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Our Mantra:
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission.
PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook
I’m not sure at this stage of the game when my next novel As One Must, One Can will be released. However this prompt is perfect for the following excerpt. The operative is excerpt and, admittedly, it is not a complete story. It is set in Kansas City, Missouri in the year 1908 where Arel Gitterman makes his living as a tailor.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 99
EXCERPT FROM AS ONE MUST, ONE CAN
Two electric fans only circulated hot air, thick with machine oil and chalk dust, in the tailor shop. Arel’s rigid collar irritated his neck and he pushed his wet hair from his forehead. His sewing machine hummed and afternoon light glinted off the bobbing needle as he guided a shirtsleeve under the presser foot. A drop of sweat rolled down his cheek and dripped onto the cuff.
Whipping the linen shirt off the table, he hurried to wash it before the stain could set in. A wave of nausea swept over him and a sharp pain seared his chest.
.
.
.
Thank you to our own GAH Learner for such a lovely review blog of PLEASE SAY KADDISH FOR ME. (Click title to read.)
AREL GITTERMAN – Original Artwork – © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
COMING SOON!
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Atmospheric and intense.
I am looking forward to the funeral!
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Dear CE,
Will there be a funeral? Stay tuned…or…read the book. 😉
Good words: atmospheric and intense. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Perhaps not a complete story, but a beautiful character sketch
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Dear Neil,
That scene just felt like it went with the prompt. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like this. Just enough to whet the appetite.
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Exactly so, Al. I wouldn’t want to give the whole book away. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very evocative. I felt I was there. I think the idea that people laboured away over sewing machines in ill-ventilated workshops and while still dressed in shirts with rigid collars is quite arresting. A nice taster of what’s to come. Looking forward to it.
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Dear Sandra,
The prompt just cried out for that scene. 😉 It’s hard to believe that once upon a time, people lived without air conditioning.
From what I’ve read, those stiff collars men wore were nearly as damaging as the corsets women wore. Ah fashion.
It won’t be long now. 😉 Thank you for the photo and for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aaaah. Rochelle, what are you doing? Biting my nails here…
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Dear Gabriele,
You’ll have to wait until the next book comes out. I’m not telling what happens next. 😉 Again, thank you for the lovely blog review.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Powerful excerpt, Rochelle. Congratulations on the great review Gabriele wrote for your book PLEASE SAY KADDISH FOR ME. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
I can’t remember if you’ve read my books yet. I hope, if you haven’t, you will. Thank you for your faithful support and constant comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The atmosphere is fantastic… and this vignette makes me curios what happened before and after
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Dear Björn,
I’m pleased that this vignette captured you. You’ll just have to read the book. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have so little time to read books… so much to read online with my poetry, and book project, but I’m half-way through the second book.
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Really visceral details here. Lovely!
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Thank you, Claire. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I agree, great details and intrigued to find out what happened to him! Lovely writing.
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Dear Iain,
By now you probably know what I’m going to say about finding out what happens next. 😉 I’m glad you were intrigued. An author can’t ask for better. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent tension in this excerpt.
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Thank you, J Hardy. BTW, if you know anything about sewing machines, that could be a double entendre. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You tease you. Lol. Now I am envisioning several scenarios. I may have to read the proof copy. Lol.
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Powerful Preview! Now I need to know more 😉
And a great prompt 🙂
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Dear Morgan,
Always leave ’em wanting more. 😉 I hope you’ll check it out when it hits the interweb bookshelves. Meanwhile (pardon my shameless advert) The first two books in the trilogy are available on Amazon, BN.com and several other places. https://www.amazon.com/Please-Say-Kaddish-Rochelle-Wisoff-Fields/dp/1942981155/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WA1NY8Y9QDSCZX1FNQ0G
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Definitely must add them to my TBRList 🙂 Thanks for the shameless Advert lol 🙂
(*^‿^*) ✫¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.✫ღ˚ •。* ˚ ˚✰˚ ˛ Have a Funtabulous Weekend my Friend~ ★* 。 ღ˛° 。✫¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•✫
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A beautifully painted scene, Rochelle. You really convey the feeling of hard slog involved in a tailor’s life, with the smells and the sweat. Wonderfully done.
