Category Archives: Friday Fictioneers

100 words Photo prompt on a Wednesday provided by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields https://rochellewisoff.com/tag/friday-fictioneers/

Friday Fictioneers – Storm before the Calm

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Photo prompt by Dale Rogerson

We hold on tight, bodies taut with fright
The world around us shakes
Buildings scream, while wrecking wind walls rupture
Trees spear windows, glass detonates
The world shakes
The storm, it blasts and pounds, and rages, destroys
Homes are lost, cars crushed, detritus piles high
People crawl and hunker in basements, calling for mothers
The world erupts
Heavenly banks burst, demons let loose, hysterical fear abounds
Never-ending terror, noise.
We cover eyes and ears.
Who will stand at the end? Who will survive?
The world calms. Quiet returns.
We lift our eyes. And wait. (94 words)

Thank you Rochelle Wisoff Fields for continuing to set this 100 word or less challenge. It is certainly a commitment appreciated by many. Other 100 word stories can be read here.

Friday Fictioneers – wasted

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Friday fictioneers stuff

Photo prompt @ Jan Wayne Fields

Every time I glimpse the stuff it pains me.
I quiver with resignation of the writing dream.
Tucked away in a corner, dreams put aside. Hopes doused.
Mountains of ‘how to write’ books.
Stashes of notebooks. Such cute covers, always another one.
The many quality pens presented to ‘the author’ as hopeful gifts. Perhaps this would be the golden pen, the one that writes the bestseller.
The detritus of dreams. Corkboard, thumb tacks, paperclips. The laminator!!!
Collecting all this and not doing the work.
Reality bites. No matter how much stationery I collect, the words won’t write themselves. (98 words)

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.

Friday Fictioneer – Gone

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Gone Trish Nankivell

Photo prompt @ Trish Nankivell

“They were never seen again,” drawled our loquacious guide, pulling up to the homestead of the abandoned cattle station. The hottest spot for paranormal activity in the southern hemisphere, so said the brochure.

“GONE fishing, GONE troppo, GONE to God. Take yer pick,” he continued. “Never seen again. The locals put it up. The sign. In memoriam, like.”

Twenty-five ghost hunting fanatics stagger from the steaming minibus, dodgy aircon still cranking, every one covered in red dust.

“Inside, cold beers and iced water. In yer go.”

The last to enter the house, I watched him drive away.

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.

Friday Fictioneers – New Life

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Photo Prompt by Sandra Crook

Photo prompt @ Sandra Crook

“Surprise,” cried my wife, leading me into the garden.

Her smile was huge, and I found myself grinning back.

Her joy was so infectious.

I looked around eagerly.

It wasn’t harvest time, and I wasn’t expecting prize-winning vegetables.

My smile began to slip as I noticed the covered garden signs.

The patch was untended and out of control.

Unexpected.

“Darling,” said my wife, tugging me along. “Look. Our dream has come true.”

I looked to where she pointed.

A new garden sign.

Two words. Baby Born.

Rising from the soil, pink baby fingers.

Aghast, I looked at my smiling wife. (100 words)

Found this spooky ‘art’ the day after I wrote this piece 🙂

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.
Thank you Rochelle!

Friday Fictioneers – Oblivious (2)

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AND since I forgot about word count, because I was so excited to be in the Top 10 contributors … here it is again, under 100 words 😁

Friday Fictioneers Steeplechase Robert Bultot

Photo Prompt @ Roger Bultot

My grandkids miss so much, faces pressed to devices.

In my favourite recce spot, I wait for mine.

Then, look down.

What’s the time, weather, shipping schedule?

Can you fish here? Where can I eat? Kids on their way?

Look down.

I hear, “Hi Grandad.”

Look up.

“Hello son.”

“Great weather,” he says.

Look up.

“Oh! Yes, it is.”

“Great fishing,” says the grandson.

” I was wondering …” I reply.

“I’d love a burger. Nathans do great food, ” he says.

