29 August 2025

Published August 27, 2025 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 © Dale Rogerson

This week’s prompt has part of an empty wine glass in the right foreground. You can see a candle lighter through the glass. Toward the back is a candleholder with melted candles. There is a cork on the table.

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count:100

A NICE JEWISH GIRL FROM CINCINNATI

Papa recited the prayer over the wine. As he recounted the ancient story, ten-year-old Theodosia Goodman envisioned herself in a sweeping drama set in Egypt.

For his part in the Passover seder, her brother Marque asked the question, “Why is this night different from all other nights?”

She interjected, “Someday I’m going to be an actress.”

“Of course you are,” Papa patted her head. “Tonight, we remember when our ancestors were slaves in Egypt.“

”A quarter of a century later in 1918, mesmerized by her onscreen performance, millions of moviegoers applauded Theodosia, now Theda Bara in the blockbuster Cleopatra.

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16 March 2018

Published March 14, 2018 by rochellewisoff

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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 © Ted Strutz

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My weekly admonition to over 70 participants. Please keep your stories to 100 words or less. Thank you for your consideration.

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

READY FOR MY CLOSEUP

Addie beamed. “Isn’t my little girl just the prettiest thing?”

“Her ears are a bit large,” said Addie’s mother Bertha.

Glory’s ruffled skirt flared as she skated along the sidewalk way ahead of the other children. Puffs of ribbon adorned her glossy hair and covered her ears.

“You spoil her.”

“Glory is special.” Addie shrugged.

“She’s a daydreamer. Her marks in school are deplorable. What can the future possibly hold for such a child?”

Not many years later, Addie Swanson once more beamed with pride when Gloria’s image graced the screens of movie theaters from one coast to the other.

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The actress as a child

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Gloria Swanson 1899-1983

21 April 2017

Published April 19, 2017 by rochellewisoff

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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.

get the InLinkz code

Genre: Historical Fiction

Word Count: 100

SPLIT WEEK

“Papa, how could you fire Joe?” Myra Cutler flung her dance shoes into her suitcase. “He was an asset to the show.”

“You’re only off by two letters.” Frank, head of the Cutler Comedy Club, embraced his seventeen-year-old daughter. “All that wastrel has on his mind is my talented baby girl. You’ve no future with him.”

Pulling back, Myra clenched her teeth. “We’re going to be huge Vaudeville stars.”

___

A year later, in 1895, after a show in Piqua, Kansas, weary from performing, Myra gave birth to the third member of their act—Joseph Frank Keaton—better known as Buster.

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