15 April 2021

Published April 14, 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.

PHOTO PROMPT © Anne Higa

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AGENT 3844

Heart pounding, Virginia Hall caught her breath and massaged her aching hip. “That was a close call. Cuthbert, you’re always causing trouble.”

“You’ve named your wooden leg?” Virginia’s fellow agent, Armand, found a table in a darkened tavern. “Here. Rest fast.”

She forced a smile. “I was sure the Gestapo recognized me from the poster.”

“The artist certainly captured your likeness. But your disguise is good.”

“Perhaps not good enough.”

The tavern keeper brought two glasses of wine.

“It is my honor to serve with you.” Armand raised his glass. “To the lady who limps. Most dangerous of Allied spies.”

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9 April 2021

Published April 7, 2021 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Brenda Cox

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

GREASEPAINT AND KIMCHEE

“Hey kid.”

Philip stood beside his car, waiting for his sweetheart Anna May Wong. He startled to see movie idol Douglas Fairbanks scrutinizing him. “Me?”

“Yeah, you. You have presence.”

The actor insisted the boy make a screen test.

Still in makeup, heart racing, Philip took a contract home. Instead of the accolades he hoped for, his mother flew into a rage.

She tore the papers to shreds. “No son of mine is getting mixed up with those awful people.”

Two-hundred movies and television shows later, Korean-American actor Philip Ahn laughed. “I’ll never forget. She grounded me for three days.”

***

Although you might not be familiar with his name, I’ll bet many of you remember his face.

In MASH

With siblings in WWII

Ahn with Anna May Wong in Daughter of Shanghai 1937 in

Master Kan in Kung Fu

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2 April 2021

Published March 31, 2021 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast

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Genre: Memoir

Word Count: 100

ICING FOR JOY

My decorating supervisor, Mack had an undeniable presence. Although I’ve no photo of him, I have an image in my mind that will never fade. Bushy white moustache and flushed cheeks under a flat cap.

He had been creating gorgeous cakes since I was in diapers. Flowers crafted from extra-stiff icing were his specialty. Roses. Daisies. Pansies. Chrysanthemums.

Eyes twinkling, he called me “Whats-Your-Name.”

A better mentor I couldn’t have asked for—never stingy with his tricks of the trade. I’ll always cherish the greatest compliment he ever gave me. “You can do anything I can, and you know it.”

****

Mack also told me I had a bright future as a cake decorator. I never told him that wasn’t exactly the future I was hoping for. 😉 From him that was huge. He’s gone now. I really wish I’d taken a picture or two of him.

A few of my favorite cakes through the years.

YEE-HAW!!!

Weekend Writing Prompt – Yonder

Published March 27, 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 in Sammi’s Comment Section.

When I was seventeen microwave ovens and personal computers were off in the Wild-Blue-Yonder. Visual telephones belonged to the Jetsons and iPads to Star Trek. The stuff Bradbury and Clarke only imagined.

Today everyone uses Zoom.

So?

What’s the holdup with my robotic housekeeper?

Weekend Writing Prompt – Orbit

Published March 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.

This prompt didn’t send me into orbit exactly. 😉 Nor does my story defy gravity. Apologies to my favorite Canuck.

“Orbitz.” Dale grimaced. “The beverage with balls. WTF. You paid $20.00 on Ebay?”

“Retro novelty.” Rochelle took a sip and gagged. “I guess not everything Canadian is as wonderful as peanut butter and Captain Kirk. No wonder this dreck didn’t last a year.”

“It’s dead, Jim. Have a Merlot.”

“L’chaim.”

19 March 2021

Published March 17, 2021 by rochellewisoff

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PHOTO PROMPT © Liz Young

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Genre: Humour

Word Count: 100

NOT BY BREAD ALONE

Dale shielded her eyes. “Let’s sit here under this magnificent shade tree.”

As Russell sank down in the grass, Liza-Jane snatched his sandwich. “Hey!” He scowled the dog.

“I brought an extra, just in case.” Rochelle handed it to him. “Hope you don’t mind peanut butter on wholegrain, gluten-free bread.”

Liza-Jane sniffed at it and whimpered. Russell grimaced. “Thanks.”

Rochelle bit into her sandwich. “Mmm. Peanut Butter. George Washington Carver’s greatest gift to mankind.

“For your information, Ms. History-Buff.” Dale munched on her PB&J on a croissant. “Peanut butter was first patented by Canadian pharmacist Marcellus Gilmore Edson in 1884.

***

Click here for Information that won’t stick to the roof of your mouth.

Marcellus Gilmore Edson

George Washington Carver

Weekend Writing Prompt – Vista

Published March 14, 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.

Selfie in St. Thomas

NET OF WONDER

The sea’s susurration

Murmurs sweet secrets.

Coral resonates purple majesty.

The diver’s eyes feast

On a vibrant vista of brilliant schools.

Buoyed and breathless,

Heart flipping,

She is reborn.

12 March 2021

Published March 10, 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.

A note of thanks to those who sent photos. The response to my plea was overwhelming! I’m always open to quirky or intriguing shots. Send them to runtshell@gmail.com. 😉

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

THE GREATEST GENERATION

Great-Grandpa Harry’s war stories made wonderful essays for my seventh-grade history class.

“I never seen anything like it.” His faded blue eyes brimmed. “Charles Jackson French. The ‘human tugboat’. Ever hear of him?”

“No, Grandpa.”

“A-course not. So Imma gonna tell you.”

I poised my pencil.

“After the Japs sank our ship, a few of us wounded escaped on a big’ol life raft. Charlie tied the tow rope around hisself. Eight hours o’dodging sharks and bullets, he swam us to safety. Never received the full honors due him.”

“Why?”

Great-Grandpa fisted his gnarled hand.

“Worst reason ever, son. Skin color.”

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Weekend Word Prompt – Element

Published March 6, 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.

Once more I’m led down Memory Lane. I can’t say I miss the job, but I did have some good times and meet some interesting people. The photo has very little to do with the story. It’s me with my very first book–an anthology of short stories. I had five more years to go at the J.O.B.

My grocery store coworker loved the element of surprise. More than once he snuck up on me while I decorated a cake.

“Boo!”

“Wait for it, Danny Boy. You’ll get yours.

One evening I squirted royal blue icing under his driver’s side door handle.

Revenge is sweet.

Weekend Writing Prompt – Kitsch

Published February 27, 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.

TREASURES

One Christmas I asked for a literary agent with a contract and a huge check. Of course, it was a silly request. Nonetheless, my son did his best to fulfill my wish. A blue-suited, yellow figurine clutching a large red checkmark holds a place of honor next to Mickey Mouse and plastic Disney fairies. Worthless kitsch, you say? These tchotchkes—like my mom’s half-century-old dashboard ornament—make me smile.

A friend has referred to these doo-dads that sit on the shelf above my computer screen as my altar. Not sure about that, but each of them holds a special memory for me. BTW, whimsical clay figures are a sideline for my middle son whose main profession is that of a TV writer. (Proud mom with kvelling rights).