1 May 2015

Published April 29, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The next photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Does it tell you a story? Write it in a hundred words or less.

PHOTO PROMPT – © Dee Lovering

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

FINAL SOLUTION

“These madmen take everything,” cried Leah. “They brand us like cattle because we are Jews and you do nothing?”

“How does one fight a pack of rabid dogs?” Abraham rubbed a painful lump on the back of his head. “Finish packing. We set sail in the morning while we still can.”

“They cannot have my grandmother’s bracelet.”

“Leave it! What’s a bauble when our people are being exterminated like cockroaches?”

Letting the bracelet fall from her fingers, she collapsed into his arms. “España is our home.”

“Querida, you are my home. 1493 in Portugal—it will be a better year.”

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Jews were forced to wear golden-yellow badges for identification. There’s nothing new under the sun.

History Lovers Click Here

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***

My novel, Please Say Kaddish for Me, is still available for preorder at a reduced price here.The Kindle version is available for preorder at Amazon.com.

Published by W&B Publishers

Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency

24 April 2015

Published April 22, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. What do you see? Don’t be afraid to step outside the confines of the box. Use your imagination.

My unstory will follow the prompt and the blue frog link. 😉

PHOTO PROMPT – © Douglas M. MacIlroy

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Genre: Non-fiction/Non-story

Word Count: 99

The story you are about to read is true. No names have been changed to protect the innocent.

THE ULTIMATE COP OUT

“It’s a fantastic prompt,” I tell Doug.

“I’ll take history for $30,” I mumble as I read an article about Roald Amundsen, the first person to reach the South Pole.

After days of edits, illustrations, full time job issues and insomnia, my busy brain, swirling with a thousand-thoughts-a-minute, is at a loss for a flash fiction.

Word came this week that my novel is going to be released in two weeks. So soon? I just sent the manuscript back to the publisher and I’m still writing acknowledgements.

“Another time, Roald.” I click out of Wikipedia. “No story this week.”

***

It’s true. For the first time in three years, I didn’t have the head space to write a story. I hope you’ll find it in your hearts to forgive me. Last week I received an email from my publisher with the following notice:

Beginning on April 20 Please Say Kaddish For Me will be available to preorder from Kindle in ebook form and to preorder from http://www.a-argusbooks.com/GalleryComing.htm in print form. Release date scheduled for May 8.

Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency

Many thanks to Cuzzin Kent Bonham for using his expertise to make the following book trailer. Click here for LINK. Of course the date’s a bit sooner than I was expecting. 😉

17 April 2015

Published April 15, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The next photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. There’s a lot to see. Does it ignite a story for you. Tell us in a hundred words or less.

PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot

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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

MOTHER GOOSE

My doctor called it postpartum depression and assured me it was normal, but I knew better. I resented my son Daniel for what he was not. I wanted sugar and spice. Instead I got snips and snails.

One night, after putting the baby to bed, I turned on the television and came across a promotion for flame retardant pajamas. Graphic images of once handsome children, burned and scarred beyond recognition, seared through me.

“What’s wrong with me?” I bolted from the sofa to the nursery, gathered Daniel into my arms, inhaled his sweetness and whispered, “I love puppy dog tails.”

Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

10 April 2015

Published April 8, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The following PHOTO is the PROMPT. Where does your mind travel? Take us there in a hundred words or less.

My story follows the prompt and the link frog. I welcome honest comments and crit.

***

Dear Friday Fictioneers,

Some of you may have noticed a lack of my comments and replies last week. My editor and I have been up to our eyeballs in novel edits. I hope to catch up soon. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

A heartfelt thanks to my editor and friend for sacrificing his time to help me untwist, un-hyphenate and smooth out the rough edges of the soon-to-be published PLEASE SAY KADDISH FOR ME.

Shalom,

Rochelle

PHOTO PROMPT – © Jennifer Pendergast

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Gere: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

ONLY THE MOUNTAIN REMAINS

My dearest Zhilan,

This night my thoughts turn toward home and you. I cherish the times we invited the moon to join us as we shared rice wine. Remember how we dreamed I would find Gold Mountain?

Now my journey is hard and my days are filled with the pickaxe and train tracks. Never will I see you again, my fragrant orchid, nor our precious son…

***

“Fever musta took him.” Levi knelt beside the body and pried a piece of crumpled paper from its stiff hand. “Whatcha make a this?”

