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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.
PHOTO PROMPT © Rowena Curtin
The following is a snippet from my soon-to-be published novel. Gone over with a finetooth comb by my wonderful beta readers, I’ve sent the manuscript back to my publsiher for another round of edits. It’s amazing how each one of my readers fround something different. 😀
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
EVASIVE MANEUVER
The sun behind Dr. Picard put his face in shadow. Elise winced. “Do you suppose you could move?”
He rose and sank into a different chair. “That’s a step in the right direction. Better?”
“Yes. What do you mean by that?”
“How often do you ask for what you need?”
“Often enough, I guess.”
“How often do you ask your husband?”
“John Wayne Picard, MD, PhD.” Elise read a framed medical certificate on the wall. “Nice bowtie, Doctor. That shade of cerulean brings out the blue in your eyes. Mind if I call you Wayne? Or do you prefer John?”
https://www.ozarkhollowpress.com/
Here I am with my enthusiastic publisher, head of OHP, Lia Wu. ❤
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Hi Rochelle, I like how this conversation moves, each trying to gain control of the narrative. Eventually we might know why she is seeing the doctor, perhaps the doctor will tease the problem out of her.
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Dear James,
I’m not sure why your comment came through as “Annonymous” but I recognize your icon. 😉 This is very early in Elise’s treatment in an eating disorder unit. I assure you, Dr. Picard is persistant. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She sounds forceful. A pain in the butt? Maybe a cultural difference on my part. An interesting character, with out question, R.
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Dear Tannille,
I guess you could consider her a pain in the butt. 😉 There’s a lot of pain behind her defensive attitude. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That makes a great story though.
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I love how you label your stories. I love the hysterical fiction the best. But realistic fiction is good too.
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Thank you, Sadje. Hysterical fiction is one of my favorites, too. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re most welcome 🙏🏼
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Thank you Rochelle. Love your intriguing dialogues. All the best for your edits with our publisher.
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Thank you for your kind words, Susan. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Is Dr. Picard the estranged husband?
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Dear Reena,
Nope. Dr. Picard is her therapist.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🤔
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I can imagine what his next move will be. Nicely done, Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
Her attitude is nothing new to him. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A not so subtle evasive move by your character…wondering how the doctor will handle!
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Dear Clare,
Not to worry. This therapist has her number. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Interesting interaction here. Not sure the situation, but it’s a good set up. Is he perhaps her husband? That could be an interesting thread… why, then, does she call him Doctor….and so on. Will try to do more this week. Just couldn’t get into the game last week. Shalom, Bear!
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Dear Bear,
Dr. Picard is her therapist, not her husband. Elise is inpaitient in an eating disorder unit. At this stage she isn’t sure she wants to get well.
Take care of yourself.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Evasive move for sure. Change the subject works…sometimes. But maybe not for a professional. Good teaser.
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Dear Anonymous Husband,
Elise was pretty good with those evasive maneuvers, wasn’t she? Wayne had her number for sure. 😀
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Yep. For sure.
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I like the power struggle here; I suspect the Doctor has seen more belligerent patients than her though. I feel a tiny bit of hope in her asking him to move – there’s the tiniest shred of self-care in it which you’ve picked up well.
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Dear Jen,
You went exactly where I wanted the reader to go. For Elise it’s progress and Dr. Picard is wise enough to know this. This is pretty early in the book so she has a long way to yet. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved hearing you read that exerpt! It was awesome!
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Thank you so much, Carole Anne. Nice to know someone is listening. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good to hear an excerpt and to know it is based on your lived experiences makes it extra special. Nice photo of you and your publisher. Hope things continue to move towards printing 🙂
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Dear Lisa,
This conversation really could’ve been one I had with my Wayne. He never let me get away with it either. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
{{{{HUGS}}}}
Shalom,
Lisa
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I bet this therapist has worked with evasive maneuvers for enough years that mentioning the color of his eyes isn’t anything more than a blip in the conversation and questions.
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Dear Lish,
Wayne is all too familiar with evasive maneuvers. 😉 Very much like the therapist he’s based on. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I know this patient and I recognize the duck and weave. I’m sure her therapist expected it. Congratulations on your latest book.
Tracey
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Dear Tracey,
Duck and weave…exactly! This very much mirrors teal conversations I had with my therapist Wayne Witcher. Thank you re the book.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hmmm…seems getting answers from her is going to take some patience.
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Dear Dawn,
Wayne’s good at being patient. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh – I kind of thought the doctor and her husband were the same man, having a strange conversation. Wrong again!
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Dear Liz,
It would be a strange conversation if this was her husband. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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No doubt he’ll have her back on track before long, I’m sure he’s used to such situations.
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Dear Keith,
It’s for sure and certain this isn’t Wayne’s first rodeo. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I think Elise might be deflecting by joking with her therapist. Best wishes, Rochelle, on your upcoming novel. 🙂
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Dear Brenda,
Elise is a little goo proficient at deflection and evasion. Rest assured, Wayne’s got her number. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great dialogue Rochelle and psychologically very intriguing 🙌
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Thank you so much, Angela.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She definitely wants control of the conversation. Well done.
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Dear Athling,
Not only does she want control, she wants to avoid it completely. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i suppose deflection is one way of facing the inevitable. at least, for the time being. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
Elise is doing her best to avoid the necessary conversation. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
He is not a therapist for nothing. He can read that dear Elise like a book. He can also acknowledge that her small ask is a giant step for her. Of course, she is going to evade speaking about her husband… that’s way too huge for now.
Shalom and lotsa insightful love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
You might just have an inside advantage. 😉 Elise is no match for Wayne. He’s got her number. Thank you for your insightful comments.
Shalom and lotsa appreciative hugs,
Rochelle
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I might at that 😉 But even so, there was no confusion as to who was who in this scene 😉
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Here’s to evasive maneuvers and hey hey hey for the soon to be published, which you know I am rooting for! Hugs! (did put in my 2 cents again this week … 🙂 )
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
I appreciate your presence in my corner. 😀 Your 2 cents are always welcome. ❤ Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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xoxo
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I read this one several times and then listened to it. Each time from a different perspective – mine – the Dr’s and Elises’. In that order. Very nice setup. Looking forward to reading the finished story.
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Dear O.L.
Thank you for taking the time to read, listen and comment. 😀 I will certainly let everyone know when the book is out.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s often hard for many of us to ask for what we need, especially the help we need.
Congratulations on the forward momentum of your novel. Leonardo was right, “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” I could read through something 100 times and make 100 changes every time.
Fun fact: Not only was yesterday 2Pac’s birthday, my grandparents’ anniversary, but it was Captain Picard Day. A good time to debut your Dr. Picard.
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Dear Nobbin,
Confession. I’m a huge Star Trek and Picard fan. So there just might be a few references in the book. 😉
Elise defintely needs to learn to ask for what she needs. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Very engaging dialogue. I can’t wait to read more. I found it very interesting how she evaded his question about her husband by focusing on his credentials. Great title, by the way.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
Elise is an opportunist when it comes to the art of defection. 😉 Wayne’s creds were handy. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved the dialogues, dear Rochelle.
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Many thanks, Neel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A tempting snippet. A game played between clever people. I bet this Dr has met with worse.
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Dear Laurie,
No doubt the good doctor had dealt with worse than Elise. 😉 Glad it’s tempting. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love the interaction. Her husband seems to be a sore subject.
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Dear Brit,
He’s a sore subject indeed. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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