PHOTO PROMPT © Lisa Fox
It’s too soon.
Why me, why now.
The discomfort in my back, my shortened breathing, nausea and the ache in my jaw are all tell tale signs of female heart attack. Lying on my back staring up at the museum around me I realize while I am alone I must be on CCTV somewhere. Someone will find me. It’s odd. All I can think about is that I don’t have time for this. I have theatre performances next week, my kid’s birthday next month, my brother’s funeral in three days, I still owe money on my house, I’m not ready.
This is a Friday Fictioneers prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot
I reflect on a world that has changed. The mirror shows me what it once was. It is unrecognizable. I stare at things I remember but in my mind they have grown hazy. Like a foggy windowpane. I remember peace, friendship, open markets, easy travel across borders and now? That world has gone and what it will become … well, that is a lot darker than any of us ever imagined.
“Soooo, you like it yes? The past? You wish to go back? A measly sum is all it will take. Pay me and touch the mirror.”
My hand hovers…
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
On this world, winter brought a darkness so absolute it was like death. For months. Four months precisely. And so, on this day, the day of sunset, we gather in our homes, on beaches, on mountains, and watch it go. Will it return? Will we be alive to see it return? The dark was not the only absolute. Monsters come with the rise of night. Thus, this night, the sunset night, we watch and pray before we become prey. As soon as it falls, we rush inside and barricade the doors. The watch is set. And we wait for dawn.
This is a Friday Fictioneers prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word Count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
PHOTO PROMPT © Lori Wilson
She was told it was a time of celebration here and to stay quiet. Why became apparent when night fell and the explosions started. Colored fire ripped the sky apart. She huddled beneath the trees amongst damp mulch and trembled. It will pass. They promised it will pass. Silence fell abruptly, then there was cheering and clapping and screams. This place was too dangerous to take by force. Their squadrons would be cut down in the sky. No. It would take subtlety and stealth. She prepared her report as she unfurled her wings. A new invasion plan would be needed.
This is a Friday Fictioneers prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
PHOTO PROMPT © David Stewart
A lone figure walked the path ahead. Hoping the invisibility shroud that enveloped me worked as advertised, I moved further into the shadow of a nearby tree and waited. There seemed no hint of recognition nor did their eye flicker or head turn at my presence. I slipped into their shadow and kept pace with them as they walked. The job of a guardian angel was a tough one these day. Widespread social media, constant selfies and city surveillance.
The barest touch bestowed my gift of good luck.
I slipped back and she walked on. I wondered what she’d choose.
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
PHOTO PROMPT © Jennifer Pendergast
The heliop – fancy name for interdimensional space and time portal – spat her out in the frozen alley. A look at the locator strapped to her arm confirmed her whereabouts. Heart pounding and a little nauseous, she pulled her beanie lower over her ears and stepped out onto the street. A black car stopped with a screech of brakes. Two men jumped out grabbing a student walking home, covering her mouth to silence her and dragged her backward. Two pops and the men dropped with a splat. She watched the child run off and then slipped back to the alley.
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
PHOTO PROMPT © Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
The bright colors made her think of children.
She swiped at the endless tears on her cheeks, but more fell.
In one night. Every child under ten disappeared.
Gone.
No one had seen.
No clue left behind.
Windows were closed, doors too. No sign of footprints or struggle. Just gone.
The detritus of their lives left behind. Toys, clothes, shoes.
No one knew what to do. All were lost.
In desperation she put up a notice calling on one of the crones for help and a gnarled hand had appeared over her shoulder. “We will help.”
And so, she waited.
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
Terrific news – The Serpent’s Kiss (Book Four in the Stones of Power series) is now out in ebook format!
BUY NOW: https://books2read.com/u/m2GLxj
PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson
Many things go missing at a carnival.
Watches, wallets, phones, lunches, children…
Personalities was a new one.
When the reports came in that people were attending the carnival and then coming home wrong no one thought much of it. Too much sugar, too much adrenaline, too much food, too much activity, too much sun. A few days’ rest and they’d be back to normal.
