8 August 2025

Published August 6, 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 © Jen Pendergast

The photo this week is of two coffee pots on a marble counter. Hope this gets your story brewing. 😉

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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

BLESSED BEANS

“Holy Father,” Father Niccoló knelt before Pope Clemente VIII. “We have a serious problem brewing. You must forbid the people from partaking of this Satan’s drink, Your Holiness. This bitter beverage from the Muslim infidels stirs unnatural passions in good Christians.

The pontiff stroked his beard. “Bring me a cup of it, so that I might discern for myself,”

A steaming cup was brought to him. He breathed in the earthy aroma and then took a sip. After savoring the strong coffee’s warmth, he smiled and said, “This devil’s drink is delicious. We should cheat the devil by baptizing it.”

Legend or Fact? Who knows?

And just for fun. Wilkins Coffee commercials by the Muppets that aired from 1957-1960. 😀

Weekend Writing Prompt – Smuggle

Published December 12, 2021 by rochellewisoff

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s comment section. Thanks for the challenge, Sammi!

Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
One of my therapists suggested I illustrate my feelings during this particularly ugly and potentially lethal time in my life.

CIRCLES IN THE SPIRAL

Denise and I used aspirin to punish our hungry stomachs. Did you know you can get high on mega doses of plain old Bayer? Or that you could be addicted to them?

Once when she was in treatment, I smuggled the contraband in a baggie in my large Diet Coke.

Oh, we had lots of tricks up our sleeves next to our boney arms.

Killer ideas.

**Not one of my prouder moments. Denise wasn’t her name and I’m not sure if she’s still alive. 😦

Weekend Writing Prompt – Blue

Published November 21, 2021 by rochellewisoff

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s Comment Section.

COLORS

Dale perused Rochelle’s photos. “Sweet. All those bridesmaids in royal blue velvet.”

After fifty years, Rochelle still remembered the scent of her yellow roses. “I liked their dresses better than mine.”

“Why blue and not purple?”

“Good question.”

Drat. You really can’t see that the dresses were royal blue or velvet. Thanks to Dale for bluing up the photo. I’m not sure, in looking back, why I didn’t have purple in the color scheme. It might’ve had more to do with my mother. 😉

Weekend Writing Prompt – Vellichor

Published October 31, 2021 by rochellewisoff

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s Comment Section.

BY DEFINITION

Breathing in the volume’s musty aroma,

The secondhand bookstore patron opens a volume.

Rife with intricate engravings and photographs

It tells stories of long ago.

She relishes the feel of pages between her hungry fingers.

Tattered leather bindings with embossed titles entice her.

Aaah.

To read.

To dream.

Weekend Writing Prompt – Portmanteau

Published September 26, 2021 by rochellewisoff

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s Comment Section.

I’ll admit to being on the grammar police squad. My mother instilled it in me early in life.

“Ain’t isn’t proper English.”

It’s “they were” NOT “they was.” And “was you?” No way. No how.

“I seen it” makes me cringe.

I beg you on bended knees, for the sake of my bleeding ears, refrain from committing such grammatacide.

***

Dictionary.com defines a portmanteau word as one that combines the form and meaning of two other words. Hence “grammatacide” is mine. 😉

WEEKEND WRITING PROMPT – RAMSHACKLE

Published September 19, 2021 by rochellewisoff

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s Comment Section.

It was the early 70’s. I guess you could’ve called it our…

HONEYMOON SUITE

“The rent is $85.00 a month,” said the landlady, cuddling her Schnauzer. “No pets allowed.”

What can I say about that ramshackle, third-floor walkup comprised of four rooms and one closet? It was our first home together and within walking distance of my school, the Art Institute.

A former tenant had painted the kitchen cabinets red and black. Try waking up to that every morning.

The walls must have been constructed of foam core board, held together with masking tape. We heard every clever word our next-door neighbors uttered such as, “Oh wow, man! What a rush!”

This is the only picture I have of our first apartment. The rest I leave to your imagination. 😉

Weekend Writing Prompt – Pre-loved

Published August 21, 2021 by rochellewisoff

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s comment section.

HOLDING HER HAND

Wayne urged me to get in touch with my inner child.

“It hurts,” I whined.

“It’s the path to healing.”

One day, on the way to my appointment, I stopped at a thrift store. Spying a hand amid a pile of pre-loved stuffed toys, I pulled out a doll with a familiar face. I hugged her soft body and was comforted.

Wayne smiled at her. “She’s you.”

Coincidence? I think not.

“Hold the hand of the child
that lives in your soul.
For this child
nothing is impossible.”
Paulo Coehlo

Weekend Writing Prompt – Glow

Published August 15, 2021 by rochellewisoff

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s comment section.

SUN, SAND AND SIBLING REVELRY

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. No, not that time. Sturgis Bike Rally week.

Can you picture me on a Harley, clad in leather? Me neither. While my husband’s on his annual two-wheeled adventure, I’m heading to North Carolina.

The week zips by. My time’s spent doggy loving, shopping, and swimming. Not to mention bantering with my brother and commiserating with his longsuffering wife.

Back at my computer in Missouri, this landlocked mermaid basks in the fading glow of sunshine on ocean waves. Is it too soon to book next year’s flight?

Weekend Writing Prompt – Requisite

Published July 11, 2021 by rochellewisoff

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s Comment Section.

Original Artwork © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

WHAT IS MOTHERHOOD MADE OF?

At twenty I had the requisite for motherhood—a husband and a womb. I danced for joy when the tests came back positive.

However, after Daniel’s birth, I resented him. I wanted sugar and spice. Instead, I got snips and snails.

One night, after putting the baby to bed, I turned on the television to an ad for flame retardant pajamas. Images of once handsome children, burned and scarred beyond recognition riddled me with guilt.

I bolted from the sofa to the nursery, gathered Daniel into my arms, inhaled his sweetness and whispered, “I love puppy dog tails.”

Weekend Writing Prompt – Tether

Published July 4, 2021 by rochellewisoff

A word prompt to get your creativity flowing this weekend. How you use the prompt is up to you. Write a piece of flash fiction, a poem, a chapter for your novel…anything you like. Or take the challenge below – there are no prizes – it’s not a competition but rather a fun writing exercise. If you want to share what you come up with, please leave a link to it in Sammi’s comment section.

To whom it may or may not concern,

Please excuse me from participating in this week’s weekend writing prompt. You see I’m tethered to a stubborn muse who’s giving me the silent treatment. And now my imaginary friends refuse to let me play with their toys.

I will miss the interaction with other bloggers, but I just don’t have eighty words to spare. If that’s not enough, the dog ate my printer paper. Thank you for your understanding.

Shalom,

Rochelle