21 July 2023

Published July 19, 2023 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 © Amanda Forestwood

CLICK TO HOP ABOARD

Genre: Fiction
Word Count: 100

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER

Stretching his tired arms over his head Kenji drank in the aroma of cherry blossoms. Nowhere were they more beautiful than in Asakusa.

His last customer had been a hefty gentleman. Steep hills challenged Kenji’s muscles. He sighed with relief. No more riders today.

He groaned when a voice came from behind. “Excuse me, sir. How much to ride?”

“Sorry ma’am, I am done for—”

He turned and gazed into eyes that rivaled the glory of the night sky. His heart thumped against his ribs. He bowed.

“I will carry you to the ends of the earth. No charge.”

14 July 2023

Published July 12, 2023 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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 © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

CLICK TO HOP ABOARD

Genre: Anecdote
Word Count: 100

PARADISE FOUND

Quintessential party planner Carla missed human contact. Zoom calls didn’t offer quite the same energy. Her California home had become a ghost town.

Searching for something to fill the empty hours of lockdown, she found quilting.

Before she knew it, what began as a hobby turned into a blazing passion. Her family and friends benefitted from her newfound obsession.

Two years later, she realized her dream of visiting Hamilton Missouri, famous home of Missouri Star Quilting Company. Row after row of colorful prints delighted her. Now she could complete her UFO’s—unfinished objects.

She raised her hands. “I’m in heaven!”

Never heard of Hamilton? CLICK HERE

Here’s some pictures of the magnificent quilt Carla gave us for our 50th wedding anniversary.

A few photos of a recent day trip to Hamilton with nieces Carla and Carol.

7 July 2023

Published July 5, 2023 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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 © AJ Wilson

CLICK TO JUMP IN

Genre: Historical Faction
Word Count: 100

WOODSMOKE AT TWILIGHT

Had it not been for scouting, I might never have seen the great outdoors beyond my backyard. My parents adhered to the eleventh commandment—“Jews don’t camp.”

Overnights were the best. Following an afternoon hike, we’d gather round the campfire. Our mouths and fingers gooey from roasted marshmallows, we topped off the day scaring each other with ghost stories.

“My uncle found a man’s head in the grass,” said Lucy in a loud whisper.

Margo added, “His golden eyes glowed.”

Back home in my own bed, I wouldn’t sleep for a month without a nightlight.

I miss those good times.

1 July 2023

Published June 28, 2023 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

TO BOLDLY GO

“Shma Yisra’el, Adonai Eloheynu, Adonai echad.” Standing beside his father in the synagogue, Billy sang the familiar words from the Torah “Hear oh Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai is One.”

He rubbed his throbbing cheek. In Europe, the war against Nazi Germany raged. Reports of the death camps gave him nightmares. His grandparents had come to Montreal to escape such things. Why did the other kids pick fights with him just for being Jewish?

Papa leaned over and whispered, “Does the other boy have a black eye like yours?”

Billy Shatner grinned. “They don’t call me Toughie for nothing.”

CLICK TO READ MORE ABOUT HIM

23 June 2023

Published June 21, 2023 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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

CLICK TO HOP IN

There are days and weeks when inspiration is a snap. The ideas flow and stories leap onto the page. Without boring you with the details, I’ll just say this hasn’t been one of those weeks.

Genre: All too realistic and hysterical fiction
Count: 100 Uninspired Words

UNINSPIRED

Shelly typed a line from a familiar childhood story, “Run, run as fast as you can. You can’t catch me. I’m the gingerbread man.”

Outside her window, birds chirped, heralding the dawn.

“Nope, not the least bit inspiring.” She backspaced over the sentence and tapped out. “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.”

“There. I’ve used every letter of the alphabet. Now what?”

Downing the last of her coffee, Shelly pressed the backspace key again and stared at the photo prompt.

She leaned back and pouted. “I hate it when my muse gives me the silent treatment.”

16 June 2023

Published June 14, 2023 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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 © Rowena Curtin

CLICK TO PARTICIPATE

The following is a snippet from my soon-to-be published novel. Gone over with a finetooth comb by my wonderful beta readers, I’ve sent the manuscript back to my publsiher for another round of edits. It’s amazing how each one of my readers fround something different. 😀

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100

EVASIVE MANEUVER

The sun behind Dr. Picard put his face in shadow. Elise winced. “Do you suppose you could move?”

He rose and sank into a different chair. “That’s a step in the right direction. Better?”

“Yes. What do you mean by that?”

