FAMILY REUNIONS

Published November 18, 2012 by rochellewisoff

From left to right: Beth Carter, Jan Marler Morrill, Shirley McCann, Me, Madison Woods, Kent Bonham.

This weekend I attended the Ozarks Writers League, OWL for short, in Branson MO. There I had the pleasure of meeting some of our Fictioneers, including our founder Madison Woods. However I did miss Russell Gayer and Keli Wright who are both FF’rs and OWL members. (Congrats to both on being contest winners.)

Last week Ted Strutz took a trip to Hawaii and met Doug MacIlroy.

Both visits, one personal and one vicarious, thrill me. It makes me feel connected. I dream of a larger meeting one day, but for now we have the internet and shared stories.

Doug and Ted’s Most Excellent Adventure

16 November 2012

Published November 14, 2012 by rochellewisoff

Every Friday authors from around the world gather here to share their 100-words based on the photo prompt and offer constructive crit and encouragement to each other. This creates a wonderful opportunity for free reading of very fresh fiction! Readers are encouraged to comment as well.

Writers:

Depending on your preference, leave your blog link in the comment section or use the linkz tool (or both ;)). My story follows for those who’d rather not read it before writing their own.
Please make sure your link works. There were a couple last week that didn’t. If you find that you’ve made an error you can delete by clicking the little red ‘x’ that should appear under your icon. Then re-enter your URL.
If your blog requires multiple steps for visitors to leave comments, see if you can simplify it. If you can disable CAPTCHA –that wavy line of unreadable letters and numbers– please for the sake of our writerly nerves, disable it. It’s frustrating to have to leave a DNA sample, your blood type and your shoe size just to make a comment. (So I exaggerate. But hopefully you get the picture).
Challenge yourself to keep stories to 100 words. (There’s no penalty for going over or under).

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HAPPY NOVEMBER BIRTHDAYS TO FICTIONEERS:

Lora Mitchell – 13

Charles Williams – 14

Madison Woods – 15

Russell Gayer – 16

(If I missed you let me know. ;))

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THIS WEEK’S PHOTO PROMPT

: Copyright-Sean Fallon

get the InLinkz code

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Thanks to Sean Fallon for his intriguing photo. This particular song served as an inspiration and springboard to:

A WELL-ORDERED LIFE

Prototypical milquetoast, Benjamin Parker wore bow ties and kept to himself.

Three days of no-call, no-show to work passed before anyone missed him enough to call 911.

When we broke into his immaculate apartment we found his pajama-clad body in bed. No sign of foul play.

Jars filled with things like batteries, safety pins, wine corks and matchbooks lined cabinets and counter-tops.

“Quite the collector. Wonder if he jarred his tighty whities.” I flung open the closet door and choked. “What the—?”

In single file on the top shelf human heads floated in name-tagged gallon jars.

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9 November 2012

Published November 7, 2012 by rochellewisoff

A Friday Fictioneers’ Welcome to

SEBASTIAN JOSHUA PENDERGAST

Born 4 November 2012

to our own Elmowrites -Jen

THAT’S SOMETHING TO WRITE ABOUT!

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Now to the business at hand. If this is your first go at Friday Fictioneers, here’s how it works:

Every Friday authors from around the world gather here to share their 100-words and offer constructive crit and encouragement to each other. This creates a wonderful opportunity for free reading of very fresh fiction! Readers are encouraged to comment as well.

Writers:

Depending on your preference, leave your blog link in the comment section or use the linkz tool (or both ;)). My story follows for those who’d rather not read it before writing their own.
Please make sure your link works. There were a couple last week that didn’t. If you find that you’ve made an error you can delete by clicking the little red ‘x’ that should appear under your icon. Then re-enter your URL.
If your blog requires multiple steps for visitors to leave comments, see if you can simplify it. If you can disable CAPTCHA –that wavy line of unreadable letters and numbers– please for the sake of our writerly nerves, disable it. It’s frustrating to have to leave a DNA sample, your blood type and your shoe size just to make a comment. (So I exaggerate. But hopefully you get the picture).
Challenge yourself to keep stories to 100 words. (There’s no penalty for going over or under).
Copyright – Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

get the InLinkz code

THE ICE QUEEN

In Rowena’s thirty-eighth year the flashbacks started. One by one, memories from her childhood surfaced like debris in a whirlpool. Among them were the uncle who molested her and the neighbor who raped her then threatened her with worse if she told. Both happened before her twelfth birthday.

