Weekend Writing Prompt – Somnambulist

Published March 15, 2020 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 Sammi’s Comment Section.

It’s funny how word prompts take me to an altogether different place than a photo prompt. 😉

Nope. Not telling you how long ago this was.

SLEEPWALKER

Sleep like a baby? What baby actually sleeps “like a baby”? Most mothers of infants will tell you, “Taint so.”

To be fair, it depends on the child. My first one slept through the night at six weeks.

Between my second and third babies, the term “nightlife” took on a whole new meaning. It meant nursing every two hours while watching MTV. Sing it Lionel. “All Night Long.”

During the day, eyes glazed, I became the quintessential somnambulist.

Here’s one of those videos I enjoyed in the middle of the night. 😉

13 March 2020

Published March 11, 2020 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

The frog’s not blue, but will be if you don’t click her.

Genre: Women’s History

Word Count: 100

FROSTED YELLOW WILLOW

“Wong Liu Tsong often played hooky from school to see movies at the Nickelodeon.” Lily Wu read her report aloud. “When she grew up, she changed her name to Anna May Wong and overcame many obstacles to become a famous film star.”

Tim Wu rolled his eyes. “If it’s a great Chinese actor you want, write about Jackie Chan.”

“It’s Women’s History Month. Now—one of Anna’s biggest disappointments came in 1935 when Hollywood passed her over for the role a Chinese woman in The Good Earth.”

“So?”

“The role went to a Caucasian actress. What’s wrong with this picture?”

*Frosted Yellow Willow is the literal translation of Wong Tsiu Tsong.

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Weekend Writing Prompt – Perplex

Published March 7, 2020 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

Perplex

Challenge

Neither of these lovely people are the one in my story. Just a couple of friends I made on a recent trip to Israel. Glad they didn’t have a problem with short people. 😉

SPICE OF LIFE

Recently, an African American friend, an artist for whom I have great respect, and I met for coffee. Inadvertently I said something he perceived as racist. He made a crack about how (white) people say they don’t see color when in reality they do. I don’t know if he meant to hurt or perplex me, but he did send me on a soul-searching expedition.

My friend is partly correct in his assessment. The fact is, I do see color. And I appreciate the brilliant rainbow the Ultimate Artist has created.

HOUSE OF JACOB

Published March 2, 2020 by rochellewisoff

Today Pegman journeys to the port of Hadera, Israel. As always, walk around until you find something that inspires you to write up to 150 words, then share it with the other contributors. Remember that reading and commenting on the other stories is part of the fun.

Contributions have again been declining, so Pegman may go into retirement soon. I’d encourage you to show your support for this prompt. Thanks.

I’ve been a Pegman MIA for a while. Too many challenges lately, including the writing of a novel in progress. I understand that facilitating a blog challenge is can be daunting. Participation and reciprocation are the key to success. On that note, I apologize for not being more faithful. With the location being in Israel, how could I not show up?

Thank you for your diligence, Josh and Karen.

Genre: Historical Fiction for Women’s History Month 😉

Word Count: 150

HOUSE OF JACOB

Hannah gazed at the chubby infant in the crook of her arm. After hours of torturous labor, she was weary, yet too excited to sleep. She studied the baby’s perfectly formed hands and paper-thin fingernails. “I was so sure the Almighty would give me a son.”

The baby opened her eyes and formed an ‘o’ with her lips as if trying to answer.

“On this day in 1891, our Moshavah Hadera welcomes another soul. A new life in a new village.” Full cheeks glowing with perspiration and joy, the midwife lifted the newborn from Hannah’s arms. “What will you be when you grow up? A teacher, maybe? A doctor perhaps?” The child whimpered and sucked her fist. “For now, a hungry girl.”

Hannah held the child to her breast. “Do you regret not having your own children?”

“I’ve helped birth hundreds of children.” Olga Hankin laughed. “They’re all my own.”

*

Herzl Street

28 February 2020

Published February 26, 2020 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

Click the froggy if you can!

Another tribute for Black History Month. 😀

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

LA VAILLANCE

Pride filled Deborah as she put the finishing touches on her fifteen-year-old granddaughter’s costume. “You’ll be the spittin’ image of the courageous lady you’re named for. She was about your age when she danced her way out of St. Louis.”

Josie slipped into the sparkly garment. “Was she pretty?”

“Gorgeous. Mama saw her in the Ziegfeld follies in 1936. I got to see her in Miami in 1951. First time I ever sat next to a white lady. Miss Josephine Baker was my idol—black, rich and spoke French.”

“Tell me more, Grandma.”

