It’s been an amazing week. On Monday I got a personal email from Arianna Huffington, offering to publish my story The Jerusalem Synagogue Attack: Let’s Talk Truth (which I shared here last week) on the Huffington Post. It was thrilling, to say the least! The story should come out in the next few days. I’ve been asked to share some more of my writing with them, and will be choosing appropriate stories in the weeks to come. I’m over the moon and so thankful– to Huffington Post and all the friends and fellow bloggers who have congratulated me and encouraged in writing. Then, this weekend my post: On My Father’s Birthday: A Letter To The Man Who Killed Him was Freshly Pressed! It was a total surprise– I didn’t even know, until the comments started flooding in! I could not have invented a week like this. Happy Thanksgiving all! Friday Fictioneers is a weekly flash fiction challenge, with a photo prompt. Check out our fearless leader, Rochelle Wisoff-Field’s blog, Addicted to Purple, to join the fun or read the other stories. Warning: It’s highly addictive! Your feedback is always welcome.
© Randy Mazie
Thanksgiving Far From Home (99 words)
As the drugs hit his veins, Joey felt a numbing warmth spread from his head down through his chest, to his arms and gut. The electric heat washed down through his sex, melting from there to his legs. His thoughts drifted through a gauzy haze. Images of his family, and Nina, his only love–before he’d betrayed them all for a hit. The needle slid from his hands, a fine thread of red running down his pale, velum flesh. Two other people lay nearby, their faces transformed… drifting and sailing on a sea of lost hopes and broken dreams.
* * *
GIPY
Make me smile; HELP ME REACH MY GOAL: I’d love to see the Tales From the Motherland Facebook page reach 500 likes in 2014. Have you stopped by to spread some fairy dust? Follow me on Twitter, it’s where I’mforced to be brief. Most importantly, if you like a post I’ve written, hit Like and leave a comment. I love to hear what readers think. Honest, positive or constructive feedback is always welcome. Click Follow; you’ll get each new post delivered by email, with no spam. 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 
Dear Dawn,
Looks like I get to be first. 😉
Before I comment on your story I want to say a hearty “Mazel tov!” on the Huffington Post invitation. That’s wonderful and well deserved. You’ve become one of my favorite writers. I’m thankful you joined Friday Fictioneers.
“pale velum flesh” is quite an image. I believe you’ve captured the heart and withering soul of an addict. Sharp, stunning writing.
Shalom and Hag Samayakh,
Rochelle
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Thanks so much Rochelle. The feeling is entirely mutual; your stories are always a treat! I’m so glad you have kept this going for all of us; it’s something I look forward to each week! I’m so glad this story worked. Admittedly, this prompt was a lot harder form.
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Congratulations! And a taut, terse little story reflected all too often these days. Well done on both scores.
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Thanks Sandra. I appreciate your thoughtful feedback.
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Reblogged this on ugiridharaprasad.
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Pingback: Friday Fictioneers: Thanksgiving Far From Home | ugiridharaprasad
Congrats on the Huff post piece, that is so awesome! But I read your Jerusalem post and believe it is deserved.
This too is a great 100 words. So many adjectives I could feel the needle penetrate!
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Thanks Dawn! I struggled with this one, so I’m glad it worked for some readers. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving.
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Reblogged this on MrMilitantNegro™.
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Dawn,
Congratulations! The Huffington Post – so awesome and so well deserved. And as always, such a well written story. I’m curious about what you saw in the prompt that took you down this road?
Cathy
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Cathy,
Thanks for your wonderful support; it means a lot. There was an emptiness to this photo, when I first saw it in a small format. Then I saw the Detour sign… that got me thinking about detours in life, and finally I realized that the form next to the bike looked like a homeless man. When I enlarged it, that seemed clearer… that’s when it all came together. On the holidays, I often think of all the people who no longer have a place to go. I’m dark that way. 😉 Happy Thanksgiving. xo
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I didn’t even notice the figure on the ground! Thanks for sharing your creative process. Happy Thanksgiving to you, Dawn! Hugs, Cathy
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dawn, i LOVE that your article (the one i was so impressed with!) is being picked-up by th Huffington Post! very cool! congratulations! xoxop
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Thanks so much Patti. I LOVE that you read my work. While I generally try to forget that folks, who I actually see and know, read my work– I’m honored. Happy Thanksgiving. xo
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The beauty of your writing is that so much is implied both before and after the scene you described. All of my favorite fiction authors begin their novels as you have – in the middle, so that the reader is sucked in immediately. Well done.