Orville squinted and shrugged. “Jest some ignorant Chinee scribbles.”

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3 April 2015

Published April 1, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT and comes from Lauren Moscato by way of Amy Reese. What does it say to you? Watch your step and tell us a story in one hundred words or less.

PHOTO PROMPT © Lauren Moscato

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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

MOVING UP

Bevy was a splash of color on God’s palette. When it came to interior design and giving parties, she was an artist without equal.

Every Monday we met for dinner with Bevy and George. On one such night we compared house-hunting woes.

“You should see the monstrosity George liked,” she said with a pained grimace. “Metal walls and a window air conditioner in every room.”

“Hey,” he said with a shrug, “it’s big enough for entertaining.”

A week later we learned she’d been keeping a secret.

Today heaven’s awash with color and celebration while my world’s become a dingier place.

27 March 2015

Published March 25, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. Does it ignite a song in your heart? Sing it in one hundred words or less.

PHOTO PROMPT ©David Stewart

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

CURTAIN CALL

“What’s to become of me?” whispered Minnie as she sat beside the hospital bed and gazed at her wrinkled hands that used to make the piano sing.

“Mama?” Maud opened her eyes. “The concert…the audience…I let them down…”

“You have a little gastritis. You’ll be well enough for your concert on January 8th.”

“Do you love me, Mama?”

“Who made sure you practiced your violin twice a day?”

“You did.”

“Who sacrificed everything so you could study in Europe and become the famous Madame Powell?”

“You did.”

“And don’t you forget it. I did it all for you.”

“Did you?”

For more about Maud Powell

20 March 2015

Published March 18, 2015 by rochellewisoff

The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT. What story does it tell you? Share it in one hundred words or less.

PHOTO PROMPT – © Copyright – Rachel Bjerke

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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 99

GULF

On fragrant spring afternoons, on the mossy stone patio in Arlene’s backyard, we shared sandwiches, secrets and giggles as only little girls can. In summer we waded in the creek that ran behind her house and tried to catch tadpoles that tickled our bare toes.

When we entered junior high, Arlene withdrew and when I tried to talk to her about it, she turned away as if I no longer existed. I never knew why or whether I had done something dreadful to offend her.

The questions, answered by silence, scarred my heart. Fifty years later, the ache remains.

***

“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” –E. E. Cummings

There’s no time like the present to get over the past and get on with the future.

CLICK HERE

13 March 2015

Published March 11, 2015 by rochellewisoff

Note: When linking your story, backspace over the info in the middle box and leave your name. It makes it easier on everyone. Thank you. Let me know if you have any questions.

My story follows the PHOTO PROMPT below and the inlinkz frog. I appreciate honest comments.

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

RADIOACTIVE

“Au revoir, mon ami.” Marie kissed Pierre’s ice-cold cheek.

“Where Papa?” asked fourteen-month-old Eve.

“He’s going to sleep his last sleep beneath the earth,” said eight-year-old Irène.

Marie placed a bunch of periwinkles and Pierre’s favorite photograph beside him. The picture was of her on the balcony of their first apartment on rue d’Allemagne. Refusing a black drape, she and her daughters adorned his coffin with flowers.

“I’ve no future without you, Pierre.”

“Remember our dream for humanity,” she heard him say, “for science.”

Days later Madame Marie Curie returned to the laboratory, her haven of discovery, joy and solace.

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6 March 2015

Published March 4, 2015 by rochellewisoff

***When posting your URL, please make sure it’s specific to your story and not just your blog. It’s frustrating to have to scroll down past several articles to get to your Friday Fictioneers post for the week.***

Thank you.

The following picture is the PHOTO PROMPT. Does it plant a story in your mind? Share it in a hundred words or less.

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

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Genre: Realistic Fiction

Word Count: 100

ESCAPE

“Sabira! Where are you, you worthless bitch?” yelled her husband, Davlet.

From the barn rafters she watched him through a chink in the wall and prayed. “Don’t let him find me.”

Two weeks ago she’d been an ambitious university student until four men, including Davlet, jumped out of a car and forced her into it.

“Kyrgyz tradition,” said her mother when Sabira called her for help. “You’ll learn to be a good wife as grandmother and I did.”

“New tradition,” whispered Sabira as she tightened a noose she’d fashioned from barbed wire around her neck and jumped off the ledge.

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Learn More

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.”