20 May 2022

Published May 18, 2022 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. (Although I can’t imagine what one would want to use this photo 😉 ) It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

The following story is the first thing that popped into my head and begged to be shared. As you can see, I’m literally seeing double. 😉

Genre: Memoir
Word Count: 100

HOLIDAY TRADITION

During the holiday season we exchanged wish lists ahead of time, so no one received a Chia head or underwear they didn’t want. For grins and giggles, we’d add impossible things to our lists.

During our leanest years my husband would ask for a shoebox full of twenties. That is, until the Christmas the kids and I filled a shoebox with twenty safety pins, twenty pennies, twenty paper clips, and so on.

The year I finished my first novel, I added to my list, “A literary agent with a contract and huge check.”

And my wish was granted. Sort of.

A picture, they say, is worth a thousand words. Please forgive the fact my story requires this photo to be understood. My very clever son, Travis made this little figurine and is one of my favorite gifts of all time.

13 May 2022

Published May 11, 2022 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.

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 99

TRUMMERKIND

Art instructor Michael Townsend agonized over where he and his friends would go when developers tore down the abandoned warehouse the collective called home.

Michael told them about a space he’d seen on one of his runs by Providence Place Mall. “There’s a gap between the walls. It’s an odd space but it could work. Artistic justice.”

Eight artists moved lamps, furniture and electronics into their clandestine accommodations.

After four years, mall police discovered the apartment and Michael was taken into custody.

The criminal court judge, impressed by Michael’s sheer audacity, handed him a mere misdemeanor charge for trespassing.

*Trummerkind – Children of the Ruins

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6 May 2022

Published May 4, 2022 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.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS

“Who was the greatest mother in the Bible?” Mama asked twelve-year-old Anna.

“Mrs. Noah.”

“Why not Jesus’ mother Mary?”

“Because Mrs. Noah looked after children and all those stinky animals for forty days and forty nights.”

Mama smiled. “I hope someone, sometime will found a memorial mother’s day commemorating her for the matchless service she renders to humanity in every field of life. She is entitled to it.”

May 10, 1908, due to Anna Jarvis’ diligent campaigning, the first Mother’s Day ceremonies were held in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. In 1914 U.S. President Woodrow Wilson made it a national holiday.

Mama’s quote isn’t fiction 😉 CLICK HERE for a brief history of Mother’s Day in the United States.

White Carnations are the official Mother’s Day Flower.

29 April 2022

Published April 27, 2022 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.

Genre: Historical Fiction/Excerpt from Work in Progress
Word Count: 100 of 16,500

CHILDHOOD LOST

Schoolboys cavorted along the cobblestone street, shoving and teasing each other after a day of boring lessons. Peter missed being one of them.

Papa approached with determined strides, head held high, and a scowl on his black-bearded face. Like the Red Sea’s parting, the children made a path for him.

Peter turned from the window and hunched over his book.

Taking rolls from the oven, Mama clutched her rounded belly. “Son, come help me.”

He rose and took the pan from her, breathing in the yeasty aroma.

Papa burst through the door. “Peter! Lazy oaf. Get back to your lessons.”

22 April 2022

Published April 20, 2022 by rochellewisoff

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Género: Ficción Histórical
El recuento de palabras: 100

SINFONÍA VISUAL

Carlos hunched over the piano, hands over his ears, tears stinging his eyes. “No puedo oír la música. Mi vida se acabó.”

“Mi hijo, you’re only fifteen. So you cannot hear so well. Your life isn’t over. It is just beginning.” Papa opened a case containing tubes of color and various-sized brushes. “Your art teacher says you show gran potential.”

Carlos rolled a brush between his fingers. “I will paint—everything!”

___

51 years later, in 1958, Delilah Mérida beamed when the Guatemalan government honored Carlos’ artistic achievement with the Order of the Quetzal. “My husband makes music for the eyes.”

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15 April 2022

Published April 13, 2022 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.