“How often do you ask for what you need?”

“Often enough, I guess.”

“How often do you ask your husband?”

“John Wayne Picard, MD, PhD.” Elise read a framed medical certificate on the wall. “Nice bowtie, Doctor. That shade of cerulean brings out the blue in your eyes. Mind if I call you Wayne? Or do you prefer John?”

https://www.ozarkhollowpress.com/

Here I am with my enthusiastic publisher, head of OHP, Lia Wu. ❤

9 June 2023

Published June 7, 2023 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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 © Lisa Fox

CLICK TO JUMP IN!

Genre: Hysterical Faction
Word Count: 100

CHILD’S PLAY

The TV shows I loved as a kid are now retro footage on YouTube.

When did Paul McCartney, the cute Beatle, become an eighty-year-old, albeit nice-looking, grandfather? Man from U.N.C.L.E.’s heart throb David McCallum is pushing ninety.

My favorite toys such as Chatty Cathy and the little red spinning wheel are considered vintage and are available on eBay for three times the original price.

Somewhere along the line I stepped through Alice’s looking glass. Help me! I’m a child trapped inside an old woman’s body.

“Age is only a number.” I shrug. “Growing older is inevitable. Growing up is optional.”

I had the blonde version. My mom once sat down with her and wrote down all eleven of her sayings. 😀

2 June 2023

Published May 31, 2023 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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 HOP IN

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

RHINESTONE COWBOY

Nuta Kotlvarenko loved cowboy movies, particularly ones starring his hero Tom Mix.

One evening in 1913, Mama handed a passport to Nuta’s older brother Julius. “Ukraine is not safe for Jewish boys. We’re sending you to America where the streets are paved with gold.”

“I don’t want to go.” Nuta’s eyes stung.

***

Following years of odd jobs, Nuta, now Nudie Cohn, found his niche as the rodeo tailor. Stars from Roy Rogers to Elvis Presley paid thousands for rhinestone-studded Nudie suits.

“Nudie,” asked a fan. “Why don’t your boots ever match?”

“To remind me that golden streets have a price.”

CLICK for all things NUDIE

26 May 2023

Published May 24, 2023 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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: Anectdote
Word Count: 100

LIFE HAS ITS UPS AND DOWNS

After 15 hours of cumulative flight time and layovers, we made it to our hotel in Tel Aviv. I stowed my luggage in my room and boarded the elevator to join my companions in the lobby.

Just before level L the elevator stalled. In desperation I banged on the door.

“The technician’s on his way,” a serviceman told me. “But he’s stuck in traffic.”

I sank to the floor and played video games on my phone; grateful claustrophobia isn’t one of my problems.

An hour later, I was released from my 6-by-6-foot prison.

From now on I’ll use the stairs.

The management was quite apologetic about my ordeal. I told her I’m a writer and would have to write about this. I promised not to use any names. She just laughed and said, “Free publicity.” At any rate, she said they would treat me nice. She was true to her word. Later when I went to my room, this was waiting for me.

A few more pics from the trip. I’ve way too many to share. The lady with the two-towned hair and beautiful smile is my cousin Wendy who lives in Tel Aviv. Could’ve been the highest point of my trip. ❤ One of our missions as a humanitarian group was to take stuffed animals to hospitalized children. (will never forget the smiles).

19 May 2023

Published May 17, 2023 by rochellewisoff

Like us on Facebook

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 DIG IN

As of this Wednesday morning I will only be back in the country a day or so. In anticipation of jet lag I’m sharing a snippet of my the last book of Havah’s trilogy. AS ONE MUST, ONE CAN. I’ve reworked it a bit to fit into the stand-alone (which I hope it does) 100 word format.

When I was writing this novel, set in Kansas City, Missouri in 1908, I was thrilled to find that this Chinese restaurant my family frequented during the 1950’s was in existence way back when. I thought Havah should enjoy it, too. 😉

A GOOD JEWISH MEAL

Havah marveled at the glossy woodwork that adorned the dining room of the King Joy Lo restaurant. She drank in unfamiliar aromas.

Picking up a pair of ivory sticks beside her plate, she studied the elegant calligraphy etched into them. “These are beautiful, but what are they for?”

“Chopsticks. For eating.” The waiter took them and lifted a piece of chicken between them. “Easy. Even babies in China use. Now you.”

Try as she might, they slipped between her fingers and fell amid the noodles on her plate.

“How on earth do they do it?”

“Like American babies. Very messy.”