Every Friday authors from around the world gather around the virtual fireside of fellow WordPress blogger Rochelle Wisoff to share flash fiction stories of 100 words, all inspired – regardless of genre – by a common photograph, and exchange constructive criticism. Readers’ comments are also welcome.
This week’s photo has been provided by David Stewart, who describes his blog – The Green-Walled Tower – as A Fiction Blog of Funny and Dark Stories.
Here’s the story that David’s photo inspired:
Philosophy
“Homework! What’s missing from this photo. ”
“How’re we supposed to figure that?” said Jake, flicking his copy to the floor.
“Clue: it’s abstract.”
….
“Love,” said Romance.
“Anger,” said Rebel.
“Who’s right, then?” challenged Jake.
“Everybody. Each responded according to his philosophy.”
He sang. “I don’t have no fee-loh-so-fee.”
“Everybody’s got a philosophy. What do you want most?”
“Sex and money.”
“That’s your philosophy.”
“This class is a waste of time.”
“This class is about developing a conscious philosophy.”
“Hey, Jake, want some jiggy-jiggy?” said Red Lips.
“Yeh.”
“Got’ny money?”
“No.”
“Loser!”
“Seems you need to develop your philosophy, Jake.”
(c) Ann Isik 2013
100 words
Poetic Mapping: Walking Into Art 
I like this group of characters! Love how you named them, and hope you do more with them!
LikeLike
If I had been a teacher, I’d be in prison serving life for murder right now! Ann
LikeLike
I’m still trying to develop my philosophy, Ann! You asked how to do this… ♫ and this… ♪… on my mac, I have a character deal, with all sorts of great things… I can’t figure out how to find how I got it, I’ve tried. But, the easiest way to do this is to copy and paste. Here’s a good link for that…http://www.diggz.org/index.php/2009/05/15/how-to-make-music-notes-love-hearts-and-other-cutsy-symbols-in-facebook-status-updates-and-chat/
LikeLike
♫ THANKS TED! ♫
LikeLike
Yea!
LikeLike
well done, especially misspellings for dialect. in these lines, the comma needs to be inside the quotes.
“Love”, said Romance.
“Anger”, said Rebel.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading, Rich. You’ve opened a can of worms with the commas! In British English, the comma ought to be outside the speech marks, because the speaker didn’t ‘speak’ the comma. I suppose there’s really an invisible full stop inside the speech marks. It has become more common, however, to place all commas inside speech marks, regardless. I checked this out again. My source (today) is The Penguin Guide to Plain English, R.L. Trask. It’s my age! It’s a minefield! But I appreciate the discussion. I think I’ll have to decide to adopt what the reader generally expects.
LikeLike
i was thinking it was a brit thing. as for the commas, you don’t really “speak” a comma. question marks and exclamation points are different though. as for americanized english, commas and periods are always inside. thanks for your patience.
LikeLike
Hi Rich. You don’t speak a comma? You don’t think we speak ‘hesitation’ or pauses in our speech? I’ll beg to differ on that. Thanks for your assistance, however, as ever. Ann
LikeLike
oh, wait, we “speak” a comma when it’s in the middle of a line of dialogue, but not at the end of the line. the purpose of the comma at the end is to show that the quote is over but the sentence is not over.
LikeLike
We agree in this entirely. I’m glad we didn’t get to the ‘pistols at dawn stage’ over this. It can happen! Ann
LikeLike
I’d like to join that philosophy class – just so I could have friends called Romance, Rebel and Hot Lips! Really enjoyed this 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
Very funny. I hope someone came up a little wiser after that lesson.
LikeLike
Thanks for reading! Ann
LikeLike
Lovely. Great dialogue. Wish we’d had philosophy classes at school.
LikeLike
haha this was so cleverly written. i definitely enjoyed the dialogue. a great read ^^
LikeLike
Thank you for reading. Ann
LikeLike
Thanks. Glad it raised a smile. Ann
LikeLike
Thank you Anni very quirky piece you have written here. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks! Ann
LikeLike
so real.
LikeLike
Thanks Train! Ann
LikeLike
Perfect dialogue, I had to read this one twice!
LikeLike
I had to laugh at your comment. I wondered, if it was ‘perfect’ dialogue, why you needed to read it twice! Thanks for reading. Ann
LikeLike
nice take on the pic, believable dialog. Great!
LikeLike
Hi Ann, found you by way of brainsnorts. I’m enjoying my walk around your blogs.
It’s a pleasure.
V.
LikeLike
Hello V. Thanks for visiting. I can’t find your FF story. Send me a link? I’ve left a comment about your photos. Ann
LikeLike
Thank You, Ann. I replied.
Will be seeing you again soon…. wishing you a stellar weekend!
V.
LikeLike
Annisik51,
Now that was witty. Love the dialogue. Smooth and easy read with a message. I like it, I like it a lot!
Tom
LikeLike
Thanks Tom. Very kind words. Glad you liked the story. One’s never sure a story will make any sense to anybody else. I’m working my way through the stories and will visit yours soon. Ann
LikeLike
If you are not sure if a story makes sense to anyone else wait to you get to mine…
LikeLike
I just visited your story. I’m falling down drunk with admiration! Ann
LikeLike
Dear Ann
Sounds a little like a scene from Welcome Back Kotter or To Sir with Love. Glad I’m not teaching that unruly bunch. Your dialogue’s believable and moves smoothly. Well done.
Shalom
Rochelle
LikeLike
Thanks for reading! I was late writing it this week. But I’m finding that once I’ve seen the photo prompt on the Wednesday, a story will start to form itself in my head like it’s coming out of a mist. And the longer I leave it, the sharper it gets. I’ve no idea where these tales are coming from except the mist in my mind!
LikeLike
LOLL!! Very funny. Quite different too.
LikeLike
Thanks, Abraham.
LikeLike