“Sorry, sugar, Rochelle’s run out of words.”

***

Josephine Baker was a woman who defied being summed up in 100 words. At the age of 20 she took Paris by storm and starred in three French motion pictures. She spied for the French resistance and performed for the Allied troops in WWII. In 1963 she marched on Washington with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Denied natural offspring, she adopted twelve children of different nationalities and races, calling them her rainbow tribe.

CLICK HERE to watch a short video of her life.

Weekend Writing Prompt – Abysmal

Published February 22, 2020 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

Once more the word prompt took me to a personal place. I’ve used this very word to describe the following story. 93 words, not counting the title. Dedicated to a very dear friend who had a hand in my being alive to write this story.

HIS SUCCESS STORY

One would think a book signing at Barnes and Noble would be a guaranteed success. Right? Of course, right!

Or not.

Few patrons stopped to chat. I signed some of my three-hundred-page masterpieces with “Shalom, Rochelle.”

Then my former therapist, who saw me through my darkest days, showed up.

I threw my arms around him. “Wayne, you came!”

He beamed like a proud father. “How could I not?”

Four months later I learned of his passing.

In a single moment, my perception of that Saturday evening went from “abysmal failure” to “cherished memory”.

Wayne’s the one in the Hawaiian shirt.

WEEKEND WRITING PROMPT -SCULPTURE

Published February 15, 2020 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.

DAUGHTER-IN-LOVE

Art nights. Sometimes the boys and I painted with melted crayons. Other times we’d make things out of modeling clay you harden in the oven.

One of my attempts remained intact until my youngest son brought home his fiancé to meet us. Despite her profuse apologies for knocking him off a shelf, I assured her it was nothing to lose her head over.

I rather like him this way, don’t you?

14 February 2020

Published February 12, 2020 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

Click the Frogs (who aren’t blue) to Hop Along

Genre: Histrionic Fiction

Word Count: 100

OVERDOSE

It’s an icy Missouri day that makes me want to swaddle myself in flannel, sip hot chocolate and watch ancient black and whites.

I flip through the channels. There. “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. Love me some Gary Cooper.” I settle in.

All at once, one of my favorite movie moments where Longfellow Deeds expresses his admiration for Mary Dawson is interrupted by a drug advertisement. An adorable toddler chases after an irresistible puppy while the announcer rattles off the possibly fatal side effects.

Aromatase inhibitors? Sulfonylureas? Cosentix? Eliquis? Methotrexate?

I’d walk a mile for an old fashion cigarette commercial.

*Note: I don’t know if this is a United States only lament but it seems there’s a new drug on the market every day. It’s not like we can go to the local pharmacy and get these without a prescription so I don’t know why we’re bombarded with annoying advertisements.

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WEEKEND WRITING PROMPT – ELYSIAN

Published February 8, 2020 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.

Thank you, Sammi, for introducing me to a new word. When I learned it’s meaning, the muse took me to my ultimate happy spot. Those who know me well, can guess where I’m going with this. 😉

NUDIBRANCH

Some meditate to achieve absolute peace.

Controlled breathing.

Bio feedback.

For this radiolarian

Tranquility comes in liquid form

Buoying me up to watery heights

Singing an elysian song.

I am a Spanish Dancer,

A sea creature

Blissfully navigating

Waves of purple fan coral

Schools of phthalo-blue tangs

Sunlight beams through the crystalline surface.

Serenity is mine.

*

“When we’re in the water, we’re not of this world.”
……Gertrude Ederle

LIVING LEGACY

Published February 6, 2020 by rochellewisoff

There’s nothing more brutal than helplessly watching a loved one deteriorate in the throes of such diseases as ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, or the cancer known as Alzheimer’s. Somewhere between midnight and morning, January 24, 2020 my mother-in-law, Mary Lee Meek shuffled off her mortal coil. However, we’ve been grieving her loss for the past seven years as Alzheimer’s slowly robbed us of the woman we knew and loved. In her memory I’d like to share a flash fiction I wrote for my husband, Jan in 2013.

LIVING LEGACY

“A-one and a-two…” said the man on television.

“I hate Lawrence Welk.” I stamped my foot.

Mom’s brown eyes flashed as she jumped from her chair to turn up the volume. I grabbed her around the waist and we fell to the floor where she tickled me into submission.

A tower of strength, she always won.

Somewhere along the line, between responsibilities and business-as-usual, without my notice, the tower crumbled.

In semi-darkness, she stares at a blank screen. I search her listless eyes but the spark is gone.

“Mom? I miss Lawrence Welk.”

Her brow crinkles. “Do I know you?”

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