14 March 2025

Published March 12, 2025 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED FROM THIS?

Thirteen-year-old Pieter woke up to silence. Had everyone died? Clawing at fleabites, he waited for the camp guards to come with their clubs. Hunger gnawed at his empty stomach.

Beside him, Heinrich sat up. “What’s happening?”

Pieter rushed to the front gate, followed by his friends Heinrich and Vlad.

A Russian soldier on the other side of the gate, shot off the padlock. “Doctors, food and medication will be coming soon.”

That night, for the first time in a year, Pieter, freshly showered and fed, embraced the joy of freedom while fighting off grief and nightmares in a soft bed.

*******************

The following song would later unofficially become Israel’s National anthem in 1948 and officially in 2004. Hatikvah means “The Hope.”

7 March 2025

Published March 5, 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: Anecdote
Word Count:100

FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH

“Something’s happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear.”

My thoughts scatter this morning like bits of flotsam, jetsam and lagan. The news blares in my ears and assaults my mind. Opinions swirl and spin with tornadic force. As the saying goes, everybody has one…nu?

Meanwhile, I’m gagging on social media fast food.

Yes. I have my own views. I don’t care to get into a virtual shouting match. Speak to me in private. I’ll say what I think. Or maybe I won’t. I hope we can still be friends. If not, perhaps we were never friends to begin with.

And while we’re at it:

28 February 2025

Published February 26, 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 © Jen Pendergast

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE SEVEN DWARVES OF AUSCHWITZ

“As in the fairytale Snow White, there were seven of us,” says Perla. “My brothers, Micki and Avram, my sisters, Frieda, Rozika, Elizabeth and me. All of us entertainers—singing, dancing and playing musical instruments.”

Tears sting her eyes. “Not only were we deformed, we were also Jews. The Nazis deported us to Auschwitz.

“We fascinated Dr. Mengele. He syphoned our blood, extracted our teeth and did painful experiments.” Perla shudders. “Yet he kept us alive.”

“Are you sorry he wasn’t executed?” she’s asked.

“No. I was saved by the grace of the Devil. Let God give Mengele his due.”

To read a more about them CLICK HERE.

21 February 2025

Published February 19, 2025 by rochellewisoff

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If this photo prompt looks familiar to you, it’s because it’s a rerun from Aptil 2016. I’m sort of rerunning my story from that week although it needed tweaking. 😉

Genre: Fact and Fiction
Word Count: 100

SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE

At a critique group I shared an excerpt from my historical novel set in 1904.

“‘…The taller officer, an imposing presence with dark skin, fascinated Havah. Although she had read about them in Professor Dietrich’s books about Africa and American history, she had never met a Negro face to face.’”

“I hate to burst your bubble,” said another writer with self-assured conviction. “I doubt there would’ve been a black officer back then.”

Returning her smug smile, I opened my Kansas City history book to a photo of Lafayette Tillman on horseback. “Second one on the KC force.”

.

.

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14 February 2025

Published February 12, 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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A bit of a note here. WordPress is getting more and more challenging. There were a few posts I tried to comment on the last go around and was notified that I wasn’t allowed to comment. But with a second try it worked. Athough there was one in particular that wouldn’t let me comment at all. Very frustrating.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE BEST BASEBALL PLAYER YOU NEVER HEARD OF

Arms folded across her chest; Mama’s dark eyes blazed.

“Marcenia, where you been?”

There was no sense in lying. “Playing baseball.”

“And playing hooky?”

Brushing mud from her trousers, Marcenia nodded. “Yes, Ma’am.”

Mama shook her head. “Toni Tomboy they calls you. Why can’t you be more like your sisters?”

The ten-year-old grinned. She liked the nickname so much that she went on to make history competing with men in the Negro leagues as Toni Stone.

She later told reporters, “Women got as much right as men to dream. When the roll is called up yonder, I wanna play baseball.”

7 February 2025

Published February 5, 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: Literary Fiction
Word Count: 100

HANAI

I met Kevin online. Our connection began with shared interests and blossomed into more.

