Fall Writing Frenzy Entry Form
Hello #FallWritingFrenzy Friends-
Yahoo!! Our competition is finally here!
To enter, please scroll down to the FORM, and fill in all the required fields. You can only fill out the form once, and when you do, we will have all your information.
Reminder: please fill it out between October 1 and October 3, 2020 11:59 PM EST.
And if you would like to see other people’s entries, look at the table directly below. You can scroll to the right and click on the link, and you will be directed to that writer’s blog. Please support one another by reading other entries and commenting on them.
If you didn’t post to your blog and/or would like to share your entry here, you can scroll to the bottom to make a comment. But- be sure to fill out the FORM first- we must have that for your entry to be valid.
Please note: the form and the comments are NOT connected. Filling out the form will not create a comment, you have to do that manually. 🙂
Check the FAQs if you have any trouble,
Good luck to all!
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Lydia Lukidis 
March 1, 2022 at 12:08 pm
[…] Fall Writing Frenzy Entry Form « Lydia Lukidis […]
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December 9, 2020 at 9:43 pm
[…] week I will try my best to share 5-8 pieces from the Fall Writing Frenzy Winners that have something similar, a theme, if you will. (Figurative gold star if you get the […]
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November 17, 2020 at 9:48 pm
[…] and how it feels left out when all the other trees and flowers show off their colors. When the Fall Writing Frenzy contest hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis was announced, I looked through […]
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November 6, 2020 at 8:07 am
[…] on over to Lydia’s blog and check it out, read the winning stories by looking them up on the entries page, and congratulate the winners with some #FallWritingFrenzy […]
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November 6, 2020 at 7:08 am
[…] were 354 wonderful entries. It wasn’t easy but guest judge Donna, Kaitlyn, and I have some wonderful winners to share! […]
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October 27, 2020 at 11:47 am
I was excited when Kaitlyn suggested a fun, new writing prompt where we took our original entry and wrote it from a different POV. I don’t have a blog (well not that I keep up on well anyway, ha ha) but I wanted to share my re-write. This is a new POV from my entry “The Stairway in the Woods”. The photo I chose was the jogger in the foggy forest. The abrupt ending in his inner thought monologue is deliberate (and for a spoooooooky reason!)
The Stairway in the Woods
The Beginning
By Amy Van Duyn
“Superstitious fools. There’s no such thing as witches” Mr. Worthington told himself. Darkness and shadows surrounded him, and the fire was waning.
The servants had all left. No one brought his dinner, and no one was there to bring in more firewood. But he wasn’t afraid to go out and get more, no.
“I was right to take it. The forest belongs to me!”
He recalled her words. ”You took my home, now let your home take you!”
Crazy, old crone. There were poorhouses, probably much better than that rundown old shack she had on his land.
Even his wife and daughters were gone. Yet, he could still hear them, calling to him from the upper floor of the manor. “Join us…” He was sure it was just the leaves blowing in the wind.
Retiring for the evening, he lit a candle. No, not because he was scared.
As he began to ascend the stairs, he heard them again, “Join us…”
Had they been upstairs all along? “I’m coming! I’m almost
The fire left only the stairway of the Worthington mansion, but it moves. If it appears to you, don’t climb to the top. Stay out of the forest.
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October 24, 2020 at 1:38 pm
[…] Frenzy FAQs and feel free to keep reading more stories and interacting with each other from the Fall Writing Frenzy Entries page as […]
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October 17, 2020 at 11:55 pm
[…] The deadline has passed to submit a story, but there’s still time to read the amazing entries to the second annual #FallWritingFrenzy contest! Hosted by agent/author Kaitlyn Sanchez and author Lydia Lukadis, this contest offers 36 great prizes. To read the 353 (!) stories: click here. […]
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October 15, 2020 at 11:46 pm
I don’t see my entry probably because I didn’t post it in the right place. Here it is:
YOU AND ME
By Farida Mirza
I see you and you and you.
Do you see me?
I mean, the ‘inside’ me?
The ‘me’ that is different?
I see you glance at me,
the way one glances at a stranger,
when all I do is laugh at a joke,
as does the whole class.
I see more of the same glances
whether I speak or am silent.
I know I am different.
Why? I ask myself and wish I were you.
I know all that you know,
understand all that you do,
have feelings like yours,
can achieve what you can,
and may be sometimes more.
You ask,
Then why don’t you?
‘coz my way is different and I only know mine.
Do it your way then.
I cannot, I need help, you won’t understand.
Try harder, you say.
I do, I struggle all the time.
I have so much to show you, so much to share
If I only knew how.
And when I do, you’ll be surprised.
LikeLiked by 4 people
October 16, 2020 at 12:41 pm
This is such an empowering view into the world of a child who feels different. Well done!
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October 16, 2020 at 11:30 pm
Thank you.
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October 16, 2020 at 11:17 pm
This hit a part of me that not many get to. It’s beautiful.
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October 16, 2020 at 11:31 pm
Thank you.
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October 16, 2020 at 11:26 pm
Forgot to write, Image #5
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October 17, 2020 at 12:35 am
A think piece for kids! This is such a deep and philosophical work but short and accessible to even young children. Would be great for generating discussion about emotions and internal struggles. @AnneLipton
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October 25, 2020 at 12:19 am
Thank you.
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October 24, 2020 at 9:19 pm
Beautiful, emotional, and powerful! I LOVE the last line.
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October 25, 2020 at 12:19 am
Thank you.
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October 14, 2020 at 1:43 pm
Please forgive me. I just realized that I did NOT finish and put the story in the comments. You have to love when kids come up asking for stuff. SO here it is in the comments, almost 2 weeks late.
THE WITCH’S OWN WAY
Eileen knew she was different from the other witches in her coven. Her coven used hexes to strengthen their magic. Eileen knew there was a better way.
Every time the rest of the coven crowded around their cauldron, Eileen snuck off to a quiet meadow. This is where Eileen practiced protection spells.
One day Matthew, a villager, wandered into the meadow as Eileen was working her magic. When he saw Eileen, he froze from fear. Eileen’s head snapped up for she could feel his presence.
Eileen slowly stood up, “I promise I won’t hurt you.”
Matthew was about to reply when a voice cackled, “Yes, please stay.” From out of the shadows, Eileen’s coven appeared surrounding them.
“Don’t hurt him,” Eileen cried.
“You should be home practicing useful magic, not this pathetic weakness,” the coven mistress spat, “This will teach you to betray us!”
The coven mistress sent a hex flying towards Matthew. Swiftly, Eileen performed a protection spell she had been practicing. The spell sent the hex back towards the coven witches, banishing them to the swamp.
Matthew was so grateful, he brought Eileen back to the village where she lived her days practicing magic her way.
LikeLiked by 5 people
October 16, 2020 at 11:10 pm
From the word, ‘meadows’ to the end, a witch story that will comfort many children. I enjoyed reading it.
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October 16, 2020 at 11:16 pm
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it.
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October 17, 2020 at 12:29 am
A wonderful tale of tolerance, kindness, and generosity. @AnneLipton
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October 18, 2020 at 10:07 am
Thank you!
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October 24, 2020 at 9:24 pm
I love the way Eileen follows her heart! Great story, Ashley!
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October 24, 2020 at 9:27 pm
Thank you! I’m hoping to make a longer version that’s more cohesive. I only had about 45 minutes to write this one.
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October 24, 2020 at 9:29 pm
A longer version sounds exciting. I think you did a wonderful job on this one! Good luck!
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October 25, 2020 at 12:14 am
I love happy endings!!! 🙂
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October 25, 2020 at 12:20 am
Thank you!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:18 am
A very funny and entertaining story with spirited wordplay and a satisfying twist ending. “We’ve squashed their plans!” LOL. @AnneLipton
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October 9, 2020 at 8:20 pm
I love your creativity! Cute story idea! I love how the kids made them into decorations. The pumpkins sounded adorable. Good luck, Blair!
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October 9, 2020 at 7:57 pm
Love your creativity and the catchy Howl-O-Ween voice! They “settled in their den” and clapped “furry paws.” LOL. Fang and Beastie are perfect names for werewolves, and I am over the moon for your line, “‘Aroo,’ howled Fang.” @AnneLipton
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October 7, 2020 at 10:03 am
[…] Fall Writing Frenzy selections are already off to a wonderful start, three matches have already been made by their […]
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October 6, 2020 at 10:54 am
Hi my dear. Just to let you know that I haven’t been able to post anymore comments. Not sure why but pretty sure that it’s just something I’m doing! have a great day.
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October 7, 2020 at 9:49 am
I entered on time but my story seemed to disappeared. It is the Halloween Season after all It is being resubmitted with permission of the the organizers.:
NEVER VEX A PIXIE 199 words based on picture #13
A pixie flew over the forest. “Ah Autumn”
She sprinkled pixie dust. The leaves changed until the forest filled with color. The only green that remained was on evergreens except one stubborn leaf.
“That leaf!” Pixie flew down to it, not noticing a boy hiding. “Transform!”
The leaf shook his head no.
“My final warning…
Leaf blushed red and remained that way.
“Hi, Sy Enz, student scientist here. Leaves color change is chemical. Chlorophyll the chemical that makes food for plants then breaks down. The green disappears when the temperature gets colder and the days get shorter. The other colors that were hidden now appear.”
“No magic,” Pixie said.
“It’s nature.…” Sy said.
“Can’t talk, gotta help animals get ready for winter,” Pixie flapped her wings.
“Animals do it by instinct,” Sy said.
“Hey Mr. Know-it-all, how about this?”Pixie raised her hands and stomped her feet. A shower of dust covered Sy.
“W-w-wait, I’m sorry. Everyone is entitled to believe in magic,¨ Sy croaked as he transformed to a toad.
¨Enjoy, your Autumn then,” Pixie smiled. ¨Bye!¨
Sy didn’t answer. He just hopped away.
“Don’t worry Sy, you’ll change back eventually.”
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October 7, 2020 at 3:48 pm
Ha ha love it. Love the battle of science and magic
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October 15, 2020 at 9:17 am
Thanks Laura! It is a constant battle.
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October 7, 2020 at 8:49 pm
Funny, so did he change back or not? Love it, there’s magic in science.
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October 9, 2020 at 10:10 am
Yes, he changed back. Just not right away, this sprite is spiteful!
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October 8, 2020 at 10:58 pm
Really adorable ending! I love how you snuck science facts into this fiction piece. Wonderful!
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October 15, 2020 at 10:39 am
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it’1
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October 10, 2020 at 1:12 am
Hahaha! Love that magic wins! Big-believer of magic speaking!
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October 10, 2020 at 1:51 pm
Hahaha nice ending. Never talk back to a pixie 😉
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October 10, 2020 at 4:07 pm
Science v. Magic! Great job Denise!
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October 10, 2020 at 8:11 pm
Haha, Love the ending, D!
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October 11, 2020 at 1:06 pm
I love the way you mixed science and magic together. Great ending! Nice!
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October 15, 2020 at 2:40 pm
How fun! Kids will love it.
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October 17, 2020 at 12:23 am
LOL. Looks like Pixie got the last laugh! What a wonderful science lesson with a sweet spoonful of magic—and heaps of good humor. @AnneLipton
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October 5, 2020 at 4:24 pm
The Pumpkin Parade
By Ashley Bray
Crispy brown crunches under the wobbly wheelbarrow.
“Faster!”
Sun kissed kids bound along the garden path.
Their excited squeals echo in the empty air.
Moms and dads lagging behind with the littlest ones.
They have waited all summer.
First fragile flowers,
then shy squash
peaking through green leaves,
And now, glorious garden giants.
Burnt orange to ghoulish pale green.
Leathery, lumpy, bumpy.
Loose leaves swirl in airborne summersaults,
gathering in corners,
and conspiring against the cold.
They have waited all summer.
“Hooray!”
Gleeful children begin their inspection
both meticulous and haphazard.
Knocking, rubbing, rolling, lifting.
“Careful of the stem!”
Cornstalks whistling in approval,
rustling their applause.
Sunflowers droop for a closer view.
Toothy, gaping grins
in the spaces stolen seeds have left behind.
Wagons fill,
Atlantic Giant, Fairytale,
Casper,
Pie.
Each hollow canvas full of possibility.
Will it be
Early King, Funny Face, Big Moon, or
One Too Many?
Finally,
each selection carefully made,
each child’s face smudged and dirty,
tired and content.
It is time to leave,
parents shepherd them away and groan
under the weight of pumpkin plenty.
The field becomes quiet,
light and warmth losing their hold on the land.
The waiting begins again.
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October 6, 2020 at 9:30 am
Ashley, I was in the pumpkin patch right with you.What lovely imagery your wrote. I never knew that there were so many types of pumpkins. I love learning something new!
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October 8, 2020 at 10:38 pm
Such lovely, playful detail. When I was a pre-k teacher, we would field trip to the pumpkin patch every year. On the bus ride back, the kids would all fall asleep. One by one, their heads would bob and their pumpkins would plunk to the floor and roll to the front of the bus. The teachers just scooped up the next pumpkin, wrote the kid’s name with a sharpie, and put it in a basket at the front of the bus. lolol!! Sometimes, it was hard to tell which one belonged to who, because they’d fall asleep at the same time!
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October 10, 2020 at 1:54 pm
Such strong imagery and sense of place! And love the personification of all the autumn plants. You made me feel like I was out at a patch.
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October 10, 2020 at 8:13 pm
Well done, Ashley. You took me back to the pumpkin patch with my little boys!
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October 11, 2020 at 1:04 pm
Love all the beautiful imagery. Makes me feel as if I’m right in the story! Nice!
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October 11, 2020 at 3:04 pm
Loved the atmosphere and imagery of this – I’m based in the UK and haven’t come across this sort of outing to the pumpkin patch to select pumpkins – it sounds lovely!
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October 17, 2020 at 12:19 am
Great Pumpkin story! You really give them personality! Lovely action and language, too. @AnneLIpton
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October 5, 2020 at 3:53 pm
Ten Little Trick o’ Treaters
By Rozana Rajkumari
Ten little trick o’ treaters went out in a line;
The shadow claimed one and then there were Nine.
Nine little trick o’ treaters jumped across a gate;
One got impaled and then there were Eight.
Eight little trick o’ treaters found a raven;
It poked one’s eyes out and then there were Seven.
Seven little trick o’ treaters playing tricks;
One got spooked and then there were Six.
Six little trick o’ treaters went for a drive;
One got crushed and then there were Five.
Five little trick o’ treaters going out for more;
One choked on the candy and then there were Four.
Four little trick o’ treaters passing by the cemetery;
One stayed behind and then there were Three.
Three little trick o’ treaters making a brew;
One fell in the hot cauldron and then there were Two.
Two little trick o’ treaters hiding in an oven;
One was overdone and then there was One.
One little trick o’ treater left all alone;
He walked off a cliff and then there were None.
My entry was inspired by Image #2 (the poem is YA level and above).
WC 176
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October 6, 2020 at 12:48 pm
What a ghoulish update on a classic! W Glad I wasn’t among your trick-or-treaters
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October 6, 2020 at 8:36 pm
A little morbid I admit, thanks for reading! 🙂
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October 7, 2020 at 10:35 am
It fits the mood and theme of the Halloween season and it was my pleasure!
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October 7, 2020 at 3:58 pm
How ghastly! Fabulous!
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October 8, 2020 at 9:41 am
Thank you 🙂
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October 9, 2020 at 9:04 am
This made me laugh out loud! How clever and creepy!!
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October 11, 2020 at 10:43 pm
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!
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October 10, 2020 at 8:16 pm
Perfectly creepy! I like it:)
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October 11, 2020 at 10:44 pm
Thank you!
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October 11, 2020 at 1:01 pm
Love all the creepy creative ways you found to count down. Perfect for Halloween!
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October 11, 2020 at 10:46 pm
Thank you! I enjoyed counting down too hehehe.
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October 25, 2020 at 2:12 pm
Fantastic! Reminds me of ‘Struwwelpeter’ a little bit. https://www.buzzfeed.com/de/annaaridzanjan/the-most-disturbing-childrens-book-is-from-germany
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October 5, 2020 at 12:44 pm
Love this story, Mia. I just read it aloud, and my little guy wanted to hear more about Fang and Beastie. 🙂 Great ending!
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October 5, 2020 at 4:37 am
Great work! Love it!!!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:59 pm
Green Witch
Claire knew the spell for spring. At the end of winter, she mixed herbs and light, water and warmth into her cauldron. Green steam swirled up from the pot and slowly, slowly, the prairie bloomed into life.
But today was the autumnal equinox. As autumn witches prepared the prairie for winter, the grasses turned gold, then brown, then dusty white. Claire stood in the rustling stalks, her face red as the maple grove.
Claire understood the cycle of the seasons—growing, fullness, fading, rest. She understood the plants withered now so they could grow again in spring. But she felt like she was withering, too.
She cradled a thin stem laden with seed pods and pictured its roots spreading deep under the soil. A thought unfurled. Even through the dead of winter, the prairie must stay alive underground.
So Claire mixed herbs and light, water and warmth, into her cauldron again. Green steam swirled up from the pot and disappeared. But when she held the seeds and brushed her fingers on the ground, she could feel it—a single drop of spring in every seed and every root to keep them warm through the winter.
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October 4, 2020 at 6:06 pm
(Image 12. 195 words.)
Also on my blog! ciaragreenwalt.com/writing
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October 5, 2020 at 9:11 am
Lovely! I like the internal rhyme and use of alliteration. Good job!
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October 5, 2020 at 10:17 am
Your description of Claire’s emotions, actions and understanding of the seasons are so descriptive. I felt Claire’s emotion and her despair of the coming winter but then she did what she had to do for Autumn. Loved that she put a single drop of spring in every see and root so they survived the winter.
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October 5, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Love your story! Your words evoke such imagery.
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October 5, 2020 at 1:01 pm
I love that Claire is a good witch as shown through the hope she is sowing.
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October 5, 2020 at 10:41 pm
The imagery is lovely that you’ve conjured up with your words.
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October 5, 2020 at 11:28 pm
I love this story Ciara! You illustrate so vividly how magical nature is… with and without magic:) Well done and good luck!!
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October 6, 2020 at 9:17 am
Lovely use of language!
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October 6, 2020 at 9:44 am
Wish I had a spell to stay warm through the winter! Great idea for a story, Ciara.
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October 6, 2020 at 11:05 am
What a ghoulish twist and modern update to an old classic. Well done and it gave me the chills.
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October 11, 2020 at 12:58 pm
Beautiful story! I love the seasonal images you create. Nice!
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October 13, 2020 at 1:12 pm
I love the positive message. Apt for out times.
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October 16, 2020 at 11:21 pm
Lovely images and beautiful vocabulary.
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October 17, 2020 at 12:16 am
Such a hopeful, heartwarming, and literary story. You really dug deep into your character and her emotions. @AnneLipton
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October 4, 2020 at 2:42 pm
This is adorable, Blair!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:16 pm
This is such a cute story! Love this!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:06 pm
Gullible Pumpkins
By Anne Weaver
Image #3
Abby had a tendency to be gullible, especially when the McAllister brothers were involved.
So when they found a dusty, leather-bound book at the neighborhood yard sale, the brothers had the perfect prank in the making.
“An old book of Witchcraft Incantations!” they showed Abby. “Totally authentic.”
Abby opened the book. The boys shrieked. “Did you just open directly to page thirty-one?! That’s a curse!”
“Anyone who opens that page turns into… a PUMPKIN. At dusk. On the next Old Hallows Eve!”
Abby’s eyes went wide. The brothers fought back laughter.
Deep down, she knew it was ridiculous. But Abby couldn’t help but wonder if there was truth to the magic.
With thirteen days to Halloween, wonder turned to worry. Her chest tangled tighter with each new pumpkin on the street. By the 31st, Abby was all knots.
She knew the McCallisters might be messing with her. She didn’t even like magic! But she paced and paced just the same. The sky grew darker, until—
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
But it wasn’t Abby who screamed.
She rushed outside. Every pumpkin on the street… HAD COME ALIVE!!! And they were all stampeding after the McAllister brothers.
Perhaps Abby liked magic after all.
LikeLiked by 9 people
October 4, 2020 at 1:34 pm
Halloween magic!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:52 pm
Wahahaha! Run, McAllister brothers! Nice job, Anne!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Fun ending!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:18 pm
Awww, what a cute ending!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:14 pm
Love your great pacing, clever word choices (like “dusty, leather-bound book” and
“stampeding), and the twiste(ed) ending. Your Halloween story serves as a vivid reminder that cursing someone else can come back to haunt you. @AnneLipton
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October 4, 2020 at 7:49 pm
Haha! So funny. I really enjoyed this.
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October 5, 2020 at 10:21 am
Anne, love the twist at the end that the McAllister boys got what they deserved for pulling pranks on Abby. I wonder if that book really what magical or was it just because it is Halloween.
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October 5, 2020 at 1:03 pm
Ha ha! Serves those McAllister brothers right! Fun read. Good luck!
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October 6, 2020 at 9:47 am
Halloween karma. What a fun story!
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October 7, 2020 at 4:19 pm
Great twist!
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October 10, 2020 at 1:53 pm
OOO1O! Sic those mean McAllisters pumpkins! Great ending and imaginative story, Anne
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October 11, 2020 at 12:55 pm
Great Halloween story! Love the Halloween Karma! Nice!
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October 11, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Well written – I could really empathize with Abby’s feelings as she counts down the days until Halloween – then the satisfying ending as the brothers get their just deserts!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:17 am
Blair, this is so cute and such an original. You are so gifted with words and creativity.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 11:51 pm
Image #8
LEAF JUMP
By Mary Beth Rice
Welcome leaves,
Falling from the trees and blowing in from Neighbor’s yard.
Come one! Come all! Gather for the joyous jump—the wild romp!
Shapes and sizes aplenty;
Creamy yellows…burnt oranges…fiery reds…brittle browns
Jagged edged Oak…soft curvy Viburnum…bright Maple…huge Catalpa.
Rakes in hand,
drag stubbornly across the lawn,
catching acorns, leaves and other debris from long gone summer storms.
Brother and I pull the crunch and color into a huge pile.
Enormous…Massive
Gargantuan!
Next is backing up as far as the fence will allow.
We count.
One Two Three!
Running with abandon—deep dive in!
Hidden from view, but then…
Breaking out as a surprise to ourselves and anyone watching!
Jumping high—fistfuls of leaves tossed in the air,
Landing on the ground with flecks of crimson glitter caught in our hair,
woven in the threads of our sweaters and clinging to our socks
We laugh— deep fearless belly laughs,
Lying in the leaves
Hand in hand.
While the golden leaves, still hugging the Cottonwood, shake in the breeze.
The sound of applause.
Autumn is here!
LikeLiked by 10 people
October 4, 2020 at 4:01 am
Your imagery of an Autumn day is beautiful, loved it.
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October 5, 2020 at 12:39 am
Thank you, Stacey!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:44 am
I love this! Makes me want to go find my own pile to jump through! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:56 am
Great imagery!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:06 am
Oh my goodness! Beautifully done. Good luck!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:53 pm
That was beautiful, Mary Beth! You took me back to my childhood!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:21 pm
I love your word choices!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:29 pm
The palpable energy of this playful piece is heightened by your gorgeous descriptions and vivid sensory details, especially the contrasts of “creamy yellows” and “brittle brown,” “jagged” and “curvy,” and “the joyous jump—the wild romp” with rakes dragging “stubbornly across the lawn.” I love “flecks of crimson glitter,” too. Brava for such a virtuoso performance. I join in the sound of applause. @AnneLipton
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October 4, 2020 at 7:50 pm
This brings back some fun childhood memories! Thanks for sharing.
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October 5, 2020 at 10:25 am
Your story made me remember that raking Autumn leaves is not a tedious but a time of abandoned play especially for children.
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October 5, 2020 at 11:23 am
Very nice!
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October 5, 2020 at 1:06 pm
Written like a true lover of the changing of the seasons. Thanks for taking us into the experience with your MC.
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October 5, 2020 at 4:58 pm
Lovely imagery. Makes me remember playing in the leaves as a kid!
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October 6, 2020 at 9:49 am
This story evokes so many wonderful fall memories. Beautiful use of language.
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October 6, 2020 at 10:41 am
Beautifully written!
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October 8, 2020 at 12:47 pm
I wrote about this image too and I absolutely love the energy you have infused into your story, Super!
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October 13, 2020 at 1:16 pm
Another #8-er here. Beautifully done!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:14 pm
In October
by Lauren Neil
word count: 194
Misty morning,
Sunshine and shadows.
The road stretches
Like my cat
Waking up from a nap.
The promise of hot apple cider
Lingers
As my breath fogs up the window
And I draw shapes
While my sister sings
A made-up song
About pumpkins.
Are we there yet?
I know we’re close
When we cross the bridge
And the cars line up
Like ants on a log
Inching along
Until we park.
The gravel crunches
And there is orange
So much orange
A mountain of pumpkins
And signs pointing
To the hay ride
And the corn maze
And sand art
And face painting
And pony rides
And flower picking
And ice cream
And hot apple cider.
Mom takes my hand
And we make silly faces
As we pose in the wood cutout
That says “Sweet Fall Farm”.
My sister paints a pumpkin
While I pick out clothes for a scarecrow
And stuff him full of scratchy straw
That makes me sneeze.
The hayride is haunted
With ghosts who go to school
and pick “Boo-berries”.
And soon our feet are dragging
As we buckle up.
Bright sun shining,
The long road stretches
To lead us home.
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October 3, 2020 at 11:15 pm
Forgot to add – Image #10!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:02 am
I love this story, I want to dive into that beautiful day
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October 6, 2020 at 10:50 am
Thank you so much Stacey. It was certainly taken from memories of days like this in the past.
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October 4, 2020 at 9:43 am
Beautiful descriptions! I can picture it all!
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October 6, 2020 at 10:50 am
Thank you so much for your kind words!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:09 am
A child’s delight! I picture them asleep on the way home, with faint smiles on their exhausted faces.
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October 4, 2020 at 3:26 pm
This sounds just like the farm we visited!
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October 6, 2020 at 10:52 am
It is certainly based on our trips to a pumpkin patch in years past. I’m glad you made the connection as well!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:45 pm
Simply magical, right down to the Boo-berries. You cast quite a spell with words, Lauren. I love all your incredible imagery. Your lines, “The road stretches/Like my cat/Waking up from a nap” put me in mind of Sandburg’s famous line “The fog comes on little cat feet.” Did I just compare you to the great American poet Carl Sandburg? Why yes, yes, I did. And I know it’s a well-thought-out piece when I can guess the #FallWritingFrenzy image it draws from without even looking. (I saw later that you posted that it was image #10, as I’d thought.) Keep making magic!
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October 6, 2020 at 10:54 am
Wow. Thank you so much for this. So often we write in a vacuum, wondering if anything we write will ever connect and it’s moments like reading this comment that help keep me going. So thank you so much for taking the time to write such a lovely comment – it meant the world to me to read your kind words.
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October 4, 2020 at 7:47 pm
Sounds like a great day of fun autumn memories! I love it.
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October 6, 2020 at 10:55 am
Thank you so much! It’s based on a pumpkin patch we’ve gone to every year so definitely taken from happy memories.
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October 5, 2020 at 10:29 am
Who doesn’t enjoy spending the day enjoying the colored leaves, hayrides, pumpkins, apple cider and so much more when going to Sweet Fall Farm or any far. Your story celebrates Autumn fun!
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October 6, 2020 at 10:55 am
Thank you for your kind words. We go to a pumpkin patch like this every year so it was fun to relive the memory and share it here. 🙂
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October 5, 2020 at 1:08 pm
This sounds much more elaborate and much more fun than any of our pumpkin picking experiences. Great job taking us along for the ride!
