I’ve been back from vacation for a week, and I’m still having all sorts of problems with my blog– namely uploading photos. It’s enough to just set my head to spinning and has left me unable to post what I want to post. Due to a serious of challenging events, I happen to be up at 2:30am today, and get to be at the front of the line for a change… there’s always a bright side!
Thank goodness for Friday Fictioneers, to sweep me away to the world of flash fiction! Each week, our fearless leader, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields encourages writers from all around the globe to write a 100-word story, with a beginning, middle and end, in response to a photo prompt. This week our prompt comes from Douglas MacIlroy. Mahalo, Doug! Doug’s work inspired me to try my hand at some (soft) fan fiction. Please stop by Rochelle’s blog, Addicted to Purple, to read the other stories, and join in the magic. Somehow, the FF photos have been the only photos I can upload, for several weeks now!
©Douglas M. MacIlroy
(100 words, exactly)
“What manner of sorcery now!”
Glinda wiped the glitter from her eyes, as her thoughts assaulted her.
Their once predictably happy lives had weathered too many dramas and ambushes, from Witches, false Wizards and well-intentioned Kansans; the Munchkins were collectively exhausted as they huddled in terror.
Davina the beloved hat maker’s lifeless legs lay twisted beneath the walls of her shop. The creature stood victoriously over her body.
Phil Johnson stood paralyzed. When he snuck into the backroom of Professor Marvel’s Curiosity Shop, in Peoria, Illinois and tried on the antique diving helmet, this was the last thing he expected.
* * *
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TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
Hi Dawn, I’ve enjoyed reading a couple of your posts and look forward to exploring further!
You mention your issues with uploading photos — often, using a different browser will eliminate the problem. Especially if you’re using Internet Explorer, try Firefox or Chrome.
Hope this helps, and I do look forward to reading more from you!
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Thanks so much Cindi. I am THE worst at tech issues! They overwhelm me completely. However, that is something I can try. Currently, I use Safari now, and clearly it’s not ideal; I’ll try your suggestion. Thanks for taking the time to read my work, and reach out to help. I really appreciate it!
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Dear Dawn,
Welcome to my early morning world. 😉 Looks like Oz run amok. One little technical detail…Glinda’s , I think this must be the result of backspace and change. You need to lose ‘s. I love this twisted tale. Did you watch Fractured Fairy Tales as a child? I suppose it might be before your time.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much Rochelle! Done. Yes, I had a very different sentence initially, and when I deleted the first half (Glinda’s eyes were like saucers), I didn’t notice that part… Honestly, I could barely keep my eyes open by then! I don’t remember FFT, but when I saw this photo, for some reason the Wizard of Oz came to mind immediately. The story quickly followed. Thanks for your feedback; I always appreciate your perspective on things. Shalom, Dawn
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I’ve done that so often, Dawn. Sometimes I think I’ve backspaced over more words than I’ve typed. 😉 As for FFT, when you have five minutes to blow, check this out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xnYcKHl8E4
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Those poor Munchkins, always in the firing line. Great update to the Wizard of Oz
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Thanks Siobhan. It was fun to write. 🙂
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I love this take on the photo, Dawn. Poor Phil Johnson. No wonder he’s stunned.
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It was hard to keep it to 100 words this week… I wanted to paint more detail about poor, hapless Phil, the Curiosity Shop, and Oz. Alas. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Karen.
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Oz has gone wonky. How are the poor flying monkeys coping?
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Oh, there are so many more details that could be explored! Some weeks, 100 words just seems so unfair. 😉 Thanks Adam.
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Ha ha – plenty of humor to be found in this off-the-wall take off of an Oz fantasy. I hope these images did not pop into your head due to sleep deprivation. Regardless, it is good to have you back. I hope you overcome whatever photo struggles you were experiencing. I wish I could swing by and give you a brief tutorial. – Mike, the Fixer 🙂
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Oh, how I wish you could help me figure this out too! I think I’ll start with a new browser and see what happens from there. The late hour is a long story, Mike. This story might have been born from a number of contributing factors… 😉 I am still trying to catch up on emails from when I was gone. I hope to finally get to blog posts this week! Thanks for your consistent support, friend.