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Dear Lynn,
I think maybe some of this is from memory although I wasn’t around in 1908, my grandfather was a tailor and we knew many in the garment district. I remember when shops didn’t have air conditioning. Thank you for such lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It was very evocative, Rochelle – I could almost feel like I was there with him.
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I had the paddles ready and I was sweating too reading this. Love it.
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
Once a doctor always a doctor. Alas, they didn’t have paddles…wait! I don’t want to give too much away. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This made me feel hot and sticky. Well done.
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Dear Alicia,
This wasn’t a difficult chapter to write this summer. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The scene could have been written for this prompt. Perfect.
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Thank you, Louise. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love these characters and don’t want anything to happen to them!
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Dear Dawn,
I love them, too. You’ll just have to read the book to see where this scene goes. My lips are sealed. Thank you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can’t wait to find out what happens next! I will definitely have to read the book!
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Dear S.M.
My lips are sealed about what happens next. This book is the third in a trilogy but definitely stands alone. Thank you for stopping by. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Powerfully stitched 100 words.
Sewed-up the moment perfectly.
God bless, Arel – and save him!
Randy
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Dear Randy,
Arel’s safe in my hands…well maybe he is…and then again…
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I could imagine him, felt I was in the room with him and his machine.
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Dear Chioma,
Thank you for those encouraging and affirming words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sadly there are still bad working condition, but at least that heavily starched collar has gone.
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Dear Michael,
It seems the fashion industry took their toll in those days between starched high collars and corsets. If the working conditions didn’t do you in, the clothing did. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Enticing excerpt! The imagery definitely helps create intensity.
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Dear Emily,
Entice is the name of the game. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You stitched that tailor’s tale together nicely! He sounded hemmed in, poor fella. Shalom v’sh’lemut, MW
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Dear Mother Wintermoon,
Hemmed up and in stitches, pulse thready. Thank you for your kind words.
Shabbat Shalom uv’rakhah,
Rochelle
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My pleasure. Shabbat shalom u’mevorach!
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Nice, I could almost smell the heavy atmosphere in the workshop. Sounds like it’s not doing his health any good, either.
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Dear Ali,
Comments and compliments don’t get much better. If you could smell it I’ve done my job.
Thank you and Shalom,
Rochelle
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intrigueing! Very vivid 🙂
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Many thanks, Samantha 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You paint the scene so well, I could feel the heat and oppressive atmosphere.
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Dear Clare,
Your comment makes me smile. If you can feel the heat and the atmosphere, it means I’ve done my job. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Ann,
All I can say is, “A tinker, a tailor, and candlestick maker.” Tough occupations all. Let’s hope none of them sign up with Mr. Ayr as their instructor.
As for the shirt. I usually wear plaid as the stains are far less noticeable.
Happy sewing,
Stephen
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Dear Stephen,
Signing on as one of Mr. Ayr’s students could prove deadly. I don’t know if I trust that mild exterior. 😉
Just remember, even a poor tailor is entitled to some little happiness.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great excerpt… So interesting and great hook, I can’t wait to read more
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Dear Laurie,
As the author, I hope you will read more. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Can’t wait to read the next one. Happy editing!
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Dear Ansumani,
At present I’m finished with edits and await the proof copy of my book. No idea when the release will be yet but I will shout it to the world when it happens. Meanwhile, if you’ve read the other two…a review (two) on Amazon wouldn’t hurt. 😉
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle,
I just entered a review on Amazon under my name (Padma) .
Good luck for the upcoming release.
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It only lists you as “Amazon Customer.” (I’ll take it either way. 😉 but I don’t see Padma anywhere. ) Question. Did you read both books? If so would you mind leaving a review on From Silt and Ashes? Thank you very much in any case. 😀
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I didn’t read Salt and Ashes yet. It’s next on my wish list.
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“From Silt and Ashes”. Fair enough. See there’s something to do while you wait for the third book to come out. 😉 Thank you again for your lovely review. I was hoping the books weren’t too tragic, although their lives certainly were.
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Sorry about messing up the title – I maybe craving for Salt 🙂
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Please be gentle I am late, believe it or not I was done in time but couldn’t pick up the photo? Oh well I maybe forty minutes late but I hope someone has a read regardless.
https://ellenbest24.wordpress.com/2016/09/09/it-keeps-me-awake/
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Dear Ellen
You are not late at all. This is why we’re called Friday Fictioneers. Please go ahead and link to the linkz list. I’ll be reading soon.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you I thought it had to be in by 2 o’clock. all done now thank you.