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October 6, 2020 at 10:56 am
Thank you Colleen! It is based on a farm we go to every year and it actually has all of those activities (and more! – yes, it’s kind of bananas, but so much fun for the kids!). It was fun to relive the memories and share them here.
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October 7, 2020 at 3:32 pm
It would be a lot of fun to experience!
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October 5, 2020 at 5:00 pm
All the colors, smells, tastes and images of Fall! Beautiful!
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October 6, 2020 at 10:57 am
Thank you so much Judy. I’m glad you connected with all of the sensory language. Fall is such a wonderful time of year for the senses. 🙂
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October 6, 2020 at 9:51 am
You packed a lot of great images and autumn activities into this lovely piece!
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October 6, 2020 at 10:57 am
Thank you Connie! It was fun to share this here and I’m so happy to hear it resonated with you. 🙂
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October 10, 2020 at 1:57 pm
Your story is so sensory, Lauren! I especially enjoyed your similes–road stretches like my cat and cars line up like ants on a log. Great writing!
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October 14, 2020 at 11:19 am
Thank you so much Jill! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. 🙂
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October 11, 2020 at 3:13 pm
Lovely!
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October 14, 2020 at 11:20 am
Thank you so much Claire! 🙂
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October 16, 2020 at 11:36 pm
Your piece is loaded with memories children can relate to. Lovely.
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October 27, 2020 at 10:52 am
Thank you so much Farida!
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October 27, 2020 at 2:05 pm
Thank you so much.
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October 3, 2020 at 10:50 pm
TRICK OR TREAT GANG
By: Andrew Fairchild
“You guys ready for tonight?” Melody whispered.
“Ms. Winters,” Ms. Spellman shouted, scratching on the blackboard. “I hear and see EVERYTHING.”
She whirled around. Her fiery hair piled atop a pointy head and piercing eyes shielded by enormous spectacles perched at the tip of her nose.
Suddenly the bell rang.
“Happy Halloween.” Ms. Spellman smirked as we all darted out of her class, covering our eyes.
“WOW! That was creepy.” Melody’s voice quivered.
“I felt like she was trying to read my mind.” Anthony said.
Max laughed. “Come on guys. Ms. Spellman is not a witch.”
“Ok Max,” Beverly said looking down at him. “Then you can trick or treat her house – alone.”
“I’m not scared,” Max replied. “You will see…”
That night, Beverly decided Ms. Spellman’s house would be first.
“Does anybody live here?” Melody asked.
The house dark, a faint light flickered through a shattered window. Tracks of missing children trailed through the withered grass.
“STOP SHOVING!” Max said. “I’m going!”
“We’ll wait right here,” Anthony said.
Max suddenly disappeared into the tall maze.
“Where is he?” Melody panicked.
Max cried out, it was the type of scream that made your blood run cold.
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October 4, 2020 at 4:04 am
What a cliffhanger…I want to read the rest.
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October 4, 2020 at 10:47 am
I might have to work on that. Thank you.
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October 4, 2020 at 9:42 am
Wow! The perfect scary story!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:45 am
Thank you Jill.
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October 4, 2020 at 10:11 am
Spooky! Good luck.
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October 4, 2020 at 10:45 am
Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to read my story.
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October 4, 2020 at 2:57 pm
“Tracks of missing children trailed through the withered grass, ” nice, creepy line! Love it:)
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October 4, 2020 at 4:53 pm
Such authentic dialogue. Reads like a screenplay! @AnneLipton
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October 4, 2020 at 7:49 pm
Creepy, suspenseful fun, Andrew! (Hopefully you never had a teacher like Ms. Spellman!) So what happens next? Hopefully this is to be continued …
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October 4, 2020 at 7:51 pm
Yikes! Scary ending. My second grade teacher was just like this, lol.
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October 5, 2020 at 1:10 pm
Somehow I knew it was not going to end well for poor Max. Good luck!
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October 5, 2020 at 5:10 pm
Wow! This took a dark turn I wasn’t expecting. Great cliffhanger ending.
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October 6, 2020 at 9:52 am
I want to read more!
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October 6, 2020 at 11:11 am
Oh no! What happened to Max? Is Ms. Spellman really a witch? You left too many questions unanswered. Hope you’re busy writing.
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October 7, 2020 at 4:22 pm
Eek
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October 8, 2020 at 12:50 pm
ohhh! love being left to guess what happens next.
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October 9, 2020 at 12:08 am
This gave me “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” vibes! Perhaps Ms. Spellman is a long lost aunt. Also, you named one of your characters “Beverly” and not Everly! Is Beverly making a comeback that I don’t know about? : )
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October 11, 2020 at 10:48 pm
Creepy and a perfect setting!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:48 pm
“Becoming Lycanthrope, Again” – image #13
By Elizabeth Steiner
“Going back isn’t easy,” flinging his chin right then coming towards me eagerly. “The pack isn’t forgiving.”
Sucking in the sharp smell of him, “You knew I wouldn’t stay.” Looking at my hands, turning them over, studying, “Too domesticating here.”
“Fine. Go West,” he snarls. “Walk until the Oaks and Sweetgums go orange. Walk until the Longleaf and Loblolly give way to the rise of mountains. When you find the Cedars in the craggy soil, damp with clouds, you’ve made it. IF you get to the Cedars, the journey will do most of the work. But it’ll take more time, more becoming before the smell of this place, this life gives way…” His voice breaking,
“If you survive a year then maybe they’ll accept you back.” Emphasizing the “they’ll” with the distinctive rise of the chin, the elongated neck, the reared shoulders. He shudders at his own muscle memory taking over. His mind wanting to forget what his body can’t. There is a howling in the distance but I can’t be certain.
Looking West, “I’m sorry, really. We’re not, I’m not…made for this world. We both knew that.” Certain now, I begin the becoming at a sprint.
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October 4, 2020 at 4:05 am
Wow, I would love to know what happens next!
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October 5, 2020 at 1:31 pm
Thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:39 am
I love this! Nice!
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October 5, 2020 at 1:38 pm
Thank you, Jill!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:05 pm
This richly layered tale reads like a legend or myth and conveys such a palpable sense of otherness and alienation. Also, I first read the last word as “spirit,” and honestly, I think that works, too. Especially after the “I’m not . . . made for this world.” Preternaturally good. @AnneLIpton
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October 5, 2020 at 1:44 pm
Thank you, Anne! And I just re-read it and “spirit” was what my brain read too. The imagination gets what it wants, I suppose;) Thank you for your kindness and read.
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October 4, 2020 at 6:40 pm
Great voice!
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October 5, 2020 at 1:12 pm
What a great narrative. I love your imagery and mood. Well done.
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October 6, 2020 at 9:51 pm
Thank you!
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October 7, 2020 at 10:27 am
Ooooh! I would love to read more!
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October 9, 2020 at 12:11 am
I’m imagining two cats or two wolves talking. So fun and creative!
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October 13, 2020 at 10:52 am
It never easy to leave your family (or pack in this case) to be independent. Sometimes you have to make it on your own especially if you don’t fit in. Is this a test all (I assume) werewolves have to go through?
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October 3, 2020 at 10:29 pm
(Inspired by Image #2 197 words)
THE END IS NEAR
By Cindy Williams Schrauben
Charlie picked dried glue out from under her splintered fingernails, checked the clock again, and calculated the time until the inevitable eruption.
In approximately two hours, fifty-six minutes and twenty-two seconds, I will be ejected helplessly through that crater (also known as the door to my fifth grade classroom). No time-lapse, no control, and no turning back.
But, that wasn’t the worst of Charlie’s worries. After a quick seventy-six day dormant period, she would be plunged into Lake Kitt Middle — a school infamous for pressure, chaos, and judgement (hence, it’s nickname The Snake Pit. Though Charlie would have named it Arm Pit for its stench alone). It felt as if death was staring her in the face.
As usual, she planned to slip into the lunch line quickly, grab a piece of pizza, and bolt to her quiet corner in the art room. She counted the floor tiles from her classroom to the cafeteria. Beginning at 54¾ as usual, she ensured that the toe of her Chucks landed squarely in the center of each tile. Even that didn’t keep her from fretting over the fix she was in.
She had only made it to tile # 23 when …
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October 4, 2020 at 4:07 am
You describe Charlie’s anxiety so well. Lovely story!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:29 am
This is great! It leaves me wanting more!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:03 pm
Cindy, you got me. If only this was a 1000 word contest!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:09 pm
The suspense is killing me!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:49 pm
Your spot-on descriptions and thoughtful details take us to school and bring Charlie to life! @AnneLipton
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October 5, 2020 at 12:32 am
I felt like I was back in junior high again. Charlie’s angst is real. I want to read more!
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October 5, 2020 at 1:15 pm
What is next for poor Charlie? Does she even make it to middle school? I want to know what happens next as well.
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October 6, 2020 at 4:20 pm
Suspense and a cliffhanger! Terrific buildup–more please.
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October 7, 2020 at 10:29 am
Wow. A lot of amazing concepts packed into this story. Well done!
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October 13, 2020 at 10:56 am
Oh my, poor Charli! Going to a new school is always tough. I would love to read what happens at tile # 23!
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October 16, 2020 at 11:41 pm
There is rising tension in the story. I cannot wait to find out what happens next!
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October 3, 2020 at 9:42 pm
The haunted Forest by Jill Burns Image #6
Into the haunted forest I flee.
I must run faster.
Rumbling and roaring they’re after me.
I must run faster.
Like creamy dark ink, the fog hides my path.
I must run faster.
The monsters are gaining–I’ll soon feel their wrath.
I must run faster.
Hot on my heels, their sizzling stench burns.
I must run faster.
I’m twisting past trees and tripping through turns.
I must run faster.
A blood curdling shriek escapes from my lips.
I must run faster.
Claws tear through my flesh from my neck to my hips.
I must run faster.
I choke and I gasp as the ground turns blood red.
I must run faster.
The monsters are feasting and now I’m quite dead.
Did I run faster?
“Yes! Nine seconds faster…new record!,” I chime.
I did run faster!
When I scare myself silly it works every time.
LikeLiked by 12 people
October 3, 2020 at 9:45 pm
Yikes! This did not post right.
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October 7, 2020 at 4:25 pm
Ha ha love the beat running through and the twist at the end. Very entertaining.
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October 11, 2020 at 2:35 pm
Thank you so much, Laura!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:12 am
Love this story, the urgency in the words.
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October 4, 2020 at 8:15 am
Thank you so much, Stacey!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:01 am
Ha. I love it!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:53 pm
Thank you, Cindy
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October 4, 2020 at 11:35 am
Great. love the building of the story, and the increasing of pace, and just as I was thinking, dwelling on the gruesome line a happy unexpected twist arrived. Nice idea.
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October 4, 2020 at 3:54 pm
Thank you so much!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:20 pm
Funny twist ending! Cool!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:56 pm
Thank you so much!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:36 pm
What a twist to the ending!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:59 pm
Thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Creepy, yet funny!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:51 pm
Thank you, Karyn!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:51 pm
The ending made me LOL! @AnneLipton
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October 4, 2020 at 6:04 pm
Glad it made you laugh, Anne! 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 7:50 pm
Great surprise ending! I loved it!
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October 5, 2020 at 12:24 pm
Thank you, Kathy!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:09 pm
Good runner’s tip! LOL. And a nine-second gain in a race is awesome!!!
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October 5, 2020 at 12:38 pm
Thanks, Michelle! If I actually had monsters chasing me, I’d probably freeze. LOL
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October 5, 2020 at 2:15 am
Great inspirational twist! I do that to reach my goals too. Not with running but writing, swimming and other things! Good luck, Jill!
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October 5, 2020 at 12:40 pm
Thank you so much, Ranjeeta! That’s great that you do that with your other goals. Good luck to you, Ranjeeta!
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October 5, 2020 at 6:00 am
This is SO well done! Your vivid description and use of repetition made for a suspenseful read, and then the ending was really clever.
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October 5, 2020 at 12:48 pm
Thank you so much for your kind words, Jennifer! Good luck to you!
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October 5, 2020 at 9:13 am
This had me hanging on the edge of my seat from the first line. Great job!!
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October 5, 2020 at 12:53 pm
Thank you so much, Tara. Good luck to you!
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October 5, 2020 at 11:17 am
The sense of urgency just pulls you right in! The ending was actually a bit of a relief.
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October 5, 2020 at 12:59 pm
Thank you so much, Dianna. Good luck to you!
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October 5, 2020 at 1:17 pm
Oh my goodness! That child has a strange way of motivating herself. Great job building the suspense, but ending on a positive note! Good luck!
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October 11, 2020 at 2:37 pm
Thank you Colleen! Good luck to you!
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October 5, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Like sitting on a roller coaster, I felt terrified for most of the ride but then came that welcome relief. That was fun! Thank you and good luck.
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October 11, 2020 at 2:38 pm
Thank you for your kind words! Good luck to you!
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October 7, 2020 at 10:31 am
Great buildup to a wonderful ending!
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October 11, 2020 at 2:44 pm
Thank you so much, Connie!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:36 pm
Great story, Jill. The rhythm of story works perfectly with the context, just like running. It is suspenseful, fun to read, and has the perfect ending. I love it.
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October 19, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Thank you for your kind words, Linda!
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October 13, 2020 at 11:00 am
The refrain I must run faster really amped the terror and urgency the runner faced. I really thought the runner was a goner until the last few lines.
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October 19, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Thank you so much, Denise!
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October 13, 2020 at 3:21 pm
WOW! I was blown away by the creepiness, the urgency and the pace. Loved your details and brilliant ending – nice work!
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October 19, 2020 at 4:07 pm
Thank you so much for your kind words, Jen.
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October 3, 2020 at 9:32 pm
Autumn’s Treasure
by Carla Bourne
Inspired by Image #5
Treasures were always found before breakfast-time. Autumn could sense it in the crisp breeze that tangled her curls. The leaves crackled in agreement as she trampled them under her boots.
Yesterday’s prize had been slightly bruised candy sweet apples. They’d been ripped down by night storms whose turbulence marked the changing seasons. Last week, clambering into tree forks revealed a camouflaged squirrel drey. The cache was overflowing. The busy boarder probably had not missed the few nuts she’d flinched.
Today, the skeletal arms of the giant Maple tree beckoned her. Its large trunk grew increasingly imposing as she approached. The tree had shed its brilliant red coat earlier than usual and the leaves formed a carpet spread out from the base. As she looked up, the entire sky was broken into little patches through the bare limbs. Something drifted down towards her as she squinted against the glare. Her little fingers reached up in anticipation. It was the last of the magnificent Maple’s leaf-fall.
Her mother’s voice calling her for breakfast caught her attention. She drew her treasure closer, inhaling the woody scent. Autumn hoped that pancakes drenched in warm maple syrup would be waiting for her inside.
LikeLiked by 7 people
October 4, 2020 at 4:16 am
Lovely, I especially loved ‘whose turbulence marked the changing seasons’.
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October 4, 2020 at 9:26 am
Beautiful descriptions! I love the way you captured the last leaf of the season!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:06 pm
That was really nice, Carla. Beautiful descriptive writing:)
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October 4, 2020 at 5:57 pm
You pack so much delicious description into so few words. Glad Autumn secured her magnificent treasure. Hope she piles up the pancakes, too. @AnneLipton
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October 5, 2020 at 1:19 pm
Excellent use of details.
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October 7, 2020 at 10:35 am
Wonderful images encompassing all of the senses, as you evoke the magic of the fall season.
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October 3, 2020 at 9:31 pm
Image 15 – Diwali
My Dear Child,
You asked a great question: Will Diwali happen in 2020? I had to think long and hard about this. Given the disasters of the world, our nations, and our home life, all we seem to focus on is the darkness enveloping us. But you deserve a ray of hope. The answer is yes. We may not be able to gather at the temple before dawn, house-hop all day, or share sweets and snacks with our loved ones. But, yes, we will celebrate Diwali this year.
We will celebrate the victory of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. We must revitalize our minds and hearts. Let us light diya this Diwali as a reminder to exhaust ourselves, to spread our inner light. With your inspiration, our family will recount all forms of wealth: health, strength, community support, love, and new beginnings…because lately, it has been easy to forget our blessings.
My child, your eyes shine with a fire to swallow darkness. Project that burning energy into the world – your illuminating spirit will guide us forward. We will celebrate especially this year, for you are our hope, our light, our wealth.
With All My Love,
Maa
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October 3, 2020 at 10:55 pm
That is so beautiful!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:02 am
We need hope and light. This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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October 4, 2020 at 4:21 am
What a lovely story!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:01 am
I love the important sentiments behind this and the gentle, inspiring way you have expressed them! Good luck in the contest!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:24 am
I love this and the hope that it brings! Beautiful!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:07 am
This is very powerful. 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 3:08 pm
“My child, your eyes shine with a fire to swallow darkness” beautiful, Brinda!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:37 pm
This is such a heartfelt letter and I think it resonates with parents everywhere! We’re all trying our best-in the middle of a pandemic-to make our children feel special and loved on holidays and birthdays. We all need some positivity right now. Thanks for writing this!
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October 7, 2020 at 4:28 pm
Beautiful and so important. Well done.
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October 4, 2020 at 6:03 pm
Such an original, epistolary entry! This heartfelt letter shines as a beautiful “reminder” to every reader “to spread our inner light,” a perfect sentiment for Diwali. @AnneLipton
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October 4, 2020 at 7:52 pm
Lovely and inspirational – thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 7:54 pm
Beautiful! I think we definitely need light this year. Thanks for sharing.
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October 5, 2020 at 1:21 pm
What a beautiful letter/note, filled with much needed inspiration.
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October 8, 2020 at 10:16 am
Beautiful format of a mother writing a loving letter to a child.
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October 8, 2020 at 10:18 am
This piece evokes so many feelings about being separated from families during this unsettling time. Very nice!
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October 16, 2020 at 11:44 pm
Beautiful!
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October 3, 2020 at 8:38 pm
A Leaving Potion
Darci Nielson
This potion has to work! Aunt Jilly’s done so much for us this summer and now she needs us. She needs us to remind her not to leave. She just has to stay.
A leaf from the maple tree that shaded our backyard picnics.
A thread from the porch swing pillow, our favorite reading spot.
A spoonful of her “soul warming” ginger tea that I just learned to love.
She says, “Fall is a good time for new beginnings.”
I don’t agree.
Fall is a good time for staying put and settling in.
So this potion has to work, even though I can’t fit the miles of trails we hiked or the gallons of ice cream we ate or the millions of stars we wished on. And how could I fit a belly laugh into a cauldron?
Pinning all my hopes on the magic created in a dollar store Halloween decoration might be the most foolish thing I’ve done. But Aunt Jilly wouldn’t think so. She’d say, “It’s brave to reach for what you want.”
I squeeze the pot to my belly. A tear splats on the black rim. Right now, being brave feels a lot like letting go.
LikeLiked by 9 people
October 4, 2020 at 4:17 am
What a wonderful, heartfelt story.
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October 4, 2020 at 9:22 am
This is such a sweet story! “It’s brave to reach for what you want.” I love this!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:10 pm
I’m not crying, you are! Darci, that was lovely.
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October 4, 2020 at 3:12 pm
Such a poignant and beautiful story!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:24 pm
What a heartwarming notion to make an Autumn “LEAVING POTION” And I sure do hope it has some STAYING power—because your narrator gives us so many feels that now I miss Aunt Jilly, too! @AnneLipton
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October 4, 2020 at 6:55 pm
This is lovely! I love how the potion is made from really meaningful things to deepen the connection and reinforce the bond between our witch and Aunt Jilly!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:53 pm
Wow. So honestly heartfelt. Bravo.
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October 5, 2020 at 1:24 pm
I love the memories of Aunt Jilly she puts into the pot, as well as the ones she says she cannot. What a great tribute to a loved one.
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October 16, 2020 at 11:46 pm
Love the ending line! Heat wrenching story.
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October 3, 2020 at 8:21 pm
By Shannon Hall
141 words
A Reckoning
They never invite me to play hopscotch on the playground.
I wasn’t good enough for Mary’s sleepover.
They say my clothes are weird and bugs follow wherever I go.
I run barefoot in the woods.
The Earth pulses and vibrates through the soles of my feet.
The wind lifts me gently, and the sun radiates through my veins.
But we’re not all witches of the wood.
Some of us know that wolfsbane and mandrake root are more than simple herbs.
Some of us hide books beneath our beds, and collect rain water under the full moonlight.
Unluckily for you, you’re my new lab partner.
Come, sit. Hold this vessel and read the incantation, rather, the instructions, on the back.
Be sure to repeat them three times so we make no mistakes.
Our teacher will be proud.
We are studying Transformative Science, after all.
LikeLiked by 7 people
October 4, 2020 at 4:22 am
I love your descriptive language.
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October 4, 2020 at 9:21 am
Beautiful! I agree with Stacey! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:13 pm
Very imaginative story!
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October 7, 2020 at 4:30 pm
Very nice, I really connected with your character.
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October 4, 2020 at 6:34 pm
“Read the incantation, rather, the instructions” LOL. I love your pithy exploration of the intersection of nature, science, and magic. Your story is an awesome reminder of how one person can be many different things, need not be defined by how others see them, and may transform on the basis of their surroundings or by something as simple as slipping on a lab coat. @AnneLipton
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October 5, 2020 at 1:25 pm
I want to her her friend! I would invite her to my sleepover!
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October 6, 2020 at 12:38 pm
Ooo. I love the blurred lines and mystery. “The earth vibrates through the soles of my feet”. Amazing!
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October 3, 2020 at 8:18 pm
I loved getting out of my PB wheelhouse to try something totally different! Thank you, Kaitlyn and Lydia, for this wonderful community building and creative opportunity! My entry was inspired by Image #6.
BREADCRUMBS
by Melissa Coffey
I held the envelope, trembling.
There in Mom’s neat cursive was my name. The way she’d written it a thousand times before.
On the tags of every sweatshirt. The front pages of my books. The little heart-shaped notes she would sneak in my lunch box—until I got embarrassed and told her to stop.
I wasn’t supposed to be reading the letter. Not yet.
Dearest Jacob,
As you leave me now to sprint your soul’s moss lined trail…
My wish is not that I have given you enough breadcrumbs
to find your way back.
But that I have shown you how to plant, harvest and thresh.
That I have taught you how to sift and knead.
So that when others mistake stale crusts for truth,
you will steer clear the world’s gingerbread house of lies.
You, my son, will find your own way to rise.
For we need no wicked witches. We create our own cages.
Have courage, my beloved, though the future may seem feral.
Forge on though the brambles cut your feet.
And with open heart, break life’s bread.
Love always,
Mom
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October 4, 2020 at 4:18 am
I love this, so intriguing!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:08 am
Thank you, Stacey!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:38 am
Beautiful imagery!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:45 pm
Thanks so much!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:56 am
Beautiful, heartfelt story! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:48 pm
Thank you, Jill!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:28 pm
Lyrical
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October 4, 2020 at 7:16 pm
🙂 🙂 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 6:42 pm
Love this fresh, modern, and epistolary take on a fairy tale with such delicious description. Reads like the beginning of a brave hero’s journey. @AnneLipton
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October 4, 2020 at 7:18 pm
Wow! Thank you, Anne, for such encouraging, kind feedback! Image #6 begged for a twist on Hansel and Gretel. 😉
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October 4, 2020 at 6:58 pm
This gave me chills! What a beautiful blessing to give to a young adult ready to meet the world.
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October 4, 2020 at 7:19 pm
So glad it resonated emotionally for you, Ciara! Thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 7:56 pm
This is just gorgeous writing. I went back and read it again. Great job!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:29 pm
Thank you, Melissa, so much for the kind words and reading it twice!
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October 5, 2020 at 11:23 am
Melissa, now you have me wondering about Jacob’s journey and is it happening before he was ready. Eager to read more!
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October 5, 2020 at 11:37 am
Thank you, Denise! I usually write PBs so this was a definite departure. Wishing everyone good luck on their entries!
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October 7, 2020 at 4:32 pm
Just fabulous, I got a little shiver reading this. Loved it.
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October 13, 2020 at 3:36 pm
What a beautiful letter from a mother to a son. I can feel the strength and fierce love coming through. Well done!
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October 16, 2020 at 11:50 pm
Love how the title and the words and images are all linked creating an ultimate wish a mother can wish a child.
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October 3, 2020 at 7:49 pm
Excited to have joined in at the last minute! Thanks for organizing such a fun opportunity to connect with other kidlit folks. Here’s my entry:
It Was An Accident (inspired by image 7)
I never meant to be a skeleton. It was an accident.
It all started when Danny dared me up the tree behind our house but didn’t say which one. I thought he meant the rotting one? It was an accident.
And of course I never meant to tell my mom but it was my turn to set the table and I couldn’t not say ow at least a little bit. It was an accident.
I was going to be a zombie cause a full body cast would be the coolest so my mom bought lots of bandages last month to make my costume but it turns out I don’t really like having a cast, even just on my arm. So the zombie idea…it was an accident.
Pick a costume; stick to it. That’s the house rule. But have you ever seen an x-ray of a bone? I promise I’ll never change ideas again. It was an accident.
Pretty cool accident, right?
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October 4, 2020 at 4:19 am
What a fun story!
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October 13, 2020 at 12:11 am
Thanks so much, Stacey!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:54 am
Pretty cool accident! This is so cute, Chiara!
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October 13, 2020 at 12:13 am
Thank you, Jill! 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 2:27 pm
Life is an accident!
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October 13, 2020 at 12:13 am
Isn’t it though!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:51 pm
A bone-chilling cautionary tale! @AnneLIpton
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October 13, 2020 at 12:15 am
Lol, thanks, Anne!
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October 13, 2020 at 2:07 pm
Glad that your MC character got to wear a Halloween costume they liked. But I say ouch I broke my arm last year and it really hurt!
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October 13, 2020 at 3:38 pm
Haha – very fun!
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October 3, 2020 at 7:23 pm
Such a fun contest, thank you so much for hosting it! Here is my entry:
********************************************************************************
SUNNY, THE ITSY-BITSY BEE
By Sylvia Chen
(Image 14, 199 words)
No bee team chose Sunny on Field Day.
“She’s too itsy-bitsy to help us win!” they droned.
Sunny’s antennae flopped, but soon enough, she shook her wings.
She’d compete as a one-bee-team!
Sunny zoomed about for all legs of the Bee-lay Race…
…but couldn’t keep up.
She jumped and tumbled so many times for the Hive-stacle Course…
…that she grew too dizzy.
She pulled super hard for Tug-of-Swarms…
…but…
Zz-wwiiiiinnggg…!
Up Sunny flung as the winners whooped “Too itsy-bitsy!”
So she flew off…
…and hid in a field far, far away.
Sunny’s eyes stung—only one game remained.
How could she win when she’d lost so much?
But B-zzz-zup!
Sunny hustled—she’d finish the Blossom Hunt first!
Bzz-zzz-z…
Sunny sipped with sweet glee as she spotted all the flowers.
All but one.
Sunny slumped and stared off…
Was she too itsy-bitsy?
Just then, her antennae stood at attention.
Oh! A colossal blossom!
Sunny buzzed back and wowed the whole hive—she was the only bee who’d searched far and hard enough to find a giant sunflower!
As all the bees whooped her up, Sunny bopped about.
She might be itsy-bitsy. But…
…teamed up or not…
…she sure was mighty.
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October 3, 2020 at 7:40 pm
Rooting for itsy-bitsy. She is so gutsy 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 2:57 am
Oh, thanks so much @sacharya78!
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October 3, 2020 at 9:39 pm
I loved reading your story! It was filled with fun quips and humor, but still managed to create a strong and endearing character. I especially enjoyed your witty use of bee terms: Bee-lay Race, Tug-of-Swarms, how the other bees droned (meaning to complain), etc. Great story!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:58 am
Thank you @kathychalas! So fun to write 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 4:23 am
Love your play on words, just bee-tiful!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:25 am
Aw, thank you!! 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 10:44 am
Yay, Sunny!!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:14 pm
Thanks for cheering her on! 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 10:49 am
I love Sunny’s attitude! Cute and clever story!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:14 pm
Thanks so much!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:44 pm
This would make an adorable PB! Loved all the bee word play.
