5 February 2016

Published February 3, 2016 by rochellewisoff

FRIDAY FICTIONEERS NEWS FLASH!!!

OUR OWN SANDRA CROOK HAS TAKEN FIRST PLACE IN FLASH 500

Read her AWARD WINNING STORY

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Please be considerate to the reader and keep your word count down.

The next photo is the prompt. It’s proper etiquette to give credit to the contributor. Remember, all photos are copyrighted. Use other than for Friday Fictioneers requires express permission and, in some cases, remuneration.

PHOTO PROMPT © Erin Leary

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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

COLLATERAL ORANGE DAMAGE

“Farewell, Rob.” I laid my battered dog tags on his grave.

Prostate cancer took him. Doctors say I’m next.

Please try to understand. We were soldiers following orders.

“A little defoliating agent to clear the jungle and expose the enemy.” Our commanding officers assured us. “Nothing that will harm a human.”

I had to go back and see for myself.

Last night I visited a children’s hospital in Ho Chi Minh City where the fruits of our labors languish with twisted or missing limbs and eyes that bulge from enlarged skulls.

We have exposed the enemy, and he is us.

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WARNING! This is disturbing, watch at your own risk.

29 January 2016

Published January 27, 2016 by rochellewisoff

Please include the PHOTO PROMPT with your story. All photos are copyrighted and may not be used outside of Friday Fictioneers without express permission and possible remuneration to the owner. Please be courteous and give credit where credit is due.

The challenge is 100 WORDS OR LESS. It’s a worthwhile challenge that teaches us as writers how to conserve and use the strongest words to tell our stories. With the number of submissions every week, this is not only a great challenge but also a consideration to other readers.

The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Study it. Think about it. What kind of story does it tell you? Think outside the box.

Thank you and Shalom,

Your Fairy Blog Mother, Rochelle

PHOTO PROMPT – © ceayr

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 99

SHOAH

“Where’s Nadine?” I stamped my foot with childish impatience.

“The Juif doesn’t live here anymore.” The man hissed through pinched lips.

“Because of the Bosche?”

“No more questions.” The door slammed and he shouted from the other side. “Go away!”

________

Seventy years later sunlight flickers on ocean waves at Saint-Marc. I walk along the deserted beach where Nadine and I gathered seashells and dreams.

“Martine, swim with me.”

Shielding my eyes, I search the rippling waters. Nadine beckons. I’m warmed by her smile…and the twelve-year-old girl who choked her last in Auschwitz’s Zyklon-B showers lives forever in my heart.

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**Note: Today as I post my story it is 27 January. The United Nations designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau—as International Holocaust Remembrance Day. A time to remember and say “Never again!”

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To learn more about Nadine click here.

Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

15 January 2016

Published January 13, 2016 by rochellewisoff

The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Does it speak to you? Tell us what it says in a 100 words or less.

FRIDAY FICTION CONCRIT SUBGROUP

If you want to be part of this group click the link above and follow the rules set forth by Jennifer Pendergast, the leader of this subgroup. No one is under obligation to participate nor is it necessary to dig something up to criticize for the sake of critique. Please keep it polite and friendly.

PHOTO PROMPT © Amy Reese

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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

STOCKHOLM SYNDROME

What began with a chance meeting on the walking trail grew into a fairytale romance. Enan’s soulful brown eyes captivated me. I pledged my eternal love. I felt safe with him.

One day, after our daily hike, Enan led me to a windowless cabin in the woods.

“Behold our romantic hideaway.” His hot breath in my ear rendered me helpless as he tied my hands behind my back. “You’re mine, princess—forever and always.”

A year passed before I saw the sun again.

***

I watch the police take Prince Not-So-Charming away in handcuffs.

God forgive me. I love him still.

8 January 2016

Published January 6, 2016 by rochellewisoff

FRIDAY FICTION CONCRIT SUBGROUP

If you want to be part of this group click the link above and follow the rules set forth by Jennifer Pendergast, the leader of this subgroup. No one is under obligation to participate nor is it necessary to dig something up to criticize for the sake of critique. Please keep it polite and friendly.

