24 October 2025

Published October 22, 2025 by rochellewisoff

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

This week’s photo is of a city street at night. The buildings are well lit. It’s raining. Headlights reflect on the wet pavement. There are people walking along the sidewalk.

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Genre: Histrionic Faction
Word Count: 100

INTO EVERY LIFE A LITTLE RAIN MUST FALL

It seems that my poor 2011 Chevy Cruz has seen more than its fair share of downpours such as a deer on a suicide mission and a few other fender benders. We’ve replaced the heater, the clutch and, currently she’s in the shop for more pricey repairs. Yet I cling tenaciously to her. She’s paid off, after all.

Last week when I took the car into the shop the wide-eyed mechanic looked at me like I had flown a spaceship into his garage. He gasped, “It’s a stick-shift.”

“Yes, Captain Obvious, it’s my millennial anti-theft device. Please, just fix it.”

5 September 2025

Published September 3, 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.

Some of you may recognize this prompt and story. I first posted it in 2019. If you have a story for this prompt feel free to use it. It’s my birthday this week so it seems the perfect time for a repost. Happy September y’all.

This week’s prompt features an old abandoned car which looks to be an old mid-nineteen fifties Chevrolet. It’s surrounded by trees.

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*Note: some of you may recognize this photo prompt from 2019. You may even have a story to go with it. Feel free to rerun!

Genre: Historical Faction
Word Count: 100

MCMLIII

“What’s so special about 1953?”

For one, Bob Wisoff bought his first car. A ’53 Chevrolet Bel Air.

September 4, he and Evalyne welcomed their second child.

On the same date, West Indian native, Clothilda Jacobs delivered her 5^th child, Lawrence. It was the twelfth day of New York’s longest recorded heatwave.

The Chevy is long gone.

Lawrence went on to delight audiences as Sweathog Freddy “Boom-Boom” Washington with a cocky grin and, “Hi there.”

Bob’s daughter, Rochelle, married and raised three sons. She still creates art, literature, and, occasionally, a bit of havoc.

It was a very good year.

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If you’re on Facebook, CLICK here for my fundraiser page. Something I can do with all my swimming. Thank you for considering your support.

22 August 2025

Published August 20, 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 © Lisa Fox

Description: There is a red brick building with what looks like a small courtyard with a couple of small trees in the foreground. There are three roadsigns in the lefthand corner that read “One way, End One Way” and “No Turn on Red.” There are taller buildings behind the brick building. There’s also a flight of stairs beside the red brick building that are painted red and blue.

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Genre: Hysterical Fiction
Word Count: 100

DO THIS, DON’T DO THAT

“Sign, sign, everywhere a sign…” Jan kept the beat on the steering wheel as he sang along with the radio.

Rochelle looked up from her research for her next Friday Fictioneers story on her iPhone. “What would we do without road signs?”

“Do I sense a history lesson?”

“The first two drivers in Detroit collided. Perhaps if there’d been signs their tragic deaths could’ve been prevented. By the 1920’s standardized road signs were developed. Of course they don’t prevent every accident, since people don’t pay attention. Speaking of…uh honey?”

“What now?”

“You’re going the wrong way on a one-way street.”

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And just for the fun of it:

8 August 2025

Published August 6, 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

The photo this week is of two coffee pots on a marble counter. Hope this gets your story brewing. 😉

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

BLESSED BEANS

“Holy Father,” Father Niccoló knelt before Pope Clemente VIII. “We have a serious problem brewing. You must forbid the people from partaking of this Satan’s drink, Your Holiness. This bitter beverage from the Muslim infidels stirs unnatural passions in good Christians.

The pontiff stroked his beard. “Bring me a cup of it, so that I might discern for myself,”

A steaming cup was brought to him. He breathed in the earthy aroma and then took a sip. After savoring the strong coffee’s warmth, he smiled and said, “This devil’s drink is delicious. We should cheat the devil by baptizing it.”

Legend or Fact? Who knows?

And just for fun. Wilkins Coffee commercials by the Muppets that aired from 1957-1960. 😀

4 July 2025

Published July 2, 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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Genre: Fiction
Word Count: 100

OPPOSITES DISTRACT

Jane and Michael walked hand in hand past Victorian homes lining the street. They stopped in front of one that was surrounded by a picket fence. Its turret windows sparkled in the afternoon sunlight. Jane imagined sipping lemonade on the sprawling front porch.