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October 4, 2020 at 9:44 pm
Thank you – so glad you liked it!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:58 pm
Field Day for bees! Such an original idea. I love all the inventive events you devised for them to play. Sunny is a brilliant name for a bee, and she has so much spirit, we are rooting for her from the moment she shakes off her wings.
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October 4, 2020 at 9:46 pm
Aw, your comments are so nice to hear, thank you for rooting for Sunny! 🙂
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October 5, 2020 at 10:34 am
Sunny might be itsy-bitsy but she never gave up.A great message that even of you’re small you can accomplish things.
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October 6, 2020 at 1:07 am
Glad you like the message and Sunny’s persistence!
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October 12, 2020 at 5:28 pm
I bee-lieve you did a great job writing this. It’s a nice story that is punny and fun to read and has a satisfying ending. Yea, for Sunny!
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October 13, 2020 at 2:06 am
Thank you Linda for your comment, so happy you liked it!
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October 13, 2020 at 3:42 pm
Love this story of determination! Go Sunny!
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October 14, 2020 at 4:08 am
Thanks for supporting Sunny! Glad you enjoyed her story!
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October 16, 2020 at 11:53 pm
Itsy-bitsy is so lovable. Enjoyed the fun and humor in the writing.
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October 18, 2020 at 6:07 am
Thanks so much Farida!
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October 3, 2020 at 7:05 pm
Purple Smoke
Everyone in the town of Belleville knew that on Halloween night, you get the best treats from the House of Candy. They opened at 8pm and Jim and Tommy wanted first pick. The two raced down the road carrying half filled trick-or-treat bags slung over their shoulders.
“Hey Tommy, let’s go through the park. It’s faster,” urged Jim.
“I don’t think we should. It’s too dark and scary” replied Tommy.
“Come on, don’t be such a scaredy cat,” said Jim.
They eased along the dark path through the park shoulder to shoulder. The whistling sound of the wind through the trees was their only company.
“Look over there,” pointed Tommy. “Do you see that purple smoke?”
“Let’s go see what it is. Maybe it’s something fun they are doing at the House of Candy,” said Jim moving closer.
“No Jim, come back!” shouted Tommy.
Suddenly from out of the purple haze a figure emerged blocking Jim’s path.
“Run,” screamed Tommy. “It’s a clown with fangs!”
As they both ran, they could hear the heavy beating of their hearts in their ears and the echo of a voice shouting, “HAPPY HALLOWEEN! YOU MISSED THE CANDY!”
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October 4, 2020 at 4:25 am
What a lovely spooky story and a fun ending.
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October 4, 2020 at 10:44 am
Great Halloween story! Cute ending!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:16 pm
Spooky!
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October 3, 2020 at 7:03 pm
I thought I’d posted mine yesterday morning, but I’m not seeing it! Oh, well. Here’s my second try.
MIGRATION
by Jennifer A. Richter
198 words
Image 10
“So, Nyla, what’s the final count?” Grandpa asks on our way home from Hawk Watch Ridge. He’s driving slower than usual, which is fine by me. I’m in no rush.
“Okay, here’s the top five,” I say, and clear my throat. “Over three days we saw 15 Cooper’s Hawks, 36 Bald Eagles, 75 Sharp-shinned Hawks, 62 Turkey Vultures and…”
Grandpa drums his hands on the steering wheel like he does every year.
“…180 Red-tailed Hawks!”
We both pump our fists, like always. Only this time I’ve got a lump in my throat. We ride in silence until Grandpa breaks it: “So, all packed?”
“Mm-hmm.” I turn away to look at the golden trees out my window, trying to convince myself that change is good.
“Be sure to send me videos and pictures of all those exotic birds down there in Florida. Especially the Roseate Spoonbills. They’re neat.”
“Sure.”
When we get home I see the moving truck has arrived. Believe it or not, the company’s logo is a soaring hawk. Grandpa points and laughs.
“Ready for *your* fall migration?”
I chuckle, even though I know I’m not just migrating for the season.
Boy, I truly envy those birds.
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October 4, 2020 at 4:26 am
Lovely story!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:43 am
Beautiful, heartfelt story! I love your last line!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:32 pm
The ending makes you wish you could migrate like the birds, and return home.
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October 4, 2020 at 3:17 pm
Aw, this is sweet. I felt the connection between the two. Nice job, Jrichter!
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October 4, 2020 at 7:01 pm
What a powerful connection between Nyla and grandpa!
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October 4, 2020 at 7:07 pm
Birds of a feather. You write such authentic dialogue and interaction between the two characters. The bird names/STEM elements are a lovely bonus. Tender and heartwarming/breaking. @AnneLipton
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October 4, 2020 at 11:47 pm
This would make a wonderful beginning to a MG story. Well done!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:52 pm
Thanks so much for sponsoring this fun opportunity! Here is my story.
Are These My Socks?
Image 1
190 words
Are These My Feet?
Looking down, they appear to be at the end of my legs. But I don’t recognize these socks!
Some of my favorite things are waiting there. For me?
Tea for comfort; a book to take me away. Pumpkins and autumn leaves. A blanket, in case I get cold.
But, the question remains – are these my feet?
Could they, perhaps, be feet that have passed this way before? Stood on this very same spot? Could they be my mother’s or grandmother’s feet? Leading me forward; down the same steps, sharing the legacy of tea and books and love of all things autumn?
Could these be their feet?
Or, perhaps, will these be my daughter’s feet?
They are very little feet, still, but one day they will be like mine. Will they follow in my footsteps? Will she love tea and books, pumpkins and autumn leaves?
These feet look like they are about to tiptoe down those steps; settle down with that cup of tea and enjoy that book on a beautiful autumn day.
If these aren’t my feet, then I really need to find out where to get those socks!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:10 pm
haha! I love the last line!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:27 am
I love this story full of wonderful questions.
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October 4, 2020 at 10:41 am
I love this! Such a beautiful way to look at life! Cute ending!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:17 pm
Love this!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:19 pm
What a cool take on that image and you made me laugh:) Nice job, Dianna!
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October 9, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Thanks so much! It was my goal 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 7:36 pm
As a neurologist, I may find this inquiry piece scarier than most. Because if the narrator is truly not recognizing her own limbs, such asomatognosia may indicate a serious neurological condition. But leaving such concerns aside, and taking such a question as mere rhetorical device, you’ve penned a fun, fresh, and creative take on the image. (Btw, just in case you really don’t know, these are Roots cabin socks, a Canadian classic.) Hope you stay cozy, creative, and curious! @AnneLipton
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October 5, 2020 at 9:09 am
Thanks so much. My aim was to make you chuckle! 🙂
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October 3, 2020 at 6:50 pm
The Cape
by Marina A.
196 words
The cape was on: Torrey-the-Darth-Vader would use his powers to get anything he wanted. Today, he wanted candy. To ensure success, Torrey-the-Darth-Vader joined forces with Max-the-Spider-Man and Gabe-The-Ninja.
“Anything chocolate,” Torrey-the-Darth-Vader said.
“Anything chewable!” said Max-the-Spider-Man.
“Sour Patch kids for me!” said Gabe-the-Ninja.
Unstoppable, Torrey-the-Darth-Vader darted from one house to another. Past princesses, zombies, and robots. The cape made him fly. Then, the cape almost made him trip.
“Wait up!”
Torrey-the-Darth-Vader slowed down to assess the situation.
“Hurry up, Torrey!”
Spider-Man-Max and Ninja-Gabe got further and further down the street. Torrey-the-Darth-Vader skipped three houses to catch up to them.
“Sorry, guys, can’t go fast in this thing,” he said.
“That’s okay,” said Spider-Man.
“Here, you can go in front of me,” said Ninja.
Their voices sounded strange, probably because the costumes covered their mouths.
“Here, Gabe! Sour Patch kids!” Torrey-the-Darth-Vader nudged Ninja with his elbow.
“What? My name is Ava,” said Ninja.
Torrey looked at Spiderman: “Max, where’s Gabe?”
“Who is Max? I’m Leah!” said Spider-Man.
Torrey-the-Darth-Vader looked around. Six Spider-Men and even more ninjas.
“That’s okay,” said Ava. “You can walk with us.”
“Yeah,” nodded Leah, “you can help us find Camille. She’s a Stormtrooper.”
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October 4, 2020 at 4:29 am
Definitely sounds like a fun night of trick or treating!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:39 am
This is adorable!Love the six Spider Men! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 8:39 pm
Such a fun story of musical costumes! @AnneLipton
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October 3, 2020 at 6:43 pm
Caravanning with Nanny and Granddad
A great first day find – a leaf, so bright and so red would fill my heart with joy. The honey-sweet smell of rain-soaked Autumn leaves zings happy memories back to me of half-term holidays with Nanny and Granddad.
Their caravan had the best corner spot right by a line of huge sweetgum trees. My brother and I would have races through the colourful carpet of leaves. He won the race every time. But the rustle and swish of leaves pushing aside my feet was enough of a win for me.
Just a short walk away was the beach, where we would go crabbing and searching for sea-soaked sand swirls by a sandworm moments before.
In the evenings we’d all sit and play board games at the little fold-up table, laughing and warming our toes by the ‘fire’, drinking perfect hot chocolate made by Nanny on the little stove.
And I’d fall asleep atop the sofa seat cushions, at the end of another perfect day. The holidays were here again.
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October 4, 2020 at 4:31 am
What a beautiful story, Summer. Love all the memories and descriptive language!
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October 4, 2020 at 8:35 am
Thanks Stacey. Good luck with yours! 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 10:35 am
Beautiful memories! Beautiful story! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:24 pm
Thank you Jill! Appreciate it.
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October 4, 2020 at 7:19 pm
A lovely story. Brings back some pleasant memories – I, too, love rustling through the leaves!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:19 pm
What a nice story!
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October 4, 2020 at 8:47 pm
The gorgeous sensory details and wistful descriptions in this tender and thoughtful reminiscence piece evoke the feeling of thumbing through a photo album with family. @AnneLipton
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October 3, 2020 at 6:23 pm
Image # 5 (194 words)
Fall-ing
Judy Sobanski
A little leaf flat and green,
blended in, hardly seen.
It felt the sun warm all its veins,
and soaked in droplets from the rains.
It heard the songs all summer long,
from the aviary throng.
It felt the morning dew and knew
that warmth-filled days would say “adieu.”
October skies and chilly nights
turned leaves the shades of traffic lights.
Soon Autumn’s wreckful winds blew strong,
forcing leaves to float along.
The little leaf lost all its green.
Instead, a color in-between
red and orange became its cloak,
painted with a master’s stroke.
More leaves tumbled down each day.
They beckoned little leaf to play.
“Let go and do the Fall-ing dance!”
Little leaf said, “Not a chance!”
But after weeks of holding tight,
the little leaf let go one night.
It swirled and twirled and rode the breeze—
resting under maple trees.
It heaved a sigh, its one endeavor
was trying to stay around forever.
A young girl spotted little leaf.
“Look!” she cried in disbelief.
With pure devotion in her eyes,
she gave her mom the precious prize.
They framed and hung leaf on a wall.
He stayed forever after all.
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October 3, 2020 at 10:02 pm
I really enjoyed your story!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:43 pm
Very nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:31 am
What a lovely story!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:32 am
This is so sweet! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:20 pm
Nicely done!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:28 pm
That was beautiful, Judy! I really enjoyed it. They are going to have a hard time deciding on winners of the contest because there are so many wonderful stories and talented authors. Best to you and Fall-ing!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:01 pm
What a lovely circle-of-life poem with inspired imagery.
The little leaf comes alive for me in these lines:
“It felt the sun warm all its veins,
and soaked in droplets from the rains.”
This stanza really paints(!) a picture.
“The little leaf lost all its green.
Instead, a color in-between
red and orange became its cloak,
painted with a master’s stroke.”
And the little leave lives his life to the fullest with a glorious abundance of experiences: “Aviary throng” and “Fall-ing dance” are sheer genius.
You circle the story in such a satisfying way, as in the end, little leaf hangs once more, this time in a place of honor.
@Anne Lipton
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October 5, 2020 at 5:25 pm
Thank you so much, Anne.
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October 4, 2020 at 11:43 pm
Lovely.
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October 10, 2020 at 2:10 pm
Judy, this story is precious! I really liked the shades of traffic lights line and the ending is perfect. Well done!
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October 13, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Awww … so sweet Judy! Love this!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:02 pm
A Modern Holiday
A feast of fall food brings our generations together. We arrive from all corners and assemble and wait.
Families prepare sweet, creamy, crispy recipes made by their mamas before them and before them and before them. Careful hands stir, roll and pour. The shimmering oven groans under weighty plates of luscious goodness. Heat can ruin, but not today. Spicy smells sweep through the house, breathed in, delightful to all.
Everyone gathers at the table, and cutting remarks are made…about the pie. Here, division produces plentiful portions. Each eater agrees to a generous custardy wedge. Today is a day for sharing and giving as one passes a plate to the next. Rich slices and sweet swirls bring smiles and happy sighs. Cleanup can wait! For now, we sprawl out, relaxing, appreciating family, enjoying friends.
As we feast and fellowship we forget our differences and remember only our tasty connections.
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October 3, 2020 at 9:29 pm
I just love this, I can hear the clank of plates and and see the moment so vividly in my mind. The way you delicately wove tension into the moment is so smart!! Well done Lauren!!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:31 am
I love this! Beautiful!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:46 pm
I love it, Lauren! You perfectly put into words what a holiday should be. 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 11:38 pm
Though your piece is titled “A Modern Holiday,” your delightful description of people coming together for a harvest feast seems timeless, @AnneLipton
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October 5, 2020 at 5:28 pm
Very nice. I especially love the last line of your story!
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October 11, 2020 at 11:35 am
I love that last line- forget our differences and remember only our tasty connections. Lovely alliteration and nicely done, Lauren!
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October 3, 2020 at 5:54 pm
WC: 121
Leaves Must Fall
by
Ashley Congdon
“Do I have to go, Tree?”
“Leaves must fall, Leaf.”
“But it’s a long way down. When will it happen?”
“As autumn days grow shorter, the layer that binds us together, the one that gives you food and water to thrive will end. You will be released from our bond and make the great fall down to the embrace of the earth.”
“Then what happens? Will I ever see you again?”
“You will create a new bond with the earth and give her nutrients as I once did for you. In return, Earth will nourish me. Through this, Leaf, we will meet again.”
“So Earth needs me. I’m pretty important. I’m not so scared anymore, Tree. Leaves must fall. I’m ready.”
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October 3, 2020 at 7:23 pm
This is beautiful!!
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October 5, 2020 at 11:57 am
Thank you for for reading!
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October 3, 2020 at 7:58 pm
I love this! Beautiful writing!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:05 am
Love it! Circle of life. Great job, Ashley!
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October 5, 2020 at 11:57 am
Thank you Shannon for all your help with this one.
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October 4, 2020 at 10:28 am
Beautiful and informative story! Nice!
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October 5, 2020 at 4:41 pm
Thank you for reading! 😊
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October 4, 2020 at 6:05 pm
This is lovely!
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October 5, 2020 at 11:57 am
Thank you for reading!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:51 pm
You skillfully create two relatable characters and manage to circle this story of life and renewal in so few words. Such a brave little leaf and wise, nurturing tree. Love the title, too. And that ending. @Anne Lipton.
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October 5, 2020 at 11:59 am
Thanks Anne! This is something different coming from me. That means a lot. Thank you for reading.
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October 5, 2020 at 11:21 am
Love how you intertwined science and philosophy here. My heart fluttered as I read this.
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October 5, 2020 at 11:57 am
Thanks Heather! I never writ in this style, so it was all new to me and I wasn’t sure if the message came through. Thank you for reading my story 😊.
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October 8, 2020 at 10:28 am
I love this story with a wonderful message about the circle of life, Ashley!
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October 9, 2020 at 3:06 pm
Thank you for reading Connie!
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October 10, 2020 at 2:15 pm
You accomplished so much in so few words, Ashley! I love the conversation between the youthful leaf and wise tree. It’s a great mix of fiction and nonfiction. Wonderful writing!
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October 11, 2020 at 12:19 pm
Thank you for reading Jill. This is wasn’t something I usually write. I’m going to go look for yours.
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October 11, 2020 at 11:39 am
What a beautiful take on the circle of life. I love that Leaf embraced and welcomed her destiny. Wishing you the best of luck, Ashley!
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October 11, 2020 at 12:19 pm
Thank you for reading!
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October 3, 2020 at 5:48 pm
Howl-oween
I should have known Vanessa was joking. Vanessa was always joking.
Last summer, Vanessa yelled, “Code Brown!” at the pool just to watch us scramble out of the water like cats escaping a bath.
And at our last slumber party, Vanessa crank called the police station.
What?” she asked.
“I thought we were going to bake cookies and play Twister.”
“It’s not like I’m calling 911, Tory. Geez.”
So, I should have know she was joking when she said, “Let’s dress up as PAW Patrol: Zombie Edition!”
“Why?”
“We’ll scare all the little kids at the Halloween festival!” And then she howled with laughter.
“Get it?” she asked. “Because dogs howl?”
Sigh. If anyone would dress up as an undead puppy, it would be Vanessa. And Vanessa is my best friend.
This was two weeks ago.
Today, I arrive at the festival and see Vanessa, practically glowing in a white and gold gown.
“What are you wearing?” she asks.
“It’s PAW patrol: Zombie Edition.”
“Omg, Tory! I was just joking!”
I want to hide. But instead, I square my shoulders and say, “Happy Howl-oween! Get it? Because dogs howl?
Vanessa looks at me.
And then we both howl with laughter.
LikeLiked by 4 people
October 4, 2020 at 10:25 am
This is so cute! I love the ending!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 5, 2020 at 12:09 am
Such a relatable story of BFFs who thrive despite their differences. I love that the prospect of a very scary Halloween is averted by laughter and togetherness. @AnneLipton
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October 9, 2020 at 12:27 am
I’ve noticed that you have left beautiful and personalized comments to most, if not all, the entries. That’s amazing. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment on my entry.
I was trying to capture that moment in our lives when we’re in embarrassing situations and we have two options: run or roll with it. It’s hard and it takes bravery, but life’s more enjoyable when we can move past these moments instead of dwelling in them.
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October 3, 2020 at 5:24 pm
Party skeletons
by Claire Schlinkert (Image # 9)
We are spooky, kooky movers,
we are UV-glowing groovers
and it shows that we have boogie in our bones.
With our foot phalanges tapping
and our meta-carpals clapping,
we sway clavicles to drums and saxophones.
We are hip-hop rapping rockers,
we are coccyx-waving boppers!
See our tibias and fibulas sashay.
Lifting femurs and patellae,
we are giving it some welly.
Raising radii, we belt, “YMCA!”
Then we each gyrate our pelvis
as we disco dance to Elvis:
in our orbit shades, we rattle, rock and roll.
With our mandibles, we’ll shout it,
(and we make no bones about it):
without organs, we’re still party heart and soul!
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 3, 2020 at 5:39 pm
Claire – I love this! So clever!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:35 am
Thank you, Judy!
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October 3, 2020 at 7:25 pm
That’s great how you were able to incorporate so many bone names and still make such a rocking-rolling rhyme!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:36 am
Thank you, Katie!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:21 am
I love this! Cute and clever! Nice!
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October 6, 2020 at 4:40 pm
Thank you, Jill!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 3:32 pm
Haha, so clever, Claire!
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October 6, 2020 at 4:41 pm
Thank you, Colleen!
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October 4, 2020 at 7:21 pm
Super fun!! Your bone wordplay is great.
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October 6, 2020 at 4:42 pm
Thank you!
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October 5, 2020 at 12:30 am
Your humorous poem fits the image so well and cleverly employs so many wonderful STEM elements. I have to rib you a little bit for leaving out the humerus and the ulna (funny bone)! (But word count and meter, I know.) Thanks for making me belly laugh. @AnneLipton
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October 6, 2020 at 4:43 pm
Thank you so much Anne! Love the extra pun, haha!
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October 9, 2020 at 12:30 am
This has such a great rhythm! I could hear the music while reading it. Also love how you snuck in all those bone names! Clever!
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October 9, 2020 at 6:39 am
Thank you, Beverly!
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October 3, 2020 at 4:43 pm
My Cauldron
by Josh Cohen (Image #12)
My cauldron teems with hints of fall:
nutmeg, pumpkin, clove,
vivid thoughts of apple cider
mulling on the stove,
morning crispness, evening calm,
fallen dampened leaves,
huddled warmth, the downy touch
of checkered flannel sleeves,
barley soup and roasted squash,
football on the box,
sliding on the hardwood floor
in sweaty woolen socks.
My cauldron bubbles over –
this is no witches’ brew –
just a blend of autumns past
that takes me back to you.
LikeLiked by 9 people
October 3, 2020 at 5:42 pm
Your Fall imagery appeals to the senses! Well done!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:05 pm
This evokes a lot of warm autumn memories! Very nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:20 am
I love this! Beautiful fall imagery! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:34 pm
Fall memories revisited. Nice job, Josh!
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October 5, 2020 at 1:03 am
Brilliant! I admire the carefully picked elements and delicious sensory details of this autumnal poem, which folds in more than a few of my favorite fall things! It would work beautifully as song lyrics, too. @AnneLipton
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October 5, 2020 at 5:22 pm
This is poignant: I feel like there’s some kind of loss implied. (Maybe that’s just me?)
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October 6, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Yes! The emotion and ending. Powerful!
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October 3, 2020 at 4:39 pm
Quinn Newton Saves Halloween
178 words
Quinn’s heart sank when Governor Grump cancelled Halloween.
No costumes? No trick-or-treating? No candy?
No way. Quinn quickly launched a plan.
First, she crafted her costume.
She stitched logos on her aerospace jumpsuit and clipped lights on her push rims.
With safety goggles in hand, Quinn wheeled into the kitchen. She collected tubes, tape, foil, and treats.
Quinn constructed and weighed.
She measured mass and calculated velocity.
Done! Quinn Newton’s rocket was ready.
She rolled out to the neighborhood square. Countdown clock set for 6:00 PM.
Quinn positioned herself near the launchpad holding her remote-controlled switch.
Families trickled out to see. Three…
Two
One
Blast off!
Take flight
Sleek nose slices air
Tail fire bright to light the dark night
Soar
High
Higher
Pop! Sweet pop!
Candy explosion!
confection gems flicker and fall
children, big and small, squeal and dash to gather them all.
Turn
Tug
Now down
Toward ground
Gravity grabbing
Parachute plumes, slow to a float.
Thump! Quinn’s candy rocket taps the lawn welcomed with grins.
Sticky giggles, scaring, sharing, holiday smiles, mission Save Halloween accomplished.
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 4, 2020 at 9:11 am
Love it! She’s a hero! What great visuals throughout this whole story. I was cheering Quinn on. Good luck!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:18 am
This is so cute! Love the candy explosion!
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October 5, 2020 at 1:14 am
Quinn, For The Win! I love that she’s a sewist as well as a scientist. You have some stellar STEM elements and descriptions, too. I especially liked “Gravity grabbing/Parachute plumes.” @AnneLipton
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October 3, 2020 at 4:39 pm
I am Scary Clown
[Narrator]
“It was Halloween. The night when a frightening clown would appear, scaring children and taking their candy away. His name was Scary Clown”
[Clown]
“No, tonight I am Fun Clown.”
[Narrator]
“But this is a scary story.”
[Clown]
“Sorry, no can do this year. I am going to make children happy.”
[Narrator]
“Wait stop!”
[Clown]
“Nope.”
“Hello little girl. Here is some candy for you.”
[Girl]
“It’s Scary Clown. Run”
[Clown]
“Maybe next time I should smile.”
“Hello little boy.”
[Boy]
“Run for your life. It’s Scary Clown.”
[Clown]
“That didn’t work.”
[Narrator]
“Well, your smile does make you look creepier.”
[Clown]
“Kids love magic.”
“Hello kids, want to see a magic trick?”
“Hokus pokus shed a tear, make their candy disappear.”
POOF
[Kids]
“RUN.”
[Clown]
“Wait, that was only beginning. Next, I was going to make more candy appear.”
“I give up. I’ll always be scary to them.”
[Narrator]
“Good, now I can tell my story.”
[Clown overhears kids]
“Guess what? Scary Clown tried to get me and I escaped.”
“Me too.”
“I love Scary Clown. He makes halloween the most fun time.”
[Clown]
“I did it. You can tell your story now. I am Scary Clown.”
LikeLiked by 7 people
October 3, 2020 at 5:43 pm
I’m glad Scary Clown ended up being happy with who he is!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 9:18 am
I really liked this. Love the twist at the end.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 10:14 am
This is so cute! Love the ending!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 5, 2020 at 1:26 am
Genius! I read the title with no little trepidation, but now I am a little in love with Scary Clown, TBH. Such an original entry! I’d love to see it as an animated short. @AnneLipton
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 4:37 pm
Laxmi Where Are You?
On this starless night, the world is alight.
Firecrackers spit evanescent gold.
You can’t catch it! You can’t stop it!
It burns, this fugitive gold.
Laxmi, where are you?
Do you plan to bring wealth this time around?
The city burns bright with a million lamps,
casting haze onto the heavens,
a message to lure the goddess down.
Come down Laxmi, we are ready for you!
We have sweets and treats and saffron drinks.
We have silks and gems and sandalwood scents.
Our doors remain open through the night,
and endless lamps will show you in.
Come hither, Laxmi, for it’s been a while!
It’s agony to wait,
on this Diwali night!
“It has to be tonight, it has to be now!”
the rich in the bungalows chant.
Yet farther, a lone girl sits,
huddled on a lone step,
that lead to a lone hut,
studying a lone lamp flicker.
It winks at her,
blinks at her,
and beseeches her,
“I am thirsty,” it whispers.
The girl shifts and sighs,
“no more oil” she replies.
Spluttering,
the lamp hisses its last.
In the fumes descends Laxmi,
her face a thousand suns,
her smile a thousand moons,
on this Diwali night!
LikeLiked by 5 people
October 3, 2020 at 4:40 pm
Oops! Posted it in haste.
TITLE: Laxmi Where Are You?
Image no. 15
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 4, 2020 at 10:13 am
This is so beautiful! I love all your vivid descriptions! Nice!
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October 12, 2020 at 8:21 pm
Thank you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 6:12 pm
Your writing is lyrical and lovely! Good luck in the contest!
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October 3, 2020 at 9:04 pm
Thank you
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October 3, 2020 at 8:16 pm
Lovely
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October 3, 2020 at 9:08 pm
Thank you.
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October 5, 2020 at 2:24 am
A lush and stirring Diwali story with rich, evocative imagery. I especially liked “evanescent gold,” “fugitive gold,” and the radiant ending. Would love to see this developed as a book for kids (in any age category). @AnneLipton
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October 12, 2020 at 8:23 pm
Its good to hear such warm words of encouragement, thank you so much!
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October 3, 2020 at 4:26 pm
MAMA, GUESS WHAT?
By Monica Ann Lauscher
Mama, guess what?
Today was my first day of school!
Papa walked with me so I wouldn’t get lost.
School was gigantic!
There were noisy buses and big kids who walked fast.
I didn’t mean to cry.
Papa gave me a hug and asked me to be brave.
He took me to my teacher, Miss Gray.
Papa left!
I said I wanted to go with Papa.
Miss Gray whispered a secret. It was her first day, too!
We got paints!
I painted a purple rainbow and Papa.
Mia sat at my table. She cried and wanted to go home.
