Note: You can call me crabby or controlling if you like, but…over the past few weeks some writers are going way over the word limit. No one will be kicked out for doing so, but the challenge is to write a story in 100 words or less. While I don’t take issue with a word or two over, last week one of them went over 200 words.
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.
Think you’ve seen this photo before? You have. It’s been pointed out that I posted this prompt in February. 😯 A repost was unintentional, but is what it is. If you have a story for it you were happy with, feel free to use it. 😉 Thank you Dawn and Suzanne for pointing it out. This is a first. What was I thinking?
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
Not exactly a flash fiction and not exactly an excerpt. Here’s a scene from AS ONE MUST, ONE CAN.
OLIVE BRANCH
Nikolai Derevenko and his father had hardly spoken in twenty years so Sergei’s sudden appearance in Kansas City for his grandson’s graduation mystified him.
Sergei rotated the crank on the front of the car, starting the motor, and climbed into the driver’s seat. “It’s a Ford. Almost new—Model N, made in 1906,” he shouted over the clatter. “My gift. Tomorrow you learn to drive it.”
Nikolai scowled. “Thanks, but no thanks. God gave us legs and there are streetcars. With all of your frivolous spending you won’t have enough for your fare back to Russia.”
“I’m not going back.”
*
*
***
If you’ve made it this far down the page I hope you’ll take the time to watch the short video. Perhaps this is the reason I’ve been impressed of late to write so many Holocaust themed stories. I plan to post my picture on Twitter and Facebook. When push comes to shove there is one race…THE HUMAN RACE #WeRemember
As always, m’lady, your words paint a picture.
And today your pictures tell so much more than 100 words ever can.
Superb artwork.
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Thank you for such a lovely comment, C.E. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, yes. Love me some Nikolai. One of the best characters in the book. He and Pop are going to really have a time in the novel.
Five out of five violin bows and scalpels.
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Dear Cuzzin Notnek,
And it seems that this photo has inspired a Nikolai except, not once, but twice. He’s a personal favorite of the author. Arguably the most complex character in the trilogy. To think he started out as Ulrich’s sidekick. But he’d have none of it.
Thank you most kindly for bows and scalpels.
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shelley
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I love it when the characters take over the story and start dictating the action. It’s moments like those that makes writing so addictive.
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There are a few other characters in the book who took on lives of their own. Before I started writing I would hear things like “it’s all about the process.” How I scoffed until I understood. Addictive indeed.
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I had someone do 1,195 words in my 200-word challenge last week which I didn’t read as I searched for the prompt and found no connection to it. I don’t normally do it, but I deleted the post.
I know I have gone over 100 before, maybe as much as 120, but in the last few weeks that I have been playing again, I have managed to keep it below 100. It’s not easy, but that is half the fun of the challenge. Keeping in that count.
Those pictures are fantastic. You never cease to stun me, Rochelle. You write great stories, and you create such wonderful images.
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Dear Al,
Thank you for the photo x2. I didn’t realize I’d used it before. Boy is my face red. Has this happened to you?
1,195 is more than a bit over the top. And to have no connection to the prompt. I’ve deleted such as those before. I usually will send the errant writer an email. Occasionally it’s a misunderstanding, but I was once given a keyboard lashing and called a controlling b___.
I will confess that when they start hitting 150-200 range I don’t read them.There are few rules in this challenge.
Thank you for your comments re my story and artwork. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I keep mine in a folder so I know which ones I have used before. They are all numbered and dated. I have used similar ones before.
Being called a controlling ***** for telling the rules is very off. It’s the rules of the challenge.
I tend not to read some when they go too far over the limit as well. I don’t have even a quarter of the participants you do, but I still have little time to read them all.
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Reading them all is a challenge. Another confession. I used to read and comment on all of them. I’ve gotten more particular as the numbers have risen. For those who never comment on mine or are basically non-participants (post the story and run)…I return the favor. It sounds selfish, but I think you understand. 😉
I do have a notebook where I’ve printed out all the stories. Although this one slipped by because I haven’t put the ones in that were book excerpts. Thanks for the supportive words, Al. It’s nice to have someone in my corner who understands.
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When you take part in a challenge like this, it’s good to read some of the other stories. Even if it is just one or two. After all, reading 100 words won’t take long.
I don’t think it’s selfish at all. Your time is precious to you.
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Another interesting historical tale, Rochelle. But I must ask, was Nikolai the son or grandson?
Some people just aren’t into anyone else’s rules. Even “show up on time for your shift” is a safely-ignored rule for some folks I’ve worked with. I was called a Nazi by one young man when I told him he had no business going behind the counter (fast food place) and helping himself to coffee when he was not on shift and out of uniform.