Look up.

“Right. I was wondering ….”

Cop onto yourself, old man.

Look up! You’re missing out.

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.

Friday Fictioneers – Oblivious

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Photo Prompt @ Roger Bultot

My grandchildren spend a lot of time on their devices.

I often think they miss so much of life, with their faces pressed to a screen.

I’m waiting for them now, sitting here in one of my favourite places.

I’ve always loved watching ships come and go, imagining where they’ve been; where they’re off to.

I wonder what time it is … look down.

I wonder what the weather … look down.

What ship is due … look down.

What fish can you catch … look down.

I’d love a burger … look down.

Are the kids on their way … look down. I can’t see a text message.

“Hi Grandad,” I hear. Look up.

“Oh, hello son.”

“Great weather,” he says. Look up.

“Oh, yes, it is.”

“Great fishing. I caught a blue whaler here once,” says the grandson.

“That’s nice. I was wondering about fish,” I reply.

“I’d love a burger Grandad. They do a smashing one here at Nathans,” he says, helping me to stand. Look up.

“Oh, right. I was wondering about dinner.”

Cop onto yourself, old man. Who is really disconnected here? Look up, or you’re missing out.

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.

Friday Fictioneers – Grandma’s Garden

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sarah-potter-pic

Photo @ Sarah Potter

Grandma’s garden.

So many wonderful hours, working the earth. Every year, new plantings. Sweet-talking Grandad for the muscle work.

When her children brought their children, she was so happy. And to us, her grandkids, this was our magical playground.

Grandma would create Easter treasure hunts, decorate for Halloween, lights for Christmas, and oh boy, summertime.

4th of July was the best, cousins visiting, neighbours dropping by, barbeque, mouths watering, and sunburned faces. It was manic chaos, and awesome.

Grandma’s special place then, and for always.

Why I’ve never been surprised to see her shadow, still gently checking in. Working it. (100 words)

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.

Friday Fictioneers – Let go

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Dale Rogerson magic-door

Photo @ Dale Rogerson

Each day before I break my fast, I spend some time before this glass

A window gaily framed by green, by lights both festive and obscene

When I do turn and look behind, a melancholy scene I find

Look forward, Christmas and good cheer

Look backward, desolation, heartbreak, fear

Ode to Joy does not play here, tinsel, glitter, nowhere near

No winter booties, gloves, or miffs. No food … no hope

I gaze upon the scene and pray, let Christmas ‘20 fear allay

Look forward, Christmas, love, goodwill

Look backward, fear and panic, still

 

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.

Friday Fictioneers – the nightmare

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sandra-crook-seaweed

Photo prompt @ Sandra Cook

I’d slept like an innocent.
Awoken fresh and clear minded.
Even after all that had happened.
My feet hit the floor.
I thought, cold.
Felt, fresh.
Smiled.

A visit to the toilet.
Brush of teeth and hair.
The feeling of rebirth, renewal, soared.
My hair shone; skin glowed.
All was good again.
I walked to the balcony.
Opened the French doors.

The smell hit hard and fast.
As I breathed in, deep.
I gagged.
Mind buckled, followed by knees.
And I collapsed to the deck.
The nightmare wasn’t over.
It had followed me.
Into the light. (96 words)

Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a story in response to a photo prompt – in 100 words or less. You can find other stories here.

Friday Fictioneers – the Mother in Law

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Photo Prompt @ Dale Rogerson

She knew when I arrived today it would be dark; the light broken.
I always knock; I never buzz.
Is it a lark, or deadly intent? The doorknocker from hell.
An allergic reaction could be the end of me.
I don’t know why she hates me. Perhaps I’ve joked too often when partaking at her table.
My comments could be softened.
Blasted woman. I’ve tolerated much. Too many words, embittered. Too much emotion, littered upon the plate she offers.
Her daughter treasures me. Grandchildren dote on her every word. BUT, mother-in-law today, I see, has finally had enough of me! (100 words)