by Pam Brittain
Member since:
July 16, 2011

WWE, Wednesday Writing Essentials Challenge, 1/23/13, Space Projects

January 22, 2013 08:34 PM UTC
views: 0 | 15 people recommend this | comments: 69

It was recently pointed out to me that I should stick with topics I know for these challenges. It's true - I'm ignorant about almost everything except foreclosures. Frankly I can't imagine using that knowledge for a challenge. Fortunately, Daniel C. came to my rescue. He suggested a few topics that are perfect for a challenge. It could be sci-fi fiction or non-fiction. I think Daniel's suggestion regarding modern Space department Projects is a great idea. Here's what he wrote:

~~~~~
The Space Station, Manned Mission to Mars, expansion of the Hubble space telescope project, or planned missions near the Sun are all ongoing projects that might be topics to expand from.

Although I think we have much more space junk than we need in the upper atmosphere already, if they can send an exploratory mission near the Sun, perhaps they might send all that nuclear waste to be burned off in the natural reactor of the Sun. With the Japanese restarting their reactors even after the major disaster that could have rivaled Chernobyl of years ago in the scope of its "nuclear fog" passing over where people live and the rescue operations to shut down the reactor, it is beyond me how they plan for it all. Just Saying? Daniel
~~~~~
NASA has a great website at NASA


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, 1/23/13, Space Projects) in your title.

Be sure to tag it with WWE, Gather Writing Essentials, Space Projects.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 either a story or poem, fiction or non-fiction about modern Space department Projects.


*****

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.

 

 

Mind Control


HERR MESMER AND THE AIRMAN, by David W.

 

I'm so pretty, by Priya P.

Not Much of a Talent, by Patrick M.

Real Showmanship, by Joann B.

I've been put under, by Angela A.


Greek Mythology

Bast, by Joann B.

You may have noticed I'm posting this on Tuesday.  The reason is because Wednesday morning I have the office to worry about and somewhere in the world it must be Wednesday.

 

Comments: 69

Kevin E. Jan 22, 2013, 8:47pm UTC
This one I might be able to do. Maybe we could send some politicians to explore the sun if they land there at night.............I really like that joke! It's so versatile. You can change politicians with lawyers blonds or old white haired men like................................wait a minute scratch them old white haired men............................... that's right scratch them............near their shoulder blades...................more to the right........................ah that's the spot. Not what was I saying?
Pam Brittain Jan 22, 2013, 8:53pm UTC
Oh, my Kevin. You just have to write that one. Could you add in a few cockroaches or are those the politicians?

BTW, isn't it about time you suggested a WWE challenge you'd like to see?
Kevin E. Jan 22, 2013, 9:38pm UTC
You know.........................there are possibilities here.............cockroach politicians...............................aliens or are they aliens? Oh man I gotta do this one!
Kevin E. Jan 22, 2013, 9:46pm UTC
I like your challenges Pam. Know what would be fun though? If one week we both combine for challenges on Wednesday and for Thursday, a duo challenge for Wednesday & Thursday.
Janet "Jax" B. Jan 22, 2013, 11:59pm UTC
LOL @ Kevin
Alice G. Jan 23, 2013, 2:02am UTC
Kevin, you must read Pam's book if you haven't already THE FIRST BLIPPED MILLION. It is a very cool book. Fantasy and political satire and much more.
Kevin E. Jan 23, 2013, 8:45am UTC
Alicew I am very ashamed to write it but no I have not read her book. I will ASAP. Pam is an incredibly talented and creative lady. Not only that but she is an incredible and supportive friend even if she is such a young lady.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 10:54am UTC
Alice, what a sweet thing to say, but you didn't warn Kevin about the poor grammar. I wrote that before I joined Gather and learned how to spell. :D

Kevin, I love the idea of a due challenge. Just let me know.
Larry H. Jan 22, 2013, 8:48pm UTC
THANKS FOR SHARING...
Pam Brittain Jan 22, 2013, 8:52pm UTC
Thanks for dropping by Larry. I always enjoy hearing from you.
David W. Jan 22, 2013, 9:38pm UTC
Hmm, how many members of congress does it take to screw up financing the space program?

