know how meticulous you research and have seen complete changes in your stories and characters as a result. As for me knowing you aren’t crazy when you do your happy dances? Hey, you are a writer…….right?
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Love it… though rare of course they would have existed… sometimes we think we are so good today and that we were terrible in the past… there is a myth of evolution that might not be totally true…
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Dear Björn,
As you can tell by the article, Lafayette Tillman was a rarity in Kansas City. But he really lived and served here. I love research. 😀
Just when we think we’ve progressed we take steps backward.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dearest Rochelle,
This was great! Nothing more satisfying than having proof to back yourself up…
And how you got this story out of that image is beyond me….
Off to do mine now as I did not play last week…
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
How did I get my story from that image? It’s a book shape, right? My main character, ie me, is writing one. Close enough. Right? Of course right! It was a crowning moment to be able to back up that character with proof of existence. 😉 Thank you for playing this week.
Ciao Bella,
Rochelle
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Yeah, uh huh…okay… 😀
I love that these images can go anywhere…!
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That will teach him!
Made me smile and I could really picture the scene.
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Dear Chioma,
Glad to make you smile. Made me smile at the time.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know better than to question your research. Even your medical blurbs ring true.
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
You couldn’t have left a nicer compliment. I’m smiling so hard my mouth aches. Thank you!!!!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful and important bit of history. Well done! 😀
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Thank you so much, Jan. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You tell ’em, Rochelle! I love the story, and I can relate to similar times of proving critics wrong. The last line is the winner for sure: “Next question.” HA!
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Dear Sandra,
At the time I knew the question would be raised. In fact, had I not been the author with the info I would have made the same assumption. How much do I love research?!
Thank you for coming by and leaving such a nice comment in your wake.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. I would never doubt your research, Rochelle. You’re the master! I like the way your blended the story with Havah and that of the writer (author) and her process. Well done.
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Dear Amy,
This person didn’t know me very well, did she? Thank you for noticing the blending of stories. To be fair to my critiquer, if I’d been in her position I would’ve questioned the character, too. Ah the joy of research. I’ve learned more in the past ten years of writing than I ever learned in school. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s so easy to make incorrect assumptions about the past. We tend to fall into the trap of making sweeping generalisations. I love your story – or story within a story. Well told.
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Dear Margaret,
If I’d been in the other lady’s shoes I probably would’ve made the same assumption. The fun in it was that I knew someone would contest the scene based on those predictable assumptions and I was ready. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great piece – it always amazes me how there were black people in various positions of authority so long ago yet it was still legal to segregate and discriminate so many decades later.
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Dear Ali,
Right you are. Kansas City was very segregated at the time and I’m sure that Officer Tillman faced some prejudiced backlash. Yet, according to all I can find on him, he faced the odds and rose above them. I only wish I could find more about this fascinating man.
Thank you for liking my story and taking the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hah! Sometimes it’s so nice to be able to prove those nit-pickers wrong! A lovely (true) story.
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Dear Claire,
There’s no denying it. I did enjoy the experience of shutting her down. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Stories like this are always fascinating! I’m left wanting to know more about Lafayette Tillman! Well told.
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Dear Thom,
I glad you enjoyed my story. Here’s a bit more on Tillman http://www.squeezeboxcity.com/lafayette-tillman/ and I did leave a link beneath the book photo of a character study I did a while back. Enjoy.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Bet that wiped the smug smile right off the fellow writer’s face! Love it.
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Dear Miss Tiffany,
I’ll admit that I did enjoy this moment and have told the story over and over. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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In this case I think your triumph was more than justified. 🙂
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Dear Rochelle, Wonderful important tidbit of history! My youngest son is a policeman and he found this very interesting! Love your story!Thanks, Nan
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Thought I’d drop by. Not so many participants as there used to be. Is there a split group? Loved your story, as always.
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Dear Petru,
It’s nice to see you here again. Participation is up and down these days. There’s no split group that I know of although I know that some writers participate in more than one blog challenge a week. Glad you liked my story.
Thank you
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ahhh… The “fellow writer” seems to make an instant broad assumption. I’m glad you have reminded us to always look a little deeper. This is a great piece, Rochelle.