The next photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Where does it take you? Tell us in one hundred words or less.

PHOTO PROMPT © Melanie Greenwood

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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

ALTERNATE FLIGHT

“Sorry, Miss, your flight’s been cancelled,” says the airline rep with a wheeze in her voice.

“My boyfriend’s got reservations for our bistro and I’m sure he’s going to pop the question tonight and I have to—”

“Young love will have to go on standby, dearie.” She squints at me through horn-rimmed glasses.

Teeth grinding, I pace in front of the window as snow covers the tarmac.

I plop down in a chair.

My iPhone chimes.

“It’s over. Marrying Patricia. Safe travels. Eugene.”

It’s snowing harder. I read his text three more times and grin with relief. Lovely weather.

25 December 2015

Published December 23, 2015 by rochellewisoff

FRIDAY FICTION CONCRIT SUBGROUP

If you want to be part of this group click the link above and follow the rules set forth by Jennifer Pendergast, the leader of this subgroup. No one is under obligation to participate nor is it necessary to dig something up to criticize for the sake of critique. Please keep it polite and friendly.

This week’s prompt is a rerun. We will be out of town visiting family this week so please forgive me for very slow or nonexistent response time. I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday. If you’ve already written a story for this prompt as a few have, feel free to enjoy the respite. Look for next week’s prompt to be a retread as well. Thanks to each and every one of you who participate. I can’t begin to tell you what this group means to me.

Shalom,

Rochelle

PHOTO PROMPT – © Scott L. Vannatter

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 97

Here’s the original Post

FINAL DECLARATION

Like the anguished images that flashed across our television, Friday, November 22, 1963 will ever be etched into my memory in black and white.

Walter Cronkite wept on camera.

The nation mourned.

Dazed, Mom sorted Christmas ornaments at the kitchen table and mumbled empty phrases. Dad dropped to his knees, laid his head in her lap and sobbed.

“He was my hero!” I screamed.

My eleven-year-old world spun out and I kicked at the two faceless uniforms.

Their vacuous condolences pelted me like the bullets that killed my big brother in Vietnam.

***************

I’ll never forgive Mr. Kennedy.

I was in 5th grade the day Kennedy was assassinated. We had just come in from recess when the teacher greeted us with “The president’s been shot.’ and flipped on the TV. What a cold and hollow weekend followed as we all crowded around the television and wondered who would do such a horrible thing. I don’t mean to spark a controversy but the fact is that President Kennedy did send advisers to Vietnam and he did get us into the war.

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11 December 2015

Published December 9, 2015 by rochellewisoff

FRIDAY FICTION CONCRIT SUBGROUP

If you want to be part of this group click the link above and follow the rules set forth by Jennifer Pendergast, the leader of this subgroup. No one is under obligation to participate nor is it necessary to dig something up to criticize for the sake of critique. Please keep it polite and friendly.

The next photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. I appreciate the diverse offerings from fictioneers. Please be courteous and give credit to whom credit is due.

PHOTO PROMPT © Luther Siler

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 98

FLIGHT OF FANCY

10 February 1830

Dearest Lucy,

When I think about your advocacy of this wild man who sails from one continent to another in pursuit of his ambition I am filled with love.

The English engravers are tirelessly rendering my dream into reality. I marvel at nature when dawn presents her in richest, purest array and hope my humble paintings shall be my legacy for our two sons.

I could not do better than to travel and finish my collection of the ‘Birds of America.’

Across the ocean, ma chérie Mrs. Audubon, your devotion sustains me.

Affectionately yours,

John

To learn more click here.

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Lucy Audubon

John James Audubon

4 December 2015

Published December 2, 2015 by rochellewisoff

FRIDAY FICTION CONCRIT SUBGROUP

If you want to be part of this group click the link above and follow the rules set forth by Jennifer Pendergast, the leader of this subgroup. No one is under obligation to participate nor is it necessary to dig something up to criticize for the sake of critique. Please keep it polite and friendly.

The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Roger has no website or blog but takes beautiful photos and enjoys letting us use them.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

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Genre: Too Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

I WILL REMIND YOU

When I was a little girl my mother delighted in making birthdays memorable with shiny packages, bright balloons and colorful streamers. The cakes she decorated were works of art.

