20 September 2019

Published September 18, 2019 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 © 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

WEEKEND WRITING PROMPT – DELICATE

Published September 16, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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.

13 September 2019

Published September 11, 2019 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 © 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.”

WEEKEND WRITING PROMPT – MUSEUM

Published September 8, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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 19^th 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.

WEEKEND WRITING PROMPT – TEAPOT

Published August 31, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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

Teapot

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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30 August 2019

Published August 28, 2019 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 © 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.

THE DAY THE MUSIC DIED

Published August 25, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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

WEEKEND WRITING PROMPT – VINTAGE

Published August 24, 2019 by rochellewisoff

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

Vintage

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?

than

Second Graders in Lunchline

Mom and me in front of the whatnot self.

WAKE-UP CALL

Published August 21, 2019 by rochellewisoff

FOR A GOOD TIME CLICK THE FROG!

This is something I don’t think I’ve done before. I’m back for a third time. 😀

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

WAKE-UP CALL

Bart slipped into the booth across from Marla. “That was some wedding yesterday.” He clutched the ring in his pocket waiting for the right moment.

She swished her luxurious hair over her toned shoulders. “Your sister and her groom make an odd couple.”

“They’re so in love. To think I set ‘em up for laughs—him being such a scrawny runt and her being—”

“Plump?”

“I’ve always teased her about it.” Bart hung his head.

“I so get it.” Marla giggled. “I’ll have a salad. How about you?”

Swallowing, he released the ring. “Y’know, I’ve suddenly lost my appetite.”