I hugged her and asked her to be brave.
She said she liked my purple shoes.
I said I liked her picture.
She told me it was her dog, but it looked like a horse.
Miss Gray read a funny book about a bear. I even forgot to be scared.
A bell rang.
Papa came!
Miss Gray said I did great.
I told her she did too because she never cried once.
At bedtime, Papa read me stories.
He said you tell him you love me every night.
I love you, too, Mama.
Guess what?
I have school tomorrow!
Good night.
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 3, 2020 at 4:41 pm
So sweet! Nice work, Monica!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:14 pm
The voice of your main character really comes through! Nice job!
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October 5, 2020 at 10:39 am
Thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:11 am
Beautiful sweet story! I love this!
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October 5, 2020 at 2:34 am
Magnificent voice! I am curious about Mama and whether the narrator is speaking to Mama in person or in her head. But either way, it works! (And I relish the sense of mystery/intrigue.) @AnneLipton
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October 3, 2020 at 4:16 pm
PORTAL
By Sheila Alford
200 words/Image #6
Outside Steve’s window, the trees creaked, and the wind droned. Having recently moved into the two-story farmhouse with his family, he had yet to explore the woods out back. A neighbor had told him about a girl named Amanda who had lived in Steve’s house ages ago. She had gone into the woods one night and never returned.
Steve walked over to his bedroom window and peeked through the blinds. He half expected to see the girl staring at him through a cluster of tall trees.
The wind howled louder, and more leaves fell. The scene reflected his melancholy mood as he thought about the life, and the friends, he had left behind.
Looking out the window again, he thought he saw a shadow. Unafraid, he raced down the stairs and out the back door. Following the path that led to the woods, he soon came to the entrance of a cave. Steve poked his head in and saw a thin slice of light on the cave floor. Following it, he came to a door. Steve hesitated, but curiosity won over and he opened the door. Greeting him on the other side was a friend from his former school—Amanda.
LikeLiked by 3 people
October 3, 2020 at 10:58 pm
I’m a portal fan girl- you always get to expect the unexpected- which I love! I’m so intrigued and drawn in, I want to know what happens next! Best of luck Sheila!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 10:09 am
Great story, Sheila! I love the ending!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 5, 2020 at 2:44 am
You piqued my interest, Sheila, from the first eerie and evocative line to the last tantalizing one. I am aching to read on to learn what happens next, but also to find out more about Steve and Amanda, their friendship, and their former school! @AnneLipton
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October 3, 2020 at 4:07 pm
The Witch and the Frog
(199 words)
Lizzie needed to cast one final spell to earn her witch’s broomstick on Halloween.
She unrolled her teacher’s wrinkled note.
“Before the night is over, find something Mother Nature can’t do.”
Lizzie witchy-walked over to an old oak tree and wiggled her wand.
“Summer is over, there’s a chill in the air, it’s time to make your branches bare.”
“The leaves always fall this time of year,” croaked a frog. “That’s not magic.”
Lizzie’s face turned as red as the leaves, but she tried again.
“When the sun goes down, the moon will creep, so make this chipmunk go to sleep!”
“It’s called hibernation,” the frog yawned. “Still not magic.”
Lizzie’s hair frizzled and her toes curled.
She was almost out of time!
Lizzie flicked her wand once more.
“High in the sky, in and out they weave, it’s time to make these birdies leave.”
The frog laughed so hard he fell off his log.
“Birds always migrate south for the winter. Better luck next year.”
“Well, bubble my cauldron. Looks like I won’t be getting my broomstick after all,” Lizzie said.
Unless. . .
“A warty snout and eyes like a gnat, turn this FROG into my CAT!”
LikeLiked by 5 people
October 3, 2020 at 4:49 pm
I really like this. Great way to teach the things that happen at this time of the year in a cute and funny way. Good luck.
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October 3, 2020 at 4:58 pm
Thank you!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:04 pm
Clever! I love it.
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October 3, 2020 at 6:30 pm
Good way to quiet a critic! Love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 11:00 pm
Take that snarky Frog. I love that Lizzie found a clever way to win her broomstick after all!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:04 am
Cute story filled with so many fun facts! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:39 pm
Hahaha, that was well done and made me laugh. Nice job, Rebecca!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:37 pm
Cute! Your frog is the perfect foil for Lizzie.
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October 5, 2020 at 2:55 am
The Witch and the Frog would make a wonderful picture book with subtle STEM elements. I love your clever and witty wordplay, especially “witchy-walked,” “LIzzie’s face turned as red as the leaves,” and “bubble my cauldron.” The story’s ending is wicked good. @AnneLipton
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October 7, 2020 at 8:18 pm
Excellent Rebecca!! HAHA!! It was full of humour and character. Loved the witchy-walked. Well done! Good luck 🙂 – Rosanna
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October 13, 2020 at 10:07 am
Love this! So funny!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:52 pm
Super cute!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:44 pm
JUST ONE MORE BITE
by Tara Knox Cerven
148 words
My mom said, “NO MORE CAVITIES! NO MORE SWEETS, STARTING TODAY!”
Okay.
But…
Creamy steamy sweet potato pie?
Just one more bite and one more day!
I’ll brush better on Monday.
Ooey gooey pumpkin rolls?
A taste*or ten*should be okay!
I’ll brush AND floss on Tuesday.
Yummy crumbly apple crisp?
With ice cream plopped on top. Hurray!
I’ll brush, floss, AND gargle on Wednesday.
Colorful cranberry pineapple punch?
Served in a fancy-schmancy way!
I’ll brush, floss, gargle, AND swish on Thursday.
Cinnamon scented cider donuts?
Dozens of them, piled high on a tray!
I’ll brush, floss, gargle, swish, AND polish on Friday.
Mounds and pounds of Halloween candy?
Miles and piles leftover. Oy vey!
Toothache. I’ll think about that on Saturday.
Pumpkin spice and everything nice?
Muffins, cookies, pies, souffle!
Tooth decay. Can you bring me to the dentist on Sunday?
Please don’t tell my mom.
LikeLiked by 5 people
October 3, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Tara- I’m glad the comment worked!! Good luck 🙂
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October 3, 2020 at 3:51 pm
Love this. So much tempting food this time of year! I can relate. 🙂
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October 3, 2020 at 4:11 pm
Super cute and orignial. The foods! Oh my goodness I want every single one of them. Good luck!
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October 3, 2020 at 5:14 pm
What a fun read aloud! Love the cumulative aspect – so clever.
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October 3, 2020 at 6:00 pm
Reading this was a “sweet” surprise! It sure appeals to the senses and I love the way you incorporated the days of the week. Clever!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:02 pm
I am now going to rummage in the cabinets to find a dessert for my “sweet tooth”! Deliciously told story, best of luck!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:02 am
This is so cute! Makes me hungry for all of those yummy fall foods.
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October 4, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Love this, even though it made me hungry!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:20 pm
Deliciously delightful!
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October 5, 2020 at 3:08 am
A hilariously sweet but cautionary Fall foodie tale. Love all the autumnal treats that you and the narrator manage to pack in. Your (sometimes-rhyming) descriptors are perfectly delish. My fave is the cinnamon-scented cider donuts. @AnneLipton
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October 3, 2020 at 2:46 pm
Love the entries and love this opportunity! Good luck everyone!
Ruthie and the Leaves
A cool fall morning, sifting light.
I peek outside, a spooky sight!
The trees are bare, just skinny sticks.
Someone’s been here, playing tricks!
“Toby, come! I need your nose.
The trees are missing all their clothes!”
We hike through woods to find the leaves.
Red, orange, yellow, thick as thieves!
I drop glue blobs on every one
“Toby, stay. We’re almost done.”
Now how to lift these onto trees?
Oh, oh, hold on! A monster breeze!
The leaves lift slowly, all around
I
I Then
I
I UP! DOWN!
I
I UP! DOWN!
I
I UP!
I DOWN!
Fly
They land on kitties, croaking frogs,
On waddling duckies, three big dogs!
All together, swish – swash – swoosh –
a plumpish pile on Toby’s tush!
Toby noses through debris,
and finds the perfect leaf for me!
“Where should it go? 1, 2 or 3? Illus note: Ruthie tries places to stick the leaf.
No luck, it’s stuck. I’ll leaf it be!”
Trees everywhere, they’re happy, swaying.
Limbs free and easy, dancing, playing!
“Let’s head home, boy! Who knows what might
come falling down on us tonight!” Illus note: Dark night sky, snowflakes falling.
LikeLiked by 4 people
October 3, 2020 at 2:50 pm
LOL – Middle couplet should read “Fly, UP, UP, UP! Then, DOWN, DOWN, DOWN!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:01 am
I love this! Fun and adorable!
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November 6, 2020 at 2:16 pm
Thank you, appreciate your comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 3:57 pm
Thanks for clarifying the middle! So very fun and something a child would definitely want to do. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 12:30 am
thank you!
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October 15, 2020 at 11:34 pm
Thanks Susan!
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October 3, 2020 at 4:47 pm
I love this playful story, Katie! Wonderful alliteration and assonance throughout. I was grinning as I read the stanza with kitties, frogs, duckies and dogs, picturing leaves glued onto them. So cute–great job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 15, 2020 at 11:35 pm
Thanks Jill!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:13 pm
Nice job Katie! My favorite lines- “They land on kitties, croaking frogs,
On waddling duckies, three big dogs!” So fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Katie, your story is so fun and “leaves” so many fun illustrative possibilities. Ha, couldn’t pass up the pun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 15, 2020 at 11:34 pm
Ha, ha, good pun! And thank you for reading, and commenting!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:22 pm
Super fun story! Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 6, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Thank you for your comment!
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October 5, 2020 at 3:23 am
Amazing autumnal poem with great rhythm! There is much to love here: The imagery. (You had me at “sifting light.”) The slapstick humor. (Leaves landing everywhere, including on Toby’s tush.) The wordplay. (“I’ll leaf it be.” LOL.) Ruthie’s acceptance of her failed mission, while maintaining her her hope and optimism. And a sweet snowy surprise on its way to her. @Anne Lipton
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 15, 2020 at 11:31 pm
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 15, 2020 at 11:33 pm
Thank you, fun to write, and add to the other creative entries!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 6, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Thank you, I appreciate your comment!
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October 3, 2020 at 2:07 pm
NO BONES ABOUT IT
By Laurie Carmody
Are you bummed about having no bum?
Is the “No Shirt, No Skin, No Service” policy at fine establishments
throwing a wrench in your metatarsals?
Are you sick and tired of having no body to love?
Well, my skeleton friends, pull yourselves out of the grave and into the sunlight,
because today is your lucky day.
In an exclusive offer to our Skelevision viewers,
we are offering patent-pending pre-shrunk skin suits for the bone-rattling low, low price
of $49.99.
Wait a second, what’s that sound?
It’s the sound of slashing prices – you can have two suits – for only the cost of shipping and handling!
BUT WAIT! There’s MORE!
Buy within the next thirty minutes and you’ll also receive 50% off skin-ny jeans!
Don’t just trust us, though, listen to this testimonial from the distinguished Napoleon Bone-a-part:
“With my new skin, I can conquer anything!”
Don’t use your lack of guts as a reason not to take the plunge!
Pick up your skel-phone and call 1-800-SKIN-2020 today.
Refuse to be a lazy bones because this offer will decompose soon!
Halloween candy will not be honored as legal tender. Not affiliated, licensed, or endorsed by The Dermatological Association of America.
LikeLiked by 14 people
October 3, 2020 at 2:38 pm
Love the humour!
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 3, 2020 at 3:50 pm
Skelevision viewers…pure gold. Fab word play! Good luck, Friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 3:55 pm
I love this. Very clever and fun. Great puns and humor. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 3:59 pm
Hysterical! I laughed the entire way through it. Great work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 4:21 pm
Very Original. Loved “BUT WAIT! There’s MORE!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 4:11 pm
Haha! Thank you! I had to put that phrase in there 🙂
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October 3, 2020 at 4:27 pm
Love this! So original and hilarious!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 4:49 pm
What a giggle-fest of a commercial! So creative, Laurie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 5:56 pm
Fantastically funny and entertaining! I loved this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 6:34 pm
Clever! Love all the puns!
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 3, 2020 at 7:56 pm
So funny! Loved it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 9:37 pm
hahahahahahahah
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 11:15 pm
I love the take on an infomercial! Very clever and fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 9:56 am
I love this! So cute and clever!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 12:52 pm
No bones about it, this story has so much clever word play to love!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 4:13 pm
Thank you! I had a blast getting in as many puns as possible!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:40 pm
Hahaha! Such a clever way to use the image! Nice, Laurie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 7:58 pm
This is so funny! I love all the puns. Great job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 5, 2020 at 11:13 am
This is HILARIOUS! Love all the puns…heehehe “halloween candy will not be honored as legal tender.” ❤
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October 6, 2020 at 5:41 pm
Very funny and original! I especially liked “Bone-a-part.” @AnneLipton
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October 13, 2020 at 3:50 pm
Haha – totally hilarious and original! Nice job!
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October 3, 2020 at 1:31 pm
Image 6
Desperate Run
by Judy Egan
Have to get through the trees. Can’t stop, they’re catching up. I can see the light ahead. I’ll be safe there. I have to be. There’s no other hope.
Their footsteps are getting louder.
The hairs on my neck bristle. They’re gaining on me. I stop behind a bush. All in black, they can’t see me. Quiet as possible. My breath seems like thunder after running so fast.
They’re so close I can hear them panting. Coming closer. They’ll pass me soon. Silence.
Aaaah! Caught!
“Hand it over, Doofus!”
No! “What gave me away?”
They look down.
My white socks glowing in the dark.
Another Halloween without candy – robbed again.
LikeLiked by 4 people
October 4, 2020 at 9:53 am
This is great! I love the white socks! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:56 pm
Glow in the dark socks and the tension of the chase were great! What a fun story. Best of luck Judy!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:45 pm
Way to take me one direction and leave me laughing:) Nice job, Judy!
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October 5, 2020 at 4:42 pm
Great story! Full of tension and fear, then…wham, you turned it around. Good luck!
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October 6, 2020 at 5:45 pm
Oh, nooo. Caught by the socks! Love the strong, breathless voice, the break-neck plotting, and the luminous twist ending. @AnneLIpton
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November 3, 2020 at 1:08 am
Thanks for sharing this intense story with us for the fall writing frenzy!
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October 3, 2020 at 12:37 pm
DANCING, TWIRLING ALL AROUND
By Bridget Grey
WC: 172
Leaves are dancing, twirling ‘round.
Orange, red, and honey brown.
Catch a falling leaf, they say,
Luck is sure to come your way.
Can we go outside to play?
Jackets, hats, and scarves today!
Air is crisp and sky so blue,
Catching leaves is hard to do.
Make a pile, get the rake…
How much longer will this take?
Let’s take turns, and here we go…
Running start…look out below!
Dancing, twirling all around,
Catch it, quick! …It’s on the ground.
Find a trail and find some sticks,
Tall enough for walking with.
Off the trail, we build a den,
Perfect place to play pretend.
Twigs and leaves and acorns too,
Mixing up a witch’s brew.
Uh oh, now it’s getting breezy.
Catching leaves is not so easy.
Sky grows pink, and shadows long,
Birds grow quiet with their song.
Back along the golden trails,
Gather treasures in our pails.
Dancing, twirling through the air,
“Look! You caught one in your hair!”
Smells of apples, cinnamon…
Donuts! Yum! Luck’s kicking in!
LikeLiked by 7 people
October 3, 2020 at 1:15 pm
This is delightful! Wonderful rhythm and rhyme – bursting with energy and colorful images!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:24 pm
Thank you! I had a lot of fun writing it ❤
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October 3, 2020 at 11:08 pm
Nice job! Nice rhyme and meter! Good luck!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:56 am
I love this! So much fun to imagine, and a perfect fall day.
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October 4, 2020 at 9:51 am
I love this! So many great images!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:02 pm
Bridget, I love how you captured the magic of fall with vibrant language, sensory details, and lovely rhymes! Wishing you the best of luck!
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October 6, 2020 at 5:54 pm
Wonderful wordplay and Fall imagery. Two favorites are “honey brown” and “catch a falling leaf. I love how you show the children’s imagination at play in the witch’s brew stanza. And, in the last stanza, the donuts *circle*(!) back to the first stanza deliciously. @AnneLipton
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October 3, 2020 at 12:27 pm
Lydia, I have tried submitting my entry 3 separate times, but it never works. Not sure what I’m doing wrong. Have tried signing into gmail, wordpress, etc, with no luck. Any suggestions? I do have my entry posted at martymi6.wordpress.com
Thanks!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:48 pm
Hi Marty- sorry to hear about that! I had one comment left pending in my WordPress and I just approved it, was that yours? If your comment is still not here, please email me and I will post it for you. Sorry about that! info@lydialukidis.com
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November 2, 2020 at 11:48 am
Lydia, managed to figure it out and get my entry posted right after sending you the message. Have no doubt it was my computer skills – or lack thereof! Sorry, I should have let you know right away.
Thanks for creating such a fun contest. Enjoyed coming up with an entry for it. Marty
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October 3, 2020 at 12:20 pm
THE SEASON TO SAY THANK YOU
by Anna Harber Freeman, # 14
Summer ends and flies away.
It’s Autumn’s turn to come and play.
“Thank you for the grass,” squeaks Mouse.
“It helps me warm my little house.”
“Thank you wind,” says Butterfly,
“You take me where it’s warm and dry.”
Bird chirps, “Thank you for the seeds,
The flowers give me all I need.”
“Thank you for the rock,” sings Bug,
As she crawls under, safe and snug.
“Thank you for the dirt,” says Mole,
While digging deep inside his hole.
Skunk peeps, “Thank you for the nest,
A cozy place for me to rest.”
“Thank you for the silver stream,”
Hums Turtle as he starts to dream.
Days grow short and shadows long.
Cricket plays her goodnight song.
Time for sleep. Down goes the sun.
Thank you, Earth, says everyone.
LikeLiked by 9 people
October 3, 2020 at 1:35 pm
Aw, this is so nice! An attitude of gratitude is always important.
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October 3, 2020 at 4:50 pm
Simply sweet and would be fun to illustrate with all the animal characters. Nice work, Anna!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:26 pm
Thank you Jill! : )
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October 4, 2020 at 1:07 pm
Anna, what a tribute to earth! I love the gratitude attitude- such a great reminder to all we should be grateful for!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:24 pm
Thank you Kari! Gratitude has helped me so much lately.
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October 4, 2020 at 5:48 pm
This is a ready picture book, Anna! I could see it clearly in my mind. Very sweet!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:31 pm
So sweet.
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October 6, 2020 at 6:26 pm
What a heartwarming ode of gratitude. This would make a wonderful bedtime story. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 2:27 pm
Beautiful and sweet! Nice!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:54 am
HOW TO BE A SUPER-DUPER HERO
By: Alicia Meyers
(Image #2)
Why be a superhero when you can be a super-duper hero?
All you need is my tried and tested, strategic plan.
First, it’s important to select your super-duper name.
Pair an action word with the letter X, Y, or Z.
Like, WHAM-X! Or SMASH-Z!
Next, you’ll need a super-duper suit that can withstand anything!
[Illu: running through the sprinklers]
Sidekicks are for superheroes. Get yourself a whole trusted team!
[Illu: Baby brother and stuffed animals around him.]
Superheroes may have powers, but super-duper heroes show skill and talent.
[Illu: singing, saying alphabet backwards, juggling]
Use your super-duper radar to stay alert for every rescue mission.
[Illu: Climbing to save a kitten from a tree]
When challenging your arch-nemesis, always offer them the chance to do the right thing.
[Illu: Talking through the fence to the neighbor’s growling dog]
When your mission makes a mess, use your super-duper speed to clean it up.
Smile for the camera. Everyone will want a selfie!
[Illu: Taking selfies with iphone]
But most importantly, when the day is over, hang up your cape and remember…
A true super-duper hero never gives up.
LikeLiked by 4 people
October 4, 2020 at 1:10 pm
A super-duper story about grit- something we all need in these challenging times. Nice job, Alicia!
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October 6, 2020 at 6:37 pm
Stupendous! Such an encouraging message of positivity for kids. You channel a child’s, ahem, I mean, a super-duper hero’s voice superbly. Hope to see this as a picture book IRL-Y! @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 2:25 pm
This is so cute! Wonderful message!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:42 am
*in case my link in the form isn’t working
SOMETIMES HALLOWEEN IS SCARY
by Dedra Davis
(199-words)
Sometimes Halloween is scary.
Not because of ghosts and goblins.
Or vampires and werewolves.
Or brides dressed in white.
What is scary about a bride?
Nothing. Not one little thing.
But last Halloween, my mom made me dress up as a bride.
A beautiful, non-scary bride.
And as brides do, I wore a white veil, a long, white dress, and carried a white bouquet.
I also carried a necessary accessory—my candy bucket!
And the hunger to get to the next doorbell—first!
Candy-hunger!!
But running, dressed as a bride, isn’t a good idea.
And running in a yard,
full of pokey stickers,
is never a good idea.
Racing, rushing…
SPLAT!
Stickers, STICKERS!!
Owwwwchh!
Stickers poking,
YowwwOuch!
Skinned knees,
bloody fingers,
muddy, torn dress…
candy scattered everywhere!
NOOO!
But…
Now, I look like a Halloween bride!
YES!!
A scary, zombie, muddy, bloody bride!
BOO!!
Sometimes Halloween is scary.
Not because you dress up like a beautiful bride,
but because you fall in a pile of pokey, hurt-y, burr-y, stickery-stickers.
Prickly little monsters!
And once you pick the pokey, prickly, hurt-y, burr-y, stickery-stickers out of your costume,
you look like a scary bride!
“Trick or Treat!”
Sometimes, Halloween is scary.
Scary, fun!
The End
LikeLiked by 5 people
October 3, 2020 at 11:54 am
Very creative!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:34 pm
Ah, thank you so much!!!
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October 3, 2020 at 2:35 pm
Love this! Very clever and funny!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:34 pm
Ah, thank you so much! And thanks for reading!!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:20 pm
Dedra, I’m so glad to read your story! I was one of the ones who couldn’t access your blog. Loved the humor and originality! Great job!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:33 pm
Thank you so much! Thanks for taking the time! Technology drives me🦇🦇!!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:38 pm
I love how she turned something negative into a positive and fun thing! Great job!
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October 5, 2020 at 6:09 pm
Yes! A got her way in the end! Haha Thank you for reading!!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:17 pm
I love how she wasn’t deterred by the mishaps, what a positive attitude!
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October 5, 2020 at 6:07 pm
Thank you! The real incident went much differently! Haha, Thank you for reading!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:51 pm
Awesome, D!
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October 5, 2020 at 6:03 pm
Thank you! Appreciate you!!
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October 8, 2020 at 4:09 pm
I love your character’s pluck, enthusiasm, and her joy at her inadvertent Halloween transformation. Your wonderful theme—that there’s a fine line between fun and fear—sends a great message to kids about letting go of expectations and embracing their experiences. And your last lines circle the story beautifully. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 2:23 pm
Cute and clever! I love her positive attitude!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:17 am
HI – Here is my entry. 196 words for Image 12 – THANKS!
PUMPKIN’S PAYBACK
Far out in the field,
alone with my friend.
I sit here with patience
and wish for an end.
That sneaky witch, Hilda,
she cast a bad spell.
Changed me to a pumpkin
and stole my cat, Belle.
She lost her black tabby
and now she has mine,
to practice her spells on
and THAT is not fine.
My best pal Lucinda’s
creating a cure.
She’s mixing a potion
with goodness that’s pure.
It’s fizzling! It’s sizzling!
it should do the trick.
Lucinda’s a great witch,
her mixtures are slick.
The waiting’s the hardest.
I’m not super calm.
A few minutes more then
I’ll guzzle the balm.
It’s finally ready
but oops, I can’t drink.
Lucinda will pour it
inside me – I think.
It’s warm and it’s sloshy.
I feel a soft glow.
Hurray! It is working.
I’m starting to grow.
My hands and my arms are
the first to arise.
The rest follows suit then
I open my eyes.
I hug my best friend
and we go to retrieve
my poor little cat and
make Hilda take leave.
She’s working her magic
and chanting a spell.
But this time I’m quicker –
now Hilda’s a bell.
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 4, 2020 at 5:54 pm
I’m glad Lucinda’s spell worked! Nice job:)
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October 8, 2020 at 4:26 pm
What a creative take on this image! I love how you saw the pumpkin as a character. Your allusion to “bell, book, and candle” in the last line is dead-on. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 2:21 pm
Cute and creative! Love the ending!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:09 am
Finally figured out how to get my entry into comments! LOL Here’s my story inspired by the little witch on photo #12
The Witch
In a magical realm full of cobwebs,
with no break in the grey misty gloom,
it was Halloween night,
such a creepy delight,
when a witch hopped up onto her broom.
Her black cape whirled as she lifted
up into the velvety night.
When she rose on her steed,
her nose started to bleed.
Turns out the witch couldn’t stand heights!
She waited til she wasn’t dizzy,
and thought about choices to fly.
A bike was too scary.
A horse was too hairy.
Just then an idea rolled right by.
The witch traded her broom for a skateboard,
and hoped her fear could be beat.
What more could she want
If she couldn’t haunt?
So she kicked off with her black booted feet.
The witch “Ollied” and “Heelflipped” like crazy,
And sped along kid crowded roads.
She kept her wand handy
To make kids give her candy.
If they argued – she turned them to toads.
So if you happen to get lost in the darkness,
or find yourself under a spell,
be sure not to get caught
in that cobwebby spot
Where a skateboarding witch might just dwell!
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 3, 2020 at 12:25 pm
I love it! I can just picture this little witch swooping in on her skateboard to take candy.
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October 4, 2020 at 1:25 pm
What an inventive mode of transportation for a candy collecting witch, love it!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:56 pm
A skateboarding witch! Nice take on it, Elizabeth!
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October 8, 2020 at 4:43 pm
Such a fun, original, and creative idea! I love the inclusion of skate lingo and admire your ability to to write a complete story arc in so few words. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 2:19 pm
Fun and adorable! Love it!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:00 pm
I love this, Beth. A skateboarding witch is quite original. And the rhyme scheme you’ve chosen works well with the story.
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October 3, 2020 at 10:55 am
WC: 199
ONE RED LEAF
Rashda shuffled along the sidewalk.
CRINKLE! CRUNCH! SCRUNCH!
Orange, tan, and brown leaves swished around her shoes.
But to Rashda they all looked the same, until she spotted one that looked different from the rest. Different, just like she felt.
She scooped it up, carried it to school, and set it on her desk.
Soon Rashda felt a tap-tap on her shoulder.
“Hi. Where’d you get the giant leaf?” Spreading her arms wide, Rachel touched the leaf and raised her eyebrows to help Rashda see she was asking a question.
Rashda wiggled her fingers like they were walking. Then she pointed out the window, toward the sidewalk.
“Let’s look for more pretty leaves on the playground during recess, ok?” Rachel said.
Rashda had been in her American school long enough to recognize the word ‘recess’. She answered with another word she knew, “Okay.”
When the bell rang, Rachel walked beside Rashda and reached for her hand. They spoke in smiles.
Together, they headed toward a golden, yellow tree behind the swings.
Together they made an autumn bouquet to give their teacher.
Together, after recess, they gave it to Mr. Jamal,
But not until Rashda added her one red leaf.
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 3, 2020 at 11:27 am
I love how they started building a friendship even before they could speak fluently together. It shows how playing together needs heart more than words 🙂
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October 3, 2020 at 12:12 pm
Thanks for reading my story and commenting, Katie!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:20 am
Love this gentle, heartwarming story!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:23 am
Claire, I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment on my story. Good luck with yours!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:37 pm
I love this line- They spoke in smiles. What a heartwarming story!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:58 pm
Friendship has its own language:) Nice job!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:28 pm
Heartwarming friendship.
