Welcome to Friday Fictioneers, a weekly 100-word flash fiction challenge with a photo prompt. Rochelle Wisoff-Fields leads our merry band of writers, asking that we do our best work, and make an effort to read and support our fellow Fictioneers. If you’d like to join in, or check out the other stories, visit Rochelle’s blog, Addicted to Purple. This week’s photo comes from Björn Rudberg. And a big thank you to Mr. Rudberg, for reminding me to link up… something I am notoriously bad at! Forgot again this week.
Just Like In Those Movies (102 words)
“When I were little, I dreamt of a differnt life– a handsome prince in a fancy car… Our family took the bus to the market and church; we couldn’t never afford a car. My prince would have a small, sexy one and he’d drive up to our tiny house and whisk me away to his castle on the hill.
And that’s just what Johnny done! His red Pinto was so hot– he didn’t have to ask twice! We’ve lived in our beautiful house on this hill for twenty years now. The road is steep… but life is sweet, just like I dreamt.”
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Note: I’d like to thank Jill at Ripples of Truth for sending the my way. I told Jill that I don’t really participate in these awards anymore. Too big for my britches? No; I just don’t have the time, and I’ve answered all of the questions that come along with the gig. That said, it’s always an honor and I’m always touched when another blogger recognizes my work, and sends some love. So I’m sending love back to Jill (a pseudonym) at Ripples. She’s a twenty-something year old blogger and “wallflower,” who writes about her life as she tries to make sense of it. She’s studied in the UK, traveled a lot, and she shares her experiences on her blog. Check it out! Thanks Jill!
If you enjoyed this post, please hit Like and then leave a comment; I love to hear what readers have to say. Check out Tales From the Motherland’s Facebook page (my goal is 500 likes this year; I have a ways to go!), and Twitter, where I struggle to keep it brief. If you see ads on this page, please let me know. They shouldn’t be there. © 2014 Please note, that all content and images on this site are copyrighted to Dawn Quyle Landau and Tales From the Motherland, unless specifically noted otherwise. If you want to share my work, please give proper credit. Plagiarism sucks.
TALES FROM THE MOTHERLAND 
As humble a dwelling as that house on the mountainside might seem for a prince, it is striking in its uniqueness – kind of like you! So I get how you would imagine living in a ‘castle’ like that. – Mike
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Aww, you are such a sweetie pie! Thanks Mike. You always make me smile. See you soon!
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As usually princes come in different packages, and life can be sweet even in a red Pinto.. Great take here… (Don’t forget to link up – I got the FB update)
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Thanks for the reminder Björn… I am notorious for forgetting the link up! Glad you have my back. 😉
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Dawn, you crack me up! You’re the one who led me to FF!!! and you often forget to link – part of your charm.
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I know… I am really lame when it comes to things like that! I write the story each week, and about 3/4 of the time, forget to link… sometimes until the next day! Glad someone finds it charming. 😉
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Love the voice in this. I was expecting bad news at the end…. Thanks for not delivering it. Cheers.
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I generally prefer not to throw in a twist at the end… sometimes it comes out that way, because of some subtlety I chose, but it’s not generally my gig. I’m glad it works for you, Alicia!
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Dawn, Good and well-written story with a great happy ending. Well done. I have that Disney tune “Some Day My Prince Will Come” in my head now, but that’s okay. Congratulations on the new award! 🙂 —Susan
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Thanks Susan. It’s always nice to be supported and appreciated by fellow bloggers. They are my people! I’m glad you enjoyed this post, but I do feel badly about the song… that was not my intention. 😉 Dawn
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Her voice is perfect. And the twist is actually delivered… in the photo of that house sliding away. A fitting metaphor for those dream princes who don’t end up being as “upright” as they first appear.
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Thanks Jen. I have so much fun with this challenge each week… it allows me to stretch, and give space to voices that are in my head anyway.
Hmm, that’s a little scary. 😉
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Lucky girl then! I enjoyed your story almost as much as I enjoyed your elegant response to the blogging award – you should have entered diplomatic service, Dawn.