Congratulations on your Huff Post accomplishment. I hope it turns out to launch your blog and your popularity to new heights. I look forward to being one of the few hundred people who will be able to say, ‘I knew Dawn back when …’ Happy Thanksgiving! – Mike
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*snort* Thanks Mike, but while I’m truly over the moon… still pinching myself, it’s a flash in the pan. I will just keep blogging and hope that my work continues to be read. Hopefully all y’all will race over to HP and like my work… when it is finally up. That will make the flash a bit brighter. 😉 Happy Thanksgiving blog buddy!
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Great news about Huffington Post. Congrats!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
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Thanks Carrie. I’m very excited… lots of my blog buddies have been there, done that, but I’m excited to get a turn. 😉
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Big Congrats on the HP piece Dawn – very impressive and well deserved. That will put your stats through the roof for sure. ~James
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We’ll see, James. It’s exciting and nerve wracking as well. After I hit send, it occurred to me that general readership on HP will not be as kind as you all are. I suspect that piece will curry me some hate mail.
Bracing myself.
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Congratulations on your invite to the huffington post. Will have to keep an eye out. Story wise, this is a very good representation of an addict. Good story
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Thanks so much Weltchy. I suspect there are a lot of sad people on Thanksgiving– for all kinds of reasons. Thanks for taking the time.
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Just read the synagogue piece, and terrific is all I can say. Good luck to your daughter, all the people of Israel, and folks at the hospice too. Happy Thanksgiving, Dawn.
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Thanks Perry. Now, when it comes out on HP, you’ll have to read it again– or pretend you did! 😉 Happy Thanksgiving to you as well.
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Very well told Dawn, I was really drawn in to the character’s world. So much story in that brief snapshot of his life.
Congratulations on the Huffington Post invitation – I’ll keep an eye out for your article
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Siobhan! It’s been ages… are you posting under another name, or have I just missed you? Great to see you here; thanks so much for stopping by! Thanks for the wonderful feedback and positive feedback.
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I haven’t been posting much lately. I had a lot of work on which was much needed financially but didn’t leave much time or creative energy. I’m now back to two days work a week which is more manageable. I enjoyed this week’s prompt, both in writing and reading. It’s nice to be back 🙂
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Thanks Siobhan! And thank you SO Much for your kind comment on HP. I did not respond personally, but really appreciated the time you took. Thanks. And, again, welcome back! 🙂
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Congrats on the HP! I hope you link to the post when they publish it. Your fans ( me) want to support you. Happy Thanksgiving.
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Thanks so much Audra. I’m guessing there may be some pretty harsh feedback too, so I’ll need all the positive feedback I can get!
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Got your back…yo.
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The HP have approached me twice. The deal is they make money on what you do and allegedly you get ‘free publicity’. Fabulous business model.
P.S. I’d be wary of the idea Arianna is personally vetting wordpress blogs.
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Thanks for looking out for me, Pink. Arianna is NOT personally vetting WP blogs. I met her in July, and she contacted me privately on Monday about this specific post I’d written. It was definitely from her, and very personal… that will remain private. That said, I was very honored and while I’m well aware that they don’t pay, the visibility is definitely great for any writer. I maintain ownership of my writing and can send it anywhere else I want. Thanks again for having my back.
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Haunting. How the heck do you do that? Congrats on being published on HP!
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Thanks Susan… my thoughts go very dark, when I’m in the mood. 😉 I like to think that I’m open to a lot of different stories. I appreciate your wonderful feedback… big ole smile here!
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Dear Dawn,
I am not in a reading mood so I have been cherry picking, going to the good writers and dropping in. Your story is a cut above and carries us away from the scene in body bags. Very good description of the trip and the hopelessness that needing it and procuring it engenders. Outstanding work.
Congratulations for the interest from Huff Post. I’ll keep an eye out for your contributions.
Aloha,
Doug
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Doug, this means a lot to me; thanks. You’re generally better than I; I rarely can get to all of the stories, but try hard to read anyone who has taken the time to read mine. I also have some favorites– I always visit yours because I know it will make me think, and will be well written. I’m honored that I got to be one of your cherries… ur, um, picks. Either way, it made my day. Mahalo! Dawn
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Powerful story, especially with the final sentence. Well done with the Huff Post!
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Thanks so much Joanna. I appreciate your kind feedback.