To punish her body for its betrayal, she starved it. Reduced to bone and thinning skin, her defense against pain became her prison.

“What are you feeling?” asked her therapist.

“Nothing.”

“Does it help?” He pointed to her scarred arms.

“No.”

“Do you really want to die, Rowena?”

“I’m already there.”

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Click the following link for song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWaJRlG1RQE&feature=related

CIRCLE IN A SPIRAL

Published October 31, 2012 by rochellewisoff

Every Friday authors from around the world gather here to share their 100-words and offer constructive crit and encouragement to each other. This creates a wonderful opportunity for free reading of very fresh fiction! Readers are encouraged to comment as well.

As always a special thanks to Madison Woods’ help in making the transition less challenging.

Writers:

Depending on your preference, leave your blog link in the comment section or use the linkz tool (or both ;)). My story follows for those who’d rather not read it before writing their own.
If your blog requires multiple steps for visitors to leave comments, see if you can simplify it. If you can disable CAPTCHA, please for the sake of our writerly nerves, disable it. It’s frustrating to have to leave a DNA sample, your blood type and your shoe size just to leave a comment. (So I exaggerate. But hopefully you get the picture).
Challenge yourself to keep stories to 100 words. (If you don’t you won’t be flogged or forced to walk the plank.

Copyright-Ted Strutz

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get the InLinkz code

***CIRCLE IN A SPIRAL***

Nathan loved fairs and amusement parks. He’d coax Jeanette onto roller coasters and then laugh so loud at her terror others would turn and smile.

Eight months ago a roadside bomb exploded in Afghanistan.

“Presumed dead—no remains found.”

Nothing was the same. She went to the park with her sister but greasy odors and the pungent crowd suffocated her.

Then, from the shadows, a marine balanced on his one leg, reached for her with a prosthetic hand.

“I’m half a man, Jeanette. I can’t—”

She laughed so loud others turned and smiled.

“Nathan! Shut up and kiss me.”

OF SIGHT AND SOUND

Published October 24, 2012 by rochellewisoff

Well here’s my story for this week’s prompt. This is one of my own photos that I snapped in a little, off the road cafe in Alaska. Good memories of a good time. I’ve started a file and thus far have some good ones to choose from for next week. My story a complete work of fiction. 98 words.

Special thanks again to Madison Woods for initiating Friday Fictioneers and then entrusting me with her baby.

Copyright Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

A stunning contradiction of cropped black hair, bronzed skin and sea foam-blue eyes, Aggie McKewen’s face reflected her Inuit and Scottish parentage.

Keith, who worked at his uncle’s café in Seward County, Alaska, longed to speak to her but didn’t know sign language and she was fencepost-deaf. Every Saturday he served her grilled salmon in shy silence.

After six weeks of night classes he felt ready to declare himself and ask her out.

With a voiceless giggle she snatched his pen and order pad. There she wrote, “I’d love to but why did you call me a tampon?”

FRIDAY’S BUS

Published October 18, 2012 by rochellewisoff

It’s with mixed emotions I post my story inspired by Ron Pruitt’s photo prompt. This is Madison’s last week as Friday Fictioneers leader and my last week as one just of the gang. She will be one tough act to follow. Click here for other FF stories. Enjoy!

My offering this week is a tribute to Madison and our diverse global community that I hope continues to grow and flourish.

*Note: I don’t think I can put the linkz tool on my blog without upgrading. So it looks like we’ll be back to posting our blog addresses here and in our comments. I’m open to any and all feedback or instruction on this.

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copyright-Ron Pruitt

Apprehensions whelmed the new driver. How could she steer this behemoth? Her feet barely reached the gas pedal.

