This is what happens when artists gather at The Saddle-Up-Saloon. Looks like an Art Gatherin’. I’m right proud to be part of it. Thank’s to Kid and Pal for taking the time to chat with me. 😀 Shalom Y’all.
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Weekend Writing Prompt -Obdurate
Published June 13, 2020 by rochellewisoffA word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s comment section.
YELLOWISH
They agreed on house colors—grey with black and white trim. Her excitement mounted. “No more ugly green. How about a purple door?”
His face became an obdurate fortress. “Plain white is fine.”
“Boring.” She pointed to a pastel sample. “This. ‘Fun yellow.’”
When the paint arrived, it was much brighter. He fumed. “You said ‘funky yellow.’”
“You misheard.”
She grins when the neighbors compliment her door. “Score one for the missus.”
12 June 2020
Published June 10, 2020 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 © Ronda Del Boccio
CLICK ON THE FROG
Genre: Memoir
Word Count: 100
ANGEL UNAWARE
I worked in a grocery store with a gregarious black woman named Rochelle.
Every morning, we’d greet each other with a cheerful, “Good morning, Rochelle.”
One day as we chatted at her register, a customer with a small boy rolls through her line. She tells him, “Both of us are Rochelle. We’re twins.”
He scrutinizes us and shakes his head. Pointing to her hands he says, “No you’re not. You gots fancy fingernails and she don’t.”
American poet William Edgar Stafford said, “Kids: they dance before they learn there is anything that isn’t music”
I don’t want to grow up.
*How does my story connect to the prompt? It’s all about colour. 😉
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Used with Permission from the Photographer
Weekend Writing Prompt – Kaleidoscope
Published June 6, 2020 by rochellewisoffA word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s comment section.
Simple pleasure
A favorite toy
My own hall of mirrors
Contained in a tin cylinder
Rotating bits of glass
Splendor of refracted color.
5 June 2020
Published June 3, 2020 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
Click the frog for adventures in literature!
Genre: Histrionic Fiction
Word Count: 100
ASK FOR MAYO AT YOUR OWN PERIL
“You want your sweet potato chips?”
“Ugh, take ‘em.” Ralph scowled “Give me the regular ones any day. I can’t believe I let you order for me. At least the pastrami sandwich was good.”
Alice savored the flavor. “For your information sweets pack a more nutritional punch than whites.”
“I’ll give you a punch.” Ralph waved his fist under her nose. “One-a these days, Alice. Pow! Right in the kisser.”
“Seriously. Sweet potatoes have more vitamin A and twice the C.”
She reached for his plate again. He clapped his hand over hers. “Keep your grubby mitts off my pickle.”
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Note: Alice and Ralph Kramden weren’t Jewish but they were New Yorkers which is similar. 😉 So I leave you with these words of wisdom:
Weekend Writing Prompt – Intrepid
Published May 30, 2020 by rochellewisoffA word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s Comment Section.
This week the prompt took me back to a poem I wrote when my youngest son was somewhere between four and six. It’s been a long time ago. 😉 I wrote a lot of poetry back then as a means of journalling. I took this one out of mothballs and gave it a trim and an overhaul. The sketch is from the same time.
Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
DAUNTLESS
Today you are a cowboy
Astride your faithful steed.
Other times you’re an intrepid warrior
Stalking family pets.
You live in a world all your own,
Chattering for hours
About nothing in particular.
By turns you are both angel and rogue,
Challenging me to love you
At all cost
To my sanity.
Meet the Creator of Friday Fictioneers
Published May 29, 2020 by rochellewisoffOnce upon a time, eight years ago to be exact, I was a fledgling author with a newly published short story anthology. I’d recently started a blog and occasionally received more than two comments on my posts! Sigh.
One April Wednesday morning in 2012 as I scrolled through my Facebook feed I saw a notice on the Ozarks Writers League, OWL, page from someone named Madison Woods. It was a reminder that it was time for Friday Fictioneers, a weekly blog challenge that would change the course of my life.
I was hooked from the first prompt.
(I had a lot to learn about commenting and reciprocation 😉 )
Who knew that six months later I’d be adopting Madison’s baby? Enough of that! The purpose of this post is to introduce you to the lady, author and artist who birthed the idea of Friday Fictioneers.
© Madison Woods, Friday Fictioneers’ Birth Mother
Original Artwork © Madison Woods
29 May 2020
Published May 27, 2020 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
Click the Frog…you know you want to.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
AUTUMN FRAGRANCE
“How are you, GI Joe?”
Even though we listened to her every day, nobody took her seriously.
“They have forgotten about you back home. Your sacrifice means nothing to your people.”
