26 July 2024

Published July 24, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

TREDEGAR 1911

Tears streamed from my papa’s eyes, soaking his beard. “For this we fled Russia—to be slaughtered in Wales?”

I trembled. Last night I’d hidden under my bed, covering my ears to blot out angry shouts and the crash of shattering glass.

“Thank the Almighty we are alive,” said Mama.

“Ha! If God lived on the earth, the goyim would break His windows, too.”

At that moment a Christian youth entered our tailor shop, head bowed, and handed Papa a banknote. “Father sends his apologies.” The boy took a broom from the floor. “Perhaps we can help rebuild.”

For more on the history CLICK HERE

******

Thank you, Dale for such a lovely review on LAST DANCE WITH ANNIE! 😀

14 June 2024

Published June 12, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

WE BEGIN WITH THE YOUNG

“I like the pretty golden bird on the cover of this book, Opa. What’s it about?

Herrick gently took the blue, leather-bound volume from his granddaughter.

“This was given to me a very long time ago.”

“Will you read me a bedtime story from it?”

Gathering Gretchen onto his lap, Herrick closed his eyes and remembered the day the youth leader had issued him a fresh uniform and the virulent tome. So proud he’d been to serve his country. So fervent.

Herrick fished a pack of matches from his pocket.

“Nein, Liebling. I ‘ve a better plan für dieses buch.”

Original artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

LAST DANCE WITH ANNIE is available to order in hardback, paperback or ebook, HERE, HERE, and HERE! Also available on Amazon Canada, Australia, UK, Germany and New Zealand.

7 June 2024

Published June 5, 2024 by rochellewisoff

LAST DANCE WITH ANNIE is available to order in hardback, paperback or ebook, HERE, HERE, and HERE! Also available on Amazon Canada, Australia, UK, Germany and New Zealand. 😉

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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

FORWARD CRAWL

Eight-year-old Johann hurried through breakfast. He couldn’t wait to go to Fullerton Beach. “Swimming lessons, today.”

“What if you drown?” asked his little brother, Peter.

“Drown? I’m going to be the greatest fish in the sea.”

Later, trembling with excitement, he dove into the chilly waves of Lake Michigan, beginning a love affair with the water that never ended.

Johnny Weissmuller, an Olympic gold medal winner, went on to become the most popular on-screen Tarzan of all time.

When a young swimmer asked him for advice, he replied,

“Don’t let go of the vine when you’re swinging through the jungle!”

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17 May 2024

Published May 15, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

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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.

3 May 2024

Published May 1, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Ted Strutz

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Genre: Historical Ficton
Word Count: 100

CALL THE MIDWIFE

We couldn’t afford for Mama to have her baby at the white clinic, so Daddy hired Miss Coley.

“I ain’t lettin’ no dirty colored woman touch me,” said Mama.

Daddy shrugged. “Ain’t no choice, Maybelle.”

When Miss Mary came, she patted my head. “Look at them purty blue eyes.”

She arranged her birthing tools on newspapers. Then she scrubbed her hands. “Everything gotsta be extra clean.”

Miss Mary sat with Mama all night until my baby brother was born. Two years later, even though times was better, Mama wouldn’t trust nobody else to bring my baby sister into the world.

I couldn’t resist using the title. It just seemed to fit. You can read more about Miss Mary HERE

You can watch the 1952 documentary about Miss Mary HERE

***********

Last Dance With Annie will be available June 4th in paperback, hardcover, and ebook. Preorder on Amazon, Nook, Kobo, and more! (click “more” for four more places to preorder. :D)

Here’s an installment of an interview I did for Ozark Hollow Press:

26 April 2024

Published April 24, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Fleur Lind

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The following is admittedly a seven-year-old rerun. I’ve been extremely distracted of late and didn’t feel I could get away with another “my muse didn’t show up story.”…which she didn’t. 😉

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

FAMILY TREE

“‘And they lived happily ever after.’” Leah shut the storybook.

Shifra’s raisin-brown eyes, round as bottle caps, sparkled. “Bubbie? Did you love Grandpa at first sight?”

“He was only eight when we met. Mama took him in…hid him from the khappers, bad men who snatched little Jewish boys from their homes and made them serve twenty-five years in the Czar’s army.”

“Did she hide him in the closet?”

“No she was smart, my Mama.”

“He was like your brother, right?”

Leah pointed to a tintype on the table of two little bonneted girls and grinned. “More like my sister.“

*****

Below is my first attempt at creating a reel on Canva and posting it to Instagram. It works on my end if I click the picture. Let me know how it works for you.

The ebook can be preordered HERE, HERE and HERE! Release Date is June 4! If you’re not an ebook fan, paperback and hard back copies will be available on and after June 4! 😀

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A post shared by Rochelle Wisoff Fields Author-Artist (@runtshell)

22 March 2024

Published March 20, 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 © Roger Bultot

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

LOWER EAST SIDE STORY

Sean eyed the pink meat mixed with potatoes and cabbage on his plate. “What’s this? Sure it’s not bacon.”

“Rachel Weinberg at the Kosher butcher shop suggested using this instead. It’s called corned beef.” Mary cut up small pieces for Baby James. “It’s ever so much cheaper than bacon. Rachel says it’s good on a slice of rye bread.”

Sean popped a forkful into his mouth. He savored the salty meat on his tongue and grinned.

With her hands on her hips, Mary arched a thin eyebrow and asked, “Well?”

“A slice of heaven, me bride. A slice of heaven.”

*Who nu? The traditional St. Patrick’s Day fare tht’s delicious all year round has Jewish roots. So Shalom and Begorrah!

And for the fun of it, here’s the LINK to a related story from a few years back. Enjoy the read. 😀

23 February 2024

Published February 21, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

HOMECOMING

Cradling her infant son in her arms, Savannah’s heart swelled as her husband Emmet hammered the final nail into their cabin. After grueling weeks of travel in a covered wagon, she relished the warm Kansas breeze on her face.

Emmet walked backward to admire his handiwork. “It ain’t a palace, but it’s ours.”

The newborn squirmed and nuzzled Savannah’s breast. She gazed at his round bronze cheeks with pride.

“No more auction block of us, my little angel. We home now.”

“Freedom!” Encircling his arm around her, Emmet grinned. “Our own stores. Our own church. Our own town. Nicodemus, Kansas.

CLICK for more

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.

To learn more about Daisy CLICK HERE

To learn more about Oscar CLICK HERE

2 February 2024

Published January 31, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE FREEDOM OF LITERACY

Miss Mathilda swiveled her head to the right and then the left before shutting the door to the makeshift classroom. Her dark eyes shone as she turned to the children.

“Open your readers to page twelve. Cicely, please read the first paragraph.”

Ten-year-old Cicely’s heart thumped. Taking a deep breath, she read, “‘The fly—says, I fly in—the air…’ What good do it do us to read? It’s agin’ the law.”

“Some laws are meant to be broken.” A tear glistened on the teacher’s bronze cheek. “Mr. Douglass says, ‘Once you learn to read you will forever be free.’”

Black History Month is upon us and there are so many untold stories to be shared. This story is loosely based on unsung hero Mother Mathilda Beasely. To read her story CLICK HERE. And to learn a little more about the Anti-Literacy Laws CLICK HERE