A 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.
Word Prompt
Challenge
We artists barter. Taffy’s beautiful glass butterflies for my watercolor prints.
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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 © J Hardy Carroll
For a good time, CLICK!
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
THE SPIRIT SURVIVES
Morning sunlight bathed Gertrude’s violin as she played a mournful melody. Although twelve years had passed, she would never forget the moment at the Quaker school her heavy braids tumbled to the floor, clipped by the teacher’s cruel scissors.
Education meant nothing if she didn’t use it for good. Her people’s spirits called to her, yearning to be free.
She plucked the pins from her hair. It fell around her shoulders like a black cape.
“I will be their voice. I am no longer Gertie.” She raised her fist. “I am Zitkala-Za of the Yankton Sioux, granddaughter of Sitting Bull.”
To know more about this trailblazing woman CLICK HERE
A 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 Sammi’s comment section.
Title is included in my 106 words.
OH, FOR THICKER SKIN
One morning I went to Amazon, as I do occasionally and found a new review on my first novel that has an average of 4.5 stars. Eagerly I read the latest. Despair riddled me as I skimmed the scathing comments.
“One-dimensional characters. Immature writing.”
By the time I finished reading three paragraphs of venom I couldn’t breathe. My head throbbed.
I quit. I’ll never write another word. I’m a failure.
The next day another review appeared on the same book.
“Fantastic. Realistic characters. Endearing story.”
Whom do I believe? To what voices should I listen?
If only my feelings weren’t so delicate.
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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 © CEAyr
Frog delightfully rendered by Keith Hillman
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100
MOTHER’S DAY
“Can I wake up?”
“Not now, Evan.” Rosemary yanked off her glasses and glared at her four-year-old son. “Can’t Mommy have five minutes to herself?”
His brown eyes welled. “I need a hug.”
Setting her book aside, she heaved an exasperated sigh. “I need your nap.”
He climbed up on her lap and pressed his soft cheek against hers. In that moment she imagined him as a grown man with a prickly beard. She tightened her arms around him and gave him a loud smooch.
He giggled. “Do you still want me to go away, Mommy?”
“Yes. Go away closer.”
A 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.
147 words (not including title 😉 )
MODERN ANTIQUITY
A summer breeze with a touch of autumn ruffled my hair as my husband and I perused the annual art fair. My favorite tent housed a collection of elaborate mixed media paintings. In one particularly intricate piece, the artist depicted bits of Kansas City history from the Civil War’s Battle of Westport to the roaring 20’s.
At another booth I try on a handmade porkpie hat. “Whatcha think?”
Jan grins. “It’s you.”
We move onto the next tent. “Abstract.” I sniff. “Not my cup of tea.”
Vestiges of the 19th century are apparent in not quite downtown Kansas City. Restaurants and saloons have taken up residence in many of the historic buildings. The brick walls and high ceilings are evidence of times past. I swear I almost heard wagon wheels on old dusty roads.
Westport, where past and present converge, is a museum in its own right.
Jan.
Yours Truly. Nope, didn’t buy the hat.
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*Note: The photo prompt is meant to be the INSPIRATION for your story not an ILLUSTRATION of it.
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 © Penny Gadd
Click on the Frog to Join the Fun! Hoppy! Hoppy! Joy! Joy!
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
THE PERFECT IDIOT’S PROFESSION
Twelve-year-old Kathy burst into the bedroom. “Hey, Lazy-Bones, time for breakf—.” She choked on a scream.
Tommy’s body hung by a noose from a rafter.
***
Kathy picked at her eggs. “I miss Tommy.”
Mother ignored the reference to her departed son. “Get ready for school.”
Kathy shuddered. “No!”
“Traumatized.” Father sighed. “I fear Kathy’s destined to become a recluse. I’ll hire a tutor.”
***
Years later, nineteen-year-old Katharine announced to the dismay of her father. “I’m going to be an actress.”
Dr. Hepburn scowled at his headstrong daughter. “You don’t get anywhere in theater unless you sleep with the director.”
A 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.
