29 July 2016

Published July 27, 2016 by rochellewisoff

Summer is the time for vacations, picnics on the beach and reruns on the telly. For me it’s a time to meet a deadline in July for my third novel in my series entitled AS ONE MUST ONE CAN. Many thanks to those of you who responded to my plea for your favorite reruns.

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The following photo is the PROMPT. This week’s retread request is from Cuzzin Kent Bonham. If you’re one of those who wrote a story for this prompt feel free to re-post it and enjoy the respite. Remember that all photos are private property and subject to copyright. Use other than Friday Fictioneers by permission only.

PHOTO PROMPT © Janet Webb

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Three years ago I wrote a story for this prompt that had to be pulled for reasons told in the following hundred words I later wrote for a similar prompt. Since I am not at liberty to post the original story for this prompt…

Genre: Hysterical Faction

Word Count: 100

CLEANUP IN AISLE FIVE

Through hours of research I’d found the perfect subject for my weekly flash fiction—a family’s battle over wealth with a tragic end.

I posted it to good reviews. But months later, a venomous barrage of remarks sent shockwaves through my world.

“I hate your writing, you ignorant slut. It’s all lies. My father was murdered.”

“I’d take down the post,” said a friend. “But don’t let her anger rent space in your head.”

I learned that day about the power of friendship. I also learned when fictionalizing recent events, it’s best to change real names to protect the guilty.

22 July 2016

Published July 20, 2016 by rochellewisoff

Summer is the time for vacations, picnics on the beach and reruns on the telly. For me it’s a time to meet a deadline in July for my third novel in my series entitled AS ONE MUST ONE CAN. Many thanks to those of you who responded to my plea for your favorite reruns.

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The following photo is the PROMPT. This week’s retread request is from Feivel Mousewitz Gayer. If you’re one of those who wrote a story for this prompt feel free to re-post it and enjoy the respite. Remember that all photos are private property and subject to copyright. Use other than Friday Fictioneers by permission only.

PHOTO PROMPT- Copyright – Jan Wayne Fields

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I can’t believe it’s been three years since I posted this story. 13 September 2013

I copied and pasted from the original post. But you may click the link if you want to see who said what in their comments.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

MOTHER OF EXILES

“Rachel, would you please read this sentence for us?” The English teacher’s intense gaze shot through the young woman as she pointed to the page.

This new land with its unfamiliar ways and language challenged her. She’d dreamt of freedom. Instead, New York’s Lower East Side bore much similarity to her poverty-stricken village in Moldavia.

“I try, Miss Lazarus.” Twisting and untwisting her shawl fringes, she read, “‘Ve holt dese troots’…Ikh ken nit…I cannot…”

“‘We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men’…all people…‘are created equal.’” Emma Lazarus took Rachel’s hands in hers. “You can. You will. You must.”

______________

While you may never have heard of Emma Lazarus, if you’re a U. S. citizen you’re probably familiar with, at least, a portion of her poem inside the base of the Statue of Liberty:

THE NEW COLOSSUS

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command

The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she

With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

To read about this amazing woman click here.

This article is only the tip of the iceberg. If you’re interested do a Google search to learn more. I did. 😉

15 July 2016

Published July 13, 2016 by rochellewisoff

Summer is the time for vacations, picnics on the beach and reruns on the telly. For me it’s a time to meet a deadline in July for my third novel in my series entitled AS ONE MUST ONE CAN. Many thanks to those of you who responded to my plea for your favorite reruns.

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The following photo is the PROMPT. This week’s retread request is from Jennifer Pendergast. If you’re one of those who wrote a story for this prompt feel free to re-post it and enjoy the respite. Remember that all photos are private property and subject to copyright. Use other than Friday Fictioneers by permission only.

PHOTO PROMPT © Sandra Crook

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Genre: Histrionic Fiction

Word Count: 100

Original Post Here

TO THE SHEARING

My seventh-grade social studies teacher strode the aisles like a stalking tiger.

“If Seventeen Magazine told you to, you kids would hang beach balls around your necks and dangle pop cans from your ears.”

I squirmed in my striped mini dress that varied only in color from seven others in the room.