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Thanks Sandra. 🙂 I really do appreciate the gesture, even if I’m not wanting to observe the award requirements. I wonder if it’s too late for that career move?
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Dear Dawn,
I have to echo Sandra on your elegant response to the blogging award. I always feel guilty turning those down.
I enjoyed your story and your MC’s voice. Prince Charming doesn’t always come in a diamond studded package. Nicely crafted.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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PS This is one I wrote a couple of years ago under Madison. Kind of a kindred spirit to your story. http://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2012/07/19/bittersweet/
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Thanks for sharing this, Rochelle; I really enjoyed it!
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Thanks so much Rochelle. I’m so glad my response and my story worked! I just love doing this each week. It’s such a wonderful challenge for my writing, and my imagination… it gives me a place to feed all those other babies who live in my head. 😉 Shabbat Shalom!
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PS) Thanks for sharing the link… wonderful!
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A nice fairy tale. I love the voice of the character.
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Thanks Maree; I really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment!
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This was wonderful, Dawn, but it was the Pinto that put the finer point on the humor in your story! My mother drove a Pinto for years and we had many a ride in it. Fancy car indeed! 😀
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Lynda, I totally get it! We had an orange Pinto when I was a kid, and we thought it was the coolest thing around. When I was writing this that came to mind immediately. I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 😊
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A Pinto, or the Ford Firebomb, as we called it. I hope no one smashes into them from the rear. Cute story, Dawn.
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No kidding! I still remember having to give ours up, with all the law suits. 😦 As a kid, that wasn’t enough a reason. 😉
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Character!!!! YES! Great sketch. I know a lot of people like her. BRAVISSIMO, Dawn!
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Wow! You sure know how to make a writer girl feel good, Kent! Thanks!!
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Loved this, Dawn. One girl’s house is another girl’s castle!
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No. Doubt! Thanks Cathy.
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It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it? For some people it’s a horse and carriage, for another a Pinto. What a delightful little fairy tale, Dawn!
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Thanks Amy. No doubt we all have very different hopes and dreams, with some common ground as well. Thanks for taking the time.
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i love a happy ending… and the red pinto must be a collector’s item by now. should be worth a fortune.
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No doubt! Of course, all those law suits over exploding cars probably doesn’t make them as desirable as some other models! :-p I’m glad you enjoyed the story; thanks for taking the time.
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Great use of language. Gotta love the fairy tales come true.
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Thanks so much for your kind comment. I appreciate you taking the time.
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This played out in my head with a yorkshire accent. 🙂
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Frankly, that makes it that much more fun for me as well! I love that my stories have gone international! 😉
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Yay a happy ending! I love it, and this woman’s voice leaps off the page. Wonderful!
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Thanks so much Miss Tiffany! Great to have you in my corner of the world. Thanks for making the time. 🙂
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Dear Dawn, Great story and you made me laugh with the Pinto. My sister used to have one and they were cute little cars but the key word is “little.” Congratulations on the blog award too! You deserve it! Nan 🙂
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Thanks so much man! These blog the words are all a little strange, but it’s so nice when your peers appreciate your work. As for the story, I’m just glad that people enjoy reading them! 😊
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aww i love this real life fairy tale and the character’s voice as well 🙂
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KZ, I’m always amused that you enjoy my stories; I know how your stories go in such a different direction! It’s one of the things I do love about Friday fictioneers- that we all bring our own game.
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I was recently at a car show to support the local museum and saw a “tricked out” red pinto from my high school days. I thought it was funny because back then “we” thought Pintos were lame.
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It may be fair to say, that everything from when we were young is vintage, collectible, or antique, at this point! Even us, Dawn. 😉
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I like the vintage label, not so sure about antique or collectible.
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Lovely story Dawn, and nice to read a happy ending,I really must practise those..
Like Rochelle and others have said your response to the blogging award was spot on.
Great to catch up with you again
Dee
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Thanks D, I’m glad you enjoyed the story; I seem to be on a happy ending roll right now… At least in my stories!😉 as for the award, apparently I scored there too.
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