Word Prompt
Challenge
This morning I wrote the first memory this word stirred. Thanks for the challenge, Sammi. 😀
SENTIMENTAL VALUE
“Just a dime store piece of junk.” Mom set the elephant-shaped teapot on the whatnot shelf. “But it belonged to my mother.”
Years later when my son broke it horsing around I wept. “It was just a piece of dime store junk, but it belonged to my mom.”
The poor teapot is long gone but I did find a picture of the exact same one. It’s considered an antique today. The whatnot shelf is still with us.
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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 © Linda Kreger
CLICK ON FROGGY AND HOP ABOARD
Genre: Hysterical Faction
Word Count: 100
ERAT CHIROGRAPHUM DECRETI
For Jeffrey, trying to learn Latin was somewhat akin to pushing a cart sideways—uphill. Verb tenses made him tense. Nouns didn’t compute.
He stared at his teacher’s one word comment scrawled across his most recent quiz. “Mr. Bland, what does ‘tennible’ mean?”
Mr. Bland leaned back in his chair. “Let’s explore the Latin roots. ‘To have. To hold.’ Teneo, I have. Tenet, you have…from that root we arrive at ‘tenable—capable of being held.’”
Jeffrey presented his paper. “Why did you write it on my test?”
Taking it from the boy, Mr. Bland frowned. “That’s not tenable. That’s ‘terrible.’”
My brother Jeffrey and his wife Debbie.
*The title is Latin for Handwriting. The story itself is not my own, but my brother’s. It was too good not to share.
This week Pegman takes us to the capital of Latvia, in Riga’s Old Town. Your mission is to write up 150 words inspired by the location. Feel free to use the image supplied, or venture around Riga for something that inspires you. You may write fact or fiction, poetry or prose. The only only requirement is to keep your piece at 150 words or less, as a consideration to others.
Once your piece is polished, share it with others using the linkup below. Reading and commenting is part of the fun!
As always, thanks to Karen and Josh for heading up the challenge.
Click the frog to read other stories and add your own.
Peitav Synagogue in Riga, Latvia was built in 1905. It has survived the Holocaust and bombings in the 1990’s.
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 150
THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED
Katya played Chopin’s “Berceuse” on the imaginary piano in her coat pocket with trembling fingers. She tried to keep pace on the frozen path.
Without success, she tried to block out the image of her father, the cantor, lying in the street, his magnificent voice forever stilled. Latvia’s November wind whipped through her.
She remembered when Professor Philipp at the conservatory in Paris proclaimed, “Katya Abramis, you have an exquisite talent.”
“Schnell!”
A drunken soldier ripped an infant from a young mother’s arms and shot him. She dropped to her knees only to suffer the same fate as her son. The snow turned red beneath them.
“Shoes in this pile, clothes in that.”
Katya obeyed. What choice did she have?
Standing naked at the edge of a deep pit, Katya pictured her beloved synagogue and heard Papa sing “Lord of the World, Who was, Who is, Who is to come.”
There is little on the internet about Cantor Abram Abramis or his daughter Katya, renowned pianist of her time. Both perished in the 1941 Massacre in Riga. CLICK HERE for my source.
אנו זוכר’ם
A 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.
Word Prompt
Challenge
THE CLASSICS
There’s something sobering about finding things at flea markets I remember from childhood in the vintage section. What does that make me?
My view, tho' somewhat askew...
Growing older is inevitable. Growing up is optional.
Come study God's Word with me!
A place to improve my writing skills, and that's all.
Writing from the Soul, Speaking from the Heart
Bringing Visions to Life
Navigating the mountains and valleys of everyday life on the riverbank.
Driveling twaddle by an old flapdoodle.
Life is all about being curious, asking questions, and discovering your passion. And it can be fun!
Conquering the World
Looking at life through photography and words
Reading. Writing. Cycling.
Speech Language Pathologist, Writer, Blogger -- life, language, communication, a good laugh, hope, healing, and the grace of connection
Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
#fryingwithair
Paula Shablo
and submit a recipe for flan.
Pursued by the muses of prose, poetry, and art
Author Aspiring
A writer's journey
For those who enjoy fiction
Documenting the Ancestors
(WRITER)
If Eternity Is Forever, Am I There Now?
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 