Let her spout her bullshit, we looked forward to the music from home.
“Your great nation has abandoned you.”
After months of being shot at by the VC and suffering jungle rot, my orders came. I was headed for home!
At Travis I was met not with ticker tape and hurrahs, but with protesters screaming, “Get back on the plane, baby killer!”
Hanoi Hannah was onto something, after all.
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Creation in Confinement
Published May 23, 2020 by rochellewisoffI could begin this post will all kinds of platitudes about the strange new world that’s upon us but there are others who are doing a fine job of that. Which is not to say that I’m thumbing my nose at the powers that be, carrying a protest sign or refusing to wear a mask. None of the above need apply. I will admit to the strong desire to take a sledgehammer to the television when the news comes on. Yes, I want to stay informed, just not 24/7.
The toughest part of shelter in place for me has been the closure of my fitness center. More specifically the lap pool. The last mile I swam, at this writing, was Friday, March 20 at 11:00 AM, but who’s counting? Not being able to go shopping (aside from grocery shopping) has been a minor inconvenience. Yes, I’ve missed going out to eat, but we have enjoyed carry out from some of our favorite places. I’ve been cooking more, and, truthfully enjoying it more. My blog challenge Friday Fictioneers, continues to thrive with plenty of loyal participants.
As an introvert who enjoys alone time, particularly in the wee early morning hours before the sun inches over the horizon, I’ve continued to write and paint. There’s no greater joy than enjoying a cup of hot, black coffee while communing (or wrestling with) the muse.
Swimming has been replaced by long walks and I continue my three-mile workouts on the elliptical trainer. However neither form of exercise does it for me like an hour of swimming. It’s hard to explain that to non-mermaids.
I will admit to panic buying the day before our town shut down. But not what you might think. It wasn’t toilet paper, but watercolor paper. I realized I only had two sheets of my favorite left. This would never do. Wasting no time, I pointed my little Chevy in the direction of the closest arts and crafts store.
For the duration of the quarantine my easel has not been empty or my head so full. Any subject is fair game. To start off this season of obsessive rendering, my husband helped me set of a still life, featuring his new obsession; an autographed Zager guitar. 
Olive’s birthday present. A portrait of her and her dog, Poppy. One of my favorite photos of the two of them.
My granddaughter Olive, who is a budding artist in her own right, was about to turn nine at the end of the month. (Bragging rights. 😉 ) Since she seems to like her bubbie’s art work, I set to work on a special birthday present for her. I had a print made for our wall, but send the original to her.
What to do next?
I have the good fortune of being blessed with friends who know which end of a camera to use. Sometimes, they offer their photos and other times I…uh…erm…borrow them. The following painting is from an award winning photo taken by Ricky Yates. 
Posting my process and the finished painting, has helped boost sales for prints and note cards. Not to mention it keeps me entertained.
Two more of my photographer friends, Dale and Marie Gail, loaned challenging photos that I couldn’t resist. In fact I had prints sold of the beach picture and following two before I ever made it to the printer:
From photo by Marie Gail Stratford
From a photo by Dale Rogerson
And then there were the ones I did from my own photos.
I took this on the beach in NC last summer thinking it would make a good painting.
Am I the only person who takes pictures of the drinks when they go out to eat?
In the midst of this, I did have a commission, but am not at liberty to share that one. 😀
Then there was the day thunderstorms raged. I had to capture the shelf cloud caused by cool and warm air colliding.
Meet Ruth Bear Starfire, one of the main characters in my novel, represented by Diane Nine at Ninespeakers.com. Hopefully she’ll find a home for WHAT THE HEART WANTS soon.
Here are the final three painted this past week:
Granola passed away about 15 years ago. I still miss that silly girl.
Meet Liza Jane who owns Russell Gayer. What’s so Funny?
Before you ask, yes, I have another picture started. And, yes, prints will be available for sale.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Weekend Writing Prompt – Downpour
Published May 23, 2020 by rochellewisoffA word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it Sammi’s Comment Section.
Word Prompt
Downpour
Challenge
We hope history doesn’t repeat itself. 88 words on the button, not including title.
I HEARD GOD LAUGHING
Although overcast, no rain befell us Saturday morning. Excited energy prevailed over the park full of local artists whose crafts ranged from jewelry and ceramics to paintings and photography. I hoped this two-day fair would be as successful for me as last year.
Patrons crowded my tent.
“Beautiful work.
“Magnificent watercolor technique.”
Sprinkles gave way to downpour. I tried not to let it dampen my spirits.
That was then, this is now. I fill out the application.
Nothing can stand in my way—except for, maybe, a plague.