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October 8, 2020 at 4:56 pm
I love that you took one leaf and made it into a bouquet. Your story expresses such a beautiful, hopeful message of kindness, generosity and connection, of finding common ground despite our differences. I especially like your description of friends who “spoke in smiles.” @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 2:17 pm
I love this! Beautiful and sweet! Nice!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:23 am
Purple Jack
By: Jessica Potts
Image #3
195 Words
Zane grabbed the jack o’lantern and pulled with his last ounce of strength. It wouldn’t budge. Soon the purple smoke came, stinging his eyes and burning his nose. It crept out the mocking smile of the carved pumpkin and evaporated into the trees. Purple Jack was real, and he was his next victim.
When Zane moved here, he laughed at the legend his classmates told him. And now he stood paralyzed, the distant laughter of Purple Jack taunting him. His knees buckled as the smoke consumed him. It wouldn’t be long now. He heard Purple Jack’s footsteps approaching, but then a whack and a thud. Then himself thrown to the ground. The jack o’lantern smashed apart. Zane sputtered and coughed as he looked up to see a recognizable figure in the smoke.
“Sophie?” He croaked, staring at his younger sister. “How did you-“
“There’s no time. We have to go!”
He shadowed her through the thick woods. They reached the edge, both panting with their hands on their knees.
“I’ll never tell if you don’t.” she said.
With a half-smile, he replied. “Deal.”
They took off. Not knowing if Purple Jack was dead or alive.
LikeLiked by 5 people
October 4, 2020 at 5:59 pm
Yay for younger sisters! Nice story, Jessica!
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October 8, 2020 at 11:12 pm
Great build-up of tension and suspense in so few words. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Great scary story! Loved the ending!
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October 13, 2020 at 9:32 am
Love it! Younger sister to the rescue. Nice build up of tension.
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October 3, 2020 at 9:13 am
Hi, I posted this on the website, but it shows up nowhere. I tried posting it again and it wouldn’t allow me since I had already entered once. I am hoping you will allow me to enter this way because I like my silly poem inspired by picture three. Welcome to my brain…I teach math and science to elementary students.
Headache by Missie Matt (182)
We changed colors in chem lab like real chemists today,
But the smell gave me a headache that wouldn’t go away.
I got a strange feeling in my eyeballs that just wouldn’t stop,
And my head began to pound and felt like it would pop.
So, I went and saw my doctor in his office at 2:00.
He did his examination through and through.
And after he decided I definitely was ill,
he told me to go home and take a purple chill pill.
So,
I
did.
ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
Then I woke up with a purple haze.
Then I woke up with a purple gaze.
Then I woke up with odd purple hair.
And now I am having a REAL PURPLE SCARE!
So, I went and saw my doctor again at 2:00.
He did another examination through and through.
This time he told me to take 2 pills; one red and one blue.
So,
I
did.
ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…
AAAAAHHHH!
Obviously, my doctor never studied the color wheel during his rounds,
I think to myself as I watch purple leaves float and fall to the ground
As I see myself exhaling purple breath feeling quite the fool as I walk to school.
@MattMissie
pillow3985@gmail.com
missiemathandscience@gmail.com (website under construction…almost finished, yay!)
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 3, 2020 at 3:49 pm
Hi- if you entered the form, then it means you submitted your entry correctly and we have it :). These comment fields are just so everyone can read each other’s entries. Please let me know if you have more trouble!
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October 3, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Missie – Found you!! Well done … totally fun and unique. Loved your rhythm. Glad it made it on here! Good luck!! – Rosanna
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October 8, 2020 at 11:18 pm
Great, imaginative riff on an authentic and relatable description of a headache, including visual aura. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Cute and clever! Nice!
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October 3, 2020 at 8:46 am
I thought I had posted mine but here it is. PB fiction based on Image #12 (198 words)
Bubble, Bubble, Toil, and Trouble
By Deborah Hunt
Jaime the witch stirred the brew three times.
“You forget the frog legs,” said Pamela the pumpkin.
Jaime put in three green gummy worms.
“You need to add the bones,” said Sally the skeleton.
Jaime added three long pretzels.
“Can I stir the pot?” asked Georgie the ghost.
Jaime handed him the spoon. “You can only stir it three times.”
The cauldron started to rumble.
“It’s supposed to bubble,” said Pamela.
“I forgot the eye of newt,” said Jaime.
Sally plopped a marshmallow into the brew.
Jaime stirred the cauldron three times.
The cauldron shook but didn’t bubble.
“You forgot the bunny tail,” said Billy the bat.
Jaime broke the tail off of a chocolate bunny.
“Can I stir?” asked Sally.
Jaime nodded.
Sally stirred. “One, two, three.”
The cauldron still didn’t bubble.
Jaime grabbed the spoon. “Why aren’t you bubbling?”
The cauldron groaned.
Jaime stirred three times.
The cauldron shook.
Pamela shouted. “You forgot the magic words!”
Jaime stirred. “Bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble.”
Nothing happened.
“Let’s say it together,” said Jaime.
“Bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble!” they all shouted.
The cauldron shook and rumbled and started to bubble.
LikeLiked by 5 people
October 4, 2020 at 6:03 pm
I like how you added what the children could for the witchy ingredients. It reminded me of when we used to come up for silly alternatives for items!
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October 4, 2020 at 8:11 pm
Thanks so much. I wasn’t sure who to do it at first because I didn’t want to make it scary.
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October 8, 2020 at 11:23 pm
A darling depiction of children channeling their creative powers. You never know what will happen when you use your imagination! @AnneLipton
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 9, 2020 at 1:17 pm
Thank you!
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October 11, 2020 at 2:10 pm
Cute and creative! I love the title! Nice!
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October 11, 2020 at 2:39 pm
Thank so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 8:07 am
Fall Flowers
Spring, summer and fall,
flowers have their time to bloom.
Spring flowers greet us after a long dull winter.
Deep purple and bright yellow,
crocuses show us the school year is almost over.
Daffodils trumpet the start of summer.
All season, bursts of colors dance in our eyes.
Soon summer ends and autumn arrives.
Days grow shorter.
But fall flowers stretch out the summer glow.
Autumn crocuses echo the first flowers of springtime.
Little faces of pink and yellow snapdragons smile at the cool weather.
Mounds of chrysanthemums brighten our doorsteps
Buzzing bees cover the pink autumn sedum.
Woodland turtlehead blossoms stick out their tiny tongues.
Speckled toad lilies peak out from the dappled shade.
A hummingbird collects nectar from the rose of sharon blossoms
Orange sunflowers petals circle a dark spiraled center
And mirror the colors of the maple trees’ fall foliage.
We are back in school
The pumpkin colors remind us
Halloween is coming.
LikeLiked by 10 people
October 3, 2020 at 8:29 am
I love the attention to the detail of nature. Lovely.
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October 3, 2020 at 8:51 am
Love how you’ve captured the cyclical nature of the passage of time— so much beauty in the natural world.
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October 3, 2020 at 9:45 am
Lovely~~Autumn is my favorite time of the year.
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October 3, 2020 at 10:15 am
As a gardener, I can say you captured the seasonal flowers like a pro. Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 8, 2020 at 11:27 pm
Wonderful imagery! I especially like “daffodils trumpet” and your last lines. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 2:08 pm
Beautiful fall imagery! Nice!
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October 23, 2020 at 11:13 am
I adore the beautiful imagery and how you used flowers to capture special moment’s in a child’s year.
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October 3, 2020 at 4:51 am
Shelley Corcoran
186 Words
Image 5
The Forest of Years
Autumn was forewarned never to steal a leaf from Old Maple Tree.
But Autumn was not one to behave or listen to anyone’s plea.
Off she crept one Halloween eve, to take what was not hers, in The Forest of Years.
She was unaware why the forest had such a name and to ignore that question was such a shame.
Quickly and hastily, she skipped through sticks and branches, unaware her skin was now covered in scratches.
Looking straight up at the ancient trunk, she stood on tippy toes and tried her luck.
She plucked a fiery red leaf from the timbers grasp, and raced to her home, it firmly in her clasp.
The next day she awoke from a troubled sleep… tossing, turning… tears she did weep.
She glanced at her leaf which was much brighter today, smooth and fresh…with a mystery to convey.
She went to the mirror. Horrified with what she saw! Wrinkles all over her forehead, cheeks and jaw!
Autumn realised how the great Maple had been there for many a year. It stole youth from those who made his leaves disappear.
LikeLiked by 8 people
October 3, 2020 at 8:53 am
What a twist at the end, such great foreshadowing throughout.
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October 3, 2020 at 10:08 am
Love the ending!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:18 am
Well done! I love surprise endings.
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October 3, 2020 at 11:00 am
I love how Autumn drives the story as a character! Great twist at the end, too!
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October 5, 2020 at 12:55 am
I love a surprise ending! Nice story, Shelley!
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October 6, 2020 at 4:22 am
Thank you so much
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October 6, 2020 at 4:29 am
Thank you, Colleen, csheer18, Glenda, Kara and Sara
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October 8, 2020 at 11:47 pm
You have created such a cool and imaginative concept in The Forest of Years. I would love to hear more stories of life lessons learned there. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 2:06 pm
Nice! I love the ending!
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November 2, 2020 at 11:00 pm
Ha! Love this ending! I LOLed thanks for sharing for the fall writing frenzy
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October 3, 2020 at 3:47 am
Interwoven
Everything Marcus owned was already heading south on a truck. Present for Jada in tow, Marcus had one final task before moving.
Twilight settled in as Mom drove onto the reservation, which Marcus had never seen. Jada met him on the porch to exchange gifts and goodbyes.
He gifted her a photo: Marcus, Jada and Nana after the spring play. Beaming, she pulled him inside.
“You have to say goodbye to Nana, too!”
Marcus tried to hide his disappointment with the blanket she’d given him—he’d wanted something more personal.
Inside, Marcus was awestruck with beauty—carved paddles; woven, chimney-shaped
hats; and dozens of vibrant blankets.
“You really like blankets, don’t you?” Marcus gawked. Jada laughed.
“Blankets are part of our heritage,” Nana smiled, wrapping Marcus in a hug. “They carried our culture through generations.”
“Blankets are a way for us to share our stories and show our love,” Jada finished.
“I picked a blanket with your favorite colors!”
Deep appreciation for his blanket blossomed in Marcus’ chest.
He strolled back to the car, bundling the colorfully streaked fabric around him to repel autumn’s evening chill. Marcus knew now, even states away, the warmth of friendship would always be near.
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October 3, 2020 at 3:50 am
Written to accompany Image 1.
200 words.
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October 3, 2020 at 8:56 am
So much love woven into that blanket. A beautiful build-up to such a heartwarming ending.
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October 3, 2020 at 10:32 am
Your story feels like a warm blanket!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:04 am
Young readers may never look at a gift-blanket again in quite the same way after reading your story.
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October 3, 2020 at 1:32 pm
Truly lovely!
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October 3, 2020 at 5:08 pm
This is a wonderful story. Warm like a blanket on a cold Fall day
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October 3, 2020 at 10:18 pm
Warm and wonderful! I love this story so much Devin. Like so many of your stories, I would love to see this one as a picture book:)
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October 4, 2020 at 11:24 pm
Beautiful!
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October 9, 2020 at 12:01 am
I love that the blanket in the image inspired your story, and I also love the analogy you draw between the blanket and the warmth of friendship. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 2:04 pm
Beautiful warm and cozy story! I love the ending! Nice!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:18 pm
Title: GHOULS ARE COMING 4 YOU
188-WORDS
Isabella Heredia
Image 7
Some old fools in town told me ghouls come for you when crunchy leaves skate across your front lawn.
Howling wind rattles our windows. Mamá better seal the doors tight.
Stray leaves abandon their flock, forming orange and cinnamon knolls.
I better stay up late and protect my folks. There’s no time for mistakes.
Everyone knows at midnight they come for your soul.
Tick—Tock
The long hand trots across the clock.
Twelve strikes echo—cling-clang-clunk.
I better not answer the door if the ghouls do come.
Mamá, please listen for once!
I’m nine years old—I must be brave.
Maybe we should bake them cupcakes?
Knock Knock
Oh, noo!
They’re . . . h-e-r-e.
Knock—Knock
“Open this door you puny humans!”
Knock–Knock
“We ghouls are here for you feeble-brained fools. We have surprises that’ll make you weep—Plenty of mouth-crunchy spoils that’ll make your insides coil.”
There’s nowhere to hide!
Mamá better not make a sound. She clings to my arm.
Halloween isn’t fun anymore.
Don’t be afraid—I’m nine years-old after all!
Ghostly fingers creep under the door, stretching until—the knob turns.
“RUUNNN!”
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 2, 2020 at 11:32 pm
This story is so much fun!
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October 3, 2020 at 2:06 am
Unsure if mine posted- so putting here just in case. 🙂
Star Seed
By Kelly Jensen
Pic #6
The breath leaving my lips crystalized in the cold air, as the sound of my feet hitting the hardened earth matched the drumming of my beating heart. Faster, I commanded as the tempo increased in response.
Deep blue sky was melting into the grey of twilight. The light betwixt thin tree trunks dissipated into the encroaching fog, signaling the coming of night.
The Shadow’s danger increased in the darkness, cloaked with invisibility. He would soon be upon me, and there would be no hope for my anguished soul then.
I forced my burning lungs to inhale. I urged my legs to carry me forward through the wretched woods, the stolen star pulsating in my pocket— an unfortunate beacon of light.
An owl shrieked in warning. The wind whispered “make haste child,” while the earth beneath me shook, thunder-like, as he gained ground.
Hot breath warmed my neck as the distance between us closed. Whipping around, I wrenched the star from my pocket and held her outright- her light singeing The Shadow’s ethereal skin.
At the forest’s edge was a lone cliffside with thick blackness below. I had no choice. The star screamed as I leaped into the great abyss.
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October 9, 2020 at 12:39 am
The cadence matches the scene! I found myself reading faster and faster as the protagonist was running away!
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October 11, 2020 at 2:01 pm
Love the pacing, Kelly! Your story kept me on the edge of my seat! Nice!
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October 3, 2020 at 8:58 am
So spooky! I hope they got away!
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October 9, 2020 at 12:09 am
Incredible voice! The narrator begins with a dismissive tone but soon changes their tune. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Great spooky story! Love the fingers under the door! Nice!
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October 11, 2020 at 1:59 pm
Not sure why this posted here. This was for Isabella! Sorry!
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October 12, 2020 at 5:46 pm
Great tension building and attention grabbing!
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November 1, 2020 at 9:19 pm
Thank you for sharing this haunting story with us for the fall writing frenzy! I really liked the clock description.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:55 pm
MAKING MAGIC
Image 12
I remember sitting in the field creating a potion that I hoped would bring her back. I added some of her favorite things—her vanilla-scented perfume, flowers from the garden that had gone dry without her touch, and golf tees left in her pink and black golf bag. As I added each ingredient, it made me miss her more. I had to try and bring her back, even if it seemed crazy to everyone else.
I put on my witch’s hat and carried everything I needed to the field. I set the cauldron on a patch of dirt and lit the match. Secretly, I worried the whole pasture would go up in smoke, sort of like my life. As I mixed the potion, I hoped my tears would add the magic ingredient that would bring her back.
“Abracadabra!” I yelled.
I waited.
“Abracadabra!” I yelled again.
It didn’t work, and I slumped over in tears.
Ten years later, I still miss her every day. How I wish that potion would have worked.
Instead, here I am, ready for the Fall Harvest Dance with no one to see me but my date and my dad. I wish magic was real.
LikeLiked by 7 people
October 3, 2020 at 9:02 am
Me too! How I wish I had a magic potion to bring back my loved ones even for just a short spell. So much heart and longing in this one.
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October 4, 2020 at 6:08 pm
Oh, if only magic were real. Thanks for sharing your story!
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October 8, 2020 at 1:54 pm
Oh my gosh, I really felt that. I wish that kind of magic was real too. Good job.
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October 9, 2020 at 12:15 am
Such a sad and poignant story that resonates with tender, heartfelt details. I love the specific personal mementos that the narrator adds to her potion. If only. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 1:51 pm
Beautiful emotional story! Wish we could bring back our loved ones! Nice!
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October 2, 2020 at 9:51 pm
Picture #1
WC: 199
I couldn’t figure out how to use italics here to show thoughts, so i put them in parentheses)
The Worst Halloween Ever
by Linda Hofke
“Someone’s moved into the Miller house. Light’s on.”
“Let’s go.”
“But they’re strangers,” I say. “We’re not supposed to–”
“C’mon, Carmen. You King of the Jungle or scaredy cat?”
“King,” I say and tug my lion mane hoodie. (I can chuck the candy later. No use looking like a coward.)
Jill knocks. A smiling granny opens the door.
“TRICK OR TREAT!”
“How wonderful. A robot, lion, and ballerina,” she exclaims. “Here’s something special.”
She drops paper scrolls into our bags.
“Guess she prefers tricks instead of treats.”
“Seems so,” I say. But still better than suspicious candy.
***
After sorting last night’s stash, I open the scroll.
20 Magic Spells.
CAUTION: USE AT OWN RISK
Love potion? Definitely not.
Pass a test spell? Worth a try.
Pet generator? If only!
“What’s that?” Mom asks.
“Just a silly paper. Listen to this transformation spell.”
Presto-change-o, ala-wala-woo.
Makka-makka-pumpkin. Takka-takka-you.
Mom vanishes.
Next to her book and coffee mug is a pumpkin.
I call the others to warn them and learn the Miller house is still vacant. Who was that lady? And how do I change this pumpkin back to mom?
LikeLiked by 8 people
October 2, 2020 at 10:30 pm
Love your story! 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 10:35 pm
thanks ❤
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October 3, 2020 at 1:37 am
VERY cool! 😀
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October 5, 2020 at 7:53 am
thanks so much, Donna Marie.
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October 3, 2020 at 9:04 am
Oh no! I hope he figures it out. Such a great story, feels like the perfect start to a chapter book. I hope you keep going with this one.
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October 5, 2020 at 7:54 am
thanks, Sara. It sure would be a fun chapter book to write. I just might keep writing. 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 2:24 am
haha, such a funny ending!
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October 5, 2020 at 7:56 am
not funny for the poor mother 😉
thanks for commenting, Sylvia. Good luck to you if you’ve also entered.
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October 8, 2020 at 1:51 pm
Haha very clever! Love the ending.
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October 9, 2020 at 9:32 am
thank you, Penolope.
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October 9, 2020 at 12:23 am
I love the contrast of the narrator’s worry about “suspicious candy” versus the havoc that a “silly paper” wreaks. @AnneLipton
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October 9, 2020 at 9:33 am
I’m so glad. That’s what I was hoping to do, Anne.
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October 11, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Cute and clever story, Linda. I love the ending!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:26 pm
thanks so much, Jill
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October 12, 2020 at 4:32 pm
LOL-Mysterious, creative cautionary tale. Poor Mom!
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October 12, 2020 at 5:39 pm
thanks, Charlotte.
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October 12, 2020 at 5:06 pm
Hi linda,
Very original and and cute. Love the spell – fun to say aloud. Poor Mom. LOL
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October 12, 2020 at 5:40 pm
thanks, Kathy.
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October 2, 2020 at 9:31 pm
I don’t think mine got posted-so I’m putting it here. Apologies if it’s in twice-technology is not my friend today!
Falling Apart
By Karen Keesling
WC: 193
(Image #10)
Maddie studied her watch. 10 seconds slower on this last sprint. She needed to be faster, gazelle-like.
She glared at the empty road ahead with gold and cinnamon leaves waving her on. Cinnamon and cider…the conversation…the memory made her sick.
The night after the visit to the orchard. Had she really looked at their faces? Dad stroked Izzy’s hair. Mom heated up apple cider and fried cinnamon donuts.
Why did they create such a perfect moment just to ruin it by telling them?
Had she seen Mom’s taut jawline, Dad’s sad eyes when he smiled? She should have known it was coming. In some sense she did. She heard the shouting. The doors banging. She saw the crumpled blankets on the couch.
Maddie’s heart slammed against her chest when she heard, “still love you…not each other.” Had they even said divorce? She didn’t know. Her body took flight, catapulting her out the door. That was her first time running. Two years ago.
Now Maddie inhaled the fresh, fall air. She stared ahead, sneakers striking the pavement, scattering dead leaves behind her. 20 seconds faster. She knew how to win the race on Saturday.
LikeLiked by 8 people
October 3, 2020 at 1:32 am
wow, Karen…I was totally drawn in. SO good!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:09 am
Thanks so much. Very kind of you to say 🙂
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October 3, 2020 at 9:07 am
Such lush details the donuts, the orchard, makes the memory more poignant. Makes me feel her drive to run.
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October 3, 2020 at 10:05 am
Wow, great story! Love the imagery.
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October 3, 2020 at 10:36 am
So vivid and bittersweet!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:21 am
I could not stop reading this! Your imagery is beautiful and the story pulled at my heart. Great story!
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October 8, 2020 at 1:47 pm
Very powerful story and beautifully written. I too wrote a running story sparked by this image. It’s just calling out to take a long, contemplative run. Well done.
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October 9, 2020 at 12:34 am
Such a richly layered story told in so few words—and with such great voice. You give us such a wonderful sense of what makes Maddie run—her emotional wound, her feelings of loss and betrayal, and her still-simmering anger. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 1:43 pm
Beautiful moving story! Nice!
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October 2, 2020 at 9:15 pm
Who’s There (image 7)
Knock, Knock! I peek out.
Who’s that shadowy figure on my lawn?
A ghostly voice wails from underneath the hood.
“CHHH-arlie, it’s TIIIIME….”
“Whaaaat?” Is he talking to me?
My parents told me to pass out the Halloween candy.
The dark figure starts to inch closer.
What is that stench? Burnt flesh? Why is he motioning to me?
Is he crazy, I’m not…going with him. I got plans tomorrow with Brad.
“Go away bag of bones! There’s nothing here for you.”
He looks ANGRY!
A hissing sound erupts. He points! Smoke rises from the ground.
Goosebumps creep along my arms. My voice catches in my chest.
His boney face and sunken shadowy eyes stare into my soul.
I refuse to leave, I live here. I’m the fastest track star at school.
I bet I can beat him in a one-legged race.
He’s getting closer!
My heart echoes outside my chest.
THUMP!
THUMP!
THUMP!
I try to slam the door but a strong gust of wind blows it open.
His stale breath hits my nose.
“Who…are you?”
Time stops!
He leans in…
to whisper…
DEATH!
Death takes hold. Then NOTHING!
LikeLiked by 3 people
October 2, 2020 at 9:17 pm
It did not paste the story right.
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October 4, 2020 at 6:13 pm
I finished reading and then wanted to say “what happens next?”
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October 9, 2020 at 12:50 am
Your suspenseful tale is a fine example of the time-honored story tradition of “you can’t outrun death.” Not even if you’re “the fastest track star at school.” I love howh the end of your work is the end for your narrator, too. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 1:38 pm
I loved the suspense! Great ending!
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October 2, 2020 at 9:09 pm
The Runaway 186 words
by Mona Pease
It wasn’t the first time
he stacked his wagon
with favorite things-
his pillow
clean jeans
a shirt
pajamas
and fierce protector,
Saur.
He snuck through
a secret
space in the fence
and sat on the porch
until Auntie Mo
appeared
with
tea
and
donuts to dunk
and lots of
sweet sugar lumps.
“This time I’m going to stay.”
They spent the day
raking
fall leaves
into a pile,
jumping,
and tossing
them
high.
Then stuffed some
in clothes
made a face
with a frown
poked a pole in the ground
to hold up
their guy.
Both laughed at their
lumpy leaf man.
She showed him
the room
where her boy
once
slept
with a fireman’s
ladder
to climb into bed
and told him
it could be
his
tonight!
Then just about dusk
he stacked his things.
“I’d better go
home
to tuck them in
they might not
sleep
without my
hugs.
And they’ll
be scared
if Saur isn’t there
guarding them
through the
night.”
Aunt Mo
watched
him sneak
through
his secret space
but knew
in her
heart
that he would
come back again
soon!
LikeLiked by 10 people
October 2, 2020 at 9:16 pm
Absolutely delightful! So full of heart. Makes me want to go jump in a leaf pile and have a sleepover with my favorite aunt.
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October 3, 2020 at 3:08 am
This gave me such a warm feeling. Lovely!
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October 3, 2020 at 7:00 am
What a touching, heartfelt story. I really enjoyed reading this!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:11 am
This piece is exquisite! The love between the boy & his aunt is palpable throughout. You’ve caught such a tender point in their relationship, with just a whisper of the boy that is grown & gone hovering in the background. Well done!
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October 8, 2020 at 1:38 pm
Lovely and heartwarming, I want to read more!
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October 9, 2020 at 1:01 am
Awww. Such a sweet and adorable story that gives me all the feels! I love Aunt Mo’s matter-of-fact, calm, and nonjudgmental manner, as well as her playful side, and admire how subtly and deftly you reveal the eponymous runaway’s eventual change of heart. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 1:36 pm
Beautiful and heartwarming! Nice!
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October 2, 2020 at 8:38 pm
This was a fun was to decompress on a Friday night!
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October 2, 2020 at 8:25 pm
* Would you please be able to delete, A MAGICAL SURPRISE on the post?
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October 2, 2020 at 8:23 pm
Hi Lydia, I posted the wrong story in the messages, A MAGICAL SURPRISE on your site. It does not match what I submitted via the entry form, A TRICKY SURPRISE. I reposted A TRICKY SURPRISE on your post. Would you please be able to delete it? I’m so sorry for any confusion. Thank you so much! Mary Arkiszewski
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October 2, 2020 at 8:15 pm
Halloween, 2020
(Image #2)
by Callie Dean
199 words
Everything feels different this year.
No trick-or-treating.
No carnivals.
No parties.
“Don’t worry,” Mom says. “We’ll find new ways to celebrate.”
I worry anyway. What if there are no pumpkins? No costumes? No candy?
I cut spooky ghosts and spiders from construction paper. Mom helps me hang them around the house.
The pumpkin patch is closed. Instead, Mom brings a big pumpkin home from the grocery store.
“I wanted to pick it out,” I grumble.
“Come help me decorate,” she says.
We scoop the seeds out and use our sharpest knife to carve a jagged face.
Mom and I fill bags with candy. “Put on your mask,” she tells me, like she does every day. But today, my mask turns me into a superhero.
We drop candy onto our neighbors’ porches, ring their doorbells, and run away. It’s like trick-or-treating, but backwards.
“Look,” Mom says as we arrive back home. Our jack-o-lantern’s smiling face glows back at us. I see a bag of candy with my name on it.
I laugh. There’s one last bag of candy in my sack, too. I give it to Mom with a hug.
Everything feels different this year. But somehow? Still the same.
LikeLiked by 9 people
October 2, 2020 at 9:58 pm
This is so hopeful! Thank you for sharing.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:45 pm
I love it. Full of heart and fun to read.
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October 3, 2020 at 10:29 am
This is delightful and so relevant.
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October 3, 2020 at 10:32 am
This was fun to read!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:16 pm
Halloween may be different but the love is the same. Nice story, Callie!
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October 8, 2020 at 1:36 pm
Making the best of the situation – I love the heartwarming message 🙂
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October 9, 2020 at 1:06 am
“Like trick-or-treating, but backwards.” Heartmelt. A wonderfully topical, insightful, and encouraging story with some great practical ideas! Love! @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 1:33 pm
Love the way this story makes the best out of the situation. Full of fun and love!
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November 1, 2020 at 7:37 pm
Thank you for sharing this sweet timely story with us for the fall writing frenzy!
