by Pam Brittain
Member since:
July 16, 2011

WWE, Wednesday Writing Essentials Challenge, 12/26/12, Soul searching

December 26, 2012 11:01 AM UTC (Updated: December 26, 2012 11:03 AM UTC)
views: 0 | 16 people recommend this | comments: 54

♫♫♫I'm the best there ever was...♫♫♫  Remember the song about the young man that fiddled his way from the devil?

In cartoons we often see someone thinking about something he/she really, really shouldn't do, but wants do to it anyway (Dagwood Bumstead comes to mind).  The devil's telling him , "Do it, do it, do it."  The devil's sitting on the guy's left shoulder while the angel's sitting on the guys right shoulder saying, "No!  Don't do it.  Think of the consequences."

Remember the story of the guy that said he'd sell his soul for ....?  Why did the devil show up and not the angel?  Oh, no!  The devil was the only one that showed up.  Yet, the guy that sold his soul to the devil did good deeds and ultimately outwitted the devil.  How would that have turned out if the angel had shown up rather than the devil, or if both the devil and angel appeared when the guy said he'd sell his soul?   Let's find out.

 

The Rules:

Keep in mind, this is a monitored group and there are only a couple of rules, which are:

Make sure you put this (WWE, 12/26/12, Soul searching) in your title.

Be sure to tag it with WWE, Gather Writing Essentials, Soul searching. Post to Gather Writing Essential.

I ask that you make your submission(s) by next Tuesday afternoon.

There is a limit of three submissions from each member per day. If you’re extremely prolific, spread out your work and post only three submissions per day.

Most important:

Put this challenge statement at the beginning or end of your submission so readers will know what you’re supposed to do and won’t think you’re crazy.

Challenge:  Write a story or poem about a person that says they'd sell their soul for ...  Who shows up to buy that person's soul and how does it turn out when it's time to pay up?


*****

BELOW ARE RESPONSES TO PRIOR CHALLENGES - CHECK THEM OUT.

Holiday Romance, by Vj McMullan

Rewrite of Skating into my heart, by Angela A.

The Crabapples, by Joann B.

Children, by Stacey (Jesus is coming soon-are you ready? ) U.

The Girl With Dark Hair, by Irina Dimitric

Comments: 54

Ms Lee P. Dec 26, 2012, 11:14am UTC
LOL, this one's a good one. I can hardly wait to read the submissions. There is NOT a temptation in this old world that would or could make me sell my soul, anyway, I've already given it away in exchange for everlasting life in heaven ..... BUT ..... maybe I can pretend and write a story about "what if" .... oh, the imagination goes wild, LOL!
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 11:59am UTC
It's the "what ifs" that keep things interesting. Pretend away and thanks, Lee.
Kevin E. Dec 26, 2012, 11:20am UTC
What an interesting challenge Pam but dad gum it it took me to yesterday to respond to last week's challenge.................. you are making me work.......................worse you are making me think...................stop that!
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 12:02pm UTC
Kevin, I'll try to stop it, but it'll be difficult. Plus, I can't stop for the next few weeks because I have another idea. Then maybe I'll get back in the box.
JOHN BECK Dec 26, 2012, 11:28am UTC
What if nobody shows up to buy?
Good one, Pam.
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 12:03pm UTC
That's probably what would happen to me. :D Thanks, John.
Ittbac Bigu Dec 26, 2012, 2:02pm UTC
Well, John, I thought of this angle just before I read your comment, but I admit you wrote it at 11:28 today, before I even read the challenge.

I like the angle of no one showing up to buy.
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 4:03pm UTC
Wonderful - I'll get two great stories!!!!
Peter Rogerson Dec 26, 2012, 11:58am UTC
I'd love to take you up on this, Pam, but at the moment I'm all blogged out!!
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 12:04pm UTC
Awe, Peter. Don't you have at least one more for us? Pretty please.
☃ Shannon K. Wendt Dec 26, 2012, 12:55pm UTC
Devil Went Down to Georgia!
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 4:05pm UTC
But, the devil didn't win (I hope).
Angela A. Dec 26, 2012, 1:03pm UTC
Well, veerrrry interesting prompt. I am sure a romance could come out of this.... hmmm
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 4:05pm UTC
I was counting on you feeling that way. I'll be waiting and watching to see what your wonderful imagination comes up with.
Angela A. Dec 26, 2012, 5:50pm UTC
Well, no pressure, now! Ha, ha
Joann B. Dec 26, 2012, 1:20pm UTC
Yup, Shannon got it - The Devil Went Down To Georgia, but the secvond reference would be Faust, I think. He's the classic "sold his soul" guy.

This sounds interesting, so - Je suis un ange.
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 4:08pm UTC
Glad you like it Joann, but ?Je suis un ange? French?
Joann B. Dec 26, 2012, 9:39pm UTC
Oui, c'est Francaise (are you suitably impressed? How about Swahili?) Mimi ni Malaika. You did say, anyone who took the challenge is an angel.