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Dear Christine,
It’s always a challenge to work an excerpt from a larger work into a stand-alone story. Nikolai is the son. The young one, Vasily, who’s portrait is the third down, is the grandson.
I hated to be testy about rules and call me what you will, but to me blatantly going over the word limit is a bit self-indulgent.
Thanks for the comment and the encouragement.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well, I’ve posted my link through my phone, but just can’t get that icon thing right. This time, instead of asking for the link URL, it took the photo from the post. Grrr!
My computer filter won’t let me do InLinkz at all and you probably can’t do anything about today’s picture, but here’s the link to my icon, if perchance you can:
http://christinecomposes.com/2017/01/01/icon
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I don’t know how you got as far as you did on the phone. In any case, I’ve changed your link icon.
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Thank you so much!
Now the question is, will my little owl as my icon or will I have to enter it every time — assuming I can? I could get to InLinkz on my phone and was allowed to enter the URL of my blog. To make life simpler, I’ll try requesting an Unblock from the filter company.
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Great piece from your book, Rochelle. I’m wondering since this is a repeat prompt if we can use the same story we did before? Great idea about showing “I remember”. After seeing the horrible effects of war on TV we’ll all remember. Now some living in America are scared and many are having things forced on them that can ruin the planet. The government is going to try to breach sanctuary cities.The Obamas are starting a countrywide organization to encourage active participation in public affairs. —- Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
(Smacking forehead). I didn’t realize it was a repeat prompt. And I see that I used an excerpt about Nikolai before….at least it’s not the same one. Of course it’s fair to use the same story you used before. 😉
“#WeRemember isn’t original with me but I’m going to participate.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We can never go back, can we? But we can remember. Lovely words!
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Dear Neil,
I hope your comment refers to my story. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love your illustrations, you are such a talent, in so many ways. I find the last line very liberating.
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Dear Loré,
I was actually thinking about you this morning. Haven’t seen you for a few weeks and missed your presence.
I’m pleased that you like both the writing and illustrations. That last line represents a lot more story. Something neither Nikolai nor Sergei will regret. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is so heartwarming to hear, thank you so much. My absence is self-imposed, I felt bad for not reading and commenting on more stories. Sometimes life doesn’t leave you enough room to breathe. But I always look for better days ahead.
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I loved the opportunity to write something different for the reprompted picture. And I really like your illustrations
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Dear Michael,
Naturally I’d like to think you liked my story as well. 😉 But comments are always most happily welcomed. I’m glad my blooper didn’t put you off. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent as always. The Holocaust was the end of the old world and the grim gateway to the new. Chilling that it seems to be in danger of being forgotten. Well done.
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Dear J Hardy,
Timing is everything. My books chronicle a part of history that could be considered the dress rehearsal for the Holocaust. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great introduction to what it means to emigrate (and immigrate)… there are many many who never will return. I knew that I had written to this picture before, and I might make a late entry.
I’m pretty busy right now… so I might skip this week….
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Dear Björn,
I get emigrate and immigrate confused all the time. One is incoming the other is outgoing. I think immigrate is incoming. At any rate, I’m glad that we have such a forgiving group here. There’s a first time for everything, like the morning the prompt didn’t appear at all.
Actually, Sergei isn’t exactly immigrating, but you’ll have to read AS ONE MUST, ONE CAN to find out why he’s never going back to Russia. 😉
Enjoy your week. You will be missed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aaaah, you’ve snagged the quintessential feel of the father/son disconnect. And I do love that last line. You can sense the shock it gives the son, and you can sense the determination to hope that is in the father. I hope that’s what you meant to convey because that’s what I got from it.
And don’t apologize for speaking up about the 100 words. That’s part of the job you took on when you agreed to host this challenge, and if people don’t want to be reminded, they need to go write for a different challenge — or create their own. Personally, I would have written the one who called me a “b—-” and told him (or her) that unless he apologized publicly on this site, none of his stories would appear here again. But I don’t have as much grace as you.
And — (don’t you just love all this unasked-for “advice”????) — don’t apologize for using the prompt another time. I can’t imagine a prompt being good for only one story. There must be a thousand stories in every picture. Now, I have to admit that sometimes I don’t get ideas that I like from a picture — or I don’t have time to think long enough about it — but it isn’t the picture’s fault.
Anyway, you do a great job, Rochelle, and don’t take any backtalk. After all, you do have a life beyond FF, and you should be allowed to think about it sometimes instead of about all of us.
