31 October 2025

Published October 29, 2025 by rochellewisoff

RIP Trent McDonald, former Friday Fictioneer.
Click Link above to read his Obituary

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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

Against a backdrop of trees or bushes is a row of potted plants, plastic buckets and discarded pans. To the far left is a red easel with a picture on it. The easel is falling over backward.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

VIEWPOINT

“Look at me!” Jarvis flexed his muscles in front of the mirror. “Strong and healthy like the President.”

Jarvis had it all—athletic and intellectual prowess—while Norman struggled with basic reading and Math. Algebra with its x’s and y’s eluded him.

Watching his older brother, Norman sighed. He’d heard the stories of President Teddy Roosevelt exercising his way to robust health after being a sickly child.

He glared at his own gangly reflection. “I’ll never be an athlete.”

Picking up one of Norman’s sketches, Jarvis shook his head. “And I’ll never be the artist you are, Mr. Norman Rockwell.”

This is an artist…illustrator, whatever you deam the correct title…I’ve always looked up to. He was amazing!

23 May 2025

Published May 21, 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

I YAM WHAT I YAM

To the delight of Elzie and his playmates, Rocky Fiegel made his muscles dance. “I fought my way from Poland to Chester, Illinois.”

“Did you really beat up five men at once?” asked Elzie.

“Tough brutes they was, too.” Puffing on his corncob pipe, Rocky gazed at the boys through his one good eye. “I pulverized ‘em with one hand behind my back.”

Whether true or not, Rocky’s tales fascinated E. C. Segar. As an aspiring cartoonist in the 1920’s he created one of history’s most beloved characters.

“Strong to the finich ‘cause I eats me spinach—Popeye the Sailorman.”

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I was fond of canned spinach as a child. Perhaps this is why. 😉 At any rate it was interesting to find that the cartoon character was drawn from an actual person.

Frank “Rocky” Fiegel

Elzie Crisler Segar and his creation

16 May 2025

Published May 14, 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

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

ANY DAY SPENT WITH YOU IS MY FAVORITE DAY

“Colebourn, you’ve got rocks in your head,” said Harry’s tentmate. “The army’s no place for a bear.”

“The beast was going to shoot her” Harry caressed the cub. “I’m calling her Winnie after Winnipeg.”

As WWI raged, he realized the best thing he could do was to find her a temporary home.

At London Zoo he buried his face in her fur. “I’m coming back for you.”

When he returned four years later, Winnie had become a children’s favorite. They loved her with treats and cuddles. She returned their affection. Harry bid her a final fond farewell. Winnie was home.

Harry Colebourn and Winnie named after Harry’s hometown of Winnipeg.

For the rest of the story CLICK HERE

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.”

1 November 2024

Published October 30, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

QUEEN OF THE WAVES

Twenty-year-old Gertrude Ederle’s heart pounded as she waved to her adoring fans who thronged Manhattan’s streets shouting, “Trudy! Trudy!”
Slathered in lanolin and olive oil, she’d conquered twenty-one miles of frigid waters.
President Calvin Coolidge dubbed her America’s Best Girl.
When asked her thoughts on being the first woman to swim the English Channel, she shrugged. “I just knew it could be done, it had to be done, and I did it.”
Not only did she do it, but she did it in fourteen hours and thirty-one minutes, beating the records of the five men who swam it before her.

Of course, Trudy is one of my heroes. I’ll never go the distances she did, but I’ll forever applaud her for her role in history. For more of her story from her own mouth, friends and family CLICK HERE and HERE. (Parts 1 and 2 of a documentary.)

18 October 2024

Published October 16, 2024 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 © Lori Wilson

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

INDIANA FARM BOY

“You’ll like Orville,” George told Corrine. “He has a great personality.”

Who hadn’t heard that line before?

However, George hadn’t lied. She found Orville to be a most charming gentleman. He regaled her with stories of farm life and how he’d been the first in his family to go beyond the eighth grade.