One to write the bill, four-hundred 434 to to drown it in pork.
Kevin E. Jan 22, 2013, 9:39pm UTC
Good one here David got any more?
Alice G. Jan 23, 2013, 2:03am UTC
Oh, I like this one too David!
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 10:55am UTC
Me too, David!!!!
Doug Westberg Jan 22, 2013, 10:04pm UTC
When you posted this, it was Wednesday in London and points east... Just thought you'd like to know. Click here to read about the Dawn mission to Vesta and Ceres!
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 12:29pm UTC
Wow, do I have a lot of catching up to do today. I think I have my office under control and now I can play on Gather and read your awesome response. Thanks, Doug.
Doug Westberg Jan 23, 2013, 2:23pm UTC
This isn't my response, just a resource for somebody.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 2:50pm UTC
Awesome site. Thanks, Doug.
JOHN BECK Jan 22, 2013, 10:16pm UTC
Cool! I took a shot. Perhaps I should have waited until tomorrow.
JOHN BECK Jan 23, 2013, 9:49am UTC
But, as Doug says, it was already Wednesday in London.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 12:36pm UTC
This works out much better for me and apparently a few of you guys. My office has it's own mind and it knows I want to spend time with WWE, so it gets really busy. I consider that a sick sense of humor, but, oh well, it pays the bills.

Thanks, John - I'll be looking for it.
Greg Schiller Jan 22, 2013, 10:24pm UTC
Gosh Pam, what could be more dramatic than foreclosures? The loss of a dream. The loss of a home. The nail in the coffin of a life. Good gracious, it is rich turf to plant a story in.

But I understand how hard it is to be in a business where lives are tossed into the maw of the system.... but heck, I work in criminal justice.... When I stop to think about what it is I do, I stop thinking. It hurts too much.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 12:38pm UTC
Some of the scams that go on in my line of work are definitely worth writing about. Hmmm, maybe. I'll give it some thought. I think I like my line of work better than I'd like yours.
Irina Dimitric Jan 22, 2013, 11:04pm UTC
At present I need more space in my house to store all of my late parents' belongings. So, my space project will be contained here on planet Earth.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 12:40pm UTC
I'll be looking for it. LOL Thanks, Irina.
Alice G. Jan 23, 2013, 2:06am UTC
And there is always our personal space as well. I really like the idea of sending off some politicians on a one-way trip into space but, unfortunately, they are like the moles in Whack a Mole. Do one in and another pops up to take his place!!!!!
William Dotani Jan 23, 2013, 2:47am UTC
This is the best sense I've read today.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 12:41pm UTC
Just send them all up. That'll take care of it and then us older people can take over and do things the right way.

I'll be anxiously looking for your submission, Alice.
William Dotani Jan 23, 2013, 2:46am UTC
The fog is on people whom think their ideas not interesting, informative enough or relevant. We all have experience by degrees and few are close to expert. We are all general until we apply the person inside with a real 'gambatte' voice.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 12:45pm UTC
Pipe organ voice? I guess I have to agree with everything you said, but you once again made me look up a word. Thanks!
William Dotani Jan 24, 2013, 3:11am UTC
Gambatte means to fight on like a go team sports cheer. I guess it could be done on a pipe organ??????????
Pam Brittain Jan 24, 2013, 1:33pm UTC
Hmmm. Maybe I spelled it wrong when I looked it up. I love the team spirit.
Pam Brittain Jan 24, 2013, 1:34pm UTC
At the risk of repeating myself, are you going to join us in Twisted Shorties II?
William Dotani Jan 25, 2013, 3:10am UTC
I no longer want to be part of Writing Essentials. I rarely get on my PC these days, so my writing simply spur of the moment frelance. However, thank you.
Pam Brittain Jan 25, 2013, 8:01pm UTC
TSII has nothing to do with Writing Essentials. It's just an all inclusive Gather writer's anthololy and I think your work rocks.
Bernard C. Jan 23, 2013, 4:42am UTC
Interesting bit of space cake - a good prompt too

Thank you for sharing and submitting to
The Surreal Circus.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 12:49pm UTC
I agree.

Bernard, you have such a fascinating mind. Why don't you suggest a prompt for next Wednesday?
Bernard C. Jan 24, 2013, 5:31am UTC
Thanks for the compliment and suggestion Pam - though have to decline the offer of putting up a suggestion to such creative minds. Am still out looking for some suitable pieces for the Twisted Stories II project. Hoping to bring some new pieces to that as well.
Pam Brittain Jan 24, 2013, 1:35pm UTC
Yee-haw. You made my day.
Mary Ann Slavcheff Jan 23, 2013, 6:37am UTC
Thanks. Not sure what I can do with that.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 12:50pm UTC
Me neither. I suspect we'll be a variety of responses.
Mary Ann Slavcheff Jan 23, 2013, 6:39am UTC
I checked out the NASA wesite. I have not been there recently. Several years ago I heard Mark Lawrence speak. He is head of NASA's photography group and responsible for the pictures you see on that site.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 12:51pm UTC
That must have been an awesome experience.
Peter Rogerson Jan 23, 2013, 8:43am UTC
Ths guided me n my description of events surrounding the Reverend Josiah Pyke. It's not that I'd reached a dead end but it did kick me up the pants!! Submitted, then.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 12:55pm UTC
Yowsers and way cool. I'll be looking for this puppy. Thanks, Peter.
Connie C. Jan 23, 2013, 9:21am UTC
Pam,

