
I must be in a story. The narrative drive is obvious—the call to adventure, the first plot point, and the second. Who’s writing me? Do I have any say in it? I mean, for instance, couldn’t we make this a romance instead of an actioner? Begone, wizards and elves! Bring on the girls.
It’s lovely to be the hero, though. Thanks, I appreciate that. Not a bit player.
Oi! What’s this? Losing my job wasn’t very heroic. Do your scriptwriters even know what they’re doing?
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here

In Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s 1973 novel “Breakfast of Champions,” he talked about has control over the characters he creates like a puppet master and marionettes, except instead of strings, there are rubber bands.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for reading, James
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love your clarion call of ‘Bring on the girls!’
LikeLiked by 2 people
They’re a hero’s entitlement
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very clever take!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Violet
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dear Neil,
“Who’s writing me?” I love that line. It makes me think of the movie “Stranger than Fiction.” Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
They always say: bring your characters to life, but don’t let them live in the real world else they will want control.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, James
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s the trouble with being brought to life and not having any control over where we are led to! Nicely done, Neil
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Dale
LikeLiked by 2 people
The photo is a collage and your story captured that beautifully!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much. Clare
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love your self-aware hero Neil – trying to genre-hop from fantasy to romance, only to get hit by a sudden slice-of-life reality check👏
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 2 people
he must be a real character. thanks for sharing. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ha. I see what you did there
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very clever, Neil. I am learning every day from authors like you. Very smart take on this photo prompt. I went with the obvious wizardly world for my story. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Surabhi
LikeLiked by 2 people
Aww, that’s kind of sad although it made me laugh too. So hard to have main character syndrome and then something like that happens. This guy just needs to realize that the hero’s journey has all kinds of ups and downs in it. Great story, as always Neil.
-David
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, David
LikeLiked by 2 people
Great voice!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Dawn
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fantastic take on the prompt, especially the desire to go from action to romance. It doesn’t usually end well for the love-interests in action movies does it, but this time the main character was eliminated.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooo yes sometimes I wish life didn’t follow a bookish formula
I’d love to know what’s coming. Enough twists thanks
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Laurie
LikeLiked by 2 people
Bring on the girls! Perfect!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Nancy
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wonderful ♥️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Caleb
LikeLike