“What’s wrong with wanting to fit in?” I asked.

“You know anything about lemmings?”

“Good in pie topped with meringue,” whispered the boy behind me.

My teacher extended his arm, hand straight, palm down and shouted, “Turn in your textbooks to page 245, ‘The Indoctrination of Hitler Youth.’”

***

When Jennifer chose this prompt I was more than happy to comply. TO THE SHEARING remains one of my favorite stories. Not only for the subject matter but because it’s based heavily on one of my favorite, if not most memorable teachers of all times. He worked hard to teach a bunch of awkward pubescent adolescents to think for ourselves. To Kevin McShane, wherever you may be, I salute you!”

8 July 2016

Published July 6, 2016 by rochellewisoff

Summer is the time for vacations, picnics on the beach and reruns on the telly. For me it’s a time to meet a deadline in July for my third novel in my series entitled AS ONE MUST ONE CAN. Many thanks to those of you who responded to my plea for your favorite reruns.

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Our Mantra:

The following photo is the PROMPT. This week’s retread request is from Sandra Crook. If you’re one of those who wrote a story for this prompt feel free to re-post it and enjoy the respite. Remember that all photos are private property and subject to copyright. Use other than Friday Fictioneers by permission only.

PHOTO PROMPT © Jan Marler Morrill

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Genre: Speculative Fiction

Word Count: 100

This story is from the week of 12 October 2012 when Madison was still Chief Fictioneer.

EIRONEIA

Summer 1969, an American sailor stationed in Greece, I went on leave to Santorini.

In Pyrgos, I met sable-eyed Melina.

We drank each other. Her fragrant breasts welcomed me home.

“Marry me,” I whispered.

“I can’t.”

After that I never saw her again.

Summer 2010, I returned to Pyrgos.

On the street I stopped a silver-haired woman. “Melina Dimitri? Do you know her?”

“Why?”

“I love her.”

“Impossible! She was my great-grandmother. Died in childbirth in 1869. Here she is with my great-grandfather.”

When the woman flipped out an old photograph I gasped at the youthful images of Melina and…me.

A Book Signing to Bank On

Published July 5, 2016 by rochellewisoff

The way we bank today is considerably different than when Jan and I opened our first checking account in the early 1970’s when you had a checkbook and, if you were lucky an adding machine. We’ve had the same account for over forty years, but not with the same bank. To save any undue head scratching I’ll clarify the previous remark. While we’ve had the same account, the bank has changed hands three times. Same account number, different bank–from Bannister, to Union and finally, to Arvest where I’ve recently opened a business account. Everyone at the Lee’s Summit Branch has been very helpful, particularly Christina Gardener.

What does this have to do with a book signing?

One morning a few months ago as I balanced my checkbooks online, I found that a withdrawal had been mistakenly taken from our account. The customer making the withdrawal had an account number one digit off from ours. My horror only lasted a couple of hours as the problem was quickly addressed and corrected. One of the managers from the Lee’s Summit branch called to apologize and asked if there was anything else they could do to make things right to which I jokingly replied, “Have a book signing for me.”

She answered, “Christina’s read your books and loves them. Let me see what she can do.”

A month or so passed and I really didn’t think much about it. One morning Christina called and asked I’d be interested in doing a signing at the new Belton branch after they opened in June. The beauty in that is the new branch is three miles from our front door.

To check out Belton Arvest’s Facebook page click Here

Wednesday the 29th came. We had a lovely time and I think I might have had more customers than the bank. 😉 Being the middle of the week and a rather unusual activity for a financial establishment, I’d say we had a good turnout. Stacey Dahlman, the bank manager was very enthusiastic and wants to try it again at a later date. She also bought a copy of each of the books as did another employee.

Here are a few pictures from the day.

With Christina Gardner

This is Stacey Dahlman the lovely bank manager. A special thank you!

This is Stacey Dahlman the lovely bank manager. A deserves a special thank you!

1 July 2016

Published June 29, 2016 by rochellewisoff

Summer is the time for vacations, picnics on the beach and reruns on the telly. For me it’s a time to meet a deadline in July for my third novel in my series entitled AS ONE MUST ONE CAN. Many thanks to those of you who responded to my plea for your favorite reruns.

