1 August 2025

Published July 30, 2025 by rochellewisoff

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.

The photo prompt is a grouping of crystals in what looks to be a museum display case. There a flash of light in the right upperhand corner and the crystals sparkle and reflect the light.

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This week I’m flying out to Wilmington NC for my annual visit with my brother and his wife. So here’s a blast from the past. 2015. There are some of you who were part of the Friday Fictioneers community then. Feel free to post your own rerun with the photo prompt…also a rerun.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

SCHIST HAPPENS

I’ll never forget Mike O’Hara, my fellow New York sanitation worker. What a storyteller. Every Friday night me and the boys would settle round for a long listen.

“So I says to Mr. King, ‘whatcha make a dis rock I dug up?’”Mike took a long swig of beer. “Heavy sucker. Looks kinda like a red diamond. King says he knows a jeweler who’d kill for it.”

“This might be your tallest tale yet, O’Hara,” said Pete.

Mike had the last laugh when his “sewer garnet” made headlines in 1886. Pity he didn’t sell it hisself. Could-a made a fortune.

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25 July 2025

Published July 23, 2025 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.

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

Photo description: A large gnarled stump of a tree is in the foreground. Behind it is a stone building with a staircase that leads up to an entrance with double wooden doors.

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Genre: Fiction…sort of…
Word Count: 100

SLINGS AND ARROWS

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me.” Elise stuck out her tongue and ran home, her playmates’ taunts echoing in her ears.

Brenda had wrinkled her nose. “I don’t want Elise on my team. She’s a lousy catcher.”

“I don’t want her either.” Mindy had scowled. “She’s slower than frozen molasses.”

Elise wrapped her arms around her stuffed lion and burst into tears. “If you were a real lion, you could rip those brats apart.” She sniffed. “When I’m a famous artist they can choke on my paintbrushes.”

Nonetheless, their words hurt like hell.

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This is unrelated to the story. It’s a painting I did of my granddaughter a few years ago. 😉

18 July 2025

Published July 16, 2025 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.

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

Another WWI hero denied his due in his own time.

WHAT DID YOU DO IN THE WAR, DADDY?

Twelve-year-old Elsie listened with rapt attention to Uncle Jim, Daddy’s army buddy from the war.

“There I was, bleeding in that French field, waiting to meet my maker. Then here comes your daddy, larger than life, slings me across his shoulders and runs back to the bunker under enemy fire.”

“Daddy never told me.”

“He’s too modest. It angers me that he never got the Congressional Medal of Honor he so deserved—because he was a Jew.”

War’s not about medals.” William Shemin shrugged. “I love my country.”

Elsie ground her teeth. “Daddy, someday I’m going to right this wrong.”

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11 July 2025

Published July 9, 2025 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.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

BLACK DEATH

Henry struggled to catch his breath. The nurse sitting on the chair beside his bed reached over and squeezed his hand. “Can I get anything for you, Sergeant Johnson?”

“Been a long time since anyone’s called me sergeant.”

In three days, fireworks would herald Independence Day 1929. Whose independence? Despite his service, he was still considered less than human in his own country.

“My brother served with you in France.” Her eyes shone. “Says you’re a hero.”

“I just fought for my life. A rabbit would’ve done that.”

Shutting his eyes, Henry heaved a ragged sigh. His broken heart stopped.

Henry was dubbed “Black Death” by the Germans

Command Sgt. Maj. Louis Wilson of the New York Army National Guard accepts the Medal of Honor on behalf of World War I Pvt. Henry Johnson, who served with the 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters, at the White House, Washington, D.C., June 2, 2015.

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4 July 2025

Published July 2, 2025 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.

PHOTO PROMPT © David Stewart

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Genre: Fiction
Word Count: 100

OPPOSITES DISTRACT

Jane and Michael walked hand in hand past Victorian homes lining the street. They stopped in front of one that was surrounded by a picket fence. Its turret windows sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. Jane imagined sipping lemonade on the sprawling front porch.

“It’s like something in a romance novel, isn’t it? Wouldn’t you just love to live here?”

Michael kissed her forehead and said in a soft whisper, “Nope. Do you have any idea the cost of upkeep on an old barn like this?”

She scowled. “You certainly have a knack for finding the cloud in every silver lining.”