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October 2, 2020 at 7:29 pm
This is my first time to enter Fall Writing Frenzy. I hope this is the right place to post Halloween Halftime.
125 words and inspired by Image 7.
Halloween Halftime
Full moon gleams in darkest night
Stands are packed to watch the fight
Trolls and vampires side by side
Witches float on brooms astride
Werewolves race to move the ball
Goblins scramble. Players fall
Buzzers blare. The teams retreat
Bands move in with marching feet
Monsters, mummies playing loud
Stomping, tromping, playing proud
Moaning horns and clinking chains
A spooky band that entertains
Zombie leader steps and drags
Skeletons dance, twirling flags
Prancing ghouls leap and whirl
Gauzy costumes sweep and swirl
Fans go wild. They shriek and roar
Thrilling, chilling. They want more
Shaking pom-poms, banshees scream
Chanting cheers out for their team
Humans wouldn’t dare embrace
This haunted game, this scary place
Halloween half-time at Horror High
Beneath a crisp and cloudless sky
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 2, 2020 at 7:35 pm
Skeleton’s Change of Heart -sung to the tune of Pina Colada song
By Liz Kehrli
I was tired of my old life
Been scaring kids for so long.
Too much screaming and crying
I knew that something was wrong.
So I’m throwing a party
But without any fear.
If you choose to cross over
Grab a mask and come here.
If you like bobbing for apples
On a dark, stormy night.
If you’d rather eat candy
Than cause terror and fright.
If you like dancing in the moonlight
With a cool autumn breeze.
Help me convince these young humans
That we are now here to please.
I can guess what you’re thinking
Why should I change how I live?
I’m so tired of taking,
I’ve learned it’s more fun to give.
So fill your glass and come party
And do not think that I’m daft.
I’m just very committed
To change each scream to a laugh!
If you like carving a pumpkin
And trick or treating ‘round town.
If you’re fed up with scaring
And you are heaven bound.
If you like playing until midnight
and singing the Monster Mash.
You are welcome to join me
Before our bones turn to ash!
LikeLiked by 5 people
October 2, 2020 at 7:55 pm
So funny!
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October 3, 2020 at 8:39 am
Love it
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October 2, 2020 at 11:03 pm
I must admit, I googled a instrumental version so that I could read this out loud with it. Great fun!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:02 am
Ha, this is fun!
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October 3, 2020 at 1:24 pm
I totally sang it in my head!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:06 am
So much fun to sing along! Wonderful!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:18 pm
Clever fun! I totally sang along…
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October 9, 2020 at 1:24 am
Hahahha. Or should I say, Mwahaha. This is genius. You give us all the elements of a great monster game. I especially love “Shaking pom-poms, banshees scream.” Horror High, indeed. @AnneLipton
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October 9, 2020 at 1:32 am
This comment is for Debbie Sanders story. There is some sort of glitch and my comment posted in the wrong place, as did many others. I hope Debbie sees them. @AnneLipton
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October 21, 2020 at 2:44 pm
Thank you! I did find it (and a few other comments out of place). Appreciate it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 9, 2020 at 1:28 am
Sweet! Very ingenious and original to write alternate lyrics. I especially liked “If you like bobbing apples/On a dark, stormy night/If you’d rather eat candy/Than cause terror and fright.”
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October 10, 2020 at 8:26 pm
Such a clever idea! Original and funny! Great job, Liz!
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October 2, 2020 at 7:56 pm
Very clever!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:31 am
Love this!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:38 am
What a fun idea!
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October 3, 2020 at 1:26 pm
Loads of fun imagery here!
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October 3, 2020 at 2:44 pm
Love the creativity!
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October 3, 2020 at 4:31 pm
So clever, creepy and completely fun to read in rhyme!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:01 am
I love this! Great Halloween imagery! Good luck, Debbie!
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October 21, 2020 at 2:50 pm
Thank you! Several comments were put with another entry. I’m just not finding some that were for Halloween Halftime. I appreciate the encouragement!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:04 am
I love this! Great Halloween imagery! Good luck, Debbie.
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October 4, 2020 at 6:18 pm
What a clever use of the image! Nice story, Debbie!
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October 21, 2020 at 2:53 pm
Thanks! I didn’t know I had comments until I learned a glitch posted them with a different entry. Appreciate it!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:18 pm
Delightfully different! (Looks just like my son’s football games–only ghoulier.)
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October 4, 2020 at 11:20 pm
Sorry. Not sure why this comment went under the wrong story…
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October 8, 2020 at 1:32 pm
Such a clever poem, I love it!
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October 9, 2020 at 1:15 am
Hahahha. Or should I say, Mwahaha. This is genius. You give us all the elements of a great monster game. I especially love “Shaking pom-poms, banshees scream.” Horror High, indeed. @AnneLipton
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October 9, 2020 at 1:33 am
This comment is for Debbie Sanders story. There is some sort of glitch and my comment posted in the wrong place, as did many others. I hope Debbie sees them. @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 7:03 pm
“THE SOCK SCOFFER”- J Smith [Based on Image 1: The Socks]
We’ve got a monster in our kitchen.
I think Harry (my older brother) is really scared of it- he always leaves Dad or Mum to feed it.
CLINK CLUNK CLINK it goes as it guzzles its disgusting juice, but it also drinks loads of water.
I’ve never seen anyone so thirsty!
And no matter how much stuff gets shoved in its belly, it always seems hungry.
Honestly, it’ll eat almost anything- last week it scoffed one of Dad’s smelly socks! YUCK!
He wasn’t happy, and blamed it for ruining his favourite shirt too (it didn’t eat it, but did turn it pink!)
It always wants a nap after eating, and screeches at us to turn the lights off.
It’s not all bad, and always does the washing. That why we let it stay in the house.
After football yesterday, my top was really dirty (from all the amazing saves); the monster ate the mud and then spat my top back out again.
I think it mainly likes to eat socks and mud.
I was really muddy too, and I was worried it might try and eat me.
But Dad put me in the bath instead- it was safer that way.
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 3, 2020 at 1:22 am
SO clever, James 😀
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October 3, 2020 at 3:03 am
Thank you 😀
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October 4, 2020 at 10:59 am
Cute and clever! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:21 pm
Dad saves the day! Nice story, James!
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October 9, 2020 at 1:12 pm
You’ve written an adorable story with an authentic, relatable, and humorous child’s voice and perspective. Your last line made me LOL. @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 6:23 pm
Image 13
31 words
PB Non-rhyming Critique
Fall Begins
by Amber Hendricks
Sun kissed.
Gold tipped.
Fall begins anew.
Green seeps.
Bronze spreads.
Change in every hue.
Wind sweeps.
Limbs creak.
Falling day by day.
Cold nips.
Frost creeps.
Winter’s on its way.
LikeLiked by 11 people
October 2, 2020 at 10:57 pm
Wow, you were able to fit so much imagery into such a succinct poem. Lovely.
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 3, 2020 at 1:19 pm
Thank you so much! I love how powerful words can be!
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October 3, 2020 at 7:04 am
Lovely language – I can see, hear, and feel it all! You packed a lot of power into so few words. I enjoyed reading your poem!
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October 3, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Thank you, Kathy! That really means so much.
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October 3, 2020 at 11:19 pm
Beautiful imagery! You packed a lot of vivid descriptions in just a few lines. Nice job!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:03 pm
Thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:09 pm
Beautiful and powerful! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:03 pm
Thank you so much, Jill!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:16 pm
You really captured the feel and beautiful colors of fall in so few words. Well done!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:19 pm
Thank you for your kind words!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:07 pm
Powerful use of language. Well done.
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October 5, 2020 at 10:03 am
Thank you, Roxanne!
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October 9, 2020 at 1:17 pm
Such a gorgeous lyrical poem that captures the essence of fall in a nutshell. It can also be read as an allegory of life and aging. I love so many of your pithy images but “limbs creak” is my favorite. @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 5:54 pm
Five Senses of Thanksgiving
by Erin Buhr
(inspired by image 4)
Push back from the table.
Savory, spice and sour flavors
linger on your tongue.
Golden orange, cranberry red, and sage green traces
smear across your plate.
Loud laughs, long sighs, and scraping forks searching for one last bite
fill your ears.
Your tummy is stuffed.
Fingers are sticky.
Eyelids droop.
You couldn’t fit even one more bite.
But wait!
A waft of cinnamon.
A sniff of nutmeg.
A hint of cloves.
Is that pumpkin pie you smell?
LikeLiked by 5 people
October 2, 2020 at 9:07 pm
Haha! There’s always room for dessert! You captured that thanksgiving feeling perfectly.
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October 4, 2020 at 12:07 pm
Nice! I love the Thanksgiving imagery! Too full for pie? Never!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:22 pm
There’s always room for pie!
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October 9, 2020 at 1:30 pm
Such a clever concept with evocative sensory details that live up to the title. “Golden orange, cranberry red, and sage green traces/smear across your plate” paints a beautiful picture. And I could really feel the rest of this piece, too. You serve up a delicious slice of Thanksgiving Day. @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 5:42 pm
Hi Lydia,
I filled out the form on Oct. 1st and pasted my entry in the comments. It showed up that morning, but I am not able to find it now. Should I try to repaste it again? Thank you.
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October 2, 2020 at 5:01 pm
[…] little poem is my contribution to help celebrate the Official Kidlit #FallWritingFrenzy! hosted by @KaitlynLeann17 and @LydiaLukidis. Writers are challenged to select one of 15 images and […]
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October 2, 2020 at 4:38 pm
Image 2:
SamSquatch and Yeti’s First Halloween
by Erin Gallagher
Sam and Yeti hide nearby
watching all the passersby.
Monsters, ghosts, and witches too;
taking candy, shouting ‘boo’!
Sam and Yeti look around.
Not a single human found!
“We didn’t think you guys were real”
they told a dino wearing heels.
(The kids all laughed, but played it cool.
Were these some older kids from school?)
“Come and join us, bring your treats!
The candy swap is down the street!”
Inside the house they have a scare:
humans pictured EVERYWHERE!
On shelves and walls, the mantle too:
smiling humans. What to do?
The candy’s poured along the floor.
“Let’s stay a couple minutes more”.
Chocolates, wrappers, candy corn
to sort, select, and sometimes scorn.
“Are these your favorite?”, Monster asks.
He holds one up, takes off his mask.
Eek! A human! In disguise!
They look around with growing eyes.
Yeti whispers low to Sam:
“Let’s take our treats, it’s time to scram!”
“Yeti, Sam” the children say,
“take off your costumes, let’s go play!”
But by the time they turn around
their brand new friends could not be found.
“Maybe we should be more wary.
Halloween is way too scary!”
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 2, 2020 at 5:30 pm
Cute! I love the twist of the monsters being afraid of the humans. I also love Yeti stories.Nice job.
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October 2, 2020 at 5:57 pm
Wonderful rhyme and meter! Love this!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:50 pm
nice story concept and good meter
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October 3, 2020 at 8:55 am
I really love this, the perspective is great .
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October 3, 2020 at 10:00 am
This is so much fun! Nice job!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:38 am
Fun twist! Loved it.
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October 4, 2020 at 12:02 pm
This is adorable! Love this!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:12 pm
Fun twist, I love it!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:24 pm
That was cute! I like how you used the image:) Nice story, Erin!
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October 9, 2020 at 3:02 pm
I love how you give us the monsters’-eye view in this clever and funny poem. @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 3:39 pm
Image 13
I Am Not an Evergreen.
I am not an evergreen.
I don’t remain the same with winds of change.
I’m not like others, with their perfunct perfection,
wearing their everlasting leaves and pride.
Though I have tried.
I am not an evergreen
I feel each season change with fervour.
A flash of anger is my autumn undoing.
My green is lost to fading light and chills.
I am furnished with a brazen, blazing palette.
I am not an evergreen,
I drip each leaf with wild abandon,
Pouring myself out recklessly until I am stark.
And I stand, bark and twigs.
Alone against the wind.
I am not an evergreen.
My former glory is a carpet upon which other’s tread.
My dreams and aspirations become mulch,
beneath the weight of common doings.
Sweet alchemy beings.
I am not an evergreen
Through the winter isolation,
I drink the syrup of my lost ambitions,
The sweet nectar restores,
And I weather the darkest storm, comforted by my own soul
I am not an evergreen,
When gentle Spring begins to whisper,
I am ready.
And I begin to bloom,
much more vivid than I ever have before.
Because …
I am not an evergreen.
LikeLiked by 10 people
October 2, 2020 at 3:44 pm
I love your lyric voice! Beautiful!
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October 3, 2020 at 8:56 am
Thankyou
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October 2, 2020 at 3:45 pm
What a wonderful weaving of the senses of melancholy and joy together!
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October 3, 2020 at 8:56 am
Thanks so much. 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 4:04 pm
Interesting point of view! I live the repetition/“comeback lines” throughout this. Beautiful!
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October 3, 2020 at 8:57 am
Thanks 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 5:32 pm
Wow- Laura, this is absolutely fantastic writing- so beautiful and evocative! It really tugs at your heart and soul! Great job!
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October 3, 2020 at 8:57 am
Thanks Liz
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October 3, 2020 at 3:04 pm
This is gorgeous!!!!!!!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:03 am
This is beautiful! The vivid images it evokes were so poignant.
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October 4, 2020 at 11:59 am
Beautiful! Love the feeling of each season!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:10 pm
Beautiful! I really felt the change of seasons and the emotion each change brings.
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October 9, 2020 at 3:12 pm
Such a poignant poem about strength, survival, and renewal. You really dig deep. I love the line, “I drink the syrup of my lost ambitions,/The sweet nectar restores.” @AnneLipton
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October 10, 2020 at 8:29 pm
Beautiful, Laura:)
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October 2, 2020 at 3:14 pm
Processing
There’s this road that leads out of town. I don’t know. I just kind of like it. It’s like, really secluded, and I guess maybe it just helps me to be alone. And, like… I don’t know. I can pretend like I’m leaving.
That sounds really lame, but like, sometimes I just can’t be around people. I don’t know. I know it’s weird.
The cars always make me nervous, though. Well, like, the drivers do. I always imagine them stopping and calling out to me. Sometimes it’s just, like, they just want directions, but other times I suddenly wonder if they’ve just always wanted to, like, hit someone, and I panic for a second. But it goes away when they keep driving. I don’t know, it’s really stupid.
When there’s no cars, it’s peaceful. And I definitely come out in fall more than any other time of year. The trees are always changing and the air is cool, so you never get uncomfortable or too hot or anything. Leaves have that wetness to them. They still brush against each other and make noise, but it feels quieter. Softer.
I don’t know. I guess I just like the smell of rain.
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October 3, 2020 at 5:14 pm
Lovely writing, Laura! Poignant and lyrical, really emotional!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:56 am
Beautiful, Jaimie! Written with so much feeling!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:15 pm
I really like the very real, conversational tone to your thoughtful piece.Nice work!
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October 9, 2020 at 3:15 pm
Wonderful voice! I want to read on to learn more about the narrator. @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 3:11 pm
Image 10
The Unthinkable Path
By Krista Legge
WOW! What an intriguing path.
So perfectly smooth, so picturesque, I forget to breathe for a moment.
What do you think the rest of the path looks like? Let’s create it together.
Close your eyes.
Visualize the path.
Do you see it? Good, let’s go!
Start down the path.
Are you walking? Riding a bike? Driving a car?
Sharp turn up ahead! What will you do?
Great job, that was close!
Here comes a big bump! How will you stay on the path?
Whoah, that was quick thinking!
What is that up ahead? A dark tunnel in the middle of the path! What is the plan?
Impressive.
Where’s that rumbling coming from? A herd of deer! STOP!!
That was close.
Holy HOLE!
Hmmm, how are you going to move forward?
Awesome idea!
Whoosh! Leaves and branches swirling and whirling. TORNADO?! HOLD ON!
You made it!
Wait, what happened?
Oh, no!
The path is incomplete…
That means YOU need to create the rest of the path!
I know you can do this!
I can’t wait to see the path that you create!
LikeLiked by 5 people
October 4, 2020 at 11:42 am
Great! Fun and creative way to use your imagination!
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October 9, 2020 at 3:23 pm
Imaginative and ingenious. I love the encouraging message about using both planning and creativity to overcome obstacles, which seems especially relevant for writers. @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 3:02 pm
THE NEW MASTER OF SLEEPY HOLLOW
197-WORDS
I. GUADA
While the moon naps, gloomy clouds shield the stars.
“How can I? It’s impossible to see.”
Avery laughs. “You picked the dare card, Ronald.”
Why couldn’t my fingers have plucked another?
Whispering pine needles sway in the forest. Are they warning me to back away?
“Go in,” Johnny says. “Take 200 steps.”
I pump myself with courage and plunge into the darkness.
Something sweeps over my feet.
Twenty steps—A hiss blows near my shoulder.
Forty steps—Thick, damp air licks my face.
I scrape off a spiderweb clinging to my eyelashes.
Sixty steps.
Eighty steps.
A low growl makes me shudder.
“Help!” I’m lost in the maze of trees.
Suddenly, the ground shakes—hooves thump in anger. Uprooted muck showers my hair.
The monster approaches, knocking trees to the ground. Thwack.
A neigh ends in a hiss.
Finally, a sliver of hope—moonbeams light my path home.
But it’s too late.
Fingers of purple smoke whip forward, snatching my soul. Happy memories disappear, the old me fades away. Now I’m sitting on a dark horse, staring through two triangular slits.
SEEK REVENGE—BUAHAHAHA.
I tug the reins, guiding the beast where two boys’ souls wait.
BUAHAHAHA.
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October 2, 2020 at 5:32 pm
Awesome! Great suspence in this one. I love it.
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October 2, 2020 at 11:34 pm
Thank you so much. Have you entered?
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October 3, 2020 at 3:55 pm
Yes. My piece is titled Rumor
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October 4, 2020 at 11:40 am
Love the scary imagery and the ending! Great spooky story!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:12 pm
Ah scary! Nice suspenseful build up.
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October 9, 2020 at 3:28 pm
I love your eerie and evocative descriptions, especially “gloomy clouds shield the stars” and “a neigh ends in a hiss.” It’s impressive how you fit a complete character arc into one short—and terrifying—story. @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 2:46 pm
PUMPKIN HEAD
By Stephanie Gibeault
(inspired by photo #3, 192 words)
“Wow! Your mask looks so real.” Glenda poked the orange rind of Martin’s pumpkin head.
“How’d you get purple smoke to pour out the eyes?” asked Keaton.
Martin shrugged and walked to his desk, narrowly missing Jay’s deliberately outstretched foot.
Mr. Marchand clapped. “Settle down! There’s just enough time to vote for best costume before the Halloween parade.”
Keaton whispered to Martin. “This is the year you bury Jay. No way he wins again.”
Martin nodded.
Losing to that bully wasn’t an option…no matter the cost. He’d stayed up past midnight all week. He’d chanted, lit candles…even sacrificed. Who needs a pet guinea pig anyway?
Martin won the contest by a landslide. Jay sneered at him, but Martin didn’t see.
He stumbled through the parade while the first graders trembled and recoiled at the sight of him. Was this what victory felt like?
Back in the classroom, the other kids removed their masks, faces sweaty and red.
“C’mon, Martin,” said Glenda. “Take off your mask.”
“Yeah,” Jay laughed. “Something to hide?”
Slowly, Martin tugged at his head, wisps of purple vapour swirling from his neck.
Jay’s booming laughter distorted into a scream.
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October 2, 2020 at 3:04 pm
so spooky!!! I like how he scared the bully in the end.
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October 3, 2020 at 1:10 am
Wow, Stephanie…SO gruesome! Reminds me of “Goosebumps”! 😀
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October 3, 2020 at 11:58 am
I laughed out loud at the guinea pig!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:28 am
Ahhhh! Love the ending!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:36 am
I love this! A great spooky story with a perfect ending!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:33 pm
“distorted into a scream”…nice!
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October 9, 2020 at 3:37 pm
Smashing! A very relatable story with a dash of magic and slice of horror. Such a wonderful set-up and marvelous characterization with authentic-sounding dialogue. A great reminder of how winning isn’t everything. @AnneLipton
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October 15, 2020 at 11:29 pm
Spooky ending! Just the right story for Halloween. Loved it.
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October 2, 2020 at 2:33 pm
[…] And because each story is inspired by a select group of photos curated by the Fall Frenzy team, the real fun is seeing how a small group of images can blossom into endless stories. Be sure to check out the photos here and the other entries here. […]
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October 2, 2020 at 2:22 pm
Here’s my entry, inspired by image #13.
THE BALL
by Hilary Echols
A crisp wind gives the summons
That echoes through the trees.
The call is cried,
Both far and wide,
The harbinger: the breeze.
Come birch! Come oak! Come maple!
Come sycamore and pine!
Come join the dance,
And take the chance,
To let your glory shine.
The changing golden sunlight
Culls color from them all.
The trees, all dressed
In autumn’s best,
Preparing for the ball.
At last the hour approaches,
The symphony begins.
The waltzing leaves
And dancing weaves
Their beauty in the wind.
How glorious the gala!
Its splendor unsurpassed.
But through the glee,
The cold winds see
That winter’s coming fast.
LikeLiked by 9 people
October 2, 2020 at 4:07 pm
I love the idea of a ball! Very unexpected!
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October 3, 2020 at 7:49 pm
Thank you! I’m grateful for your encouragement!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:35 pm
I thought the same thing!
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October 2, 2020 at 6:00 pm
How beautiful and magical!
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October 3, 2020 at 7:47 pm
Thank you so much! Thanks for taking the time to read it!
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October 2, 2020 at 8:55 pm
Such great imagery and beautiful words! I love this! This rhyme scheme is lovely too.
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October 3, 2020 at 7:42 pm
Thanks so much for reading it and for your encouraging words!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:25 am
Beautiful! I love the idea of the trees all dressed in autumn’s best…
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October 4, 2020 at 11:34 am
I love this! Great magical imagery!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:02 pm
Beautiful.
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October 9, 2020 at 4:00 pm
A fabulous concept, beautifully executed. I love how your poem exudes the delight of a fall ball, right up to the chill of its inevitable end. You employ wonderful rhythm, rhyme, and vocabulary (e.g., “harbinger”) to create vivid and energetic descriptions. I especially enjoyed “The changing golden sunlight/Culls color from them all.” @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 1:46 pm
Inspired by many images on the list but specifically #5
FALL OF HOPE
I am a wisp of woodsmoke
Lost among leaves
Senses sieged by scores of setting suns above me
Iris iridescent with the ocean of ochre below me
Luminescence lilting through layers upon layers of flint lit pages of pagan poetry
Now sailing serenely down, a summer storm’s swan-song
Now raining riotously down, an autumnal adieu
This wild wood, whisper-still and draped in a deciduous duvet
Peaceful in pre-somnolence
Sparks my soul
Kindles the dying embers beneath my heart’s deepest dreams.
It is all at once the hundred harmonious hues of the rising sun
Ululating into the universe, my radiant destiny.
Krystia Basil
LikeLiked by 7 people
October 2, 2020 at 2:19 pm
Lovely, lyrical qualities!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:32 am
Beautiful, Krystia! Nice!
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October 9, 2020 at 4:18 pm
I love your opening lines. How ingenious and original to take the point-of-view of aa wisp of smoke and apply such amazing alliteration and layered descriptions. @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 1:40 pm
[…] decided to throw my hat into the ring for the wonderful Fall Frenzy Writing Contest again this year. For those who don’t know, you pick an image and write a story for kids in […]
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October 2, 2020 at 1:04 pm
How come we can’t see all the entries?
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October 2, 2020 at 12:58 pm
PANTS WEATHER
by Adam Blackman
Twitter: @adamdblackman
(Image 1, socks)
The autumn breeze gusts and mom says that you must
make sure you are properly dressed.
“Back inside,” she cries, “to cover your hide.”
and stays firm when you try to contest.
So back in you go, to put on new clothes
fit for the chillier weather.
Off with the flops, on with the socks,
and shoes to warm your feet better.
You jog back outside, ready to ride,
but mom says, “What are you thinking?
Cover your arms or you’ll bring yourself harm
now that the temperature’s sinking.”
From the stack on your shelf you outfit yourself
slide into a comfy long sleeve.
Surprise! In the pouch, like the cushions of a couch,
you find mittens, coins, and leaves.
So now you’re all clothed, you’re ready to go,
you think as you run to the car.
But mom says, “No chance! Go put on some pants.”
But this time, she’s taken it too far.
‘Cause here is the thing. Since the first day of spring
your legs have been running ’round free.
And though it’s so chilly they all think you’re silly,
you want to feel fall
on your knees.
LikeLiked by 9 people
October 2, 2020 at 3:40 pm
I know quite a few people who very much feel that struggle to deal with dressing for the weather. I also like that play on words at the end!
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October 3, 2020 at 1:01 am
Fun!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:22 am
Very cute! I love, “you want to feel fall on your knees.”
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October 4, 2020 at 11:30 am
This is such a cute story! I love the last line! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:39 pm
Haha, this reminded me of my dad. We live in Arizona and it gets cold but my dad always wore shorts! Nice story, Adam!
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October 9, 2020 at 4:34 pm
Hilarious! You channel the voice and perspective of a youth in such an authentic and relatable way. The last lines made me chuckle.@AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 12:55 pm
Inspired by Image #12
Word Count: 190
Witch and Frog
by Jessica Reed
Down a bumpy dirt road near a swampy bog,
lived a little witchy witch and her hairy pet frog.
Perching on her shoulder, sounding like a pirate’s parrot,
the hairy frog would loudly blurt, “Froggy wants a carrot. “
Today while at the cauldron with a boil and bubble,
the frog kept interrupting causing all sorts of wonky trouble.
When the potion was perfected, and everything was right,
the witch waved her magic wand and this spell she would recite.
“Bubbles bonkers booger bye
turn this pumpkin into a….”
“FLY!”
The frog shouted, finishing the incantation,
the pumpkin completing the full transformation.
The witch shook her head, “Please don’t interrupt.
It takes way too much magic for you to mess it up.”
“Bubbles bonkers booger berry
turn this flower into a….”
“FAIRY!”
The frog yelled again, finishing the spell.
The witch’s face was turning red. She was trying not to yell.
“Bubbles bonkers booger box
turn this mushroom into a….”
“FOX!”
The witch finally had it, she covered froggy’s mouth,
then spoke this spell super-fast before it headed south.
“Bubbles bonkers booger balk
Please make this frog no longer talk.”
END
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 3, 2020 at 1:02 am
Fun!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:59 am
Thank you!!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:13 pm
Hahaha! I love it!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:06 pm
Super fun and clever! I love your rhyming, too!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:26 am
Fun and adorable!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:41 pm
Haha! Silly and fun!
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October 9, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Wonderful premise and engaging storyline with a fitting ending. @AnneLipton
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October 9, 2020 at 5:03 pm
Super fun! This would be a hoot to read aloud as a picture book. Good luck in the contest!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:15 pm
Inspired by image #12
Word count: 196
Witchy Chili Cook-Off
by Jen Bagan
Aurora’s belly tickled with excitement as her broom swooshed over the banner:
413th WITCHY CHILI COOK-OFF
She landed in a sea of velvet cloaks and silk hats. Self-consciously, Aurora pulled at her moth-eaten sweater and remembered her father’s words:
“You’re just as good as any of those pointies and don’t you forget it.”
Aurora joined the other competitors and set her chili-filled cauldron over the burning coals.
“A sprig of this … and a splash of that,” she hummed as she finished her dish. Aurora tried to ignore the exotic (and expensive) ingredients the other witches drizzled into their pots.
It was time!
Armed with ladles, the judges made their way down the line. Aurora heard murmurs of:
“Hmmppff … too hairy.”
“Hmmppff … too slimy.”
“Hmmppff … too boney.”
But also:
“Hmmm …belladonna!”