OK, OK, Google Translate
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 9:55pm UTC
I'm very impressed. Confuse, but impressed, but, you are without question an angel.
Joann B. Dec 26, 2012, 10:33pm UTC
I was just being a wiseacre - responding to this - "It's Wednesday again. Click here to learn what today's challenge is all about. If you respond, you'll be an angel."
Pam Brittain Dec 27, 2012, 1:30pm UTC
See. I was right and now I'm laughing.
Diane Huizenga Dec 26, 2012, 1:37pm UTC
Great challenge, should be interesting.

Thanks for sharing with Surreal Circus
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 4:09pm UTC
I'm with you - can't wait to see what comes out of this. Thanks, Diane.
Ann Marcaida Dec 26, 2012, 2:50pm UTC
Heh. Nice prompt, Marplot!

Thanks for sharing with Gather's Luminous Writers and Artists. Featured.
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 4:10pm UTC
Thanks, Ann. I just love that word and this time I guess I'm really a bit of a meddler and a mischief maker.

Wow, thanks for the feature.
Larry H. Dec 26, 2012, 3:22pm UTC
thanks for sharing.
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 4:10pm UTC
Thanks for dropping by, Larry. I hope you'll tell us your story.
Barbary Chaapel Dec 26, 2012, 3:32pm UTC

The Devil made me do it!

....Flip Wilson
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 4:11pm UTC
Barbary, that is my most favorite excuse. Saying "the angel made me do it" just wouldn't work for my oopses.
Angela A. Dec 26, 2012, 5:50pm UTC
Well, technically an angel could make you do something you don't want... He, he. My imagination runs wild.
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 6:33pm UTC
Angela, let your wildness run and write it.
Angela A. Dec 27, 2012, 3:38pm UTC
He, he. I will hope to get to the prompt soon. I have much to do today. I wrote and posted Part Four to Skating into my heart just this afternoon. Go by and read it, when you get the chance
Pam Brittain Dec 27, 2012, 4:42pm UTC
I just read it and am waiting for more.
Mary Ann Slavcheff Dec 26, 2012, 3:43pm UTC
Great idea. Thanks.
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 4:12pm UTC
Thanks, Mary Ann. Will you join us?
Greg Schiller Dec 26, 2012, 6:14pm UTC
You know what the problem is with selling your soul to the devil? The long, long lines. :)

Wow Pam, this is a hell of a prompt! Joking aside, it really is a good prompt. I'll see what I can do with it.
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 6:37pm UTC
Cool - I can't wait.

You may have to wait in the long lines, but if you finally deliver to the devil, can he go to the returns department?
Janet "Jax" B. Dec 26, 2012, 9:25pm UTC
Interesting....
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 9:28pm UTC
Interesting statement. Are you going to join?
Janet "Jax" B. Dec 26, 2012, 9:48pm UTC
I don't know, as right now I'm just trying to breath.....and breathing is good.
Pam Brittain Dec 26, 2012, 9:53pm UTC
Yes. Feel better.
Priya P. Dec 27, 2012, 1:59am UTC
Pam, what are you drinking and can I have some! ;). This is a fun prompt.

. Featured with grace in the Triple Name Club.
Pam Brittain Dec 27, 2012, 1:37pm UTC
Come on over. I'll share a beer with you and I even have some very old expensive vodka. It's aged cause I don't drink the stuff - just beer, but I wanted you to feel you have a choice.

Glad you like the prompt, Priya and thanks bunches for the feature.
Irina Dimitric Dec 27, 2012, 6:00am UTC
Terrific prompt... but my mind is totally blank...perhaps the devil has already meddled with it...
Pam Brittain Dec 27, 2012, 1:37pm UTC
Ooohhhh, you could write about that. :)
Liz H. Dec 27, 2012, 2:42pm UTC
(sound of ancient wheels screeching & turning, picking up speed) Will see what my li'l brain can cook up!
Pam Brittain Dec 27, 2012, 3:19pm UTC
Cool. I love your writing and I'll try to de-rust my old brain when you post it.
Ms Lee P. Dec 27, 2012, 3:59pm UTC
Hi Pam. I wrote a story (click here). Hope you like it. I asked for criticism on this one so criticize away.
Pam Brittain Dec 27, 2012, 4:41pm UTC
I'm on my way - cool.
Earl Shugerman Dec 29, 2012, 8:38am UTC
Very clever and greetings.
Pam Brittain Dec 29, 2012, 1:55pm UTC
Thanks, Earl. Will you join us?
Angela A. Dec 31, 2012, 5:51pm UTC
You'll get a blast out of my post. And, you'll be burning with anger that it's only part one. Ha, ha
DealWithTheDevil,PartOne
Pam Brittain Jan 1, 2013, 2:12pm UTC
I'm on my way!!!! [Jumping up and down]
Angela A. Jan 2, 2013, 12:01pm UTC
:)

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Business | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Giveaways | Health | Money | Moms | News | Politics | Sports | Style | Technology | Travel | Writing
Version 18247, "Zach"; Copyright © 2013 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.