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Dawn, Congratulations on becoming a writer for the Huffington Post! Your post on the attack in Jerusalem was a great piece. This piece on the addict was also great, especially the description. I hope all good things for you and your writing in the future. Best of everything. 🙂 — Susan
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Susan, thank you so much! I’m grateful to lovely people like you, who have supported my writing. It’s why I come back every week, at FF– such wonderful stories, and great people writing them! 😀 dawn
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Great story, dark, tragic and true to life. I loved the imagery of the “sea of lost hopes and broken dreams”. Very powerful.
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Thanks so much Draliman. I appreciate your feedback.
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First I will once again congratulate you.. I know we talked about being a writer when we met this summer.. and this is terrific news.. I think this is one of your most poetic pieces you have ever written.. and I think writing about dark matters in the most poetic voice is something that works so well..
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Thanks SO much Björn! It is terrific news; I’m really excited… I’ll feel even more excited when the story is finally up! As for this piece, I’m really honored that you like it and see it as poetic. You are the poet, so that compliment means a lot! Thanks.
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Eerily vivid and realistic story. You put me there and I experienced it. Five gold Magen Davids!
Also congratulations on your Huffington Post invite. You are ROCK STAR! Of course, I always knew that, haven’t I? 😉 You’re one of my regular authors who I read. Really!
Speaking of which, I read the synagogue piece and I must say my sympathies are with you. My trip wasn’t that long ago and and I left on the 22nd just in time to miss the shooting that killed the baby girl of the American couple. SO heartbreaking. Yet, you must have faith that God will protect your daughter and she will be fine. Rochelle and I are praying for her and YOU! Did you know that? be at peace. 🙂
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Thanks Kent. Your kind and supportive words, as well as your prayers mean so much. Hardly a rock star, but a grateful writer, who appreciates your time and energy. 🙂
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Your story captures the loneliness and regret of the addict. Great images.
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Thanks so much Margaret. Loneliness was my muse. Thanks for your feedback.
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sailing on a sea of lost hopes and broken dreams
I believe this line captures WHAT he is feeling and WHERE his life is going… Well done.
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Thanks Alicia; it’s always about the sea. 😉 Thanks for your feedback.
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the depth of your imagery is truly outstanding.
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Thanks so much Plaridel. That is so kind. Your time and feedback are much appreciated.
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Well done. Great news.
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Thanks so much!
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Dear Dawn, WOW – I actually know someone who has a piece being published in the Huffington Post! Congratulations and I did read your Jerusalem piece and hope your daughter is still doing fine. Dawn, I think you are one of the first people I talked to on FFF a year ago and you made me feel so welcome, for that I am truly grateful. You deserve it all and have so much talent that I am glad you share it with the world! You are a true author! Love it. Oh, and I love this story too. Addicts are too many and too few seek help. Have a good week! Nan 🙂
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Nan, you are so incredibly warm and supportive. I’m so grateful for your support; thanks!
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Congratulations on your publication in the Huffington Post! Sounds like the beginning of a fruitful relationship.
Your story was powerful in its description of addiction and the addicted. Very sad but well told, as your stories always are.
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Thanks so much Jan. Friday Fictioneers is my favorite playground; I’m so grateful to be welcomed and encouraged each week. 😉
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Congratulation on everything! I’ve stopped and spread some fairy dust also. Your story resonates with me. I’m a retired nurse who has experienced many people in those circumstances.
Lily
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Thank you so much, Lily, for taking the time to read this story and comment, and for spreading your sparkly dust! It is much appreciated. 🙂
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Congratulations on being published in the Huffington Post =). I am sorry about your dad losing his life to a drunk driver. In a time of healing, listening to music soothes the pain away slowly.
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Thanks so much Cliff. My father was not killed by a drunk driver, but he did die in a car accident. I appreciate your thoughtful words.
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Congrats on the publishing credits. That’s huge, and hopefully only the start. I’m very happy for you! Great writing this week. It’s sad how addiction can take over someone’s life. I especially loved the graphic line, “pale, velum flesh.”
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Russell, thanks so much! Actually, Huff Post picked up another piece today, and that same story was Freshly Pressed on Saturday. To say that my comments box has been exploding would be a GROSS understatement. The first piece on HP has gotten HUNDREDS of hateful comments, and I’ve been very busy trying not ot take it personally. 😉 Thank goodness for my FF buds! So sorry I’ve been so lame about reading this week! xo
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Concerning this story–sad and vivid.
Concerning Huffington Post–congratulations!
All my best,
Marie Gail
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As to those nasty comments–just don’t read them. I know it’s tempting, but just stay out of the fray. I’m sorry that people have to be so ugly.
<>
MG
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Thanks Marie Gail. I appreciate that! 😉
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