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Our Mantra:

The following photo is the PROMPT. This week’s retread request is from my Cuzzin Kent If you’re one of those who wrote a story for this prompt feel free to re-post it and enjoy the respite. Remember that all photos are private property and subject to copyright. Use other than Friday Fictioneers by permission only.

Copyright – Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 99

The original post is Here

THE ICE QUEEN

In Rowena’s thirty-eighth year the flashbacks started. One by one, memories from her childhood surfaced like debris in a whirlpool. Among them were the uncle who molested her and the neighbor who raped her then threatened her with worse if she told. Both happened before her twelfth birthday.

To punish her body for its betrayal, she starved it. Reduced to bone and thinning skin, her defense against pain became her prison.

“What are you feeling?” asked her therapist.

“Nothing.”

“Does it help?” He pointed to her scarred arm.

“No.”

“Do you really want to die, Rowena?”

“I’m already there.”

24 June 2016

Published June 22, 2016 by rochellewisoff

Summer is the time for vacations, picnics on the beach and reruns on the telly. For me it’s a time to meet a deadline in July for my third novel in my series entitled AS ONE MUST ONE CAN. Many thanks to those of you who responded to my plea for your favorite reruns.

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The following photo is the PROMPT. This week’s retread request is from C.E.Ayr If you’re one of those who wrote a story for this prompt feel free to re-post it and enjoy the respite. The photo is from Rich Voza. Remember that all photos are private property and subject to copyright. Use other than Friday Fictioneers by permission only.

copyright-Rich Voza

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I’m really pleased that C.E. chose this particular prompt. It’s one of my all time favorites, not because of the photo itself but because of what it meant to me. I am posting two stories with permission from Doug MacIlroy who is currently MIA and says, “Tell the FF gang I said hello and that I wish them well and that like a relative of mine once said, ‘I shall return’.”

When Doug shared his abbreviated story with me via email in February 2013 I asked what he thought about my writing the partner story. Between iPhone texts and photos we worked to make our stories exactly 200 words between the two of them. It was a labor of love and a magical experience in writing. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Original posts HERE and HERE

Doug’s story is in the photo below.

Genre for both: Speculative Fiction

Word Count: 65

DEPARTURE CLEARANCE

Word Count: 135

FLIGHT STATUS

“Flight delayed.” Amelia snarled and closed the US Airways website. “Damn business trips!”

Memories of their argument right before Chase left gnawed at her. She regretted her spiteful words.

“I hate your job!”

“You like the money.”

“You’re never home. Your daughters don’t even know their father.”

“Next time, babe, you and the girls are coming with me.”

“What if—?”

“‘What if’ never happens.” He gathered her into his arms. “Flying’s safer than driving on the freeway.”

Five hours ago he’d texted from Phoenix. “Just a little turbulence. Nothing to worry about.”

“Mommy?” Four-year-old Katy tiptoed into the room. “Daddy sat on my bed.”

“It was only a dream, Kitten.”

“No it wasn’t. He talked to me!”

“What’d he say?”

“He’s sorry he can’t come home.”

Her phone chimed. Message from Chase.

“Dearest Amelia…”

.

BASH

TFOA

Writing the Rails

Published June 16, 2016 by rochellewisoff

Wednesday, May 11 with Arlo Guthrie singing “City of New Orleans” in my head, I boarded the Am Trak headed to Chicago. There I planned to connect with friend and author of BANK NOTES, Caroline Giammanco, for the BEA 2016, Book Expo. Our publisher, W&B Publishers had included our books with six other titles on the indie book display.

Selfie on AmTrak

One of the bright points of my journey was a stopover to change trains in St. Louis. This gave me the pleasure of catching up with long time friend, Kent Martin. Thirty minutes sped by and it didn’t seem like over thirty years since we’d last seen each other.

With Kent Martin in St. Louis

All together the trip took over ten hours with all of the stops. I enjoyed sightseeing and unfettered writing time on my netbook. Not only that, I didn’t have to use up battery power since the trains are equipped with outlets and free wifi.

