21 January 2022

Published January 19, 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: Memoir
Word Count: 100
WORLD OF HER OWN

Her fourth-grade teacher dubbed her “Messy Bessy.” Each time the frustrated child attempted to organize her desk chaos quickly returned.

Mrs. Smith moved the girl’s desk to the front of the room. Perhaps sitting beside the teacher would encourage her to mend her slovenly ways.

The kid didn’t mean to misbehave. Reading or illustrating stories she wrote in her head took priority over neatness. She’d simply lose herself in her latest adventure.

One morning, Mrs. Smith jolted Rochelle from the Ingalls’ cabin on the prairie with, “Miss Wisoff, would you care to join the class for our daily spelling test?”

My granddaughter Olive and her faithful companion Poppy

14 January 2022

Published January 12, 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. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.

A few years ago I shared this story for a now defunct blog challenge called What Pegman Saw. It seems the appropriate time to share it again (in a shorter form 😉 ) RIP Mr. Poitier, you were a trailblazer, a great actor and an elegant human being.

Genre: Biographical Fiction
Word Count: 100

THE VIRTUES OF SIMPLICITY

“Tell me a story, Great-Grandpa.”

“Shall I tell you the story of Cinderella.”

“Tell me about when you were a boy in the Bahamas.”

He gathered the child onto his lap. “We were poor. Didn’t have a telephone or electricity. But we had the bluest skies at our temples and the ocean at our feet.”

“What did you do for fun?”

“Climbed trees and went swimming almost every day. Why I didn’t even see a movie until I was twelve.”

“And now you’re a movie star like Denzel Washington.”

Sidney Poitier kissed his great-granddaughter. “Nah, I’m just an ordinary guy.”

***

7 January 2022

Published January 5, 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: Fiction
Word Count: 100
FLOWER AND WILLOW WORLD

A thousand butterflies swirl in my stomach as I peer out the window, watching for the car that will bring my Hoshi-chan, my shining star, for a brief visit.

After we left her at the Okiya in Kyoto, six months ago, I cried for a week.

At her Misedashi my heart swelled with pride. In exquisite silk kimono, painted face and elegant jeweled hair, Hoshi, renamed Kikuyu, was welcomed into the secret society of Geisha.

She glided to me on lacquered getas and uttered those words I will forever cherish. “Okaasan, when I come home, please cook me a hamburger.”

Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

31 December 2021

Published December 29, 2021 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: Questionable
Word Count: 100

HAPPY NEW YEAR…LITERALLY

“All the falderal’s done for another year.” Meg gathered wadded giftwrap and fumed. “Just look at the pine needles littering floor.”

“Don’t be a Scrooge,” whispered Beth.

Amy frowned. “Where’s your holiday spirit, Meg?”

Meg handed her a broom. “Make yourself useful.”

Jo opened her brand new, leatherbound thesaurus. “‘Falderal’…’absurdity, baloney, humbug.’”

Ebenezer popped the cork on a bottle of champagne. “Let’s make merry!”

“Grandfather sent goat cheese for the party,” cried Heidi.

“Then a toast,” said Bob Cratchit.

Asher Lev set aside his paintbrush and raised a glass. “L’chaim!”

Tiny Tim beamed. “God bless our Friday Fictioneers’ muses everyone.”

*Apologies to Louisa May Alcott, Charles Dickens, Johanna Spyri and Chaim Potok.

17 December 2021

Published December 15, 2021 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.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

WINE NOT?

Events of that morning zipped through Hannah’s mind. John complained his egg was runny and his bacon not crisp. By suppertime he’d been shot to death.

The executor read John’s last will and testament. When he finished, his lips spread in a saccharine smile. “He left J.C. Weinberger Winery to you. After you sell it, you’ll be well-set.

“Why would I do that?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

She squared her shoulders. “I’ll run the business.”

Six years later, at the 1889 Worlds Fair in Paris, Hannah Weinberger won a silver medal for her wine—the only California woman to do so.

CLICK HERE for more info about Hannah Weinberger

26 November 2021

Published November 24, 2021 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.

CLICK to join the festivities.