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Dear Laurie,
I pretty much knew going into that day that I’d have to back up my research. I’d have questioned it, too. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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way to go. that will teach him. 🙂
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Thank you, Plaridel. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hello, Rochelle!
I apologize for failing to participate in the FF Community last time. I didn’t realize it was based on close interaction with fellow writers, which I think is great.
I loved your story. It had a “drop the mic” ending. 🙂
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Dear Josslyn,
No need to apologize, although I really do appreciate it. In all fairness, it took me a few weeks when I first joined to grasp the concept of reciprocation. I will admit that as the group and my writing career have grown I’m less likely to comment on those who haven’t commented on mine. Particularly if they never do.
Thank you. Glad you liked my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome! 🙂
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Hah! Nicely done, Rochelle! (And I thought I’d actually commented before, then realized I had imagined my comment – sorry about being so late on it!)
I really like it when we have our facts in order and can back up our statements, don’t you?
And I love the meta-nature of your story, too. Plus, I’ve learned something, as I do every time I read one of your stories. Thank you!
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Dear Vijaya,
No worries. I’ve been late getting around myself this week. With a car accident Saturday, a newspaper article to write and the ubiquitous third novel I’ve been a bit rattled this week. Thankfully I wasn’t hurt, but I can’t say the same about my poor car.
At the time of the story, which took place about ten years ago, I’d already fallen in love with research. When I found Lafayette Tillman in the history book pictured I knew I had to put him in my novel. In fact I put him in this next one as well. He looks like an impressive man and history supports it.
Thank you for your words that are better late than never. Although, since we are FRIDAY fictioneers, you’re right on time.
Shalom,
Your Fairy Blog Mother
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Dear Rochelle,
It sounds like it was an intense week. So sorry about your accident. I know how that rattled feeling feels, having been in a similar couple of incidents where the car was hurt, but I wasn’t. So, is the third novel close to completion, or did I miss something?
You are a busy person, it seems, despite your “retirement” — again, I empathize, being in the same boat.
Thanks for understanding, and it’s good to be “on time!”
Love,
Vijaya
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History is so full of bias and prejudice that we are always caught off guard when it isn’t.
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And it’s nice to find, isn’t it, Alice?
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Good for you.
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Thank you, I think, to whoever you are.
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Dear Binney,
Leave it to you to see a coloring book and write a story about a man of color. I’m surprised you didn’t include the entire Kansas City Monarch baseball team. It’s a nice time of year to paint the city Royal Blue.
Best wishes for a colorful day,
Crayola
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Dear Crayola,
Give me time. the Kansas City Monarchs could make their way into a book. Lafayette Tillman was not only a man of color but a colorful man as well.
I’m hoping today will be colored green as in fix my broken car. I was sideswiped Saturday by an unlicensed driver in a hurry to get to our accident. I’ll stop there with a thank you. Back to my coloring book…
Shalom,
Binney
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A great piece of social history plus some tantalizing gossip! Loved it.
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Very late this week… life happens, what can I say… Have read several, liked a few, commented a few. I just had a hard time connecting to the prompt as more than a very wonderful work of art.
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I love it! Proving people wrong is one of my favorite things.
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Dear Jenn,
I’m afraid I carry that trait to the nth degree…that of proving people wrong. But it is fun…this particular incident really is one of my favorite moments. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Greetings, Rochelle!
Cool story and excellent history. Thanks for sharing!
TMWR
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Dear TMWR,
History is full of surprises if we just take the time to look. I’ve always been grateful for this bit of it. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love how I learn new things from your posts. I find it awful how history tends to get suppressed or rather true facts do, in order to create the history that the history-makers wish to be told. Thank you for uncovering some of it.
Glad to hear you were not injured in your car accident. Hope everything goes well with getting the car fixed.
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Dear MTO,
Nothing pleases me more than to have a reader say she’s learned something from something I’ve written. While the Tillmans were an illustrious family in KC, his son being a physician and on the staff of the first black hospital, I can find precious little.
Thank you for your well wishes concerning my poor mutilated car.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Research really pays off indeed, apart from learning interesting facts, one also gets hours of enjoyment in digging up facts. And may occasionally help during a Trivia Night.
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Dear Subroto,
Hm. I wonder if any of my factoids are part of Trivial Pursuit. 😉
At any rate, research paid off for me that day.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful bit of history Rochelle.
