28 October 2016

Published October 26, 2016 by rochellewisoff

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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. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit. 

NOTE ON THE GREAT PROMPT FIASCO: When this went up this morning (02:30 my time) the prompt did not appear. I’ve now fixed the problem and you should be seeing the prompt. For those who wrote in its absence, kudos. For those who are coming in later and can see the prompt, it is NOT OK to choose a different photo. 

PHOTO PROMPT © Peter Abbey

PHOTO PROMPT © Peter Abbey

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Four years ago, this week, Madison Woods, the creator of Friday Fictioneers turned her baby over to me. Becoming the FFF – Friday Fictioneers Facilitator is one of the best things I’ve ever done. A rousing THANK YOU to all who faithfully participate.

Shalom,

Rochelle

***

Busy-ness abounds this week. Therefore, I’m cheating. The following story isn’t exactly a story, but the opening paragraphs, as written, of the first chapter of AS ONE MUST, ONE CAN. Naturally, I hope this might whet your appetite to read the rest of the book. 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

BREATH AND SHADOW

Afternoon sun streamed through the tall classroom windows and cast long shadows across the dusty floor. On the chalkboard in rigid script was written, “9 October 1907, Wednesday.” Arithmetic problems in childish scrawls covered another blackboard on the opposite wall.

Behind her desk, the teacher sat with rawboned fingers clasped on top of her attendance book. Her hair was parted down the middle and pulled back from her face into a severe bun.

Under the teacher’s spectacled glare, Havah fidgeted on the hard chair. “What did my Reuven do that was so terrible?”

“He gave another boy a black eye.”

.

.

.

MISS KLINE Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

MISS KLINE Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

REUVEN - Original Artwork ©Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

REUVEN – Original Artwork ©Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

 

 

 

 

 

HAVAH -Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

HAVAH -Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

 

 

 

 

 

the proof is in which means more editing. Release date to follow soon.

The proof is in which means more editing. Release date to follow soon.

138 comments on “28 October 2016”

  • Congratulations on four years as FFF, Rochelle! A fantastic achievement and I’m so glad you enjoy hosting it as much as we do taking part.
    Love the opening, the atmosphere of the classroom, the question mark over why Reuven hit someone at all. An intriguing beginning. 🙂

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  • Disquiet.
    The unrest spreads across the globe, moving faster than a Scotsman who has just found a bawbee and needs a wee dram.
    Cold Turkey.
    People send electronic messages from as far away as darkest Englandshire.
    Lady Love, who sounds like the inspiration for almost every pop song from the 1960s, is inconsolable.
    But the Lady R, the source of this worldwide anxiety, remains unperturbed.
    Just making a point, she growls, you all think this is so easy, don’t realise how much effort goes into this challenge.
    Maybe later, she thinks drowsily.
    And she turns over, goes back to sleep.
    (100 words)

    Liked by 11 people

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  • Strong opening lines there. Thanks for hosting Friday Fictioneers. I get a great deal out of it. As you know, novel writing is all-immersive and sometimes we forget to come up for air. I find that writing these little pieces not only affords a great deal of satisfaction (how nice to actually finish something!), it also keeps the editing tools sharp even in the midst of first draft hell.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear J Hardy,

      I’m glad you thought the opening was strong. It’s a challenge to write that first chapter. Often the third chapter becomes the first since that’s usually where the action begins. That’s what happened with my first novel. 😉 We’re no longer afforded the luxury of setting up the story, are we?
      This exercise in brevity is a great tool in learning how to say more with less. I know about editing and drafting. I posted this teaser because I am in the midst of editing hell.
      Thank you for your astute and affirming comments.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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  • Sounds like a perfect teaser for the book, Rochelle. Already I’m curious as to what’s eating Reuven this time. I look forward to reading further, as I knew, even before reading this, that I’d be hooked from page one. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Sandra,

      I’m honored to have you as a fan. 😉 Thank you for your support and patience with me this morning. I’m not sure exactly why the first photo didn’t post. I had two of that same one in my file. So I took the one I’d posted, or thought I had, and posted the other. Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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  • Rochelle, you are SO FUNNY: “It is NOT OKAY to use another picture.” I laughed out loud. And I also had to laugh when I came over here, because I haven’t been able to get all things in gear to write for FF for several weeks now. And when I finally managed to get here to make an effort, there was no picture. Had to figure it served me right for being AWOL. Of course, I see the picture now, so I have no excuses. I’ll try to get to work.
    Blessings on your editing.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Sandra,

      No one’s being punished for being AWOL. 😉 I don’t know what the problem was with my first picture. At least I was able to fix it before too many were at it.

      I hope that you took the time to read my excerpt and that it whetted your appetite for the rest of the book.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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  • I made my first comment on a quick pass through to see if the picture was up yet, but then I came back to read your story when I had more time to concentrate on it. Your words are crystal clear pictures, Rochelle. I can see that teacher in stunning clarity. I hadn’t paid much attention to the individual pictures of your drawings of the characters until after I had read and absorbed the story, but what I saw in my mind matched your artwork perfectly. It’s a great gift to be able to paint so accurately with words.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Sandra,

      I started doing the portraits when my agent suggested I do character study blogs. When she found out the artwork was my own she really pushed it with the writing. it’s because of Jeanie that I’ve gotten to do my own book covers. The next book after the third novel will be a coffee table companion book with all of these portraits and more. I’m so pleased that the way I drew them and the way you saw them matched. Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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    • Dear Chioma,

      The answer to that question is within the pages of my third book. Hint, the other kids have been taunting him about some of the stories he’s written.

