Photo Copyright: Ted Strutz
NOTE: My contest-winning short story was published this month in CQ Magazine. However, they’ve begun charging for subscriptions. I won’t ask anyone to buy a copy. I’ll certainly understand if you don’t. If you want to, the link is as follows:
https://www.magzter.com/GB/CQ-International/CQ-International-Magazine/Art/
Here we all are gathered for another week. Today we’re along a country river where one chair is sitting for some reason. We’re here to discuss our original stories for the week. We’re the Friday Fictioneers group. Our hostess for this gathering is the talented and gracious author and artist, Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. The challenge for each of us this week and every week is to write a story with no more than 100 words not including the title. It’s supposed to have a beginning, middle, end, and follow the picture prompt for the week. This week’s prompt was provided by Ted Strutz. Thanks, Ted.
To read the other stories by group members, just click on the link given below then on the little blue frog in the blue box.
The link for this week’s stories is as follows:
https://rochellewisofffields.wordpress.com/2017/02/08/10-february-2017/
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Word Count: 100 Words
REMAINS By P.S. Joshi
There’d been floods before in Illinois but never like this. When the Colters returned from the shelter they could hardly believe it.
Instead of the village of Martinsville there was a mud plain with skeletal remains of buildings leaning here and there. They drove out to their farm with dread.
The sight made them go into shock. The barn was on its side in the caked mud and the house was completely gone. All that remained was a lone kitchen chair.
The insurance company wouldn’t pay for rebuilding on the same location. Their home, hopes, and dreams were washed away.
In my own mind, I appended “…or so it seemed.” I know the task is to have the story contain a beginning, middle and end; and yet I’ve known and seen so many people who somehow find the strength to take the kitchen chair and build a new beginning.
Nice job (and 100 words exactly, to boot). 🙂
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Thanks, Erik. I know that story ended on a low note. If I’d had more words I might have done the same as you and added a few words to brighten it. I personally would fight back also. I’m glad you liked the story anyway. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Nicely done Suzanne. Such heartache though.
xxx Huge Hugs xxx
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Thanks, David. If I’d had more words I probably would have gone for a happier ending. I’m glad you liked the story though. Huge Hugs to you also. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Congratulations on your publication.
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Thanks, Bernadette. I was disappointed they started charging but it’s probably expensive to publish with all the color. The previous issue they showed under it on the page was free. I caved in and subscribed. I want to read the other stories as well as seeing mine published. The publisher is a nice guy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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So many must have experienced this. And some of them more than once. Congratulations on your success, Suzanne.
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Thanks, Sandra. It’s heartbreaking so many have experienced that. I’m glad you liked the story. Thanks for the congratulations. I was a bit disappointed they’ve started charging, but it’s probably expensive to publish a glossy magazine with vivid color. The publisher seems to be a nice guy. The previous issue was free. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Congratulations on your win! A tragic tale here, I could feel their sense of loss and desperation.
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Thanks, Iain for the congratulations on my win. I’m pleased you liked the story. It’s a true tragedy and heartrending. I’m glad I succeeded in making the feelings realistic. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Congratulations Suzanne!
And what a tragic tale…
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Thanks, Dale, for your congratulations. This kind of happening is always tragic. I’m glad I made it realistic and you liked it. 🙂 — Suzanne
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A sad tale, Suzanne, and I’m sure it happens. On another note, congrats on the publication! That’s great news 🙂
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Thanks, Diana. I’m glad you liked my realistic story. It has happened. Thanks also for the congratulations. I was surprised and happy about it. I entered the challenge but you never know. 🙂 — Suzanne
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The human spirit is indomitable. Congratulations on the CQ story! Wow!
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Thanks, Neil. If I’d had more words I would have had a happier ending. Thanks for the congratulations. I was happily surprised by the win. 🙂 — Suzanne
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As my Grandfather would have said, “That’s what ye get fer buil’in on the flood plain. I foolish man buil’s on san’ a wise man buil’s on lan’.” (I tried to capture his accent, a bit of a mix of Irish, Scottish, German, and American). Well told tale that could very well be a fable. ❤
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Thanks, Jelli. I love the dialect for your grandfather. You did a great job with it. I guess many people didn’t understand what a flood plain was or thought it wouldn’t happen in their lifetimes. I’m glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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It is indeed a realistic scene well told. A tragedy many people have faced, especially for those who are renters, not owners, who have no place to build anew.
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Thanks, Christine. It would be hard for those renting. It would be hard for all. I’m glad you enjoyed the story and thought it was well told and realistic. 🙂 — Suzanne
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What a tragic story… hope they could find a new place, after all it seems like a good idea to build on higher ground.
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Thanks, Bjorn. I also hope my characters find a good place to rebuild one day on higher ground. It is a tragic story. I’m pleased you liked the story. —- Suzanne
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I hope they rebuild. Sometimes after a great shock, a great strength emerges. Lovely story. And congrats on your short story. What exciting news.