A lithe maiden with pointed ears and iridescent wings floated past her. Next was an imposing man whose black silk cape skimmed the floor. One by one, diverse passengers stowed their baggage and found their seats.

“Welcome,” said the last in line. “I’m Russell.”

Warmed by his congenial smile she tried not to stare at his plastic clown nose and grasped his offered hand.

Zzzzzzt! His joy buzzer sent shockwaves to her shoulder.

He chortled. “Are we there yet?”

EIRONEIA

Published October 11, 2012 by rochellewisoff

As I post my latest Friday Fictioneer’s story it’s Friday Eve. That’s Thursday in some parts of the world. For other stories from our growing global community click here. You’ll find a wealth of one hundred word stories inspired by this single photograph from Jan Morrill.

Summer 1969, an American sailor stationed in Greece, I went on leave to Santorini.

In Pyrgos, I met sable-eyed Melina.

We drank each other. Her fragrant breasts welcomed me home.

“Marry me,” I whispered.

“I can’t.”

After that I never saw her again.

Summer 2010, I returned to Pyrgos.

On the street I stopped a silver-haired woman. “Melina Dimitri? Do you know her?”

“Why?”

“I love her.”

“Impossible! She was my great-grandmother. Died in childbirth in 1846. Here she is with my great-grandfather.”

When the woman flipped out a daguerreotype I gasped at the youthful images of Melina and…me.

BLOG AWARDS

Published October 10, 2012 by rochellewisoff

Thanks to Madison Woods for nominating me for The One Lovely Blogger Award.

SEVEN RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME

1. I’m something of a drama queen

2. According to my husband I shut out everything, including food, when writing.

3. If I can see it I can usually draw it

4. My favorite color is purple

5. I prefer a standard transmission to an automatic.

6, I feel claustrophobic in large crowds.

7. I can quote whole sections of dialogue from “Fiddler on the Roof”

Now it’s my turn to nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.

5. Paul

7. Boomie Bol

9. Jan Brown

10. Perry Block

11. Celestine

12. Anne Orchard

13. John Hardy Bell

14. Beth Carter

15. newpillowbook

*Three hours later, I’ve finally added the links. Have fun and pass it on with your own nominations.

THE GIRL MOST LIKELY

Published October 5, 2012 by rochellewisoff

This week’s Friday Fictioneers picture is from Raina Ng. It looks like a nice place to come home to. So if you’re looking for gut wrenching and thought provoking look to my friend Doug MacIlroy. I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Coffee and baking cookie aromas filled Gail’s kitchen. She wiped dust from a dog-eared yearbook, set it on the table and smiled at her high school chum. “So glad we found each other.”

“We were darling, weren’t we?” Brenda flipped through the faded pages. “You’ve done well for yourself, Miss Homecoming Queen. Nice home. Handsome husband.”

“Thirty-seven years next month.”

“Amazing.” Brenda pointed to a picture of a moon-faced boy with horn-rimmed glasses and buck teeth. “Hey remember him? What a geek! Wonder what ever happened to the little twerp.”

“I married him.”

THE CHAIRMAN’S SONG

Published September 28, 2012 by rochellewisoff

The lovely picture for Friday Fictioneers this week is from talented writer Sandra Crook. Here’s my offering for this week. Also, it would please this aspiring novelist if you’d also read my previous post. Comments welcome.

Once a month twelve-year-old, American born Su-Yin spent the day with her grandmother. Before each time she groaned and protested.

“Nai-Nai doesn’t have a computer or even a TV.”

“Or one of these.” Mom snatched her daughter’s iPod.

“Communist!”

Flushed, Mom murmured something in Chinese the girl didn’t understand.

Later, Su-Yin pouted in Nai-Nai’s garden and stirred her vegetable rice with chopsticks while she waited for her monthly portion of poetry and boredom.

Instead of ancient verse, Nai-Nai whispered, “When I was your age I watched communists behead my father and murder my brother by a thousand cuts.”