      Thank you for being part of this group. I don’t do it by myself. 😉 Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

  • Congratulations on such a great job and such a fun challenge. I haven’t been around in a while but life goes through many changes. Today I needed the inspiration of the prompt and the story it inspired. Congratulations on the book! Edits mean you’re almost there!

    Liked by 1 person

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  • My dear Rochelle,
    I’m glad I came by today so I can say happy anniversary. I have many great short stories because of this blog. Some of those stories are now longer and some have turned into Toastmaster speeches.
    I know I’ve been away for awhile. I’m sorry for myself that I’m not still participating. Maybe someday. Keep up the great work.
    Blessings,
    Phyllis

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  • Your descriptions are amazing.
    Well, they amaze me.
    In a handful of words we see and know these people.
    A great eye, m’lady, and a great talent.

    PS A black eye? In Scotland we call that getting to know you.

    Liked by 2 people

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  • Love the descriptions here… what a wonderful opening. The scene with the stern teacher is vivid so I can almost feel the taste of chalk in my mouth… I will probably be late writing for this week… (if at all), It’s too intense this week, and four years, that has to apply to me joining as well.

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Congrats for the FF anniversary dear. I love the way you read and reply beautifully to each comment. Thanks for introducing to this world of FF. I get to read such nice stories. Wonderful opening scene. Sketches are equally good.

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Dear Blind Melon Chitlin’

    One can only assume that poor Reuven was trying to recover the Invisible Box containing the family heirlooms (blank watercolor portraits) that Havah had cleverly stashed away for safekeeping.

    I say, “Give the boy another chance.” No need to break out the Louisville Swatter.

    Marcel Marceau Gayer

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Boys will be boys – nowadays – but not back in 1906, and perhaps especially not Jewish boys. It’s a great opening.
    Thanx for pledging to continue to be our Fairy Blogmother. I am having fun, and learning much from this group. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Ted,

      Thank you for being the program that runs in the background and for the photos you ‘donated’ to the cause. I had no idea what I was in for when I asked Madison what it took to join the group. Give my regards to Ethel and Cheryl.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

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  • I didn’t get another email, and thought I was losing it when there was no prompt. Luckily, I just dug a little deeper, determined to keep writing. 🙂

    Nice start to the new novel, Rochelle; I’m sure it will shine like the others! Nice job! xo

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Well done for four years at the fore. I know the time it takes doing a challenge like this, and then going around to read all the stories. Especially the ones that go waaaay over the word count.

    Great opener to your book there Rochelle. I like the artwork of the characters. It adds life to them.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Al,

      I’m glad liked my opener. Hope it will compel you to read the rest of it. 😉

      As for the facilitating…sometimes it’s like herding cats. I will confess that I’m more likely to comment on the stories of those who reciprocate. 😉

      Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply ↓

  • Congratulations — and THANKS — for four years of Friday Fictioneers! You’ve earned the right to “cheat” with a book excerpt now and then, I’d say. Your portraits really help bring the characters alive. What a gift you have!

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Appetite duly wetted, I can’t wait to read it all. Poor Havah, I hope Reuven had a really good reason for that. And congrats on the fairy blog mother anniversity. You’re doing such a great job, thank you! The empty prompt yesterday was oddly tempting. 😉

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Sometimes it just pays off to be late. 🙂 NO problems here

    PS. I would love to buy your book “Say Kaddish for me,” and I was wondering if you would allow me to buy a signed copy? I still love old-fashioned books -no kindle in this ladies house -yet. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Boy… arrive at the party late and look what you miss! Just spent oodles of time reading all the comments!
    I’m not even going to bother saying anything. You know where I stand. You know I am waiting (im)patiently for my copy… Love it!

    Liked by 1 person

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  • So, I’m joining the Friday Fictioneers for the first time. Thanks so much for setting this blog up for great ideas. I’ve seen your pictures on other sites I’ve seen, and the pictures you collect are fantastic!

    Thanks for all the effort you’ve put into this!

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Hi Rochelle, tried but unable to connect to the links. I am posting my story here.
    Awaiting all your feedback and comments. Thanks, Neel
    RELEASED
    By Neel Anil Panicker
    They say there is light at the end of the tunnel. But I say there is life at the end of these 100 steps. I tread in slowly. One, two, …thirteen.
    A streak of faint sunlight sneaks past the thick edged glass enclosures above. Time is not on my side. It never was. How can it ever be, for one who has been rotting in a
    an open prison for five years. What a joke! This place is more closed than any prison in the whole of America.
    Ninety-seven…ninety-eight, ninety-nine…
    “Halt, Mr Walter… you have been released.”
    +++

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Thanks Rochelle for the appreciation. I have just come across your wonderful challenge. I would very much love to participate in this every week. And yes, if you can help to link up this i will indeed be very grateful. Thanks again, Neel

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Ansumani,

      My husband is currently proofreading the third book and snuffing out those pesky typos like missing words and periods. Glad you liked the teaser and hope it’s available for you to read in its entirety soon. Thank you for the anniversary wishes. Here’s to another year. Glad you’re a part of it.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

      Reply ↓

  • Great characterisation of the teacher – ‘rawboned’, ‘severe’. I wouldn’t like to be the focus of her glare. Very intriguing opening paragraph. And congratulations on your four years of dedication and hard work. I appreciate the two and a half years I’ve been part of FF. I don’t know how you do it.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Margaret,

      I’ve had the privilege of seeing you grow as a writer for the past two and a half years. The camaraderie of this group is one of the things that keeps me going with the challenge. It’s like having hundreds of pen pals at once. Thank you for your comments re my excerpt. Miss Kline could be quite intimidating but also had a soft side.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Like

      Reply ↓

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