Fictioneer: n. 1. A person who participates in a weekly challenge to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt.
2. A person who tells stories that may or may not be based in reality.
3. A person addicted to writing once a week, 100-word stories. No cure is known.
I’m back on the traveling road today through the weekend, but I couldn’t pass up Dawn’s beautiful photo, even though I may do something less than beautiful with it. Forgive me if I don’t get to your story and thanks for reading and commenting on mine. Yes, it’s fiction. 🙂 A second story insisted on being written as well, but I’ll post that tomorrow, so if you’re interested, feel free to drop in and let me know which you prefer.
Compartments
I’m
.
.
falling
.
.
a p a r t.
Too much to do, too little time to do it.
Things I don’t know how to do, things I don’t want to do.
Sometimes I’m on the outside looking in, hitting the glass, trying to get people to see me. They’re making fun of me, talking about me.
I feel worthless.
I feel great.
Work’s great.
Work’s screwed up.
I’m screwed up.
Everything should be in its own compartment but it won’t stay there! It bleeds into other parts of my life, makes a mess, makes me a mess.
What do I do now?
Someone help.
Please?
This, that and the other thing 
Highly original, for what is a difficult prompt – effective and thought-inducing.
What a great story. Loved the style.
An interesting photo and an interesting story! Helen
Thanks, Helen.
janet
Brilliant take on the prompt. The fraught mind nicely captured.
Thanks, Siobhan. Let’s hope it’s from my fertile mind rather than the alternative. 🙂
janet
and the sufferer does not want to be cured.
I guess that’s a fair description of life as we live it nowadays: fractured, fraught yet full of not-to-be-missed highs.
As if she read my mind….
I hope not, Dawn.
janet
Great style, great structure, terrific sentiments that I have, at times, been sadly able to identify with. Good one Janet.
Thanks, Sandra. I’m glad it rings true, though sorry that it does. 🙂
janet
Janet-
Compelling photo coupled with equally compelling poem. The message is creatively presented and worthwhile. Seems we all feel this way at some time or another…
-Jane
Dawn’s photo is wonderful and the little “boxes” just took me to the story. I think most of us do feel that way sometimes. If it gets to be too often, that’s a different thing. Appreciate your reading and comment!
janet
You caught so much here.. This kind of life we all know, this stress and how problems bleed into one other ., very good, an a form that seems like someone falling apart..
That’s what I tried to convey with the way I set the poem up, so thanks for that, Bjorn.
janet
I loved your format, great job 🙂
Thanks so much, Helen.
janet
Janet this is great, both style-wise and how you captured the fraught feelings of a totally overwhelmed person. Kudos to you. Will try to read story #2 if you write it.
It’s set to go live at 2 am EST, Alicia. Somewhat similar but let me know what you think.
I really connected with this – great job.
The chaos and drama of life out of control… love the way you wrote this, and structured it, Janet. Wonderful! It’s so wonderful to see what others see in my photo.
Thanks, Dawn. I really enjoyed the photo and wrote a second story today, similar, but different. Enjoy your travels.
janet
what you need to do now? simply breathe.
Sometimes just breathing is tough, Plaridel.
janet
a very emotional journey. great structure.
Thanks, kz. I’m glad the structure worked as it was meant to enhance the feelings.
janet
I liked your take, Janet. I think we both had a similar feeling with this prompt. Being alone, being overwhelmed.
Thanks for sharing!
Great minds, JK. 🙂
falling apart:
for every yin, there’s a yang
for every ding, there’s a dang
for every bada, there’s a boom
baba boom
I move the queen to the left square and check.
🙂 Fifth Element anyone?
janet
Well, Janet, you’ve done the near impossible: made ME feel positive for a change. By the time you got to “I’m screwed up” I thought the story was going to plunge below the bottom of the PC screen! Fascinating structure for a revealing look at a troubled mind. Very cool.
Perry, so glad I could make you feel positive at the expense of someone worse of than yourself. 🙂 Seriously, I’m glad you liked it.
janet
The formatting really enhances your tale and your unique take on the prompt. [applauding]
Thanks! It was meant to, so I’m glad you enjoyed it. [bowing]
janet
🙂
Great story! I love that you used the layout of your story to enhance meaning. Nicely done!
That means a lot. Thanks!
janet
[…] Friday Ficitoneers–Compartments […]
Dear Janet,
I
often
feel this way…
by turns.
you’ve capture the inner
workings of a creative
person.
true to life and very well done.
shalom,
Rpchelle
That’s Rochelle with an O.
O really? 🙂
Dear
Rpcelle,
So
pleased
you
approve.
🙂
As
always,
janet
Dear Janet,
Information sickness. (See Ted Mooney.) Your story was a reflection of many people’s lives. Well done.
Aloha,
Doug
Thanks, Doug. Always appreciate your time and comments.
janet
Haha the format is screwed up but I quite like your take on the prompt 🙂
Cam, the format was done deliberately that way to illustrate what was going on in the story. Glad you liked my take, though.
janet
I could see that Janet 🙂 i thought it was fun.
Phew!! 🙂
I love your interpretation of the compartmentalised mind bleeding together like mashed potato and pumpkin. (sorry I must be hungry) It’s genius.
I don’t know that I’ve ever been credited with genius before, but I certainly appreciate it! 🙂
janet
Wowsers, that came from nowhere and smacked me round the chops like a wet kipper. Good job
Thanks. A wet kipper? Yuck! But a smoked kipper? Mmmmmmm.
janet
I love the text layout and I love the photo above all 🙂 Great, as usual!
Much appreciated, Mara. Dawn’s photo is great and I’m happy that people like the layout as that was a large part of the whole post.
janet
I sure feel that way sometimes! Great take on the picture Janet.
Jackie, thanks for dropping by! Hope you’re enjoying your weekend.
janet
Hmm . . . and all this time I thought you women were good at multi-tasking. Here’s a suggestion – blame Bill.
I’m a super multi-tasker, especially after being a mom. 🙂
janet
Janet, Good and creative story. I think there are moments when most of us feel that depression set it. I try to look on the lighter side most of the time. Well written. 🙂 —Susan
Thanks, Susan. It’s only a problem if that sort of depression is chronic.
janet
Dear Janet, I loved the style of the story – very smart and well done! You are a master writer! i enjoy reading everything you write! Thanks, Nan 🙂
Nan, what a wonderful thing to say! You made my evening wonderful.
janet
I know this feeling, Janet. We think we can handle until we’re in too deep and that blending of compartments happen. Excellent!
I’m sure most of us have experience it at times, but hopefully not for too long. Thanks for stopping in and I’m pleased you liked it.
janet
You’ve been reading my mail this week, haven’t you?
Rochelle’s been forwarding it.
janet
Hahahahahahaha!
Feel like me talking. 🙂 Wished I had written it!
Lily
That’s a lovely compliment, Lily. Thanks.
janet