Yeah, I’m going to try this again.
Partially due to an excessively busy, stroke-avoiding week. And partially because I feel that the two prompts fit so nicely together, they should almost get married and have kids or something.
So, for my second-ever writing prompt Mash-up, I give you my 100 word entry for both Friday Fictioneers and 100 Word Song. I hope you give them both a shot, and as always, I hope you enjoy:
Copyright ~ Janet Webb
You could tell that for the better part of his days, Life had been slowly tearing at Earl’s hide. Fracturing his soul, bit by painful bit. Still, he wouldn’t back down.
He stood before us now, a mere shell of the man he once was. Slightly leaning, but still standing proud.
I asked him, “How’d you pull through? What kept you going?”
His response was telling, “Listen, eventually I’ll be gone. Worm food. I got just one life to make a mark – I’ll be goddamned if I don’t do just that.”
With that, he ambled off, his mark being made.
•••
This week’s song was chosen by one of my favorite 100 Word co-conspirators, Deb with: “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty.
as long as i'm singing 
Love it. Makes me think of the plaster-cast impressions of fossilized dinosaur footprints we get so excited about now (at least, at my house). Just a mark in the sand, or a word on the page, or a throwaway phrase that got stuck. Resonant, that. :-)
Thanks so much Desi – and yeah, that “footprint” idea was what I was going for – showing through even after all the vegetation of time and life has tried to grow over it.
Cool. and thanks for introducing me to a new writing challenge. I’m checking out 100 word song now!
I hope you enjoy it! It can be pretty addictive =)
You and Tom Petty, this is what you have in common.
I like the way you pulled the image of the barn into your description of him, especially in the second paragraph, without using an actual comparison. Good for Earl!
Have a straight-up good weekend,
janet
Thanks Janet, and I hope your weekend has been straight-up good as well =)
Very good story t. It doesn’t suck at all. =) Adore your work. Always will.
Thanks, I’m a pretty big fan of not sucking at all =)
Hahahahaaha! :-)
Gosh… I’m blushing…. one of your favorites? OK. Focus. The opening? OMG. Amazing. Love it. “Life had been slowly tearing at Earl’s hide. Fracturing his soul, bit by painful bit. ” is pure perfection.
Yes, one of my favorites – I love your voice!
And thank you =)
Dear t,
Good strong story of a determined individual. I like Earl. Love the Tom Petty song. One of my favorites.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thank you Rochelle -I’m glad that “Earl” left his mark on you as well =)
“Life had been slowly tearing at Earl’s hide”–a favorite line.
Thanks =]
I wish that I could subliminally implant this message into a certain persons head, no matter what you can always choose to make your mark. Beautiful, t…
Much thanks, and I hope your wish comes true =)
I love your writing, and Earl is a character I hope to see more of. Just the brief conversation with him in this short story said so much about who he is, and it gave me a strong visual to relax into.
I am a bit confused though t~ I read it three times, read the responses, and now I am a little bit embarrassed to say that I don’t have a clue what his “mark” was. Will you please tell me.
Thank you k~, I truly appreciate your appreciation, and I apologize if my writing was muddled on that last point. I was basically trying to express the idea that Earl impressed upon the (much younger) narrator that they had to make this life count, as it was the only one they’ll ever liable to get. Make sense?
Yessss that makes sense indeed. I was looking too hard :-)
Oh good! Remember k~, with me it’s best to always think “simple” =)
That was such a powerful story. Loved it.
Thank you Shirley =)
Great story. So true about leaving one’s mark.
Much thanks, and I’m glad you liked it =]
Carpe Diem, Earl. I fear that I am not making that much of a mark, time to rectify that I think.
love your stories and your voice in this one t.
HUG
Thanks Kir – I’m thinking we leave marks regardless, it’s just that some folks are mindful of what the impression is.
This is one of my favorite songs of ALL time!
Very well done. I like the way you made the barn represent the man. Excellent!
Thanks Abraham!
….represent the man…
The man knows what he wants and will be sure he gets it done. We should all have such a clear vision.
Amen, Joe!
i used to have a whole ranty blog post about that song and how much i admire Tom Petty. have you seen the documentary about him? even if you aren’t a huge fan, i really think you should watch it. SO inspiring, truly! i think i’m gonna watch it again. it’s long too, an investment at like 3 hours, but SO worth it.
I haven’t seen it, but I will try to!
Love & pure awesomesauce!