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Good story as usual, Dawn. A lot of trouble in Oz.; Dorothy left it such a happy place. What a shame. 😦 Hope your injuries are healing the way they should. I wanted to mention that I like your new Gravatar and blog design. 🙂
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Thanks PRS! I’m glad you liked the story. As for the blog design, it was inadvertent. WP lost all my widgets, and I need to re-do the ENTIRE thing by hand… no magic fixes. It will take hours, and I just haven’t had the stamina for it yet. The ribs are getting better, but still so painful! It’s been a hell of a few months and I’m feeling a little shell shocked. Glad you like the gravatar too– it seemed time to take off the furry hat. 😉
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I read Wicked a long time ago, so I might have lost a few details. Still, delightfully wacky. 🙂
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Thanks Misskzebra. I loved Wicked, but went with the film version… such a classic from my childhood. The original Baulm books were much more detailed than even the movie! I was going for funny with a side of crazy… I think Helena and KZ have cornered the market on truly great re-dos of popular tales! Thanks for reading; it’s much appreciated. 🙂
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Love this, Dawn. Yep, that diving helmet had been waiting there for awhile…
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I wanted to write so much more about this one, Cathy… but hopefully the story works in its 100-word format. I’m glad it meets your approval; that means a lot to me. 🙂
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Poor Phil. On the other hand, days are typically filled with what we don’t expect. That’s what makes life exciting! Well done, my dear.
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Thank you darlin’! Isn’t that the truth! My days have been filled with a little too much unexpected recently…I’d be happy for a heaping dose of dull right now. 😉
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Ha, love where you took that one!
Sorry you’re having blog issues. Hope your ribs are healing well.
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Thanks Carrie… yes, it’s been one more thing to deal with… really bogging me down mentally and physically. I just don’t have a lot of reserve right now. They’re getting better, but still quite sore. The spleen is still very tender too… there were several internal issues that are just daunting, on top of all the other recent stuff. I want to crawl off and lick my wounds for a while…
Thanks for your kind concern.
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Oh, so sorry to hear it. It’s so difficult when our bodies are not 100%. 😦
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Indeed.
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What’s wrong with your spleen?
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I was in a boating accident in Belize. I broke 4 ribs and bruised my spleen… it’s been THE worst 4 months I can imagine, frankly. One f’ing thing after another… Sorry for the whining, butI think I’m just hitting a wall this week. :-p
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Wow, Dawn, I had no idea. I’m so sorry. I think you have a right to whine. Do what you need to do to heal yourself physically AND emotionally. Stress will add to your physical. I know I don’t need to tell you that but sometimes its good to be reminded.
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Yes… it’s been a daunting few months, things heaped upon things. I’m trying to keep my attitude positive, but some days are more challenging than others! Thanks for the kind words, Dawn. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.
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ha ha, great job 🙂
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Thanks Helen!
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I love the Oz twist. musta been those striped stockings, huh?
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That’s exactly what it was, Dawn. I saw the striped legs, and my mind went directly to Oz. I just thought it would be funny if yet another wayward fool ended up there. 😉
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I love Oz. I wanna go!
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Me too! 😉
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Hope you’re feeling better, Dawn. I got most of your references but I’m not as up on Oz as many people. However, I enjoyed your story except for this bit, which was making me crazy (not far to go, I know, but…): “Davina the beloved hat maker’s lifeless legs lay…” I’m assuming Davina is the beloved hat maker, but you need to add some punctuation here to clear this part up and as it is, it seems you would have to say something like, “The lifeless legs of Davina, the beloved hat maker, lay…” Do you see what I mean? As it is, you can’t easily separate “Davina” and “the beloved hat maker” because of the possessive “maker’s.” If this is clear as mud, let me know and I’ll try to explain it better.. 🙂
janet
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Yes, I struggled with that one… and, admittedly, it was the middle of the night and I had a few things going on… that said, I didn’t come up with a great solution. I’ll give it another look and consider your advice. As always, I appreciate your wonderful observations. One of these days, I’ll write a story that gets 2 thumbs up from you… and no corrections! Until that day, I continue to strive. 😉
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With your name you should at least have waited till dawn! Spooky story about a haunted helmet – or is it?