When he told her he wanted a college degree so he’d have a name his children could be proud of, he won her heart.

One date led to another until the day he proposed to her. “Corrine Strate,” Orville Redenbacher asked. “How do you feel about popcorn?”

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As you can see, Orville Redenbacher did indeed become a name his children and grandchildren could be proud of. 😀

CLICK HERE if you have 20 minutes to learn more about this amazing man.

2 August 2024

Published July 31, 2024 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

COME ON IN, THE WATER’S FINE

So begins my annual Sibling Revelry vacation . 😉 You can click on the link to see what it’s like. The pictures I take this year will be pretty much the same as last year, beach, sister-in-law, brother and fur babies.

With the Summer Olympics in the forefront, I went with a story about an Olympian I’d never heard for before. A swimmer, of course.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

“Lay down. You are sick,” said Dad.

“But I’m not—”

“Do as I say!”

When they came for her, Dad told the Pro-Nazi Arrow Crossman, “She is the swimming champion of Hungary, and one day you will be happy you saved her life.”

“She’s a Jew.” The officer’s eyes flashed—one brown, one gray. Yet, he let her live.

In 1950 Eva Szekely won a gold medal for the 100m freestyle on Margaret Island in Budapest. A special prize was presented by the major of the communist political police. He smiled at her, eyes shining—one brown, one gray.

To learn more CLICK HERE

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28 June 2023

Published June 26, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

WHEN YOUR IMAGINATIONS COME TRUE

“Can Lucy and Katie eat with us?”

Grandma shook her head. “Nonsense. It’s for sure and certain they’re imaginary, Maud.”

“They aren’t nonsense. They live in the fairy closet behind the bookcase. I’m going to write about them.”

“Enough!” Casting his steely-eyed gaze at eight-year-old Maud, Grandpa pounded the table. “Ladies don’t write.”

Maud later wrote, “Down, deep down under all the discouragement and rebuff, I knew I would ‘arrive’ someday,”

During her lifetime Lucy Maud Montgomery published twenty novels, including Anne of Green Gables, over five-hundred short stories, an autobiography, and a book of poetry. She indeed, had arrived.

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17 May 2024

Published May 15, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

VOCATION OF LOVE

Mama’s words echoed in Sister Benedicta’s memory. “Edith, how can your turn your back on your people this way? To be baptized is an outrage! You are a Jew.”

“Our Lord Jesus himself was a Jew.” Edith had calmly replied. “I am still a Jew.

The Nazis agreed and forced her to pin a yellow star to her habit.

It boggled her mind that anyone could be so cruel.

The gas chambers of Auschwitz loomed before her. Her sister Rosa wept at her side.

Putting an arm around her shoulder, Sister Benedicta whispered, “Come, we are going for our people.”

To know more about Edith Stein CLICK HERE.

16 February 2024

Published February 14, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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HAPPY NEWS! We’re in the final stretch of my upcoming novel LAST DANCE WITH ANNIE. Cover soon to be revealed.

Teaser. This is not the cover, but this artwork is used.

So begins another week of Friday Fictioneers. Happy Valentine’s Day. ❤ I have a favor to ask. Since at least four comments came up as “anonymous” last week, could you identify yourself? I’m not sure what’s up with that. Thank you.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

TIME SIGNATURES

“I haven’t seen you practice at all, Oscar.” Fourteen-year-old Daisy scowled at her nine-year-old brother. “How do you expect to perform if you don’t practice?”

“Like this.” He played a Chopin piece without missing a note.

Daisy sighed. After hours of diligent practice, she still made mistakes.

Never a public performer, Daisy Peterson Sweeney passed away at the age of 97. It seemed that all of Montreal turned out to pay their respects. Generations of her piano students sang her praises.

Among her first pupils, Oscar Peterson was hailed as one of the greatest jazz pianists of the twentieth century.