“You should visit in person,” said my sister.

“Fat chance. He’s in Hawaii, I’m in Nebraska.”

Last week I received an airline ticket.

“Next Saturday. Icon Grill. Seattle.

Aloha,

Kevin.”

_______________________

He slides into the booth across from me. “You bring it?”

From my purse I take a faded photograph of twins, a boy and a girl. Korean War orphans. I’ve carried it for forty years.

His almond-shaped eyes crinkle as he fishes an identical photo from his wallet.

“Jah-meh, I always hoped to find you.”

*Jah-meh – Korean for sister

Confession: this is a retread that I’ve posted a couple of times before. So if it looks familiar, you know why. If you wrote a story in 2013 or 2016 for this lovely photo from Ted Strutz, who is sorely missed, feel free to repost. 😉 Shoot me an email if you’d like to reach out to Ted via snail mail. ❤

31 January 2025

Published January 29, 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 © Mr. Binks

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

CREATING HEAVEN ON EARTH

When I was a little girl, the Shakers took me in and educated me. They encouraged me to follow my own path, celibate and free.

As Mother Ann Lee taught, I gave my hands to work and my heart to God, making chairs and building cabinets.

Yet I dreamt of my gentle prince who would rescue me on his noble steed.

Ignoring Mother Ann’s wise counsel, I accepted a marriage proposal.

By my 26th year I had born five children—two who lived.

Tonight, I shall pack our belongings and beseech the Shakers to rescue me from my violent “prince.”

If you’re unfamiliar with the Shakers, here’s a short clip to introduce them.

24 January 2025

Published January 22, 2025 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Fictionalized Story of a Current Reality
Word Count: 100

22 TISHREI 5784

More than a year had passed since Yani had seen her daughter Ori who would soon be freed from the hell of captivity. Forced to live in a damp, filthy tunnel beneath what was once a village, what stories would she tell? Would she be able to speak at all?

Hamas. Hebrew for violence. They say they have technical issues freeing their captives.

“Technical issues? They endanger their own children,” mused Yani’s grandmother Hannah who had survived Ravensbrück. “These animals should be found dead in every sector of their tunnels.”

“Ema!” Ori’s arms encircled Yani. “I’m home. Ahm Yisrael Chai!” *

*The people of Israel live!

17 January 2025

Published January 15, 2025 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: HIstorical Fiction
Word Count: 100

UNTAMED

“Oh, you can’t be serious, Margaret,” said Ethel. “He gave that monstrosity to a young child. It will give her nightmares. What’s wrong with a Teddy Bear?”

“Mortimer isn’t too keen on Teddy Bears. Too cliché.”

“Then he shouldn’t have one. But a stuffed chimpanzee for a one-year-old?”

Margaret smiled. Her husband had brought the stuffed monkey he’d named Jubilee a few days prior.

She led Ethel to her daughter’s room where Jane slept with her arm curled around the monkey. “See for yourself.”

To this day, ninety years later, Jane Goodall’s beloved Jubilee sits on her dresser in London.

Baby Jane Goodall with her toy chimpanzee Jubilee.

10 January 2025

Published January 8, 2025 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Anecdote
Word Count: 100

PURPLE PROSE

Addicted? Me? Nah. No way.

It is true that I’ve always loved purple—all shades of it, from pale lavender to deep violet.

It’s more than a color, or colour, depending on your locale. In North Carolina there’s even a boutique called, of all things, Purpleologist. They sell everything from knickknacks to jewelry, sunglasses, and clothes.

Twelve years ago, at a writer’s workshop, we bloggers were encouraged to create a memorable title to build our brand. “Addicted to Purple” was born—a bit of humor that seems to have caught on. That’s all.

Addicted? Me? Nah, I can stop anytime.

Here’s a link to Russell Gayer’s take on my addiction that he posted in 2012. (Note, he was at that same workshop)

A few years back, someone sent me the link to this song. He said it should be my theme song. 😉 It is my iPhone’s ringtone. 😀 What can I say? It works.