I am just letting you know that you are not ignorant. You always have great prompts and I enjoy reading both your prompts and the responses you receive from them. :)
Barbary C. Jan 23, 2013, 9:58am UTC

..............what Connie said...............
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 12:58pm UTC
Who ever came up with the idea that ignorance is bliss had a good point. If I weren't ignorant, what value with exception to the fact that it's good to use in a debate? But, I dislike debates, so I'm happy with things as they are. Gives me lots of areas to learn about and it gives me the freedom to write my silly stuff.
Barbary C. Jan 23, 2013, 9:57am UTC
A prompt to fly away with one's imagination.......

Hope to read these posts.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 1:00pm UTC
You bet I will. The responses should be amazing. I hope you plan to respond - you'll do something wonderful with this prompt.
Betty S. Jan 23, 2013, 10:05am UTC
Pam, there is no way that you are ignorant.. You go where your mind leads you and use your talent for yourself. If you are happy with what you write that's good enough/.
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 1:02pm UTC
Betty, I couldn't agree with you more. If I were too smart I wouldn't be able to write my silly stuff. Heck, I'd probably quit writing or worse, I'd start correcting everyone else. Yuck.
Angela A. Jan 23, 2013, 11:33am UTC
I'm guessing that this prompt is open to interpretation. Because I can see a waste of space in a vacuum, some aliens, some goo... hmmm.
Well, let's see, shall we?
Angela A. Jan 23, 2013, 12:56pm UTC
Here's my prompt: (There's no goo in it, but I think you'll like it just the same)
GoodInventionsLeadToBadIntentions
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 1:04pm UTC
I love everything you write, Angela and it's going to be hard for me to hold off reading it, but I will not allow my office and other duties to distract and keep me from totally enjoying your submission. Why does the office have to get busy on Wednesdays? Sigh. Trust me, I'll be other there soon.
Angela A. Jan 24, 2013, 9:18am UTC
I know you come by whenever you can. I bet I will see you soon. :)
Bill's Spirit Jan 23, 2013, 2:14pm UTC
Nice prompt, Pam. I'm looking forward to seeing what submissions roll in. Space fiction is a favorite of mine.

Now Featured in The Surreal Circus
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 2:49pm UTC
A picture's worth 1,000 words. I don't suppose you have one to share with us?
Bill's Spirit Jan 23, 2013, 2:59pm UTC
I have a digital work that would be absolutely appropriate for this prompt, Pam, but I wrapped in a commitment to not share it until March, for the sake of an online magazine that is currently hosting it.

It is possible that a new pic (or story) might just fall out of me over the next few days. I do love this kind of topic. :-)

- Best To You
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 3:20pm UTC
Bill, that's exciting news. I can wait till March, but I'm hoping a new one will "fall out of you".
Liz H. Jan 23, 2013, 5:06pm UTC
Here's my favorite NASA page. I visit it every morning, to remind myself about the bigger, more beautiful picture: Astronomy Picture of The Day
Pam Brittain Jan 23, 2013, 5:15pm UTC
It's awesome. We have a 4' by 12" picture like that, but of the Milky Way, in our office. I'm with you, it's a reminder that there is a bigger, more beautiful picture.
Liz H. Jan 23, 2013, 8:50pm UTC
They post a new pic every day, and sometimes video with music...Love it!
Ms Lee P. Jan 23, 2013, 11:35pm UTC
Space? Hmmmm, Where's that muse when you need her (or him, or it).
Pam Brittain Jan 24, 2013, 1:36pm UTC
My muse went on vacation - again!
Ms Lee P. Jan 23, 2013, 11:39pm UTC
I am currently at this moment, watching David Letterman. I like Letterman. Tonight he has guests on his show that I haven't got a clue who is, so, I'm waiting to see if I recognize their faces when it's their turn to sit in the chair .... still waiting.
Pam Brittain Jan 24, 2013, 1:36pm UTC
In the meantime, you have 'space' to write. :)
William Dotani Jan 28, 2013, 3:45am UTC
I know many a space case. I guess my favorite Dr. Smith on Lost in Space. This show had a lot of Christian Holy Bible themes, in my opinion.
However, the late night time space has me awake drinking coffee and rather spaced out by the ice storm we're having. I've made preparations in case of power outage. I'd like a couple of beers, but I have to make sure all okay & safe for my wife in case she decides to drive to work. Mr. Ed comes on at 4:30 most days of course. I heard this storm came from the southwest. I imagine New Mexico or Nevada.
Pam Brittain Jan 28, 2013, 4:24pm UTC
Yikes, it sounds fearsome there. Hope you get some rest.

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