It’s Friday Fictioneers, the greatest free show in town! Rochelle Wisoff-Fields runs this band of merry writers, where participants are asked to write a 100-word story, with a beginning, middle and end, using a photo prompt. It’s a wonderful challenge with lots of interesting outcomes. Check out other participants here. One of these days, I plan to get up extra early to be one of the first contributors… this West Coast delay is always a bummer!
I always welcome feedback: positive or constructive. Leave something in the comments, and make my day. I try very hard to read each story in the weekly series, and appreciate those of you who visit mine.
Please check out Tales From the Motherland on Facebook, and hit like. I will smile for hours.
Copyright- Sean Fallon
(100 words, exactly)
Tom clenched the steering wheel and stared at the lavender sky. There were few cars in the beach parking lot, the summer crowds gone. The sunset peaked along with his anxiety.
He imagined Karen making dinner, the kids congregating in the kitchen– doing homework and chattering about their day. He inhaled deeply, trying to focus on the calm outside.
Jesus! My head’s always at work, my heart at home– I’m spinning like a hamster. It was rare that Tom could take the time after work to catch his breath. He watched the sun set, and tried to pull himself together.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Interesting they way you have weaved a story from the broken bits of the mannequin, into the broken bits of peoples lives.
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Thanks. I really appreciate your feedback.
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I agree. Good use of the prompt.
janet
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Thanks Janet! I had a lot of fun with this one. Came to me almost instantly. How was your weekend away??
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It was a lot of fun. I enjoy traveling and I got to meet not only Rochelle, whom I’d met before, just not in person, but all those other Fictioneers as well. Went to a couple of talks or workshops, too, and got a little more push towards doing more writing. All good. Thanks for asking.
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Love this! I like how the photo enhances Tom’s feelings – and how he is all over the place. The photo could even foreshadow the rest of the story where he may have to make changes to be whole again.
Awesome!
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Thanks so much! This was another prompt that was almost instant for me. I saw the image, and immediately thought of how life requires that we apply ourselves in so many ways and directions. I agree, this could go so many ways. I’m touched that you love it so much. 😀
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If only we could really separate the bits, lol 🙂
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Really! Think of how we all might cope. 😉
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“I’m spinning like a hamster” — very good analogy to what life frequently seems to be like. Even though a hamster is cute. I’m spinning and I’m not that cute, which is worse! Very effectively done piece, Dawn.
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Thanks so much, Perry. I often feel like a hamster– spinning issues in my head. Wish I was burning calories when I did it! 😉 Thanks for taking the time; much appreciated.
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At least Tom’s got his head and his heart in the right place! Great take.
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Yes… but what a tangled life it can be. So hard when the two don’t come together. Life is so complicated; I think a lot of people struggle with balance. Thanks for taking the time Denmom; much appreciated!
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I’m enjoying your mini-fictions. Are you involved with the novel writing this month as well?
Happy T-day–
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Thanks! I wondered where you disappeared to. Rarely see you on my site anymore… I am not doing NNWM. Planned to (Kind of) and started to think about it… but didn’t really get anywhere. What about you?
d
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Very clever take on the photo prompt.
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Thanks Steve. I love Friday Fictioneers! Such a wonderful writing challenge each week. I appreciate you stopping by TFTM and taking the time to read and comment; muchos gracias!
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🙂 If only we could clone or divide ourselves to be in two places at once. Great use of the prompt. I considered a “disconnected” version but the bird came back to help karma.
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I think you went in exactly the right direction for your story. 😉 Thanks for stopping by; much appreciated!
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Once again , a very nice job .
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Why thank you, dear Dan. You are always so kind, and I appreciate your thoughtful comments.
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Sounds like my hubby, who happens to be preparing for an office meeting tomorrow. And it’s 11 p.m. You nailed it!
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Always balancing on that edge… it’s what so many of us do, but such a toll it must take, on some level. Give him a hug, and kiss him goodnight. 😉 Thanks for checking in and sharing such a real moment, hugmamma. Much appreciated!
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My hubby doesn’t balance. He’s gone over to the dark side…eons ago. I’ve just gone over with him. I’ve learned to turn all the lights on..not so bad that way. hugs!
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Both of us should be in bed! Eek. Sweet dreams.