Okay, I’m done now. Whew! I hope no one’s counting the comment words! 🙂
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Dear Sandra,
You do have a knack for writing overwhelming comments. Not a bad thing. No word limit for comments. 😉
You absolutely went where I wanted to you to go with the scene. Sergei is a determined man in the face of Nikolai’s shock and consternation. Of course all will be explained in AS ONE MUST, ONE CAN.
Fortunately, the exchange with the person who called me a controller, etc was behind the scenes via emails. At any rate he/she (don’t recall which) disappeared.
At any rate, despite my rant about overage, it goes on. Irritating.
Thank you for the support…and advice.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice story. As always I really like your artwork. The video you posted was very touching. I may participate – I hope they get 60 million people to post!
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Dear Trent,
Thank you for your comments re my story and artwork. As for the video,…60 million or MORE!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Every picture tells a story, don’t it? As the song states, and it can conjure many stories for even one person. No apologies needed. Great job.
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Dear Jan,
It seems this picture told two stories for me. And both of them were about Nikolai. Go figure.Thank you for your kind words.
Love,
Rochelle
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A very tantalising excerpt Rochelle
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Thank you, Louise. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I did love the story as well, I was jealous of the natural use of language in it. Mike
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Thank you, Michael. Just making sure. 😉
Shalom again,
Rochelle
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You are only human… and you gave us a great story with your fabulous art, so, we’re all winners here!
At least I have passed this excerpt this time… 😉
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Dear Dale,
Can’t wait to hear where you are in the book now. In any event, I reran the prompt but not the story I did with it. Coincidentally, both stories were excerpt from AOMOC with Nikolai. I guess that photo puts me in mind of him. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I get the feeling that last line is leading onto a world of pain for someone – or maybe just a huge row! Nice snippet and it shows their relationship very well – tetchy as we’d say here 🙂 Thank you for sharing the video too – it’s tragic that we haven’t learned from the War, that people are still dying, still being chosen for death because of their ethnicity or cultural group. Well done for helping to spread a positive message
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Dear Lynn,
This scene is definitely a lead in to something. 😉 Sergei and Nikolai haven’t had much of a relationship for 20 years beginning with a major disagreement. Sergei, a concert violinist, expected his son to choose a career in music. Instead Nikolai chose medicine. The reasons are revealed in the book
I’ve already posted my “We Remember” photo in the inLinkz list and plan to post it Friday on Twitter and Facebook with hashtag. I hope to see tons of these pictures.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A long and complex family history – as in so many families. It’s not always easy to navigate the complicated feelings and views we all have, even when you love people
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Lovely excerpt. I wonder which of the two countries Sergei would pick to stay in today? It used to be such a clear cut differentiation.
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Dear Iain,
I think if it were today, he might grab Nikolai and his family and bundle them off to Australia or New Zealand. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I just wanted to say that I also think you should have blocked the person that called you a B**** and you have every right to delete stories that go over the 100-word count! And I say this as someone who often goes over. If someone goes to 200 that is double the limit and I would understand you deleting their link off of the link-up page. It is a challenge, there are supposed to be rules.
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Dear Symanntha,
Not to worry, the person who called me the name did so in a private email and never darkened the inLinkz again. As some do from time to time, that person was using the inLinkz list to draw traffic to his blog.
As a rule I wouldn’t delete someone for going over the word limit, but I will pass on reading their work.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely story and great artwork – always a pleasure to see the characters come to life. Thanks for the link too. And I’m with you on the word count – 100 per cent. I might go two or three over but like you, when it’s way over the top I just move on. Keep up the fight!
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Dear Sandra,
I’m so happy to have you in my corner. 😉 Although I’ve had some writers argue that they couldn’t possibly cut their precious stories down to 100 words, when they try it they find they can.
Thank you for your kind words re my story and artwork.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As I said, I cut and pasted this picture the first time around but never wrote a story so I say “Thanks” for the rerun. I love the father/son interaction in your story. And can feel Nikolai’s heart drop when his father says he’s not going back. As always, your drawings are exquisite and the video …. time to make a sign.
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Dear Lish,
I hope you’ll read the book for the rest of the story. As often happens when the muse takes over, these two guys wrote a story I didn’t expect.
I’ve made my sign. 😉 I put it on the linkz list already.
This was a first for me..re-posting a photo, not realizing I’d used it before. Ironically, each time I used an excerpt from the 3rd book and each one was about Nikolai. Go figure. I’m glad the photo worked for you. 😀
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m glad you posted the photo again, because I couldn’t think of anything last time, and this time it inspired me. Thanks for the second chance!
I enjoyed your “not exactly” excerpt. Just imagine what that early car must have looked like to people back then. Like some sort of space-age futuristic machine! I can see why some folks would have preferred walking: much safer!
