The Carrot Ranch Challenge:
In 99 words (no more, no less), write a story inspired by “Literary Artist”.
Click here to hear the author read his words:
The Writer
Three years ago I did a deal with the devil.
I got the darkness, insight and talent; he got my soul.
My first book, a gangland thriller, is a world-wide best-seller.
Translated into twenty-odd languages.
Mega-money movie offers.
Enormous advances on my next three books, already drafted.
So what has it cost me?
Well, my wife, who left me.
My kids, who hate me.
And, after the visit from those very nasty guys recently, the use of my legs.
They said I ‘grassed up’ their brother.
They excised my hands, and my tongue.
But I’m still a renowned writer.
Sound Bite Fiction 
Wow, this is deliciously dark. The last line is brilliant. The poor guy got what he asked for. (Be careful what you ask for)
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An interesting idea popped into my mind, C. — how much of our soul are we willing to empty out to fill the hollow space with the accouterments of success? This gangland thriller novelist still regards the deal because he got what he bargained for. Great crisp writing.
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Be careful what we wish for… isn’t that always the way?
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Absolutely, Colleen, but sometimes, just sometimes, we’re happy to pay the price.
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That’s a good point.
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Your voice gave me chills and made my spine tingle, C.E. I’m not quite sure what ‘grassed up’ means (I’m guessing ratted out?) but it sounds bad. Just ghastly about your tongue and hands; now you can’t even dictate your work! Good thing your next three books are already drafted.
Excellent write and highly approve of your soundtrack!
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Oh Nancy, the thought of your spine tingling…
Yes, grassed, ratted, informed on, all pretty much the same.
I agree, it’s a pretty cool song
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🥰
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It’s the detached tone of the narrator that gives me shivers, the matter of fact list of what it has cost him.
And the final line – spoken in defiance?
Dr Faustus comes to Carrot Ranch! 😏
Powerfully done.
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Well yes, Jenne, it is matter of fact because he wouldn’t change anything.
You’ve got to have a dream…
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Success in writing, like high fashion, apparently requires quite a bit of pain to accomplish. You ask the key question, tho’: is it all worth it?
Phil’s artwork suggests that you can’t excise the colorful, creative mind.
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Whether it’s worth it or not, Liz, we don’t really have a choice, do we?
Glad you noticed Phil’s art, I always feel it adds so much to my words.
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He’s kinda the bomb, yah? 😉
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Laughing.
Not an expression I’d use myself, but pretty accurate nonetheless!
He’s an inspired illustrator/cartoonist, as I think you’ve seen on my YouTube videos, but also an artist of immense talent:
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‘I got the darkness, insight and talent; he got my soul.’
That line..wow…slices right to it. Powerful.
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Cool!
I do appreciate when a short piece hits the target.
Thanks, Kate
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