Genre: Realistic Faction
Word Count: 100

Please add your Story URL to the inLinkz list after you click the link, rather than leaving it in my comment section. This way more people will be able to find and read your story. Thank you.
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ONE SEASON FOLLOWING ANOTHER

Rochelle gazed at the pile of wedding gifts needing to be put away. Among them were three percolators. Neither she nor Jan even drank coffee.

Six months ago, she’d flashed her engagement ring at the senior prom.

With mounting dread, she surveyed the cramped, third floor walk-up apartment with red and black kitchen cabinets. What did she know about marriage?

***

Rochelle downed her second cup of black coffee. “My mother gave us six months at the most.”

Jan poured his third. “What did we know about marriage?”

She kissed his cheek. “Guess we managed to learn something in fifty years.”

Weekend Writing Prompt – Blue

Published November 21, 2021 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.

COLORS

Dale perused Rochelle’s photos. “Sweet. All those bridesmaids in royal blue velvet.”

After fifty years, Rochelle still remembered the scent of her yellow roses. “I liked their dresses better than mine.”

“Why blue and not purple?”

“Good question.”

Drat. You really can’t see that the dresses were royal blue or velvet. Thanks to Dale for bluing up the photo. I’m not sure, in looking back, why I didn’t have purple in the color scheme. It might’ve had more to do with my mother. 😉

19 November 2021

Published November 17, 2021 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.

Please add your Story URL to the inLinkz list after you click the link, rather than leaving it in my comment section. This way more people will be able to find and read your story. Thank you.
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A couple of weeks ago I posted a story about the origins of Legos. Of course this took my mind to other toys, such as Tinker Toys. I never owned a set but enjoyed playing with them with friends who did. Interesting to note, the idea of the round can was meant to be a mailing tube for easy posting. 😀 The following scene takes place in Evanston Illinois in 1914.

Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

STICKS AND STONES

After a long day of carving tombstones, Robert hurried down his basement stairs. He had to strike while the iron was hot.

***

“Robert, you’ve been home an hour and haven’t greeted me or little Grace.”

He flashed a sheepish grin at his wife. “Come see my invention.”

“It looks like a pile of wooden sticks and spools to me.”

“So it is! For children to build and create with. Whatcha think?”

“I think your supper’s getting cold.”

***

Robert Pajeau, Tinker Toy creator, left his estate to underprivileged children, stating that kids had built his empire and should share in it.

For a little more CLICK

For some of us this brings back memories. Enjoy!

November 12, 2021

Published November 10, 2021 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.

I received a post card from Ted last week. It’s apparent that Ted is working off his back end in rehab and I was thrilled to get something written in his own hand. Keep up the good work, Ted! He asked if I could write a story about a lighthouse. So the following is my story.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

KEEPERS OF THE LIGHT

“Play me a song, Mormor.” Six-year-old Agnes clapped her hands.

Helga Settles looked up from her bread dough. “Is that the proper way to ask your grandmother?”

The child pouted. “Please.”

Hilma poised her violin bow. “What would you like to hear, lilla gummun?”

Lilting music swelled the kitchen. Helga gazed out at the sea. Her Arvel, father of her five children, would soon be home from his twelve-hour shift at Lime Kiln Lighthouse. Tomorrow guests would fill their house.

She breathed in the aroma of baking sponge cake. Salmon sizzled on the stove. No one left Helga’s table hungry.

To learn more about the Settles family CLICK HERE

If you’d like to send Ted a card or note to encourage him, email me at rwisofffields.wordart@gmail.com for the snail mail address. 😀

5 November 2021

Published November 3, 2021 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.

CLICK TO PLAY
Please Note: If you link your story to the inLinkz list I WILL SEE IT. There’s no need to put your link in my comment section. However, I do appreciate your comments on my story. 😉 Thank you for understanding.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

PLAY WELL

“Every detail matters,” impoverished carpenter and toymaker Ole Kristiansen told his son. “Only the best is good enough.”

Godtfred, the third of five children, never forgot his father’s words.

Together, they worked to build their toy business. Neither gave up on their dream despite three separate fires that threatened to raze their hopes to the ground.

“Children need toys that strengthen their imaginations and creativity,” said Godtfred.

Ole beamed with pride when his son redesigned his plastic interlocking bricks. Children loved them.

Godtred blinked back tears at Ole’s untimely funeral. “Fader, I promise you, I will make Lego a success.”