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Thank you, Joseph. 😀
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🙂
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Oh the joy of having done your homework! I researched for an hour before writing my 100 words.
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Dear Liz,
Research is a beautiful thing. I’ve been known to spend hours at it just for a paragraph. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
I love it, her come back and that fact that a Negro was on the police force.
Great job.
I to am taking a break. No other reason other than I’m tired of blogging. I hope to get over it and be back soon.
Blessings to you,
Phyllis
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Dear Phyllis,
She was me and comeback was real. It was one of my crowning moments when research paid off. Thank you for coming by to read and comment.
Enjoy your break. Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice bit of history lesson. Thank you for that. By the way why isn’t anybody wondering about the drawing in the photo? What is this?
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Dear Tamal,
The person to ask about the photo and what it is is Kent Bonham. His link is under the photo. I honestly couldn’t tell you. I’m sure everyone’s wondering about the drawing.
Glad you liked my story and took the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Been away too long — 2 months in lovely Bermuda and a myriad of things. Delighted to rejoin today – and to learn a little history at the same time! 🙂
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Dear Lilian,
You might sense a little jealousy between the lines of this reply. 😉 Glad to have you back. No charge for the history lesson. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So, I made a boo-boo. I used the newspaper clipping as my photo prompt before I realized it was the coloring page. So, instead of just deleting the piece, I wrote two this week. Hope you don’t mind. 😀
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I don’t mind since you do explain, although I don’t quite get the mistake as my story always comes right after the prompt and never before.
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Just over excited about getting the photo prompt, I scrolled down and missed the first photo. Not really sure myself. Other than that… /shrug, M’bad.
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Okay…I’m ready for the next installment about Havah.
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Working on it as much as I can, Dawn.;)
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Researching information for articals is something I really love doing, but since I joined in with Fri Fictioneers, I find myself gaining so much more tantalising knowledge from each writers stories. Thank you for your hosting of FF
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Dear Mike,
I’ve learned a lot in my four years of Friday Fictioneers. Wow! It is four years this month. Woot! Thank you for your comments and for being a part of it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
Your research always pays dividends and never more so than in this story, well done. One of the main attractions of FF are the things I learn, not only from the stories but through the comments too.
I am also waiting patiently for more news about Havah… more speed to your pen (or laptop or quill).
Best wishes
Dee
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Dear Dee,
This was definitely a crowning moment for me in the research department. 😉
When you say you’re waiting for news of Havah, does this mean you’ve read From Silt and Ashes? I’m a little over halfway through As One Must, One Can. Of course little snippets have a way of showing up as ‘flashes.’
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story here Rochelle – on many levels. I have to admit though, I initially thought “what has this to do with the photo prompt?” then started to chuckle at my own silliness. Great stepping off point … and I like where you ended up …. books, contain all kinds of possibilities 🙂
Shalom
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Dear Wildchild,
Funny, I thought my connection to the prompt was pretty clear. 😉 Stepping off point is the operative here. I’m glad you liked my story and took the time to say so.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, that was a very well written horrific story. Having just finished a textbook that totally glossed over WWII’s horror stories for the usual “baby boom and prosperity” and all the new household appliances that came onto the market after the war, I am wishing more professors would choose real books with real stories that could inspire students to become leaders who don’t force nations to repeat history. Your story, although gruesome and terribly sad, was a nice change from everything I’ve been reading lately.
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Dear Stephonie,
I am confused by this comment only because I believe it managed to end up on the wrong page. I think this comment goes with In Memory of 24682, instead it’s on the page for another that was more upbeat. No problem as long as we both get the connection it’s all good.
I hate it that history books gloss over what isn’t all that far in the past. When I wrote a story about the horrors of Agent Orange someone commented that she’d learned nothing of the Vietnam war. Really? A huge part of my adolescence.
And I’m sorry I didn’t reply sooner. Thank you so much for swinging by no matter where you landed. 😉 I miss you terribly.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, it is good to see that my comment found you (my apology for the mismatch). Any moment I can steal for myself I’d rather be fictioning it up with the fictioneers. Alas, I have to sleep…and bathe. More later, Steph.
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I really liked this story!!!
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Thank you Symanntha. 😀 One of my crowning moments.
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