“Hmmm … fox lashes!”
“Hmmm … snot gobbles!”
Last in line, finally it was Aurora’s turn. The judges sloshed, scooped and swallowed.
“Outstanding!” they all declared.
“What is your secret ingredient? Cat scat?” asked one.
“Lizard tongue?” asked another.
Aurora shook her head and whispered, “Beans.”
The judges cackled as they handed her the Golden Ladle Trophy.
“Beans!” they cried. “Clever indeed!”
LikeLiked by 13 people
October 2, 2020 at 2:35 pm
Hee hee! Very fun!
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October 13, 2020 at 4:01 pm
Thanks so much Karyn!
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October 2, 2020 at 3:06 pm
adorable!!!
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October 13, 2020 at 4:00 pm
I appreciate it Jennifer!
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October 2, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Such a fun fresh take on a witch tale!
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October 13, 2020 at 3:59 pm
Thank you Janelle!
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October 3, 2020 at 1:09 am
Clever, indeed!
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October 13, 2020 at 3:59 pm
Thanks so much for stopping by!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:51 am
haha, so cute and clever!
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October 13, 2020 at 3:58 pm
Thank you Sylvia!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:24 am
Cute and clever! Love this!
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October 13, 2020 at 3:57 pm
Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 2:00 pm
Armed with ladles! I could picture the cook off clearly. Great entry.
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October 12, 2020 at 9:41 am
Thank you so much! 🙂
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October 9, 2020 at 5:00 pm
Magically delicious! I don’t like beans in my chili, but I love this. Exceptional storytelling and voice. I especially like the “sea of velvet cloaks and silk hats,” “pointies,” and the “Golden Ladle Trophy.” You earned it. @AnneLipton
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October 12, 2020 at 9:42 am
Thank you so much Anne! I appreciate you stopping by! 🙂
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October 9, 2020 at 5:05 pm
Oh, that’s a fun one–so playful! Plenty of folks would find beans more controversial in their chili than any of the other ingredients. Made me laugh.
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October 12, 2020 at 9:44 am
Thank you!! 🙂
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October 13, 2020 at 10:05 am
Aurora sure showed the other poinites (great visual and advice from her dad)! But truthfully how good is chili without beans.
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October 13, 2020 at 3:56 pm
Haha – the bean controversy is in full swing! Thanks for stopping by!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:00 pm
Hello Halloween!
By Karyn Curtis
Image 2
Days are shorter, nights are colder,
Branches black and bare.
Halloween is creeping up
For those of us who dare!
Superhero, skeleton,
Dracula or ghost.
Princess bride? I can’t decide
Which one I love the most!
Jack-o-lantern carving games,
Pick the best expression.
Sad or glad or maybe mad:
He’ll make a good impression!
Wearing wings and scary things,
Masks and capes and crowns.
Armed with swords and magic wands,
In glitzy, gaudy gowns.
Bats will flitter, cats will prowl,
Pumpkin grins will glow.
A silver sliver moon will light
The street for us below.
Flit and flock from house to house,
Shouting “Trick or Treat!”
Popcorn here and candy there,
A sack of loot to eat!
Racing shadows down the street,
Calling to our friends.
We’ll scurry up our lighted porch
Before the evening ends.
Sorting goodies, trading sweets
That we’ve all amassed.
Candy bars are popular,
The apples will go last!
What to be next time around,
Mummy, ghoul or hag?
One thing that I know for sure:
I’ll need a bigger bag!
LikeLiked by 11 people
October 2, 2020 at 1:11 pm
This is absolutely delightful! I really enjoyed it – fun, rollicking rhyme!
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October 2, 2020 at 2:47 pm
Thanks! It was really fun to write!
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October 2, 2020 at 5:39 pm
I loved your ending, alliteration, and perfect, joyful meter, Karyn! This would be a fun book to illustrate with all the fun Halloweenie things you’ve included. Well done!
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October 2, 2020 at 6:49 pm
Thanks!
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October 2, 2020 at 6:49 pm
Thanks!
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October 3, 2020 at 9:56 am
This is great!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:29 am
Thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:16 am
Love this! Charming, alliterative and terrific metered rhyme. Love the ending too.
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October 4, 2020 at 3:03 pm
Thanks very much!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:22 am
Nice! You did a great job capturing the Halloween!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:03 pm
Thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:45 pm
That was fun and made me laugh! Nice story, Karyn!
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October 13, 2020 at 10:04 am
Thanks!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:54 pm
Nice meter!
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October 9, 2020 at 5:04 pm
Sweet and spectacular! Your thoughtful details shine with impeccable rhyme, rhythm, and meter. “A silver sliver moon.” This was a treat to read. @AnneLipton
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October 13, 2020 at 10:04 am
Thank you!
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October 12, 2020 at 9:48 am
Absolutely love this! You’ve perfectly captured the spirit of Halloween!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:36 pm
Love your lyrical Halloween treat! I took a trip down memory lane 🙂
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October 13, 2020 at 10:10 am
Hello Halloween really sums up the anticipation and fun that the young (& the young at heart) enjoy!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:58 am
A TRICKY SURPRISE- Photo #12 by Mary Arkiszewski 200WC
Tessa put on her Halloween costume and raced out to the backyard with her supplies.
She could hear her brother’s taunting ringing in her ears, “Witchy, Witchy, no snitchy, snitchy, don’t tell what’s in your brew!”
I’ll show him, Tessa thought. One day I’ll win a Nobel Prize just like Marie Curie!
All day she prepared for the big trick.
She mixed and crushed.
She measured and poured.
I’m a scientist too, she thought.
Tessa poured the vinegar into the pot. Then she added in tablespoons of baking soda.
BUBBLE! BUBBLE!
“Boy am I going to get in trouble!” she said as the fizzy mixture bubbled over.
Now for the smoke thought Tessa.
Tessa reached into her pockets and took out her final magical surprise.
SMASH! POOF!
SMASH! POOF!
Eggshells full of crushed chalk plopped into the pot.
Plumes of yellow and green mixed into a magical surprise.
“Now that’s a chemical reaction!” said Tessa.
‘Three, two, one… here he comes,” she predicted.
Tessa’s brother ran into the backyard as the magical smoke was rising from the pot.
“WHAT? HOW?” He demanded to know.
“Witchy, Witchy, no snitchy, snitchy, REAL SCIENTISTS never tell what’s in their brew!” joked Tessa.
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 2, 2020 at 3:26 pm
Loved the STEM focus! Girl scientists!
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October 2, 2020 at 8:16 pm
Thank you, Janelle!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:20 am
Packed with fun and a lot of information! Love this!
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October 6, 2020 at 9:30 pm
Thank you, Jill!
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October 9, 2020 at 10:03 am
So cute and I love the scientist link.
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October 9, 2020 at 4:33 pm
Thanks, Deb!! Science experiments for kids are so much fun! 🙂
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October 15, 2020 at 7:50 pm
Thank you< Deb! @DebBuschman
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October 9, 2020 at 5:16 pm
I love how Tessa perseveres with her scientific experiments despite her naysaying brother. You show her focus and determination so well. @AnneLipton
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October 15, 2020 at 7:49 pm
Thank you Anne!
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October 15, 2020 at 7:51 pm
Thank you, Anne! @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 11:50 am
“Run” (Image 6) by Courtney Ryan
Word count: 44
Stomp. Crunch. Stomp.
She runs and romps through the woods,
Crunching leaves, cracking sticks beneath her rootless feet.
A wild woodland thing tearing through the forest,
Leaping over stumps well-loved by lichen.
Her flying feet whisper that this year
She will outrun frost’s reach.
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 4, 2020 at 11:18 am
Nice imagery! Beautiful, Courtney!
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October 9, 2020 at 10:04 am
I absolutely love the image and the last line is so perfect.
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October 9, 2020 at 5:09 pm
Hopeful and inspiring! You pack so much energy into this compact piece. @AnneLipton
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October 13, 2020 at 10:00 am
Courtney, with your words I can picture and hear your woodland thing racing through the forest. Well done!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:49 am
@LydiaLukidis
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October 2, 2020 at 11:42 am
A MAGICAL SURPRISE – Photo #12 by Mary Arkiszewski
200WC
Tessa put on her Halloween costume and raced out to the backyard with her supplies.
She could hear her brother’s taunting ringing in her ears, “Witchy, Witchy, no snitchy, snitchy, don’t tell what’s in your brew!”
I’ll show him, Tessa thought. One day I’ll win a Nobel Prize just like Marie Curie!
All day she prepared for the big trick.
She mixed and crushed.
She measured and poured.
I’m a scientist too, she thought.
Tessa poured the vinegar into the hole. Then she added in tablespoons of baking soda.
BUBBLE! BUBBLE!
“Boy am I going to get in trouble!” she said as the fizzy mixture bubbled over.
Now for the smoke thought Tessa.
Tessa reached into her pockets and took out her final magical surprise.
SMASH! POOF!
SMASH! POOF!
Eggshells full of crushed chalk plopped into the pot.
Plumes of yellow and green mixed into a magical surprise.
“Now that’s a chemical reaction!” said Tessa.
‘Three, two, one… here he comes,” she predicted.
Tessa’s brother ran into the backyard as the magical smoke was rising from the pot.
“WHAT? HOW?” He demanded to know.
“Witchy, Witchy, no snitchy, snitchy, REAL SCIENTISTS never tell what’s in their brew!” joked Tessa.
LikeLiked by 4 people
October 2, 2020 at 11:48 am
Can you please delete the above post? I accidentally posted the wrong one. I’m reposting the correct one.
Thank you!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:13 am
Fun story!
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October 2, 2020 at 4:03 pm
Love it! Nice twist at the end.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:44 am
What a fun totally kid-relatable ending! Such charming characters.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:44 am
Shelly and Seymour – by Jennifer Matarese (191W)
Image 9
“Seymour, I thought I told you what I was wearing to the party,” Shelly said. “We agreed we wouldn’t match this year.”
“Exactly, Shelly. That’s why I had a hat on earlier, but I lost it,” Seymour said.
“Well, what are we going to do?” she asked.
“We could make a pile of bones? Perform a dance routine? Go to the monster market and get something new to wear?” Seymour suggested.
Suddenly, a light bulb went on…and several more.
“You’re a genius, Seymour!”
The orange lights decorating the house shone through his shaky bones, while Shelly glistened and glowed against the moonlight.
“We’ll just come back to these spots when it’s time for the contest!” Shelly said.
They spent hours mingling with fierce werewolves, ghoulish ghosts, and big fanged vampires.
“BOO! Everyone, line up!” the ghoulish judges said. “Contest time!”
Standing shoulder bone to shoulder bone, they posed with the sparkling lights as the judges floated by and examined each partygoer’s costume.
After what felt like several lifetimes, the judges bellowed out their decision.
“Shelly, Seymour, we can see through and through that you both have the biggest Halloween spirits!”
LikeLiked by 6 people
October 2, 2020 at 3:10 pm
This captures image 9 so well. And I love that line “standing shoulder bone to shoulder bone.”
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October 2, 2020 at 8:02 pm
I love your story. Good luck!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:12 am
This is so cute! I especially love the last line!
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October 9, 2020 at 5:33 pm
Great premise! I love that you thought of a costume contest based on this image. The playful dialogue between the twins rings so authentic and true. And your story conveys a beautiful message about making the most of what you’ve got. @AnneLipton
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October 13, 2020 at 4:03 pm
Haha – very fun and clever!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:38 am
My story didn’t post, so adding it here! Photo #10
Glenda Roberson said:
A Trick for a Treat (200 words)
by
Glenda Roberson
Halloween is supposed to be magical . . . but this year I’m off to Granny’s.
Fall leaves swirl around the car, as grumpy thoughts swirl inside my head.
Granny’s house is boring and smells funny.
Who’ll go trick-or-treating with me?
I don’t know the neighborhood!
Surprisingly, Granny’s kitchen wraps me in delightful deliciousness.
She serves warm cinnamon apple cider and pumpkin sugar cookies.
Maybe Granny’s house isn’t so bad.
After a dinner of spaghetti worms and eyeballs, I rustle up my cowgirl costume and grab my bucket.
I gasp as Granny the Witch cackles her way down the stairs.
“Let’s lasso some candy, Mia!”
“Granny! You look so cool.”
Halfway through, we arrive at a house with creepy spider webs.
“Trick or treat!”
Granny’s friend Mildred, says, “I’ll take a trick.”
“I don’t know any tricks!” I say.
“Think, Mia!” says Granny.
I try to lasso a pumpkin. Nope.
Twirling my six-shooter is an epic fail.
So I swing my bucket round and round.
“Oh my!” Mildred says. “Why didn’t that candy fly out?”
I grin.“Centrifugal force!”
She claps and gives me TWO handfuls of candy.
This buckaroo knows you can always count on the magic of science . . .
and Granny, too!
LikeLiked by 14 people
October 2, 2020 at 11:27 am
Nice job Glenda!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:16 pm
Thanks so much and thank you for taking the time to read it.
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October 2, 2020 at 3:11 pm
I love that you got STEM into your story. And that granny sounds pretty cool!
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October 2, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Thanks, Stephanie! I’m a retired science teacher.
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October 2, 2020 at 7:35 pm
I really enjoyed this story. So fun to see granny in a different light. Nicely done.
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October 2, 2020 at 7:51 pm
Thanks a bunch, Shannon. This actually happened to me as a tiny 5 yo. I just stood and cried, but got sympathy candy.
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October 3, 2020 at 11:56 am
Loved the science tidbit
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October 3, 2020 at 4:12 pm
Thanks! As a former science teacher I try to have some science in all my stories and PB’s.
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October 3, 2020 at 4:06 pm
Love the science reference! Very cute!
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October 3, 2020 at 4:10 pm
Thanks so much!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:10 am
This is so cute! I love Granny. Love Mia’s trick! Such a fun way to learn!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:27 am
Thank you, Jill! You just made my morning!
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October 5, 2020 at 1:48 am
This is amazing, Glenda. I loved your wonderfully evocative Fall and Halloween details (“spaghetti worms and eyeballs,” LOL), the build-up of Mia and Granny’s relationship (and Mia’s comfort level), and how you so deftly circle (lasso?) the story at the end with “the magic of science.” Together, Mia and Granny really did make Halloween magical. @AnneLipton
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October 5, 2020 at 9:09 am
Oh my goodness, Anne. You really know how to make this girl’s day! I appreciate you taking time to read it, and this thorough and kind review. Thank you!
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October 9, 2020 at 10:07 am
Awesome. I love the change from Granny not be cool to being a fun person to hang with. I also like that she tried so hard to do a trick.
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October 10, 2020 at 12:08 pm
Thanks so much, Deb!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:22 am
I posted the wrong twitter handle… I really have to drink coffee before I get on the internet. Yikes. It should be @_susandrew. I forgot the little _. Good luck everyone! So many great prizes.
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October 2, 2020 at 11:09 am
Well done!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:11 am
Keep hitting wrong replay button. Good luck!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:04 am
Hi everyone! I forgot to post my entry to share! I can’t wait to go back and read everyone else’s too!
I chose image #6 with the jogger in the woods. This is MG.
The Stairway in the Woods
By Amy Van Duyn
He texted that instead of his usual path, he was going to jog through the forest. That’s where the Worthington mansion stood back in the 1800s.
Legend has it, a poor, old woman lived on the other side of the woods then. Some say she was a witch.
Mr. Worthington claimed her land was his and won the case, forcing her out of her home.
She put a curse on him saying “You took my home, now let your home take you!”
One by one, the Worthington family began to disappear from INSIDE the house! Mr. Worthington was the last. Then the house mysteriously burned to the ground- except the stairway.
No one knows its exact location. Some believe it moves, disappearing and reappearing.
They say that if you find it, don’t climb to the top! You’ll disappear too! I thought that was just something grownups said to keep us from wandering into the forest.
The last I heard from my brother was a text with a photo of a stairway and “Look what I found!” See his water bottle by the first step?
All they found was that water bottle and footsteps in mud leading to it….. then disappearing.
LikeLiked by 13 people
October 2, 2020 at 10:37 am
Oh no! Wonderful suspenseful creep factor to this one.
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October 13, 2020 at 9:58 am
Thank you! I love creepy. 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 11:29 am
Ooh, creepy!
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October 13, 2020 at 9:56 am
Thank you!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:35 am
Excellent Amy! Love the mystery. Good luck! Rosanna
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October 13, 2020 at 9:57 am
Thanks, Rosanna! You too!
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October 2, 2020 at 3:14 pm
I love your spooky legend. That moving staircase is creepy!
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October 13, 2020 at 9:57 am
Thank you! I was hoping to give readers a few chills. 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 1:22 pm
A great spooky mystery! Nice!
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October 13, 2020 at 9:56 am
Thanks!!
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October 9, 2020 at 7:33 pm
Wonderful MG voice. It’s amazing how you fit a story inside a story in such a short piece. And what a cliffhanger! Would love to see what happens next. @AnneLipton
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October 13, 2020 at 9:38 am
Thank you! It was definitely a challenge to fit it into 200 words, but that was what was so much fun about it. The first draft was like 1,000 words, ha ha!!!
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October 13, 2020 at 9:55 am
Thank you!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:04 am
Here’s my entry (inspired by image #10). Good luck everyone!
The Lonely Road
By Kara Sibilia
Ashbury Lane—I know it well. Our road. We drove on it every day—school, work, Walmart—it led us out into the world, until the one night that it didn’t.
Every autumn, when the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, this road takes on a different meaning. I see fog rising from the asphalt, cradling the falling leaves, and think of you…and that night.
You asked me not to go, pleaded, cried, screamed. But me, stubborn as ever, said everything would be fine. It wasn’t. Now, once a year, you visit our road, see the makeshift shrine gone shabby over time—neglected symbols of remembrance, signs of someone loved gone too soon.
You say that you know it’s time to move on—I catch the tremble in your voice. You wonder if I can hear you, see you…I can. I try showing you that I’m here; through the gently rustling leaves I whisper your name. But you don’t hear, and then you leave me. Alone. Regretting my choice that you now live with…on this road that I will haunt forever.
LikeLiked by 15 people
October 2, 2020 at 10:42 am
This one is heartbreaking and lonely. The first line killed me. Haunting.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:56 am
Thank you so much Sara!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:05 am
Dry creepy! Well done.
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October 2, 2020 at 11:06 am
Ugh! SO creepy. Need to check before I reply. Loved it.
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October 2, 2020 at 11:08 am
Perfect ending!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:11 am
Wonderful imagery!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:25 am
Aww, thank you Glenda!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:18 am
Haunting and heart-wrenching. I was captivated throughout your piece!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:25 am
Thank you so much Kathy!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:43 am
Beautifully written. I loved it. Thank you – Rosanna
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October 2, 2020 at 11:54 am
Thank you so much!!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:50 am
Haunting and sad,very evocative.
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October 2, 2020 at 11:54 am
Thank you Penelope!!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:30 pm
Beautiful and sad. Tugs at the heartstrings! Well done:)
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October 3, 2020 at 9:51 am
Thank you so much!!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:14 am
This is so powerful! I’m still thinking about it…you’ve captured that emotion perfectly!
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October 3, 2020 at 9:52 am
Thank you so much!!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:20 pm
Hauntingly sad and moving. Love the imagery!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:58 pm
Thank you so much for reading!!
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October 4, 2020 at 8:04 pm
Wow, this is so moving! Great job using this image to make a ghost story about a wreck. Perfect!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:16 pm
Thank you so much!!
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October 6, 2020 at 3:43 pm
Sad and chilling!
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October 6, 2020 at 5:25 pm
Thank you for reading!
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October 9, 2020 at 7:44 pm
A riveting ghost story with modern sensibilities. I love how deftly you show, rather than tell just enough of the backstory to leave us with a sense of mystery and longing, sorrow and regret. @AnneLipton
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October 10, 2020 at 9:05 am
Thank you, Anne!
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November 8, 2020 at 4:37 pm
Haunting. I often pass the flowers and shrines of those lost in road accidents. I see them get refreshed and know that loved ones remember and show their love. You’ve captured the mood so well.
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October 2, 2020 at 9:00 am
I went with photo #6. Here is my story!
If You Want To Plant A Halloween Tree
By Kristy Roser Nuttall
(Word count: 200 )
If you want to plant a Halloween tree. . .
wait until the air crisps with autumn,
and scurry into the whispering woods.
Just beyond the meadow,
pluck the orange jelly bean
from your pocket.
Whisk it past a hissing cat,
slip it through a spider’s web,
and bewitch it with spooky words.
Nestle the jelly bean
deep in the ground.
and wait.
Instead of sunlight,
your Halloween tree will crave moonlight.
and instead of water,
your tree will thirst for syrupy witch’s brew.
On fall’s first full moon. . .
the tree will rise from the ground.
Still wait.
Watch the trunk
twist,
turn,
and hiccup
a hollow hideout–
perfect for an owl.
Listen as twigs snap
and leaves crunch
under the bones
of dancing skeletons.
Still wait.
Savor the excitement
As branches
finally jiggle and droop
with a marvelous…
Trick or Treat!
Enjoy.
Harvest handfuls
of caramels, lollipops, and jellybeans.
Let the sweetness tingle your tongue.
But beware. . .
on November 1st,
your Halloween tree will disappear.
Slip one orange jelly bean
into your pocket
so that it can be
whisked past a hissing cat,
slipped through a spider web,
bewitched by spooky words,
and planted by you in time for
next Halloween.
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October 2, 2020 at 9:03 am
WOW, I love this! It has a great cyclical feel to it and your choice of verbs had me reading it twice. Great job!!
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October 2, 2020 at 9:05 am
Thanks Tara!! I had fun with the verbs–my boys inspired me to write this. They always dream of planting a magic jelly bean.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:46 am
Now I want to plant a Halloween tree. What kid wouldn’t love to grow one!
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October 13, 2020 at 12:38 am
Seriously! I want to plant one too!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:15 am
A kids dream come true! Loved it.
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October 13, 2020 at 12:38 am
Thanks! It was fun to write! My critique group had great ideas to add in too.
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October 2, 2020 at 11:19 am
This is so clever! Well done!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:30 am
Love this!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:52 am
Love the Halloween tree!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:18 pm
This is so fun! It really makes me feel the excitment of a Halloween night,
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October 2, 2020 at 2:42 pm
Such a fun idea!
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October 2, 2020 at 7:36 pm
Wow! This is so original and beautifully told.
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October 4, 2020 at 1:14 pm
Cute, clever, and a lot of fun!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Where can I get one of these orange jelly beans?
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October 4, 2020 at 10:40 pm
This is so delightful and fun! A perfect ending, too.
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October 4, 2020 at 10:48 pm
Clever! Love that this “tree” needs moonlight and brew instead of sunlight and water.
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October 5, 2020 at 4:34 am
Loved this! So creative and fun!
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October 5, 2020 at 10:06 am
Now, you got me wanting me to plant and harvest my own Halloween tree. Wonder where I can get some magic jelly beans.
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October 5, 2020 at 10:54 am
Now I want to plant a Halloween tree! Off to find some magical jelly beans.
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October 5, 2020 at 11:46 am
This was such a fun read! It really makes me want to follow the instructions just for fun to see 🙂
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October 6, 2020 at 10:36 pm
I love this story, Kristy! “Whisked past a hissing cat” is such a great line!
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October 9, 2020 at 10:10 am
So incredible. I could visualize this and the incredible illustrations that would accompany it. Good luck!
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October 9, 2020 at 10:17 pm
Wonderful concept, exquisitely rendered. A modern, magical fairy tale. @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 8:14 am
Inspired by image 3
A Halloween Trick
By Morgan Efaw
It was the night of Halloween and as I crept out the front door, I heard screaming in the distance. I followed the screams and the beating of my heart began to race as I walked across the street to peek through the hedges.
I sighed in relief to find a group of children in monster costumes frightening one another. As I walked back to my house, I heard branches snap in the distance.
“Just relax, it’s only children,” I thought to myself. I was almost home when I saw a shadow in the darkness moving. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. My walk became a run.
Suddenly, a figure jumped out before me. It was a man with a Jack O’ Lantern for a head! He lifted his arms.. I closed my eyes as I was frozen in place.
“MELODY!” A familiar voice cackled.
I opened my eyes and the Jack O’ Lantern man was there holding his head in his arms. My eyes traced the figure up to where his head used to be and in place was my brother’s head bursting with laughter!
“I’ll get you back,” I warned with a chuckle.
LikeLiked by 16 people
October 2, 2020 at 8:20 am
This sounds like something my siblings would have tried!
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October 2, 2020 at 9:01 am
Aren’t brothers the best?! Love this scary story with a fun twist.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:47 am
My brother would have totally done this to me!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:10 pm
Scary and fun story! Love it!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:56 pm
Brothers! Nice story, Morgan!
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October 9, 2020 at 10:44 pm
Love the excellent pacing, tension, and humor in your story. After the Jack O’Lantern shenanigans, “My brother’s head bursting with laughter” is dead-on. @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 7:33 am
EMPTY BUCKETS by Kiley Orchard
Image #2, 133 words
“Smile!”
The Treats line up in their store-bought costumes, empty buckets in front of them. They have no idea what’s coming. It’s sweet. Just like them.
I don’t think I’m in the picture, but I smirk just in case. So they remember who did it. So they know I was here all along.
The Treats get all the attention this time of year. Sure, people say, “Trick or Treat?” but they don’t actually want Tricks. They don’t want me. They want them.
This year, I’ll show them. I’ll make them see me. And not just me, but all the Tricks.
Don’t worry. It won’t be anything too sinister. We Tricks have a code of decency, after all.
Then again, can you ever really trust a Trick?
The camera flashes, and the mischief begins.
LikeLiked by 11 people
October 2, 2020 at 9:00 am
I love the mysterious feel to this….and the ending that lets our imagination run wild!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:48 am
Oooh…. what mischief awaits. Fun turn on the phrase trick-or-treat, can so relate to trick feeling overlooked.
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October 2, 2020 at 11:54 am
Very clever idea! The possibilities are endless!
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October 2, 2020 at 2:58 pm
Mysterious and charming, and I love how it ends (or doesn’t)!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:05 pm
Cute and clever story! Love the ending!
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October 9, 2020 at 11:04 pm
It’s so original and creative to write from the perspective of a trick And you infuse such a strong voice and so much personality into the character. @AnneLipton
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October 2, 2020 at 4:58 am
Big Sis, Lil Sis
By: Janelle Harper
Word Count: 197
Inspired by Image #1
“Big Sis is home!” Gabby dashes through the screen door, knocking Amber over with a bearhug.
“Hey, Lil Sis!” Amber giggles.
Gabby studies her Big Sis closely.
A cozy college sweatshirt, a spunky new haircut, and lipstick the same shade Mom wears.
Weird…Amber looks like a real grownup.
Gabby peeks at Amber’s thick textbook. So many strange words. This book isn’t like any of the
stories they would read together at bedtime.
Big Sis shakes a bag of fluffy treats, “I’ve really missed our fall tradition.”
“S’mores Fest!” Gabby sprints to gather twigs.
The autumn air feels crisp against their cheeks. The crackling fire illuminates the sky.
They roast marshmallows snuggled tightly under their favorite blanket.
WOOSH! A blurry red and orange whirlwind swirls and twirls the leaves.
The sisters scurry to save their gooey snacks. The ground crunches under their retreating feet.
Safely in the house, they shake lingering leaves loose of their kinky curls.
They kick up their feet. Gabby grins at their matching fuzzy socks.
She sips warm apple cider while Amber blows on her steaming black coffee.
Drinks may change…
Books may change…
Leaves may change…
but sisterly love stays the same.
LikeLiked by 15 people
October 2, 2020 at 7:21 am
I love sibling stories! So heartwarming.