My son Christian and his sweetheart, Sarah, opened their home in Evanston to Caroline and me which saved us a lot of room and board. Since I don’t see my kids as often as I’d like, this was a joyful bonus for me.

Enjoying some family time with my youngest son.

We bought three-day passes for the CTA and Sarah gave us instructions. We would take the purple line, transfer to the red line on the way and visa versa on the way back. We pretty much had the hang of it by the end of the first day.

With author and friend Caroline Giammanco

From Evanston to downtown Chicago is an hour commute. However, with two chatty women, it never seemed that long. Friday brought us a surprise when we found ourselves on the purple line express which stopped sooner than the day before.Not being familiar with streets and stops we were unsure of what to do. A young man came to the rescue and told us we could indeed take the red line from that stop to our destination.

When I thanked him he said, “Shabbat shalom.” I wondered how he knew I was Jewish until I remembered my ubiquitous Star of David around my neck. I returned the greeting and he showed me his Star of David, a locket with a picture of his parents and another of his son. He asked where we were from and I took a copy of PLEASE SAY KADDISH FOR ME from my bag to show and told him about the expo. His face lit up. He told me he was looking for gifts for his family and my books would be perfect. After we boarded the train, I gave him my card. He generously shared some of his life story in which his Jewish faith played a huge part. I hope one day to hear from him again. At any rate, I won’t soon forget him.

The expo was a great place to make connections and develop a feel for the industry. There are so many facets to it and I have so much to learn.

With author Gregory Solsrud

In addition to my own book, my artwork is on the cover of Douglas Cameron’s book, Wings of a Butterfly.

Seeing PLEASE SAY KADDISH FOR ME on display gave me a surge of pride.When I started writing the story, I had an idea and what I considered a lofty dream. Would anyone really be interested in my Havah and her trials? Nonetheless, I kept at it—writing, rewriting and pitching to various agents, until Jeanie Loiacono found the story worthy of publication.

Other trips, conferences and book signings loom large on the horizon as Havah’s journey continues in FROM SILT AND ASHES and the third book in progress. The title of it has become my motto, AS ONE MUST ONE CAN.

Charging up for next time!

17 June 2016

Published June 15, 2016 by rochellewisoff

Summer is the time for vacations, picnics on the beach and reruns on the telly. For me it’s a time to meet a deadline in July for my third novel in my series entitled AS ONE MUST ONE CAN. Many thanks to those of you who responded to my plea for your favorite reruns.

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The following photo is the PROMPT. This week’s retread request comes from the Far Side of Arkansas and was made by Gary Larceny-Gayer If you’re one of those who wrote a story for this prompt feel free to re-post it and enjoy the respite. Remember that all photos are private property and subject to copyright. Use other than Friday Fictioneers by permission only.

Note: Neil MacDonald passed this along to me re last week’s prompt. I found it a worthy read so I’m passing it along to whomsoever will. CLICK HERE

Copyright -John Nixon

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Genre: Literary Fiction

Word Count: 99

The original post is here.

CHILDHOOD’S END

“Tell me about your childhood.” Audrey tapped her pencil against her cheek and pierced me with her eyes.

I squirmed into a fetal position in my chair. “Bicycles, Barbies and circus clowns.”

“Why are you starving yourself to death?”

“I eat.” I counted the knots in the carpet.

“Popcorn and celery. 85 pounds and dropping. What have you buried?”

“Nothing. I remember my childhood in detail.”

“You invented it.”

To make her prying stop, I shut my eyes. In one heart-stopping moment, long dormant memories stirred and shattered my perfect life.

“The first one was my uncle,” I whispered.

10 June 2016

Published June 8, 2016 by rochellewisoff

Summer is the time for vacations, picnics on the beach and reruns on the telly. For me it’s a time to meet a deadline in July for my third novel in my series entitled AS ONE MUST ONE CAN. Many thanks to those of you who responded to my plea for your favorite reruns.

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The following photo is the PROMPT. This week’s retread request is from Jennifer Pendergast. If you’re one of those who wrote a story for this prompt feel free to re-post it and enjoy the respite. Remember that all photos are private property and subject to copyright. Use other than Friday Fictioneers by permission only.