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Thanks Liz… yes, I was dragging all day today! Thanks so much for stopping by Tales From the Motherland. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
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Nice take, Dawn. I wondered where all the props ended up. Maybe Glenda can sprinkle some of her fairy dust on the situation. Use her powerful glitter! Fun story.
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Thanks so much Amy! I wish I had some fairy dust to sprinkle on a few things, right now! Thanks for taking the time; I always appreciate your feedback. 🙂
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Love it!
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Thanks Shandra. I love that you stopped by! 😉 Thanks.
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Count on you to take down a classic, Dawn! I’ll bet Phil Johnson began to twitch as the Munchkins began to bitch and the antique diving helmet he sought desperately to unhitch! Or something like that. A fun tale under the rainbow ….
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You do the music and lyrics and I’ll write the screenplay! We may have a hit. 😉 Thanks, Perry.
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love the Wizard of Oz and i enjoyed your crazy take on the story. 🙂 🙂
sorry to hear that you’re having problems with uploading photos, i hope it gets fixed soon
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No luck on the photos yet… switched to Google Chrome and nothing. I wrote to support a week ago, and still no response, but I haven’t found them as helpful recently. VERY frustrating, as the travel posts really aren’t as powerful without the photos! Ugh. Thanks for your feedback, KZ. Always appreciated!
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Looks like another adventure brewing up in Oz.
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Indeed! Thanks for stopping by subroto; much appreciated.
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Love it!
I have the Lovin’ Spoonful in my head right now! “Do you believe in magic…”
Regards
Jim
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Thanks themasculinepen! I keep having the song We’re Out of the Woods (from the movie) run through my heads… a cheerful song, if you have to have one stuck in your head. 😉 I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment; thanks.
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My wife and I attended a production of the Wizard of Oz just couple of weeks ago. Gee, I guess we could have stayed home and put on a diving helmet. Fun story, Dawn.
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Thanks Russell. Something tells me your money was better spent on the play! 😉 Thanks for your kind feedback and sense of humor; they’re much appreciated!
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Good one Dawn, enjoyed this take. Hope your holiday was good and that you are able to sort out whatever issues you have been having and then get a good night’s sleep. Have a good weekend.
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Thanks Michael! So nice to hear from you; it’s been a while! I have not been able to sort out the photo problem, but I’m going to hire someone who understands these things and will help me… arrgh! I’ve heard about a bunch of people with WordPress problems right now… So glad you enjoyed my story!
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Dawn this was great. I bet Phil didn’t expect breaking an entering to become Manslaughter. Or should I say Muchkin slaughter.Bet he wishes he never came to OZ. Dana
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Indeed! Thanks, Dana. I had fun with this one… 😉
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AnElephant chortles happily here.
Brilliant!
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Well thank you kind sir. A chortle is much appreciated!
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a delightful little story. enjoyed reading it.
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Thanks so much! I appreciate you taking the time.
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OOOOOHHHHH…. I want to try that helmet!
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Reading all these stories… I either want to wear that helmet, or run from it! But it certainly is interesting! Thanks for stopping by, Ted.
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Where is that wizard when we need him ,eh?Am still laughing at this crazy take Dawn:-)Good to read that you are healing-sending you positive vibes,tc:-)
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Thanks so much A! I appreciate the nice feedback and good vibes. 🙂
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🙂
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professor marvel. kansas. hey, wait a minute…! well done.
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Why thank you. I sincerely appreciate you making your way over, and taking the time to read. It isn’t often that I get my story in before the mid-20s. Alas… Thanks Rich.
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faster never equals better. i’m usually around 50 but was a little earlier last week, but i also put a lot less effort into it than usual.
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It’s not that it equals better… I just tend to see the photo, sit with it for an hour or so, and the story comes to me. As for editing, no doubt I could linger longer… maybe that’s the lesson that I’m getting from life’s big messages lately. If I start with FF and work my way to bigger issues, I may actually figure it all out. 😉
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it has been a great help to me, that’s for sure. the editing process used in FF isn’t exactly what i use for longer fiction, but it is a good start. and it’s been very helpful for carving query letters down to only one page.
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Yes! FF has been such a great find for me. I haven’t missed one since September; it’s just part of my week now. I love the community, and the writing challenge really pushes me to think about the words I choose, how I pare things down in my writing (generally and specific to FF). “Meeting” great people is buttercream icing. 😉
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