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love where you went with this photo. a great slice of real life 🙂
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Thanks KZ. Saw the photo and knew where to go. Those are the sweet spots. Look forward to reading yours!
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A torn man, indeed. A lot of tension in the first paragraph brought back nicely by the second. Good stuff.
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Thanks Mike! I think we all feel like this… a lot. Life is challenging. Balance is hard. Thanks for taking the time!
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Thanks Mike! It’s all about balance… something we all struggle to find, I think.
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I think this is the first story I’ve read that interprets the pulled-apart mannequin as a metaphor for our pulled-apart lives. Very powerful stuff.
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Thanks Jan! I always enjoy your stories, and I’m honored that you enjoyed mine. Thanks for taking the time.
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Dear Dawn,
As someone who works a full time job, I understand Tom. It’s hard to leave the job with all of it’s stress at the workplace. Perfect use of the prompt although your title had me thinking it might be a Wendy’s commercial. 😉 Good one.
shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks Rochelle! I figured with my title, people would expect a horror story. 😉 This was one of those weeks where the path was clear for me. Have a wonderful weekend! Shalom. Dawn
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This was the metaphor that originally popped into my head — being torn apart, being pulled to pieces…. You did a really good job with it.
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Thanks so much. I saw the photo this week and knew exactly where I wanted to go. I appreciate you taking the time to read my work, and share some positive feedback. Thanks!
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Seems like you wrote what I wanted to — a story about compartmentalising and being torn apart.
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Ironically, I just finished your post! I think we wrote the same post, in different voices. You did write it, beautifully. Personally, I’ve been digging myself out of that box for a while now. Hang in there. xo
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I like the way you’ve interpreted the photo, Dawn. We all recognize the feeling of being pulled in different directions.
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I think it’s pretty universal, Karen. We all feel pulled in different directions at various points in our lives. Family and work are classic… Thanks for taking the time; much appreciated!
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Oh how I know this feeling. But I also know the feeling of consciously slowing down to enjoy a sunset. You conveyed both well.
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Thanks Dawn. I am working really hard on balance in my life. It’s a juggling act, but requires that you not take on too much anxiety in the juggling. 😉
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Nicely done; I could identify with this feeling.
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I think so many of us can relate… being pulled in so many directions. Thanks for taking the time, Sandra.
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I’m feeling like Tom today. Work is crazy! But my heart is at home. Nice take on the prompt!
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Me too! I was gone ALL day yesterday and have spent this morning catching up on both the FF posts and the blog hop posts… lots of reading, and commenting. I’ll run right over to your’s Tiffany. Thanks for stopping by to check out mine as well. Enjoy your weekend! 🙂
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Thank you, I did enjoy my weekend. But believe me, I completely understand the feeling to having to catch up after being so busy! Hope you have a good week!
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Sounds typical of today’s frantic lifestyle–hard to keep all your balls in the air and your feet on the ground. Good story.
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Thanks a lot. Yes, I think that most of us struggle on some level with balancing all of the demands we face. Emotional, physical, social… so many things that constitute “balls.” Thanks for taking the time to read and comment; your time is much appreciated!
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100 words always sounds like more. Then you see it in print. Great job!
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No doubt! That’s the magic of this challenge each week. How to make it count. Thanks for taking the time; much appreciated!
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Dawn, nice one! I thought about going this direction. For me, the delicate relationship between body and mind. Well done!
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Thanks Amy… It seemed really clear to me, but there have been lots of really interesting takes on the prompt this week! I’m always grateful that you took the time to come by. 🙂
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I agree. I’m always amazed at the offerings. You just never know what you’ll find. That’s what makes it all so cool. Of course, I always enjoy your writing!
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The feeling is mutual, darlin’. 😉
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Well done.. love the pace here…
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Thanks Björn. Much appreciated.
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A nice thought of Tom taking a breather and enjoying the sunset over the water. And a reminder to take more breaks — I bet lots of us have felt like Tom. Good story.
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Thank you for taking the time Zooky; much appreciated! I agree, balance and figuring out how to make things in our life come together is rarely easy. I think most of us struggle with this.
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Grim, with just a hint of optimism.
Very clever writing.
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Than to AnElephant. I appreciate him stopping by and sharing his thoughts. I think it’s less grim and more realistic… don’t we all struggle with balance?!
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Pull himself together–Good one!
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Thanks Patti. It was a fun one to work with!
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