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Dear Joy,
The re-posting of the photo was unintentional so I’m glad it worked. 😉
I’m glad you liked my story. Thank you for stopping to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“I’m not going back”. Ha! Nikolai is in for it now. 😀
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Dear James,
Yes, Nikolai is in for a rather wild ride. 😉
Thanks for swinging by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Some things demand to be repeated and in my case given a second chance. I didn’t write for this photo. I must have been lost in Mexico at the time. You portrayed the conflict well in this tiny vignette.
Shalom,
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
I’m not sure where my head was when I repeated the prompt. At any rate I didn’t repeat my story.
Thank you for your comments. Your visits to my purple heaven are always appreciated. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great characters as always. I fee like I know them already. I bet a lot of families started like Sergei, deciding later to never go back. It’s literally a slice of Americana. Great stuff, Rochelle!
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Dear Eric,
Thank you for such a high compliment. I hope you have read or will read the books to get to know the characters even better. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That last line hit like an arrow to the heart of their relationship. I could only think Oh no poor Nikolai. The video you posted was very touching, I can not imagine what it must be like for those survivors to live in fear when it keeps happening.
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Dear Cindy,
Thank you for your insightful comment. Nikolai and Sergei have miles yet to go. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i don’t think it’s nice for nikolai to talk to his father like that. the father is entitled to some respect.
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Dear Plaridel,
Perhaps. However, Nikolai is a forty-year-old man who hasn’t spoken in twenty years. On top of that, Sergei, his father, is the one who rejected Nikolai for choosing medicine over music. Now after a twenty year standoff his father decides to walk back into his life.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Paulette,
I like the photo you chose for your mug shot this week. Perhaps a side profile to go along with it would make a nice combo.
Loved the title of the piece, and I can understand the son’s suspicion of his father’s motives. Sometimes asking for forgiveness–and granting it–can be difficult things, especially when pride gets in the way.
Watch out for flying outhouses,
Stevie
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Dear Stevie,
Smiling didn’t seem right for that mug shot. You’re right, it could use a profile. 😉
I’m glad you caught the title. It is a foreshadow of what might be coming down the pike for this father and son. And both do have a lot of pride to swallow.
Watching and ducking,
Paulette
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Sounds like Sergei’s there to stay! Beautiful illustrations.
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Dear Ali,
Sergei is indeed there to stay. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love your short story as always. You can tell so much with so little words. You are brilliant.
I love the youtube clip and I was wondering if you would allow me to use it on my blog, with mentioning you and your blog of course.
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Thank you for all your lovely words, Bridget. As for the YouTube clip, by all means, use it! I lay no claim to it and want to see anyone and everyone take part tomorrow. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Frivolous spending? Fathers always say that!
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Dear Liz,
In this case the son says it to the father. Nikolai is much more pragmatic than his gregarious father, Sergei. They are two of my favorites in the books…aside from Havah herself, of course.
Thank you and Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s a sizable olive branch. As always you’ve backed so much story and character into so few words.
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Dear Karen,
As you know, making an excerpt stand alone as a story is a challenge. I’m pleased it worked for you. Thanks for coming by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks for your post. I enjoyed your story and the illustrations, too. What a touching video. It struck me especially given the current climate here. I’ve been following the news and trying to keep acting to do better. This video is a strong reminder of how we need to remember and need to keep those memories present in a real way.
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Dear Emily,
I couldn’t let Holocaust Remembrance go by, it just happened the day and Friday Fictioneers coincided this week. Thank you for your comments and compliments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Awesome video, Rochelle! I love the fact that you are not asking us to remember only the Jews and fight for them, but for all of humanity!
Kudos to you, your writing and yours!
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Dear Sabina,
That’s why I chose that particular video. It’s inclusive. The Holocaust was horrible and shouldn’t be forgotten, but genocide keeps happening in other places as well.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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💐💐💐
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Querida Rochelle,
No doubt the stories will continue to blossom with your words. Beautifully told …
The illustrations are primo art. 🎨
Your video brought 3 words to mind “Lest we forget” … humanity has to be remembered and respected.
I enjoyed seeing the repeat photograph. I’ve had a busy week reposting helps sometimes.
Hope you enjoy my story again.
Have a fabulous weekend, mi amiga. 😍
Abrazos,
Isadora 😎
p.s. thank you for pointing out some FF blogs using lengthy writing. I’ve begun to skip those and was feeling guilty. Also, if a blog is read, the FF person should drop by even if to add a ‘Like’ Sorry … my rant. 😁😳
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Querida Isadora,
Your words are so appreciated.