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I had some fun with last week’s prompt. 😀

27 June 2025

Published June 25, 2025 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.

PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

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Genre: Anecdotal History Lesson
Word Count: 100

GAME OF CONES

Leaving childhood behind at fourteen, I entered the workforce. I was hired by the local Dairy Queen for a dollar an hour.

I became adept at swirling those curls atop cones and sundaes.

Did I ever wonder about the company’s history? Nope.

That was then. This is now.

J.F. McCullough and his son Alex invented soft-serve. They shared it with ice cream shop owner Sherb Noble who, in turn, offered ten-cent cones to a sell-out crowd of 1600.

The men partnered, and the first Dairy Queen opened on June 22, 1940, in Joliet, Illinois.

Another delicious piece of history served.

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Thanks to Yvette Prior for a lovely interview. You can read it HERE.

20 June 2025

Published June 18, 2025 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.

PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

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Genre: Rambling Anecdote
Word Count: 100

AUDITORY CORTEX

Round like a circle in a spiral…

Earworms—tunes that go around and around in my head like a merry-go-round.

Like a wheel within a wheel.

Some days they seem never ending like an ever-spinning reel, don’t they?

Pictures hanging in a hallway…

Every one of those pictures is crooked. This situation must be rectified immediately.

…and the fragment of a song.

There. The pictures are straight. Much better.

Half remembered names and faces, but to whom do they belong?

I had at least four anonymous commentors last week.

Why did I come into this room in the first place?

13 June 2025

Published June 11, 2025 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.

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Genre: Anecdote/Sales Pitch
Word Count: 100

ARTISTIC PROCESS

When my friend Kathy asked if I could paint a picture of an antique typewriter, I replied, “I’m willing to give it a shot. I enjoy a challenge.”

I studied my model. Had I overestimated my ability?

To make an accurate sketch I used a drafting ruler. I counted each key. Everything had to be proportionately correct. Thank goodness I have a kneaded eraser and know how to use it.

Sketch complete, I relaxed a bit and dove into the watercolor.

Final note: While this composition has been hugely successful as prints and notecards, the original painting is still available.

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As Long as I’m self-promoting. 😉

6 June 2025

Published June 4, 2025 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.

TO TRAVEL WITH US CLICK

Genre: Anecdote
Word Count:100

CONNECTING FLIGHT

“Are you ready to go to the airport?”

I shuffled through the piles on my desk. “Daddy, I can’t find my passport.”

“Hurry!” He paced the floor.

Then I remembered I only needed my real I.D.

When we arrived at the check-in, panic set in. I’d forgotten to pack. We rushed home where I flung clothes into my purple suitcase: black swimsuits, black skirt, black pants, black…What’s with all this black?

Next-thing-I-know I’m lying in bed. I open my eyes. Somewhat relieved, I look at the clock. It’s 04:00. Dad’s been gone these past thirty years. Gee, I miss him.

*I wrote this shortly after I woke up from this very dream. Wasn’t sure what to call the genre. 😉

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And just a little something extra. 😉 It’s kind of long and has nothing to do with Friday Fictioneers. It’s an interview I did a few months ago with my author friend Diane Yates.

30 May 2025

Published May 28, 2025 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.

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Genre: Missing-you-Ted-Fiction
Word Count: 100

TED TALK

“Ethel,” Cheryl rolled her eyes. “Are you going to play, or aren’t you?”

“I’m just not in the mood for cribbage.”

“What then, are you in the mood for?”

“Let’s talk about Ted.” Ethel whispered. “Do you think he’s forgotten us?”

“Never! We’re his ladies.” Cheryl curved her arm around Ethel’s shoulder. “I miss him, too. But y’know, he’s still snapping great photos and posting them on Facebook.”

“He’s always smiling in his pictures.”

Cheryl swallowed a rising lump. “I’m sure he misses us, too. Have you noticed the twinkle in his eyes? He still has a lot to say.”

*He is still sending photos. Ted Strutz joined Friday Fictioneers before I did. Cheryl and Ethel were his characters. He was encouraging to me when I took over the FF challenge. Four years ago he suffered a stroke. Like Cheryl said, there’s a twinkle in his eye and he still has a lot to say. ❤