“I like red.” She looks at the birthday balloon I brought and then at me with a puzzled frown. Her eyes, once full of light, are little more than murky windows to a drifting soul.

“The eggs rolled out of the henhouse and smashed the cupcakes…” her voice trails off and the struggle to shape the words is evident. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember you.”

“It’s okay, Mom. I remember you.”

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While my story this week is fictionalized it is based on a recent visit to my mother in law. Alzheimer’s is the cruelest of diseases for we mourn the loss of a loved one but her body still lives and breathes.

27 February 2015

Published February 25, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The next picture is the PHOTO PROMPT. Where does it take you? Can you tell us in a hundred words or less? Take the road less traveled if you dare!

My story follows the prompt and the blue inLinkz frog. I enjoy comments and welcome constructive crit.

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

WHODUNIT

“A moving picture is the last thing I want to see, Amy,” said Lizzie Le Prince. “‘The Great Train Robbery,’ indeed—starring Thomas Edison as the ring leader.”

Amy patted Lizzie’s hand. “Let it go, dear. It’s been thirteen years.”

“It was Edison all right. He had Louis murdered for his invention and tried to take sole credit.”

“Police didn’t find any evidence. Louis just vanished without a trace.”

Across the aisle in the darkened theater an elderly man peered at them over his program.

“Poor Lizzie, my dear little martinet,” Louis whispered. “Perhaps a simple divorce would’ve been kinder.”

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(I take no responsibility for the typo)

20 February 2015

Published February 18, 2015 by rochellewisoff

*NOTE: When linking your story in the inLinkz, you’re given three boxes. The first one is for your URL and the third for your email address. The second presents with your blog and story title. It would be helpful if writers would backspace over that and type in your name. This way we can all tell who the writer is at a glance. Thank you.

Below is the PHOTO PROMPT. What thoughts crystallize in your mind? Can you tell the story in a hundred words or less?

My story follows the prompt below. I enjoy honest comments.

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

SCHIST HAPPENS

I’ll never forget Mike O’Hara, my fellow New York sanitation worker. What a storyteller. Every Friday night me and the boys would settle round for a long listen.

“So I says to Mr. King, ‘whatcha make a dis rock I dug up?’”Mike took a long swig of beer. “Heavy sucker. Looks kinda like a red diamond. King says he knows a jeweler who’d kill for it.”

“This might be your tallest tale yet, O’Hara,” said Pete.

Mike had the last laugh when his “sewer garnet” made headlines in 1886. Pity he didn’t sell it hisself. Could’ve made a fortune.

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http://www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbnyc/articles/garnet.htm

http://www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com/jhbnyc/articles/nycminerals2.htm

6 February 2015

Published February 4, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The following photo is the PROMPT. Can you get lost in it? What kind of story does it tell you? Share it in a hundred words or less.

My story follows the prompt and the blue inLinkz frog. I appreciate honest comments and constructive crit.

PHOTO PROMPT – Copyright – Melanie Greenwood

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Perhaps it seems I’m late to the party as last week, 27 January, commemorated the seventieth anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. In my opinion, every day is a good time to remember.

Shalom,

Rochelle

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Genre: Speculative Fiction

Word Count: 100

YIZKOR

There is a museum in Jerusalem called Yad Vashem. Although I live five miles from it, I’ve never wanted to visit.

“Come with me, Hannah,” says Zvi. “The candles are pretty.”

My brother is relentless.

“No, Zvi. Let me forget.”

_________

The maze of mirrors is filled with reflections of six candle flames.

“Shoshana Stein, six years old. Romania.”

Disembodied voices intone names in an endless requiem for the dead.

“Moishe Lapinsky, sixteen years old. Poland.”

One point five million children murdered.

“Zvi Goldberg. Four years old. Ukraine.”

At my brother’s name, I sink to my knees.

I will never forget.

The names I used in my story are fictitious. The names in the following snippet are real. Haunting in its simplicity, the candle room is an experience I’ll never forget.