Re the lengthy stories…I pretty much skip them, too. For the longest time I haven’t said anything but lately I’ve mentioned it in comments. On a couple of occasions I’ve thrown the writer a challenge to take the story and pare it down and he has done it. Ah well, nuff said
Glad you liked my story. If we every locate your wandering book, you’ll meet Nikolai and begin to understand my infatuation with him.
Gracias y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Let’s call the adventure “The Case of the Wandering Book” …. LOLOL … My hope hasn’t diminished yet. 😁😍
Hasta la próxima …
Isadora 😎
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As I recall ,this was the picture that lead to the story of Mrs. Junker and her nearly miraculous scrounging abilities. Hehehe! I went looking for that little story to repost, and ach, but it’s nowhere to be found. Hard to top it, though.
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Love the story, Rochelle. Sorry so late to read it. Especially enjoyed our little convo yesterday.
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Dear Jelli,
You’re not late at all. We are Friday Fictioneers and it’s Friday. There you go. Right on time. 😉 I enjoyed connecting with you yesterday, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sleepless nights have my days tumbled.
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Rochelle, I refuse to call you crabby or controlling, however much you say I can. 🙂 Seriously though, it’s good you remind people, especially when it gets out of hand and any more than 101 is a different challenge.
As usual a cracking piece of writing, I look forward to reading them each week.
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Dear Michael,
101 isn’t that noticeable. But when it goes over 130 or more it is. Many thanks for your encouraging words and compliments on my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
I’m even more in love with Nikolai than I was before, now I’ve seen how dishy he is. It’s so clever the way you’ve got the family likeness there between the three generations. Such wonderful pictures. And I loved the excerpt. It worked very well as a standalone story.
It’s funny how people, especially family members, sometimes think they can just waltz back into the life of a person from whom they’ve been estranged and buy their way back in, just in a second. I’m guessing that Nikolai’s father had been thinking about him for quite a while, but that Nikolai himself hadn’t given him a second thought and needed time to adjust to him arriving back in his life. …I will need to read the book, to find out more. It’s at the top of my “To Read” list on Goodreads, so won’t be long. I’m halfway through another book, which I’ve not yet added to my current reading shelf, plus I have to review a book I’ve already read. This is obviously going to be a year when I’m behind with everything, unless I manage to give myself a kick up my own backside!
That video is so moving and powerful. This world really can be hell on earth at times. I reckon that horrors have happened throughout history, but it alarms me that barbarism still lurks at the heart of humanity, beneath all our accrued knowledge that should make us better people.
I must send you some photos to add to your FF stock. By the way, I never wrote a story the first time you posted this week’s photo prompt, so it was new to me.
All best wishes
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
Since you’ve read the first two books you know there’s no love lost between Nikolai and his father and some of the reasons. In the next book I had fun expounding on yeas of misunderstanding. But, then, I don’t want to give too much away. 😉
Thank you for all your comments. I’m always open to new photos.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m very much looking forward to further revelations about those years, but I’ll have to do a bit of revision in advance, as I remember some of the stuff about that relationship in your other two books but I want to check that I remember all of them, or do you recap in Book 3? I have difficulty sometimes reading about relationships with fathers and so occasionally things I read on the subject get unremembered quickly D:
I’ll sort out some FF photos for you this next week.
All best wishes,
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
I pretty much recap what I’ve said in the prior two books since, at that time, I didn’t intend to bring Nikolai’s father back into his life. Sergei had other plans. In the third book you’ll find out what precipitated the rift between them in greater detail. I’m not sure I mentioned it much in the first book at all actually.
I’ll leave the rest up to you. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Indeed. Never again. And your drawings are incredible. A great take in thd prompt… frivolous spending or future planning?
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Dear Laurie,
Thank you for such lovely comments. As to the question, perhaps a little of both. You’ll have to read the book to find out. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I will!! Cant wait
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You are one of the big reasons why i am hooked on to Friday Fictioneers. Great style coupled with excellent character study. Wonderful, as always. Rochelle, your writings and your sensitivity that creeps in through them.
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Dear Neel,
Thank you for such an incredibly sweet comment. I’ll cherish it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, those halcyon days when the USA accepted refugees! A very human story.
“Never again” needs to be shouted much louder in these troubled times.
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Dear Patrick,
I’ve nothing to say but ‘amen.’ Thank you for stopping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reblogged this on ladyleemanila and commented:
#we remember 🙂
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The last line absolutely makes this for me. The excitement of not going back is contagious!
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Dear Clare,
Sergei has good reasons for not going back, but what kind of teaser would it be if I gave them here? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I could see this whole story in my mind’s eye. I enjoyed it. Thanks for the link, also.
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You’re welcome and thank you, Dawn. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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