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
With my novel LAST DANCE WITH ANNIE coming out soon (sorry no date) and my total lack of inspiration this morning, I’m posting an edited snippet. Irma is based on an actual person whose name I don’t recall so her identity is safe with me. 😉
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
NEW BEGINNINGS
Elise lay on her bed, exhausted from her first twenty-four hours on EDU.
Trying to shrug off the shame of letting down one of her closest friends, she drank in the delicious scent of the blooms on the nightstand. “Nothing says spring like daffodils.”
It was sweet of her coworkers to send them up. She reread the card that said, “Fight the good fight. We love you.”
“Make sure you never set them where Irma can see ‘em,” said Elise’s roommate. “She goes bonkers around flowers.”
“Why?”
“I’ll let her tell it. We’re supposed to concentrate on our own stories.”
*Note EDU stands for “Eating Disorder Unit.”
A nod to my friend and fellow author Kathleen M. Rodgers who shares my love of daffodils and understands Elise better than most.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
What a great sentiment! Nicely told, Rochelle.
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Dear Mr. B,
I’m not sure which sentiment you’re referring to. At any rate, I’m glad you liked it and took the time to say so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, well let me highlight it!
“We’re supposed to concentrate on our own stories…” it’s a really strong line.
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Beautifully done and fully satisfying, Rochelle, which is hard to do when you’re working from a whole book. The last line is a killer!
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Wow! Thank you for such high praise, Neil. You’ve started off my day with a smile.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like the last art piece. Is it you, Rochelle? 😍
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Dear Trish,
Thank you. Yes, that last one is me. I actually sketched that piece in the midst of my own storm. It has been edited for the upcoming book cover. (Hopefully soon to be revealed.) 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s great!
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I have to agree, ….. that last line in your audio is powerful! Keep drawing, painting, and swimming! Your talents and skills are endless!😘
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Thank you so much, whoever you are. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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OK, now I ma very curious about Irma! I want to hear her tell her story… Great painting to illustrate your story.
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Dear Trent,
And that of course is the purpose of this snippet. I want to arouse curiosity. 😉 Irma is one of my favorite characters. She is based on someone I was inpatient with. Thank you re the painting. Daffodils are my favorite…even though they aren’t purple. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yellow and purple are opposites yet work well together…
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This is true. My go to for shading yellow. 😉 Complementary colors.
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m one of the rare ones who doesn’t adore daffodils. Though I do appreciate that they are shouting “spring is here!”
Perfect snippet to choose for this prompt.
Shalom and lotsa Irma-less love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I guess I can forgive you for not loving daffodils. 😉 As for Irma…she wasn’t the most likeable character in the book, was she? I might have embellished her just a tad, although the real one hated flowers for the same reasons.
Thank you for your encouraging words.
Shalom and lotsa fragrant hugs,
Rochelle
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I don’t hate them, I just don’t love them 😉 That said, I am pretty chuffed to see their leaves popping up in my front yard (no, not planted by moi).
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Lovely artwork, Rochelle, and that story is screaming for a follow-up.
What’s up with Irma and flowers, I wonder!
Peace 🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
That’s the rub. This is a teaser. A promo for my upcoming novel LAST DANCE WITH ANNIE. So I guess you could say there will be a follow up 😉 And Irma and her issue with flowers will be revealed. Thank you re my artwork.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can’t wait!
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I look forward to the publication and release of this book. If you ever get to the East Coast, please let me know. I would love to meet you in person! And I have a son who recently relocated to San Francisco, so you just never know 🙂
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Dear Linda,
I have very mixed feelings about this one. On one hand I’m excited and on the other hand I feel very vulnerable.
I would love to meet you in person as well.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Understandable. I hope that the positive reactions you get will overcome the vulnerability.
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We all have our challenges.
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Help. I forgot to login and am anonymous.
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Dear James,
Thank you for identifying yourself. Yes, we do all have our challenges.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Spring flowers are a sign of new beginnings for so many – perhaps the coworkers hoped this was a turning point for Elise. I’m intrigued by Irma, but I’ll just have to read the book and see if I find out more!
Jen
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Dear Jen,
I can tell you for a fact, it’s exactly what her coworkers were hoping for her. 😉 Irma’s an interesting character for sure. I hope you will read more. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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There I was googling EDU and now I see that you’ve added a footnote, that explains it. Blind me… 🙂
A beautiful story, and now I want to know more about Irma. I will have to buy the book… 😀 Oh, and the paintings are amazing, I too love daffodils.
