The following photo is the PHOTO PROMPT, a cool picture for hot days, depending on your side of the globe. Where does it take you? Tell us in a hundred words or less.
I’m doing it again. Taking a story out of mothballs and republishing it for Friday Fictioneerswith a new photo prompt.It’s proving to bea crazy-busy summer and my muse is giving me the silent treatment. A few of you might remember this one from 2013.
Genre: Literary Fiction
Word Count: 100
ORDINARY GIRL
The surgeon told her she’d never walk again.
Not long after that, Grandpa Farthing came for a visit. “How’s my favorite cyclist?”
“Crippled.”
“Pity-party? Here, celebrate with this.” He tossed a book into her lap. “I enjoyed it as a boy.”
“‘Around the World on a Bicycle’?”
“By Thomas Stevens. Rode it on a big-wheeled contraption called a Penny Farthing.”
“You’re joking.”
“Nope.”
Two years later, inspired by Stevens’ determination, she labored to prove the doctors wrong and registered for her first Penny Farthing race.
The official stared at her signature. “You’re joking.”
“Nope, Miss Penelope Farthing at your service.”
You can find more about Thomas Stevens who rode what was then known as an Ordinary Bicycle by clicking here . For more in depth reading the book is available on Amazon.com.
The ordinary bicycle was nicknamed “Penny Farthing” for its shape:
As always, writers are encouraged to be as innovative as possible with the prompt and 100 word constraints.
Henry David Thoreau said it best.
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
********
THE CHALLENGE:
Write a one hundred word story that has a beginning, middle and end. (No one will be ostracized for going over or under the word count. However, I respectfully ask for your consideration. Please refrain from taking the liberty of posting 200 words or more as a Friday Fictioneers story. Thank you.)
THE KEY:
Make every word count.
THE RULES:
Copy your URL to the Linkz collection. You’ll find the tab following the photo prompt. It’s the little white box to the left with the blue froggy guy. Click on it and follow directions. This is the best way to get the most reads and comments.
MAKE SURE YOUR LINK IS SPECIFIC TO YOUR FLASH FICTION. (Should 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 there’s no red x email me at Runtshell@aol.com. I can delete the wrong link for you).
Make note in your blog if you’d prefer not to have constructive criticism.
REMINDER: This page is “FRIDAY FICTIONEERS CENTRAL” and is NOT the place to promote political or religious views. Also, you are responsible for the content of your story and policing comments on your blog. You have the right to delete any you consider offensive.
**Please exercise DISCRETION when commenting on a story! Be RESPECTFUL.**
Should someone have severe or hostile differences of opinion with another person it’s my hope that the involved parties would settle their disputes in private.
Last week some Friday Fictioneers, including myself, had issues with valid comments going to their spam folders. Be sure to go to your dashboard every so often to make sure it’s not happening to you. Also, you can contact Akismet directly at support@akismet.com to register it, and for further updates, including the experiences of others or check out the following site: http://en.forums.wordpress.com/topic/i-cant-seem-to-comment?replies=24
*Thanks to Sandra Crook for doing the leg -work on this.*
Not long after that, Grandpa Farthing came for a visit. “How’s my favorite cyclist?”
“Crippled.”
“Pity-party? Here, celebrate with this.” He tossed a book into her lap. “I enjoyed it as a boy.”
“‘Around the World on a Bicycle’?”
“By Thomas Stevens. Rode it on a big-wheeled contraption called a Penny Farthing.”
“You’re joking.”
“Nope.”
Two years later, inspired by Stevens’ determination, she labored to prove the doctors wrong and registered for her first Penny Farthing race.
The official stared at her signature. “You’re joking.”
“Nope, Miss Penelope Farthing at your service.”
You can find more about Thomas Stevens who rode what was then known as an Ordinary Bicycle by clicking here . For more in depth reading the book is available on Amazon.com.
The ordinary bicycle was nicknamed “Penny Farthing” for its shape: