by Pam Brittain
Member since:
July 16, 2011

WWE, Wednesday Writing Essentials Challenge, 2/6/13, Warm Seas

February 05, 2013 09:26 PM UTC
views: 0 | 22 people recommend this | comments: 83

It's freakin' cold out here in the West. I want spring. My bones are frozen and I need all of you to help warm them up.

 

Please, please take this challenge. We all could warm up if we read stories about a warm sunny beach and the sea. Just reading or looking about the warm places in the world would help a great deal. Today's challenge is to write a story, picture essay or poem about the sea. A warm, lovely sea. There are no gimmicks or tricks, but a lovely warm post.

 

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, 2/6/13, Warm Seas) in your title.

Be sure to tag it with WWE, Gather Writing Essentials, Warm Seas.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, picture essay or poem about the sea.  A warm, lovely sea.


*****

BELOW ARE RESPONSES TO PRIOR CHALLENGES - CHECK THEM OUT.  Please let me know if I missed anyone's post and I'll get it linked for next week.

Family and Friends (Since there was little activity on this one, I figure it's because you need time to guilt your family and friends into choosing a character you can write about.  So, the challenge stays open.  Still, David's response is awesome.)

WHAT IS THE POINT OF POWER, by David W.

Space Projects (Karen's response to a prior challenge is also awesome.)


SPACE JUNK AN INTERGALACTIC MURDER MYSTERY, by Karen Vaughan

 

 

Comments: 83

Pam Brittain Feb 5, 2013, 9:28pm UTC
I hope it's not my imagination, but since Chuck posted his announcement about Gather the splitting up with Skywords, Gather's site seems so much more responsive.
Wishful thinking, Pam. LOL

But may Skywords disappear in a puff of crematorium smoke.
To dethaw your bones, go take a look at the Perth weather forecast. I'm flying back home there on 19th February.

JOHN BECK Feb 5, 2013, 10:28pm UTC
I hope your travel experience is smooth and satisfying, Magi.
Irina Dimitric Feb 6, 2013, 5:10am UTC
Ditto!
Barbary Chaapel Feb 6, 2013, 5:59am UTC
Take a good book and your own snacks and plently of
paper and pens. We want details of that ride!
Thank you, everyone.

Barbary, I do have a good book to read , thanks to Janny Granny's glowing opinion: Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander, M.D.

But the journey from Boston to Perth (via L.A. or San Francisco via Sydney) is a killer. Over 30 hours in transit. And this will be the third time I've done the return jouney, having already done it three times getting here.
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 11:13am UTC
68 to 110 degrees. Perfect in the shade.
It is ... but make sure you can find the shade. :)
JOHN BECK Feb 5, 2013, 10:35pm UTC
Pam, wriggle your toes into the nice warm sand and soak up some rays with plenty of sun screen and a big floppy hat and dark sunglasses. Sip on your selection of fruit juices combined with Barbados rum. Then lounge in the whirlpool bubble bath before dinner and a nice, warm bed.
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 11:14am UTC
Oh, what a wonderful dream. Thanks, I feel better already.
Kevin E. Feb 5, 2013, 10:43pm UTC
Yet another awesome challenge, this isn't fair, now I am behind 3 Challenges, can I still respond to them?


I lived in paradise for 5 years.............................Santa Barbara California but to live there you have to be newly wed or nearly dead..................................weather doesn't vary more than 7 degrees year round, mountains meet the ocean air always has a perfume in it..............................it is as much a state of mind as it is a city in California. If you ever live there and leave it you always leave with a bit of Santa Barbara in your heart...................."Viva La Fiesta!"
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 11:16am UTC
♫♫I left my heart, in Santa Barbara♫♫

Kevin, I've lost count of the times I've missed responding to your challenges. You can do any of the challenges at any time.
Connie C. Feb 5, 2013, 11:06pm UTC
Let's just skip Spring and go straight to Summer!
Barbary Chaapel Feb 6, 2013, 6:02am UTC
Can't miss the hyacinths and lilacs and tulips and daffys!

And ramps! :)
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 11:17am UTC
The irises are a sign of spring out here and I'd hate to miss out on them, but I'm with you, Connie. Summer sounds wonderful!
Alice G. Feb 6, 2013, 12:13am UTC
Oh no, Connie! We do that here in Texas soon enough-we have several days of Spring and jump straight into Summer and then dog day Summer (akin to Hades). I am not old enough to want our kind of Summer year round. In fact, I can put on enough clothes in Winter to stay warm and still be decent but can't take enough off in Summer to get comfortable and not be arrested for scarring people to death. I need a place where it is fall year round-any suggestions?
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 11:19am UTC
Alice, you and I have the same problem. Maybe we should get together and go streaking - just to see how many people we could freak out. :D
Alice G. Feb 6, 2013, 12:14am UTC
Good prompt Pam. I am going to repost a poem I posted before and if I can try to write something else as well.
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 11:21am UTC
Yee-haw. After that last challenge and so few responses, I figured I was getting a bit too wild.
sarah leanne Feb 6, 2013, 12:44am UTC
It is so hottt down here in Louisiana..I wish I could look outside and see a snowman ;D
sarah leanne Feb 6, 2013, 12:46am UTC
what's Skywords Pam?
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 11:26am UTC
I've never been in Louisiana. How hot is it? Hopefully, you'll tell me by posting your response to this challenge.

Skywords is an online something that looks for writers in certain areas. I don't know much about them, but wrote them once and asked if they were looking for short story writers. They weren't, but later that approached me to see if I would write a column on smart grocery shopping. How they got the idea I would be good for that, I have no clue. I've posted here quite often about how much I hate to cook and how often I burn food.
I've been told that they control Gather and treat it/us like step kids.
sarah leanne Feb 6, 2013, 11:35am UTC
The only think I have ever written about nature weather or temperature was Winter of our Discontent..and that was only because I was angry with our short winters. I honestly refuse to write about nature..I agree with Robert Frost on that topic..so sorry..but I cant wait to read the responses....Right now it is 74 degrees with 100% humidity....

I don't think gather is as bad as others think..possibly because I am new and i have not seen it any other way..
Bernard C. Feb 6, 2013, 4:02am UTC
Was thinking of the warmer climate as well - soI tooka bath in some palm oil and washed my hair in tahiti shampoo sprinkled au-de-cologne on me bod and now am ready..ahem, guess I look kinda silly,let me go put some clothes on..

Thank you for sharing and submitting to
The Surreal Circus.
Liz H. Feb 6, 2013, 9:47am UTC
LOL!
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 11:28am UTC
Bernard, why don't you first join Alice and I and go streaking with us.
Bernard C. Feb 7, 2013, 3:52am UTC
Haha - ROFLMAO I'd love to go naked and join in with you and Alice Pam - try holding me back... Allow me carry a warning sign..as it would be no sight, everyone would be able to see from where the sun shines :-)) believe me the last thing that I would want is to be chased after by the same sex undesirables.
Pam Brittain Feb 7, 2013, 7:55pm UTC
Yikes, Bernard. You can put your clothes on if you feel more comfortable.
Irina Dimitric Feb 6, 2013, 5:22am UTC
I should be able to provide some crazy summer sea story from Down Under, where one day is 45 degrees Celsius and the next only 20!
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 11:29am UTC
Oh, Irina, I so wish I was Down Under with you. I hope you do post. You need a break from all you're doing.
Barbary Chaapel Feb 6, 2013, 6:05am UTC
Recipe for warm-up:

Heat milk
Add a generous pinch of cardamom spice
Add sugar to taste
JOHN BECK Feb 6, 2013, 11:07am UTC
Years ago I muddled sugar and Droste's cocoa with a few drops of milk in the bottom of a liter mug, added about an ounce of Meyer's dark rum, and filled the mug with coffee. Warmed you from your bones out.
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 11:32am UTC
John, I might try that. Barbary, I'm not sure what cardamom spice, but since I trust you, I'll assume you're not trying to warm me up by poisoning me, thinking I'll go to a really warm place, so maybe I'll try it.
Barbary Chaapel Feb 6, 2013, 6:06am UTC
Good, timely prompt, Pam!
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 12:56pm UTC
Thanks, Barbary. Sounds like you too are wanting warmer weather.
Mary Ann Slavcheff Feb 6, 2013, 6:42am UTC
I teach literature and this week we are reading "Garden Party" by Katherine Mansfield. As I prepared my lecture, I thought how different our snow and ice covered streets are from the world she creates in her story.
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 12:58pm UTC
I'll bet that you're are a great teacher. Lucky students.
David W. Feb 6, 2013, 9:42am UTC
From the land of the sweeping palms I greet you. Today it will be eighty degrees. A cold front will be marching through later this afternoon and so the temperatures will only be in the mid-seventies for the rest of the week. The surf is mild and the water around sixty-eight.

Are you jealous yet?

I will endeavor to compete in this prompt, but wherever shall I get the inspiration?
David W. Feb 6, 2013, 11:51am UTC
By the way, Pam,. Thanks for the compliment you made above on my Super Hero story.
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 1:02pm UTC
David, even though you have a mean, cruel sense of humor (much like my own), you are a Super Hero to me. How did I get so lucky?

Got pictures? Got warm milk?
David W. Feb 6, 2013, 1:08pm UTC
My response to this prompt, the first one at least, is up. Don't hate me. :-)
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 2:23pm UTC
I can't hate someone that posts such wonderful pieces. Anyway, it did help to warm me up. Thanks!
Liz H. Feb 6, 2013, 9:50am UTC
But Punxsutawney Phil told us Sping will be early this year! So take heart, Pam.

We're having a heat wave here in MN: temp at 8:30 a.m. was 7 degrees, and we're expecting it to swell to the upper teens by the afternoon. Woo hoo, shirtsleeve weather!!
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 1:08pm UTC
Yikes and brrrr. Liz, you've got to be kidding about the shirtsleeve weather.
Greg Schiller Feb 6, 2013, 9:17pm UTC
I'm switching to shorts tomorrow - but with the snow I'll stay with boots instead of sandals. Hmmmm, shorts and galoshes. Now there is a Minnesota fashion statement.
Liz H. Feb 6, 2013, 10:43pm UTC
In New York they pace the catwalk. In Minnesota we shovel the sidewalk.

:->
Barbary Chaapel Feb 7, 2013, 5:08pm UTC
French Creek Freddy in WV jumped out of the Wildlife Center man's
arms and made a run for the fence, was half way up it before they caught him! But he didn't see his shadow!
Pam Brittain Feb 7, 2013, 6:42pm UTC
Yee-haw.
Angela A. Feb 6, 2013, 10:57am UTC
Ah, warmth! I want that too!
I was just thinking earlier that I want Spring to come already.
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 1:10pm UTC
Oh, Angela, I sure hope you have a good 'in' with Punxsutawney Phil (whoever that is) and our wishes come true.
Alice G. Feb 6, 2013, 6:41pm UTC
Da groundhog baby!
Angela A. Feb 6, 2013, 7:54pm UTC
I wish! That would be awesome
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 7:59pm UTC
Thanks, Alice.
Ms Lee P. Feb 6, 2013, 11:40am UTC
I'm going to do a repost for this writing prompt. It's supposed to be 70 degrees here today and that's fairly warm. I'm hoping your stop on the planet has warmed up a bit by now.
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 1:11pm UTC
Looks like maybe we'll get a second day of 50 degrees. Still not warm enough for me, but better. Except we're due for another storm.
Ann Marcaida Feb 6, 2013, 12:58pm UTC
I am dreaming of cerulean oceans.

Thanks for sharing with Gather's Luminous Writers and Artists. Featured.
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 1:13pm UTC
Or, cobaltous waters. Gull durnit, Ann. You made me look up another word. :)

Thanks for the feature!
Terry M. Feb 6, 2013, 4:55pm UTC
I am dreaming of spring.
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 5:04pm UTC
Irises, tulips and spring make wonderful dreams.
Bill's Spirit Feb 6, 2013, 5:20pm UTC
Nice prompt, Pam.

And, as luck will finally have it, I've a previously un-shared picture that fits this theme well. Give me few days to pen a warm story or poem to go with the pic and you will finally see me respond to one of your prompts.

- My Very Best To You
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 7:59pm UTC
Yee-haw!!!! Finally.
Granny Janny Feb 6, 2013, 8:09pm UTC
I'm in on the warm thing. Winter is not my favorite season...and...my photo uploader is working again!
Pam Brittain Feb 6, 2013, 8:28pm UTC
Yee-haw. Looks like Chuck and Gather are already improving things.
Diane Huizenga Feb 6, 2013, 11:25pm UTC
Cold here too
Pam Brittain Feb 7, 2013, 2:22pm UTC
Maybe these responses will help warm you up.
Allen H. Feb 6, 2013, 11:51pm UTC
Friday before last it got to 47° Celsius in my back yard, that's 116.6° in the old measure. The leaves on top of my trees burnt off and are now dead. Tree fern fronds dried out, went brittle and curled up brown. Large areas of lawn are bleached white and dead, in spite of being sewn in African Kikuyu grass, not the soft but fragile English lawn turf.
Warmer than that I don't need. Fortunately my Air-Con kept indoor temperatures to 25°C.
Pam Brittain Feb 7, 2013, 2:24pm UTC
Allen, you made me think. Guess I'm old and used to the old measure. :)

Bummer about your trees and lawn. Hope it cools down for you.
Allen H. Feb 7, 2013, 2:39pm UTC
Three days of heavy, even monsoonal, rain has cooled things down and given the plants a new lease on life!
Pam Brittain Feb 7, 2013, 6:50pm UTC
Yeah.
William Dotani Feb 7, 2013, 6:17am UTC
The seas filled with plastic.
Pam Brittain Feb 7, 2013, 2:25pm UTC
True, sadly true. People can be so disrespectful.
Angela A. Feb 7, 2013, 2:10pm UTC
Here is my post. I bet you might remember this:
IAcheForYou(Redo)
Pam Brittain Feb 7, 2013, 2:26pm UTC
I'm on my way.
Angela A. Feb 7, 2013, 2:43pm UTC
Yeah!
Ms Lee P. Feb 7, 2013, 3:05pm UTC
Hi Pam. I just re-posted an old article. It seemed to fit the category. Enjoy and stay warm. (click here)
Pam Brittain Feb 7, 2013, 6:32pm UTC
Yee-haw. It would seem that Arizona should be enjoying the type of weather you're enjoying.

How are your allergies doing?
Debbie W. Feb 15, 2013, 10:48pm UTC
Stopping by to say Hi and pay back the points :)
Pam Brittain Feb 16, 2013, 8:24pm UTC
Thanks, Debbie.
This is late, Pam, but I hope it helps a bit. :)
Pam Brittain Feb 25, 2013, 6:28pm UTC
I lost a comment. It helps a great deal. Thanks for the warmer, Stacey.
William Dotani Feb 25, 2013, 4:28pm UTC
I wonder what my neighbor's snowman would think of this?
Pam Brittain Feb 25, 2013, 6:28pm UTC
He's probably hoping his builder doesn't know about it.

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.