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No not at all. The only real ‘deadline’ is the following Tuesday when the linkz list closes.
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please feel free to delete my link I miss read the 100 for a 1000 and I seem to have confused your rules. I will join in another time meanwhile I loved the prompt.
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Dear Ellen,
It’s an honest mistake. The only reasons I unlink someone is for deciding they have a better photo than the prompt or for using the link to merely promote a personal agenda…ie, political, religious etc. You and your link are welcome. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Literally a sweatshop. You do an excellent job of painting the image of the scene.
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Thank you, Alice. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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oh my I hope he wasn’t garotted.
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Dear Melinda,
I assure you nothing of that nature awaits him. Thank you for dropping by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome 😊 I’m glad to hear it!
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Such a real and sympathetic character. I feel for him.
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Dear Miranda,
I’m pleased that Arel comes across as real. After 12 years, he’s very real to me. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You really put me inside that room with Arel Gitterman.Such great use of description and what it feels and looks like to be a tailor. Excellent writing, Rochelle!
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Dear Amy,,
There’s a lot in store for Arel in AS ONE MUST, ONE CAN. Thank you for such a wonderful comment. BTW you and Gabriele could be publicists. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks! I think I would enjoy being a publicist. 🙂
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Dear Amy,
Would that I could hire you. Not sure how that works. At any rate, I hope you’ve had a chance to read From Silt and Ashes and (if you like it) will review it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Of course! Actually, I did get a writing job…not a publicist, but happy I get to use my skills. 🙂 Thanks for thinking I am worthy of your talent.
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Very atmospheric and being one who detests wearing collared shirts in hot weather I felt for him.
It’s also ironic, because my machine had to judder to a halt because I was searching for the name of the part you have now shown me is the “presser foot.” My character was also going to lift it to stop the machine, but when I couldn’t find the word, I had to change things, so that the machine just stopped.
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Dear Michael,
Collared shirts in 1908 were nearly as bad as corsets from everything I’ve read.
As for the sewing machine juddering to a halt, I could see that but it would mean the power going out or the operator takes his or her feet off the pedal. The presser foot merely holds the fabric in place. If you raise that up while the operating the machine you have a mess.
At any rate, thank you for such a nice comment. Atmosphere is what I was going for. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Come on, Bill Connor, let’s get this thing out to the public!
And in as many languages as possible! 😉
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Dear Cuzzin Notnek,
From your keyboard to G-d’s eyes.
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelley
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Suspense, suspence, dear rochelle. Looking forward to read the book.
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Thank you, Indira. I hope you’ll read and enjoy all three books.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m sure I’ll dear.
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Querida Rochelle,
Yes, I’ve been missing. To be honest, I wasn’t sure when you were starting up the new challenges. I decided to write something on this photo prompt because the photo brought back a memory. And so … a bit of non-fiction in flash fiction.
I’ve missed being in your neighborhood. Your story is stellar. If it’s a hint of what’s to come: enticing.
I remember as a child (in my old Hassidic neighborhood) the local tailor in his hot, hot non-airconditioned workshop/shop mending and making clothes for the Rabbi’s and families of the orthodox people. Your story leads me to a time when the tailor wasn’t around for awhile; then returned. A bit of another walk for me, in your story, down memory lane.
Hope you are bien de salad y contenta …
Muy agradecida de tu trabajos
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
It’s good to have you back in the neighborhood. 😀 The reruns did provide a few of us with a respite and a way to revisit some favorite stories. As for me, it was necessary to keep my sanity while meeting my deadline for my third novel.
The story is meant to be enticing. 😉
My grandfather was a tailor so we most likely have some similar memories. Thank you for sharing yours with me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ahhh … I’ll bet we could go down memory lane with tailor tales. I watched through the window of the shop. Perhaps, you played with his thread cuts. Such a different time. I’m looking forward to that new book. Good Luck … Buena Suerte … Matzol Tov …!!!
Abrazos,
Isadora 😎
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Love the pictures! Love farmhouse stuff
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Thank you, Farmhouse. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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