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Thanks, Alicia. If I’d had more words I probably would have told about rebuilding. I’m pleased you liked the story and thanks for the congrats for my story win.. I was quite surprised and happy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Damn insurance company anyway. Good one Suzanne.
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Thanks, John. Yes, insurance companies sometimes won’t work with people. I’m glad you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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that is sad. it’s time to move on. they should get the insurance money and build somewhere else.
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Thanks, Plaridel. A problem is sometimes the insurance companies won’t give money for certain locations. Maybe in time, they can rebuild elsewhere. I’m pleased you liked the story. 🙂 — Suzanne
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What a sad story. Maybe they can start again away from the flood plain.
Well done on your publication!
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Thanks, Ali. Hopefully one day they can begin again on higher ground. I’m glad you liked this story. Thanks for the congratulations on my winning story that was printed. I was surprised and happy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Congratulations on your winning short story!
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Thanks, Tresha. I was surprised and happy about my story being printed. I’m also pleased you liked this one. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Such a tragic story. Well told.
Congratulations on your story. Brava!
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle It is a tragic story. Maybe in time they’ll be able to build elsewhere. I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for the congratulations on my winning story. I was surprised and pleased. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Nicely done on this sad tale. And congratulations on your story being published!
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Thanks, Trent. I’m glad you liked the sad story. Thanks also for the congratulations on my story being published. I was surprised and happy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Ah, all too real, Suzanne. The Kansas City area has seen its share of floods, all right. I prefer drought to flooding because you can always replant (unless there’s another Dust Bowl). But when snows melt and the waters rise, you lose a lot of ground. Six of one, half-dozen of the other, I guess.
Nice work!
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Thanks, Kent. It’s happened so often. I’m sorry it’s happened in the area where you live. I’m glad you liked the story. —- Suzanne
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Sad how much destruction natural disasters can cause. It would be quite shocking to see everything destroyed or gone — except for that loan chair. Great write!
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Thanks, Mandi. You’re right. Nature can be destructive. It would be a shock to see your home destroyed and only a tiny bit remaining. I’m pleased you liked the story. —- Suzanne
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This is such a poignant piece of writing. I hope some of the people in disaster management deptt. read it – every years thousands loose their home, livelihoods and family members to flood. Great write,
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Thanks, Yarnspinnerr, for the great comment. I’m glad you liked the story so much. I’d be very happy if it helped someone in some part of the world. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Congratulations for the win. 🙂
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Living ina state that gets a great many hurricanes I can relate to the devastation.
It was palpable in your words, Suzanne. Congratulations on your published article.
Isadora 😎
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Thanks, Isadora. I’m pleased you liked my story so much. I certainly hope a future hurricane doesn’t affect you and your family. I used to live in a tornado state, Ohio, but never saw one where we lived. Thanks for the congratulations on my published story. I was surprised and happy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Nicely told. This is becoming more and more a problem for people it seems. Building on flood plains has caused major problems.
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Thanks, Mick. I’m glad you liked the story. It’s a shame people didn’t realize about the dangers of building on a flood plain. —- Suzanne
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I visited with a man once who was going to build down by the river. I told him I’d see water cover that entire property. He built there anyway. The insurance did pay off, but then dropped him.
It’s sad to see people lose everything they worked so hard for. Congrats on your publication.
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Thanks, Russell. Some people don’t listen, do they? It’s a shame. Thanks for the congratulations on my story winning and getting published. I was surprised and happy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Nicely told. Natural disasters leave heartbreaking stories behind. Congratulations on your publication.
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Thanks, Subroto. Yes, nature can be devastating sometimes. I’m glad you liked the story. Thanks for the congratulations on my story getting published. I was surprised and happy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Wow, Suzanne! Congrats on the contest. This story is a little gem too. Have a sublime Sunday. Huge hugs.
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Thanks, Teagan. for the congratulations on my contest win. I’m glad you also liked this little story. My husband, aged 86, passed away on Sunday. The doctor had warned me it might happen but we had hope. He’d improved a bit and was due to come home on Tuesday but it wasn’t to be. I tried to keep him home as long as possible but wanted to give him a chance to survive so let him be taken to the hospital. He’s had good care but had difficulty swallowing. At his age, his heart was probably as weak as the rest of him. Huge hugs to you also. —- Suzanne
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Very much liked the story and your news about contest win. Well done
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Thanks, Mike. I’m glad you liked the story. Thanks also for your congratulations on my contest win. I was surprised and happy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I’ve known people to rebuild, but I wouldn’t.
Congrats on your publication.
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Thanks, Dawn. I think I’d take the insurance money and try to find higher ground to build on. I’m glad you liked the story. Thanks, also for the congratulations on having my winning story published. I was surprised and happy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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That was sad. But congrats on your winning story and publication 🙂
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Thanks, Dahlia. I’m glad you liked the story even though it was sad. Thanks also for the congratulations on my winning story being published. I was surprised and happy. 🙂 — Suzanne
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