The numbers of blank people grew.
No family, no lovers, no outside activities, no job, no phone, no life.
They became the empty people. Silent, not-dead things, haunting our once vibrant town.
The carnival moved on.
This is a Friday Fictioneers Prompt
You can read more FF prompt responses here
Word Count: 100
© Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. All Rights to the works and publications on this blog are owned and copyrighted by Solothefirst & Laurie Bell. The Owner of this site reserves all permissions for access and use of all documents on this site. NO AI TRAINING: Without in any way limiting the author’s [and publisher’s] exclusive rights under copyright, any use of this publication to “train” generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to generate text is expressly prohibited. The author reserves all rights to license uses of this work for generative AI training and development of machine learning language models.
About the Book:
After a series of Mr Wrongs, Bee has finally found her Mr Right. Attractive, mature—William is everything she’s been looking for.
Gertrude is Bee’s best friend since forever (and also her flatmate, workmate and Insta content videographer). She’s happy for Bee—just as she’s been sad for Bee during those romantic missteps, and supportive of Bee in everything else. Actually, now she thinks about it, Gertrude isn’t sure there even is a Gertrude that isn’t determined by what Bee wants or thinks or feels.
Panicked to realise she’s not the main character in her own life, she turns to William’s best friend, Arthur. He isn’t the obvious choice for life coaching—apart from anything else, Gertrude doesn’t really like him—but everyone else is…Well, there is no everyone else. Just Bee.
Arthur’s mission is to find out whether there’s more to Gertrude than she thinks, and if so, what it is. The problem is, that might throw up some hard questions—about her life, her choices and above all, her friendship with Bee.
My Thoughts:
Oooooooo I adore this book.
I recommend this one if you like a fun romcom with strong Aussie vibes. I smashed through this book in two days. Such an enjoyable and easy holiday read. Debut author Olivia Tolich brings Gertrude, Bee, William and Arthur to vibrant life with a dry wit and strong Aussie voice.
Gertrude exudes side character energy and her best friend, Bee, is the star attraction. Bee is the one who has “main character” vibes… everything in Bee’s life is about Bee. The only problem is that everything in Gertrude’s life is also about Bee. The flat, the boy, the job… and every reaction Gertrude has is always checked, not only for how Bee will respond, but also to keep the peace in her own rather dull life. Meeting Arthur makes Gertrude question her responses and reactions to Bee’s selfish behaviour. She soon realises her own life has given way to Bee’s pulled focus. What about Gertrude. What does she want? She doesn’t know. Everything has always been about Bee. To find herself, Gertrude and Arthur look into what Gertrude might enjoy – outside of Bee’s presence – and it turns out, Gertrude has a personality and likes all of her own. She just needs to drop the Bee-blinders and find her own main character energy.
I mean, who doesn’t second guess every look given, or every word spoken ? Talk about writing stories in your own head about how a friend, or a boy, or a family member will react to something you do or say. And who hasn’t felt like an NPC at some point? It’s not often I feel “seen” in a romcom but this one really hit the nail on the head for me. So many of Gertrude’s anxious people pleasing internal conversations rang bells. (What will they think of me if I say that, what if they take that the wrong way, what if I say no, how will they judge me…) That inner voice spins so many circles you could be a failed ballerina getting dizzy from all the what ifs – and that’s before a word has ever been spoken.
It’s strange to say, but this is a terrific story about toxic friendship and people pleasers. It’s a reminder for the people pleasers not to lose their inner voice beneath the need to make everyone else happy. It’s also a reminder that wanting people to think well of you shouldn’t mean dimming your own light. It’s a book about learning to stick up for yourself. And also a warning not to lose your own personality amongst the bright lights of your friends. You can want things too. Big things, Bright things… the hot boi, for example. This is a terrific holiday read with strong romcom vibes and a lot of bite. Plus – it’s set in Melbourne. I love an Aussie Romcom and this one is set locally for me, so all the more fun to enjoy.
This one is available from the 3rd Feb 2026… Put it on your radar.
Rambles, writing and amusing musings 