“It’s like something in a romance novel, isn’t it? Wouldn’t you just love to live here?”

Michael kissed her forehead and said in a soft whisper, “Nope. Do you have any idea the cost of upkeep on an old barn like this?”

She scowled. “You certainly have a knack for finding the cloud in every silver lining.”

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I had some fun with last week’s prompt. 😀

20 June 2025

Published June 18, 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: Rambling Anecdote
Word Count: 100

AUDITORY CORTEX

Round like a circle in a spiral…

Earworms—tunes that go around and around in my head like a merry-go-round.

Like a wheel within a wheel.

Some days they seem never ending like an ever-spinning reel, don’t they?

Pictures hanging in a hallway…

Every one of those pictures is crooked. This situation must be rectified immediately.

…and the fragment of a song.

There. The pictures are straight. Much better.

Half remembered names and faces, but to whom do they belong?

I had at least four anonymous commentors last week.

Why did I come into this room in the first place?

30 May 2025

Published May 28, 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: Missing-you-Ted-Fiction
Word Count: 100

TED TALK

“Ethel,” Cheryl rolled her eyes. “Are you going to play, or aren’t you?”

“I’m just not in the mood for cribbage.”

“What then, are you in the mood for?”

“Let’s talk about Ted.” Ethel whispered. “Do you think he’s forgotten us?”

“Never! We’re his ladies.” Cheryl curved her arm around Ethel’s shoulder. “I miss him, too. But y’know, he’s still snapping great photos and posting them on Facebook.”

“He’s always smiling in his pictures.”

Cheryl swallowed a rising lump. “I’m sure he misses us, too. Have you noticed the twinkle in his eyes? He still has a lot to say.”

*He is still sending photos. Ted Strutz joined Friday Fictioneers before I did. Cheryl and Ethel were his characters. He was encouraging to me when I took over the FF challenge. Four years ago he suffered a stroke. Like Cheryl said, there’s a twinkle in his eye and he still has a lot to say. ❤

9 May 2025

Published May 7, 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.

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I admit this is quite similar to a story/rant i wrote five years ago February Nothing’s changed. If anything things have only gotten worse. So you may refer this as a sequel.

Genre: Anectdotal Rant
Word Count: 100

ONE PILL CAN KILL

Every day a new one appears. If you live in these Divided States, you know what I’m talking about. Prescription drug advertisements.

Who comes up with those colorful names? They’re insane, usually starting with the letters X and Z. They treat everything from obesity to bipolar disorder.

Ya gotta love ‘em—from bright and breezy to sensual and sleezy. They all make me queasy. While happy people prance across the screen celebrating life, the gentle voice over recites a list of possible side effects.

Wait! I got lost somewhere between anaphylaxis and cardiac arrest. What was this supposed to treat?

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Okay, this one starts with A. But it’s pretty much what I’m talking about.

2 May 2025

Published April 30, 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.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

GENERATIONS RUNNIN’ WILD

Joanna checked her reflection in the full-length mirror. Her white go-go boots offset her mini dress. Swaying her hips she practiced moving to the Jerk and the Watusi. Tonight, she would dance the night away.

Granny Maybelle’s voice startled her. “In my day young ladies didn’t do such suggestive dances.”

Joanna pointed to a photo of young Maybelle in a fringed dress. “What about the Charleston in the 1920’s?”

Blushing, Granny shook her head. “That dance swept the country like wildfire. Not so different from these 1960’s I suppose. But I’ll have you know I was quite good at it!”

And a little history of the dance if you care to READ ON. 😉

18 April 2025

Published April 16, 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.

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Genre: Fiction
Word Count:100

TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND A BETTER TOMORROW

Mia and Tommy entered the comic book shop. He went right to the Superman section. “Ooh, this one’s vintage. From 1942. Wow! He’s changing from Clark Kent to Superman in a phone booth. What’s a phone booth?”

“It was an eight-foot box where people could pay to make telephone calls when they were out and about.”

“Why didn’t they use their cell phones?”

“Cell phones weren’t invented yet, Goofy.”

As they exited the shop, Tommy pointed. “Look, Sis! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!”

Mia rolled her eyes. “You dork. It is a bird.”

Below is the intro to one of my favorite TV shows as a small child. Incidentally in 104 episodes of this program, Clark Kent never once changed clothes in a phone booth. Great Caesar’s Ghost!