13 March 2020

Published March 11, 2020 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 © 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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SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

Published March 9, 2020 by rochellewisoff

Today Pegman hitches up his camel for a trip deep into the Saudi Arabian desert, an oasis known as Wadi ad-Dawasir. There is no street view, but more than a few photospheres. Feel free to wander until you find something that appeals to you, then write up to 150 words about it. Sharing, reading, and commenting is the meat of a photo prompt, so please participate. If you enjoy yourself, please encourage others to join this community.

Thanks for playing, and do your best! Thanks to Josh for hosting.

To read other stories, click here.

Two weeks in a row for me. 😉 I debated over this one. But being one day after International Women’s Day, it seems right to speak out for women who have no voice.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 150

SILENCE OF THE LAMBS

We met in Toronto Pearson airport, where Clemira sought asylum. Her dark eyes broke my heart. She grasped my hands in both of hers. “Thank you for your help.”

Two years before I myself fled Saudi Arabia after my father killed my sister for going out in public without her Hajib. He poured acid on her while she slept. In my dreams I still hear her screams.

“I will do whatever I can.” I kissed Clemira’s scarred cheek. “How did you manage to escape?”

“The new law enabling women to drive saved me.” The plucky seventeen-year-old mother of three squared her shoulders. “My passport is up to date from our vacation. My brother—a rare sympathetic man—bought my ticket. I packed my things while Akbar slept. Then I took the car and drove to the airport.”

“Aren’t you worried about your children?”

“Akbar won’t beat them. They are boys.”

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.

6 March 2020

Published March 4, 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 © Roger Bultot

The frog is far from blue. Click him anyway.

Some of you might remember the following story. It’s a retread from the summer of 2014. When it came up in conversation recently, I decided it was time to give it another run. Different photo and some know the reason why. 😉

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

“There’s so much I haven’t seen, Mom.”

“It’ll keep. You’re only eighteen.”

“I’m a woman.”

“You’re still a child. The city will eat you alive.”

“It’s a full scholarship.”

Three months later, miles from parental scrutiny, Evelyn strolled into the Pratt Institute studio, virgin sketchbook under her arm.

She lowered herself onto an art bench, looked up at the statuesque model on a raised platform, held her pencil erect at arm’s length to calculate perspective and, with great relish, contemplated all that nature had bestowed upon him.

“Study hard,” her mother had said.

Evelyn smiled.

“I will, Mom, I will.”

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

Weekend Writing Prompt – “EPOCH”

Published February 29, 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

I love the way these word prompts send me in very different directions. Usually straight down Memory Lane. 27 words, title not included.

THIS, THAT AND RECENTLY, THE OTHER

The day my anthology debuted was

overwhelming

epoch.

I write.

The publisher mysteriously vanished.

Still I write.

Four more books-in-print later,

I write.

I write.

I write.

On the verge of a new career in 2011.

Apologies to the inspirational Maya Angelou, may her memory be blessed.

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.

21 February 2020

Published February 19, 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.

CLICK THE FLYING FROG TO JOIN!

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

February is National Black History Month in the States. There are so many amazing people, history ignored. I enjoy meeting people I should’ve learned about in school.

QUEEN BESSIE

Bessie surveyed the Waxahachie, Texas Fairground. She never dreamed she’d be performing in her childhood town. Shielding her eyes, she gazed up into the sky. The only place she could truly be free.

The entrance to the park read, “Whites Only.”

Head held high, pounding with indignation, she stormed through the gate and barged into the manager’s office.

“I didn’t go all the way to France to earn my license for this. Am I not the first colored pilot in America?”

“Yes, Miss Coleman, but—”

“If my people aren’t treated with respect, there’ll be no show. Understood?”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

*Note: I call this fiction because, while I know the incident is fact, I don’t know the exact words Miss Coleman used to get her point across. 😉

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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?