Genre: Plain Ole Fiction
Word Count: 100

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Ted set up a row of chairs in the reception hall. Jessica plopped down on one and pouted. “This is all-kinds-of wrong.”

“Hey sis, ever hear of John Cram?”

“No.”

“Lemme educate you. John Cram patented the folding chair in 1855. Then in 1947 Fred Arnold created the first aluminum one and by 1957 his company was manufacturing—”

“Ooh, cram your history, Mr. Wikipedia.” Jessica gritted her teeth. Tears stung her eyes. “It’s just not fair.”

Ted hugged her. “You’re going to be a gorgeous bride tomorrow.”

“What about my garden wedding? It’s not supposed to snow in May.”

8 April 2022

Published April 6, 2022 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.

Genre: Historical Friction
Word Count: 100

TRASH 80

“Isn’t it beautiful?” Jan showed off his latest acquisition from Radio Shack.

I fumed. “Our electric typewriter works just fine. A computer will end up being another dust collector like your precious Polaroid SX-70.”

“How was I supposed to know the film would cost a fortune?”

***

Several years have passed since that day. I’ve acquired my own desktop, scanner-printer combo, a laptop for travel and Jan takes sharp pictures with his iPad.

He reads the screen over my shoulder and says with a sly smile, “Lemme get you a rag.”

“Why?”

“You’ve been at it for hours. You’re collecting dust.”

*Note: Radio Shack’s computer was actually named TRS 80 but became widely known as Trash 80. From there we went to the Commodore 64 and Jan had a Kaypro, a portable computer that I refer to as the Commodore in a Can. All cutting edge technology in the latter part of the 20th Century.

25 March 2022

Published March 23, 2022 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.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

RECLAMATION

I am Uzit, a warrior beside Yehuda Maccabee, the Hammer.

I shall never forget how Antiochus’ men defiled our sacred altar with a pig. They slaughtered my baby brother Ezra and made my mother carry his body around her neck.

A soldier cast his lethal eyes on me. “What a pretty little Judean creature.”

I replied with my sword.

We resisted the Greeks, and we prevailed.

***

Uzit Rabinowitz skimmed her fingers over the rough stones of an ancient building. “1949 in the Promised Land.” She caressed her infant son Ezra. “Antiochus couldn’t destroy us. Nor could the Führer. We prevailed.”

11 March 2022

Published March 9, 2022 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.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
A tribute to all the “Uncles and Aunts” who risked their own lives to save others.

SAFEKEEPING

Shira slipped a worn photo of a smiling two-year-old from her pocket that, like she, had managed to survive hell. Had Hans kept his promise? Trembling, she knocked on the cottage door.

It opened. “Danke Gott!” A stout man with ruddy cheeks embraced her. “Ilsa, who is this lady?”

A five-year-old clung to his leg. “I don’t know, Uncle Hans.”

Shira knelt. “Don’t you remember me?”

Ilsa shook her head and stared at the numbers on Shira’s forearm.

Shira’s heart sank. “Oy, meyn kleyn ketzl.”

“Momma katz?” Ilsa threw her arms around Shira’s neck. “I knew you’d come for me.”

*Oy meyn kleyn ketzl – Oh, my little kitten”

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25 February 2022

Published February 23, 2022 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.

Genre: Historical Fiction (Based on a true story)
Word Count: 100

VIGILANCE

“What do you plan to do about Reverend Ahlwardt, sir?”

“What can I do? It’s America.” Theodore Roosevelt gazed at people on the crowded sidewalk below. “As police commissioner I’m dutybound to protect this German hatemongering windbag’s freedom of speech.”

“The whole Lower East Side is likely to protest.”

Imagining the violence the so-called minister’s antisemitic lecture could cause in his city, Theodore grimaced. “Yes, it’s liable to get ugly. Sergeant Levine. I’m trusting you to put your best men on security detail. Might I suggest Officers Cohen, Weinberg, Kaminsky, Horowitz, and Levy?”

With a grin, Sergeant Levine saluted. “Yessir!”

There’s a reason I wrote him into my novels. 😉