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Dear Gabi,
Sorry I didn’t add that footnote in at the beginning. I meant to it just slipped my teflon mind. ED used to mean eating disorder now it seems to mean something else entirely. 😉
Thank you re my story. I hope you’ll enjoy the book. Irma is quite a character. Thank you re the artwork also.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Can’t wait to hear more about the novel. An intriguing snippet to whet the appetite.
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Dear Iain,
I am trying to be patient here. 😉 Glad to hear the snippet whetted your appetite. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And, concentrating on your own story turned into this latest Novel that I am anticipating. I’m sure that as with your other novels. It will be a great example of your phenomenal writing. Of course, I get the first autographed copy. Just because…..
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Dear Jan,
From your keyboard to God’s eyes. 😉 Thank you, m’luv
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The frustrating thing about a person’s trauma is that often it is connected with beautiful things that ordinarily bring one joy. My heart goes out to all of the Irma’s in the world. Beautiful and sensitive story, Rochelle.
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Dear Lisa,
Of course I don’t want to give too much away here. 😉 Irma does have her reasons for disliking flowers that one might understand. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I understand, no spoilers. You’re very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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I hope that Irma will learn to love flowers,
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We can but hope. Thank you, whoever you are.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Intriguing. Three personalities, each with their own story and I want to hear them all. Great teaser. Gorgeous daffodils.
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Dear Margaret,
It’s true, everyone has a story to tell. The reasons are as varied as the personalities of the sufferer. Happy to tease. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i suppose, to each, her own. :)
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Dear Plaridel,
It does go a bit deeper than that.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a lovely muted painting of daffodils. It reminds me of how these flowers come up through the snow. Just the sight of a hint of yellow conjures up the joy of spring.
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Dear Clare,
I do love me some daffodils. ❤ Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Intriguing snippet of story; I want to know more… And your watercolor is gorgeous!
Angela
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Love the daffodil painting – my garden is fullof them right now. Lizy
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Dear Lizy,
I wish I had a flower garden, but I am enjoying the neighbors’ daffodils.:D
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Anne Uumellmahaye W(T)F,
I bet that Irma is a real Abby Normal. She’d probably gooble those daffodills like they were alfalfa dipped in chocolate, then guzzle the water from the vase.
It’s a good thing they didn’t preserve her brain in a glass jar.
Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr
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Dear Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr,
No doubt Irma would be grateful for your diagnosis. Now you have me wondering about daffodils dipped in chocolate. Everything tastes better either coated with chocolate or breaded and fried. I’m partial to deep fried air. Chow down.
Shalom,
Anne Uumellmahaye W(T)F
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A beautiful message at a hard moment. And honestly, you find time for so much, don’t stress over us haha ❤
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Dear Laurie,
Thank you so much for your kind and understanding words.
shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s sad that Irma has a bad association with flowers. They lift the spirit for many of us. Lovely and sad story, Rochelle. Congratulations on your new novel coming soon! 🙂
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Dear Brenda,
Irma’s situation is extremely sad and a bit challenging for her fellow patients. Thank you for your encouraging words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The drawings, all three of them, are very impressive, and I love this week’s frog. Even when you lack inspiration you impress. The story kind of made me sad. I’m not sure if I read it correctly, but between where it took place (and why) and my imagining Irma, it just left me sad.
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Dear Michael,
Such kind and encouraging words. I appreciate them. The story is about people with eating disorders and is a sad one. Irma’s story is particularly tragic.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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(The “Like” button clicked, but it’s a sad Like)
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Intriguing. Can’t wait to read more.
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You make me smile, Dawn. 😀
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great snippet to awaken curiosity. I wonder what Irma’s story is … Thank you for this.
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Dear Heather,
Mission accomplished. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Lovely artwork.
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Thank you, James.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well done. I love daffodils.
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Thank you, Connie.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That was an interesting last line. I had to reflect whether that is necessarily the best way of approaching the problem. I’m still reflecting. Good one, looking forward to the book.
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Really difficult for those experiencing these syndromes and for their support group. Sensitively told.
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Dear Patrick,
Unfortunately, there are no easy fixes. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice teaser. Irma seems like a character of a character.
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Dear Nobbin,
Happy to tease. 😉 Irma is a favorite character of mine.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story Richelle! I loved it! ❤
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