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October 2, 2020 at 7:21 am
Warm and wonderful!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:58 am
Very sweet sibling story!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:04 pm
Sweet story
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October 3, 2020 at 8:07 am
Awwwwwwwww, love the tender moment, Janelle!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:59 pm
Such a sweet story of sibling love!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:02 pm
I love this sweet story! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:37 pm
Such a sweet sister story, Janelle!
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October 9, 2020 at 11:20 pm
Charming story of sisterly love. I love the realism spiced withh delicious details, especially, “The autumn air feels crisp against their cheeks.” @AnneLipton
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October 10, 2020 at 8:33 pm
What a sweet story:) I wish I had a sister like that!
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October 2, 2020 at 4:35 am
Image 5 172 words
Fall-tastic Frenzy
On the first gust of fall, Autumn swept into the forest.
“She’s here, she’s here!” squeaked the squirrels stirring from their seasonal slumber.
“Welcome your leafiness,” hooted wise old owl. “It is an honour to finally meet you.”
Autumn glimmered, shimmered, and shone with joy.
“Let the festivities begin,” she cried.
Suddenly…
The trees fell into a fall frenzy as cascading colours twisted, turned, and tickled their leaves.
A flurry of fur ran helter-skelter playing hide and seek among the crunchy carpet.
Autumn longed to join them but the wind whipped her hair and whispered a whistling warning.
“No time to play you have a job to do,”
She stamped her feet furiously and clenched her fists making acorns pop and conkers crackle.
Harem scarem the animals ran from her rage.
Dew dripped from Autumn’s eyes creating sparkling splashes.
“I’m sorry,” she sobbed. “I promise I’ll turn over a new leaf.”
The creatures scampered and scurried offering soft paws to soothe her.
Once again Autumn’s golden glow created a fall-tastic forest.
LikeLiked by 14 people
October 2, 2020 at 7:23 am
What a clever turn of the phrase turn over a new leaf. Nothing like the golden glow of autumn.
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October 2, 2020 at 12:17 pm
Thank you so much, Sara.
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October 2, 2020 at 8:24 am
I love this one! “Welcome your leafiness!” is perfection.
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October 2, 2020 at 12:19 pm
Thank you, for your lovely words.
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October 2, 2020 at 9:06 am
“crunchy carpet”….”fall-tastic forest”…. I love this piece! Great job.
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October 2, 2020 at 12:19 pm
Ahhh, Thank you, Tara.
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October 2, 2020 at 11:20 am
Love the imagery!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:20 pm
Thank you, Glenda.
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October 2, 2020 at 7:59 pm
I love your story about Autumn. Good luck!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:56 am
Thank you, Natalie.
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October 3, 2020 at 4:07 pm
Great imagery!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:55 am
Thank you, so much
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October 4, 2020 at 8:43 am
Nice idea to show changes within the season of Autumn itself and how the MC impacts that.
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October 4, 2020 at 12:46 pm
Oh, fun! I’m a sucker for personification! (Not looking forward to autumn’s rage this year)
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October 4, 2020 at 1:00 pm
Beautiful imagery! Love this!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:21 pm
Love your imagery!
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October 5, 2020 at 5:55 am
Fantastic description! Loved it!
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October 9, 2020 at 11:52 pm
An ingenious and original personification of Autumn as colorful, joyful, and temperamental—and who, for all her leafy treedom, must still listen to Mother Nature. @AnneLipton
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October 10, 2020 at 8:35 pm
And you have the name of the contest in your story:)
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October 1, 2020 at 11:26 pm
[…] choose one of the provided Fall Images and write about it in 200 words or less.Contest rules DonorsSubmissions Image 2, courtesy of UnsplashThe image I chose made me think of costumes and fairy tales. My […]
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October 1, 2020 at 11:01 pm
The Jealous Twin
By Ranjeeta Ramkumar
Word Count: 200
Image: 1
There it was again. The pumpkin. For the past few days sleep eluded Maia. She would go to bed at half past ten, but by three she would be up again feeling restless. Sometimes, the pumpkin would be by her bed, sometimes on her table or like today, on the floor. She didn’t tell anyone though. Nobody would have believed her anyways, except Keira. Keira, who was everyone’s favourite. But nobody would ever get to see her twin again. Poor Keira, as sweet as the pumpkin pie Maia had baked for her on that fateful day, last Halloween.
When the pumpkin had first appeared, it had looked ordinary enough. But as each night passed, it developed new features- dimples, bangs and then glasses. Today it had braces! Rainbow-coloured rubber bands on each carved-out tooth. Just like Keira!
Thick, white froth bubbled out of its mouth and onto the floor. Similar images rushed into Maia’s mind – Keira lying on the floor, frothing. Maia standing beside her smiling, a tiny vial clutched in her hand.
Horrified, Maia stumbled backwards into a corner. Two pale hands reached out and pulled her into the darkness, leaving only her screams echoing across the house.
LikeLiked by 12 people
October 2, 2020 at 7:25 am
So spooky. What an ending! It gave me chills.
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October 3, 2020 at 11:17 pm
Yay! sorry, but then it served its purpose! 🙂 Good luck to you!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:00 pm
Ahhh! Wow did not expect that. Very creepy!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:15 pm
Hahaha! Being a panster I did not expect that ending myself when I started it . Good luck to you!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:21 pm
Love this spooky story!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:13 pm
Thank you, Stacey! Good luck to you!
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October 2, 2020 at 2:18 pm
Spooooky! Sounds like a story for a campfire!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:12 pm
Thank you @rosecappelli. Had no clue myself that would turn into a spooky story 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 5:35 pm
Love it, I was totally pulled ointo this story. Super creepy.
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October 3, 2020 at 11:10 pm
Thank you! I had fun writing this. Good luck to you!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:49 am
Creative and spooky entry! Good luck!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:09 pm
Thank you, Jennifer! Good luck to you too!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:53 pm
Wow …. should have known from the title!! Good luck!
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October 5, 2020 at 1:56 am
Thank you ! and to you! 🙂 Ya the title was a bit of a giveaway, wasn’t it?
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October 4, 2020 at 12:49 pm
Yikes! Yes, I like how you lure the reader into Maia’s world so gradually.
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October 5, 2020 at 1:57 am
Thank you Kathi! Good luck to you!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:57 pm
A wonderful spooky story! Nice!
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October 5, 2020 at 1:58 am
Thank you Jill! Good luck to you !
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October 5, 2020 at 10:09 am
This gives me the same feel as the classic Tell Tale Heart. I am not sure if Keira is really there or is it Maia’s guilt driving her mad.
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October 10, 2020 at 1:03 am
Exactly! I leave it up to the readers to decide. All the best to you!
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October 10, 2020 at 12:50 am
What a dastardly, mind-bending Evil Twin story with great voice. Love how you twist and turn our sympathies for the characters. @AnneLipton
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October 10, 2020 at 1:05 am
Thank you so much! ‘ have been writing short stories for 4-8 year olds for 8 years till now. Didn’t think I had it in me to write evil stuff. Hahaha!
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October 10, 2020 at 8:37 pm
Awesome, Ranjeeta! I love a creepy story!
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October 1, 2020 at 10:11 pm
Image #8 – 189 words
Maple’s Tree
By Michaela Almeida
Maple decided to plant a tree.
She imagined its leaves touching the sky, its limbs stretching out overhead.
She imagined soaring through the air on a tree swing,
climbing its sturdy branches, and building a treehouse.
She imagined having picnics and reading books in its shade.
Maple grabbed her shovel.
Dig. Dig. Dig.
Drag. Drag. Drag.
Thud.
Phew.
Maple stood back to admire her tree.
She studied its leaves.
Too sparse for shade.
She gently tugged on its branches.
Not strong enough for a tree swing.
The tree needed time to grow.
Maple was patient.
She watered, and she waited.
Spring turned into summer, then fall.
Months turned into years.
Maple’s tree was no longer a sapling, but not yet solid enough for a treehouse.
So, she kept waiting.
Years rolled on.
Finally, its branches touched the sky.
Maple prepared a picnic and spread out a blanket in its shade.
As she took the hand of her little boy, leading him under the tree, she knew.
Over time, as quiet as rustling leaves, her dreams had come true.
She had been patiently waiting for him all along.
Bang, bang, bang! (Ill. Note: Maple and her son building a treehouse)
LikeLiked by 18 people
October 2, 2020 at 7:27 am
What a lovely story with such a satisfying ending. Warmed this mama’s heart.
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October 2, 2020 at 9:04 am
I adore tree stories! Thanks for sharing this lovely tale. The treehouse at the end is perfect!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:23 am
Love the passing of time and the touching ending.
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October 2, 2020 at 12:22 pm
Such a lovely story.
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October 2, 2020 at 2:20 pm
Lovely ending!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:56 pm
Such a beautiful sweet story! Nice!
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October 5, 2020 at 7:33 pm
Lovely story with a beautiful ending. Well done! I also love tree stories:)
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October 6, 2020 at 4:59 pm
I love all the onomatopoeia use!
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October 10, 2020 at 1:24 am
A heartwarming and thoughtful lesson on the rewards of planning and patience. Love the ending! @AnneLipton
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October 10, 2020 at 8:38 pm
This is such a lovely story. I love the ending image you’ve left us with!
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October 1, 2020 at 9:19 pm
Anna Colasanti
Word Count:197
Image 3
Jack the Lantern and the Magic Purple Smoke
Jack the Lantern is one gloomy pumpkin. Jack sighed “All I want is a body so I can get candy too like these costumed humans” he thought. “Just for an hour I wish I could go candy hunting.” Suddenly bright purple smoke surrounds the depressed pumpkin and Jack began to grow taller and taller! Arms and legs sprouted from his sides and he was covered in a black robe. Jack the Lantern now has a body! Jack raised his new arms and shouted “YES, NOW I CAN GET ALL THE CANDY!” He ran door to door yelling the magic words “trick or treat”. Everyone loved his hyper realistic looking Jack O’Lantern mask. He got so much candy he ran out of room to hold it and had to ask another fellow trick or treater for a bag. It was the best hour of the usually depressed pumpkin’s life and the candy tasted super sweet. Sadly, the hour came to an end and the purple smoke returned, the robe, his arms and legs all disappeared. Jack was a bodiless pumpkin once again. But, instead of a sad glum look on his face, he had a huge spooky smile.
LikeLiked by 9 people
October 1, 2020 at 11:24 pm
what a nice story!!! I loved the ending, good luck
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October 2, 2020 at 7:29 am
Glad Jack had his dreams fulfilled and a chance to transform his gloomy face into a smiley spooky one.
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October 2, 2020 at 12:23 pm
Great story!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:52 pm
Great story! So glad that Jack got to live his dream!
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October 10, 2020 at 1:36 am
I love that Jack’s dream came true and changed his whole perspective. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 9:07 pm
Autumn Leaves
Air is clear, sun shines brightly.
Leaves aloft, landing lightly.
Make a lovely autumn bed
When trees turn orange, yellow, red
Join the shouts of autumn glee.
Whirl and twirl and run carefree.
Smiles gleam, life’s exciting.
Nature’s gifts are inviting.
Crunchy, crispy, stomp around
Smell the musty, earthy ground
Brush off leaves now everywhere.
Stuck to clothes, in your hair.
Breathing slows, shouts give way
Quiet ends an autumn day.
Inspired by image # 8 – Autumn is my favorite season. Thanks for the writing opportunity and best wishes to all the contestants!
LikeLiked by 10 people
October 2, 2020 at 7:31 am
What child can resist the temptation of piled up leaves? You’ve captured one of the joys of autumn so beautifully!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:50 pm
Autumn is my favorite too! Love the imagery! Nice job!
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October 10, 2020 at 1:42 am
You’ve written such a dynamic and energetic poem with wonderful echoes of playing in the leaves. I love “Crunchy, crispy, stomp around/Smell the musty, earthy ground.” The poem fits the picture so well. @AnneLipton
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October 10, 2020 at 8:41 pm
That was lovely, Claire!
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October 1, 2020 at 8:52 pm
Eye of Newt
Based on image #12
By Susan Burdorf
“Eye of New first? Or after toe of toad? Drat! Can’t remember.” Allisandre mumbled.
“‘Sandre?”
‘Sandre frowned. She wished her sister Merri would leave her alone. How was she going to learn how to create the spell right if she was constantly being bothered?
“Fine, just fine.” She said. The irritation in her tone was a clear signal all was not well, but for once her older sister listened.
“After the toe, comes the eye.” ‘Sandre dropped the toe into the boiling water. Stirring carefully she watched one thick green bubble rise. Waiting for it to pop, she quickly dropped the eye into the center of the explosion.
Timing was everything.
Grunting, she noted the bubble turning indigo then green. “Yes!” she fist-pumped in victory.
“Done?” Merri handed her sister a bowl. Reaching in, she dipped a spoon into the fluid, pouring it over their ice cream. Nuts and a cherry completed the treat.
“Great job, sis,” Merri said after the first bite. “You made your first “Witch Sundae”.
LikeLiked by 8 people
October 1, 2020 at 11:06 pm
Haha! Good take on witches spells. Made me smile at the end. All the best!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:38 pm
Who doesn’t love Sundaes?! good luck!!
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October 2, 2020 at 7:32 am
A witch sundae, how unexpected. The delicious payoff for all her hard work and concentration.
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October 2, 2020 at 8:16 am
This is a very fun take on witches’ brew! Nicely done!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:27 am
Loved the surprise ending.
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October 2, 2020 at 12:24 pm
Love this story!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:48 pm
Fun and cute! Love the idea of a Witch Sundae!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:51 pm
I like how you play with our expectations and it ends up being a sundae. Still, not sure if I want a taste or not, lol!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:37 pm
Very cute!!! Fun twist!
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October 10, 2020 at 1:49 am
Love the interplay between the sisters, ‘Sandre’s satisfying character arc, and the clever ending. @AnneLipton
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October 10, 2020 at 8:43 pm
I am getting up right now for ice cream…hold the toe!
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October 1, 2020 at 8:35 pm
BACKWARD
By Ashlee Hashman
Backward.
It’s how the nightmare always ends.
A bone-gray station wagon creeping down our gravel driveway.
Backward.
The shadow of a hooded figure peering over its shoulder. I’m seen.
I awake in a pool of sweat, clutching my blanket like a child’s last promise of safety.
Just a dream.
But I have to pull back the curtains and check anyway.
Relief. Autumn leaves crinkle against the gravel. The gnarled hickory lashes out a branch toward my window. But no creeping car.
I laugh. It appears the universe is trying to frighten me tonight.
I turn to climb back under my blanket, but a sharp flash of light reflects off the wallpaper in front of me.
I flinch, heart kicked into overdrive.
Surely just the neighbor heading home. I can’t stop myself from checking.
The hickory’s hateful branch obscures my view, but there’s no mistaking the crimson glow.
My heart drops to the clammy hardwood. I clamp my eyes shut and shiver. It can’t be.
Adrenaline compels me to open my eyes.
Peeling open an eyelid, my mind’s having trouble comprehending.
Like the breath of the Reaper, a dusky station wagon emerges from the dust.
Backward.
He’s here.
LikeLiked by 13 people
October 1, 2020 at 11:07 pm
Ooh! Scary! I like it.
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October 1, 2020 at 11:22 pm
I love the refrain of “Backward.” And my favorite line- “The universe is trying to frighten me tonight.” Well done!
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October 2, 2020 at 7:36 am
So suspenseful! I too would be terrified of that backward driving station wagon.
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October 2, 2020 at 8:17 am
Very creepy!😬😬😬😬
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October 2, 2020 at 8:25 am
Oooo. Creeeepy!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:25 pm
What a great spooky story!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:37 am
aghhhh…so creepy!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:45 pm
Creepy and terrifying! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:35 pm
I really enjoyed this! Love how it’s spooky and familiar!
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October 10, 2020 at 2:11 am
What if a terrifying nightmare came true? Your specific and evocative details play on our fears and make for a spine-tingling, suspenseful tale, even though the exact threat is unnamed and remains shrouded (!) in mystery. I especially love “clutching my blanket like a child’s last promise of safety,” “the gnarled hickory lashes out,” and “peeling open an eyelid.” Spooky-cool. @AnneLipton
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October 10, 2020 at 8:48 pm
Mathash, I need more, please! I like it!
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October 1, 2020 at 7:27 pm
The Induction
Image 10
Word Count: 198
It was just a silly superstition that started with the 1870’s Crenshaw Gang. They were the town’s infamous outlaws who robbed and killed anyone who interfered with them. Every Halloween, their ghosts roam the road tempting any daring soul to still join them. All you have to do is pledge your allegiance in their presence by declaring their name three times and you will be inducted into their gang.
Of course, I laughed. This was just a mere attempt for the seniors to try and scare us newbie freshmen at the beginning of the school year. Of course, it wasn’t true. An 1800’s outlaw gang haunting a street on Halloween? It was a typical Halloween myth, so I readily took the dare.
Now, here I am, deteriorating in the middle of the road. The crisp, fall leaves were at peak season for all the autumn leaf peepers who will be passing soon on the annual bus tours. But by the time they get here, my body will be gone as my soul was already being transported away by the mystical fog. The magnificent presence of the Crenshaw Gang beautifully sporting their naive followers across the perfect autumn day.
LikeLiked by 7 people
October 1, 2020 at 8:05 pm
I liked the way you combined high school, horror, and western elements in your story. Very creepy, very unique!
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October 2, 2020 at 7:38 am
We’ve all heard those stories of repeat three-time sand something spooky will appear, way to amp up all of our innate adolescent fears.
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October 2, 2020 at 9:23 am
Awesome and scary. What a picture you have created.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:27 am
Wow. Great story. The things kids will challenge each other to fits the bill nicely for your story. Well done.
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October 2, 2020 at 12:27 pm
A perfectly creepy story!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:44 pm
A great spooky campfire story! Nice!
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October 6, 2020 at 2:10 pm
Very creepy and haunting!
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October 10, 2020 at 2:15 am
Love this scary example of how one’s words may come back to haunt them! @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 7:10 pm
I failed to put the title and word count at the top of my story. Is there any way to edit/add it?
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October 1, 2020 at 7:04 pm
Mean Girls by Sarah Heaton
“Wait, what are you guys wearing?” I ask as I step onto Emma’s porch.
Emma and Ella look so grown-up.
“Mean Girls!” they chime. “So fetch, right?”
“I thought we were dressing up together,” I say, looking at my homemade costume.
“We decided to change,” says Emma.
“Don’t worry,” says Ella. “You look… fine!”
Jesse stands at his window in the only dark house on the street. “No Way,” he mouths as we pass.
I shrug.
Everyone has something to say as we trick-or-treat. I try not to frown when people tell Emma and Ella:
“You girls look amazing!”
“Mean Girls, right?”
“I love that movie!”
Ella and Emma cackle when people tell me:
“What are you, a box?”
“Amazon Prime, right?”
“Last minute costume?”
“Was your shipping delayed?”
“No,” I say, “I’m a graham cracker. We were supposed to be s’mores.”
In bed, I grab my walkie talkie. Jesse’s already talking.
“Mean Girls? They’re finally admitting what they’ve been all along.”
“They’re not that bad.”
“Not bad? After all they’ve put us through? It’s time to get our sweet revenge,” he says. “Over and out.”
The walkie talkie goes silent, then hums back on.
“Also, bring me candy tomorrow?”
LikeLiked by 12 people
October 1, 2020 at 8:10 pm
You’ve really captured the essence of jr. high angst on Halloween night, Sarah. I want to know what Josh is planning…keep going! Well done!
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October 3, 2020 at 5:45 pm
Thanks Jill! I was so happy to have a much-needed kick in the pants to write this! I’m excited to keep it going. 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 10:07 pm
Ouch! I felt the pain and humiliation here. Good job, Sarah!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:10 pm
A well-written piece. Would love to read the rest of it. All the best!
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October 3, 2020 at 5:43 pm
Thank you! I’m hoping to keep working on this one!
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October 2, 2020 at 7:42 am
Oooh…. what dreadful girls. You’ve captured the spirit of Mean Girls so well.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:14 am
I’m too old to know about Mean Girls, but you surely captured it! I’m a former JH science teacher. That side must have been kept to themselves. Oh wait! Girl fights! There were some.
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October 3, 2020 at 5:41 pm
You should watch it! It’s so timeless, I’m sure that you could relate as a teacher. Thanks so much for your editing help!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:28 am
I always love your stories and creativity!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:47 am
Great job capturing the angst of middle school and Mean Girls. Nicely done!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:28 pm
Great story, I would love to know what happens next.
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October 3, 2020 at 5:42 pm
Thanks! I’m hoping to keep up the momentum on this one!
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October 2, 2020 at 2:34 pm
Great story!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:42 pm
Great emotional story, Sarah!
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October 5, 2020 at 10:15 am
Three is a rough number for girls. Usually there is one odd girl out and your story as your story perfectly illustrates. Love to read what happens next that Jesse and narrator cook up. I hope Ella and Emma are going down!
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October 10, 2020 at 2:40 am
I love the contrast in attitude and behavior that you draw between the frenemies and the true friend the narrator has in Jesse. The comments about the narrator’s costume (or lack thereof) from the people handing out candy sound authentic and are both hilarious and cringeworthy. We really feel the narrator’s pain. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 6:38 pm
The Sunflower Gnomes
by Boris Shoshitaishvili (Image 14, 197 words)
There once was a pair of perfectly normal
(really garden-variety) gnomes who lived on the sun
and everything was totally fine for them
and perfectly predictable until the sun they happened to be living on
decided to bloom.
Now as a rule, suns bloom tremendously rarely—
usually they shine patiently (for billions of light-years), though if they’re feeling really
impatient with their solar systems they sometimes explode in a supernova.
The sun gnomes have strict protocols for supernovas which involve
(1) putting on helium helmets
and
(2) surfing cosmic shockwaves through space toward a more patient sun.
But for a sun to bloom is almost unheard of! I mean
every gnome hears a story or two, but for your own home sun
to actually go full sunflower is enough to make your head spin like a little
planet.
When it happened to these two gnomes, the younger one (by only half-a-billion years)
asked his sunmate,
“What do we do now?”
“I don’t know,” came his friend’s perfectly predictable answer and
his honesty calmed them both for centuries.
That is, until giant galactic bees finally found their sunflower,
but that story is even longer than a comet tail.
LikeLiked by 10 people
October 1, 2020 at 8:18 pm
What an interesting story idea: blooming suns, sun gnomes, giant galactic bees…you have such an imagination! Love the ending!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:11 pm
Very interesting take on an ordinary sunflower! All the best!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:14 am
Garden gnomes and blooming sun, such a creative approach to the photo. Cute ending!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:31 am
What a fun twist on astronomy!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:29 pm
What a lovely imaginative story.
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October 4, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Clever and creative! Nice!
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October 10, 2020 at 3:05 pm
So original! I love the ingenious sci-fi elements and wordplay, especially “surfing cosmic waves,” “go full sunflower,” and “the giant galactic bees.” I want to hear more of the gnomes’ conversation, about their life on the “sun,” and their other out-of-this world stories. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 6:33 pm
My Favorite Day
By Kaitlin M Sikes
Image 14 (Sunflower)
Word Count: 197
Make a small hole.
Drop in one seed.
Cover it with dirt.
Two sets of hands.
Grandma and me.
Seedling.
Bud.
Flower.
Each sunflower stands tall on a prickly stem.
Crowned with a golden ray of forty petals.
Bursting with one thousand tiny seeds.
All summer long the sunflowers move.
East in the morning.
West in the evening.
Chasing the sun.
Now it’s fall and the sunflowers stand still.
“They are brown and dry.
It’s time,” says Grandma.
It’s Sunflower Harvest Day!
My favorite day of the year.
Hand in hand.
We get to work.
Sing a song and cut the stems.
Pick out the seeds.
My small fingers are just the right size.
Save two cups of seeds to dry out.
The birds will need some this winter.
Save one cup to plant next year.
Now it’s time to bake.
One baking pan.
A pinch of salt.
Roasted in the oven.
Sizzle. Ouch! Too hot.
Cooling while we play.
I wonder how many seeds I can eat?
Crack! One seed.
Crunch. 10 seeds.
Munch. 20 seeds.
Mmmm. 40 seeds.
Ugh… Too many sunflower seeds.
Time for a walk.
Hand in hand.
We wander through the door.
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October 1, 2020 at 7:51 pm
I really like this! I love how it captures the love of a family tradition.
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October 1, 2020 at 8:25 pm
Katlin, your sentences are simple and short, but so powerful! They communicate the love of sunflowers and family perfectly. Well done!
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October 1, 2020 at 10:22 pm
Lovely piece! I really enjoyed this.
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October 1, 2020 at 10:39 pm
Beautiful story, Kaitlin. I love the sensory images and mood you created.
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October 1, 2020 at 11:25 pm
Beautifully written! I can just picture these sweet moments with Grandma.
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October 2, 2020 at 8:18 am
Very creepy!😬😬😬😬
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October 2, 2020 at 2:08 pm
I hope this was meant for another story! lol 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 10:16 am
What a lovely intergenerational story. Amazed at how you were able to convey the passage of time, family dynamics, and tradition in so few words. Beautifully done.
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October 2, 2020 at 2:10 pm
THANK YOU! Showing the passage of time was the hardest part. This was such a fun contest.
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October 4, 2020 at 1:30 am
love the progression and depiction of tradition, so lovely!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:24 pm
I love this! So much information along with family traditions! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:27 pm
Love it! I could picture everything so clearly!
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October 10, 2020 at 3:32 pm
This is so harming and heartwarming, Kaitlin. I love your thoughtful, specific images and the way you drop single words like seeds, echoing the actions of planting, counting, and eating. You weave in such wonderful themes of growth and the rewards of patience (and the stakes—”Ouch!”—if you’re not). Finally, you circle the story so well in showing how “the two sets of hands” become one in the end. Lovely. @AnneLipton
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October 21, 2020 at 1:26 pm
Thank you so much Anne, that is very kind of you!
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October 10, 2020 at 8:59 pm
I love reading about family traditions! Really nice!
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October 1, 2020 at 6:29 pm
NO SURVIVORS
By: Michelle F. Bradley
181 words… Image 6
The pitter-patter of footsteps echo.
I look behind me…
Nothing..
All I can see are shadows.
My heartbeat quickens.
Sweat trickles down my forehead.
Trees surround me and fog consumes me.
I pick up my pace.
I feel eyes staring into my soul.
Warm breathing down my neck.
Branches grab at my legs.
Spider webs cover my face.
My whole body shaking.
I come to a halt.
I shrink behind a rock.
Shut my eyes tight.
I know I’m no longer alone.
Whispers all around me.
Nowhere to turn.
Then everything goes silent.
I open my eyes.
I see the ghosts of my past.
They haunted me then.
Drunken ghosts..
Manipulated me with bottles.
They are here to haunt me again.
“Pick a different path” they hiss.
I jolt awake in my bed.
My ride to the party is here but I wave them away.
My stomach lurches..
My pulse races…
An overwhelming sense of unease tingles through me.
“I’ll just sleep it off,” I think.
The next day I watch the news in horror.
“No survivors.. House party turns deadly!”
LikeLiked by 9 people
October 2, 2020 at 10:19 am
Wow, so creepy! Sounds like the drunken ghosts were looking after our party-goer.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:44 am
Oooh I got chills reading that!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:32 pm
Such a lovely descriptive story.
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October 3, 2020 at 5:35 am
Great job, Michelle!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:25 am
wow, so crazy how it turned out!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:19 pm
Great chilling story! Nice!
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October 5, 2020 at 11:07 pm
Love the imagery and the ending!
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October 10, 2020 at 3:52 pm
Chilling Halloween ghost story/cautionary tale. Your well-chosen sensory details and actions ratchet up the escalating fear and panic of a nightmare (and a nightmare reality). It’s impressive how you manage to allude to such important issues as peer pressure, underage drinking, and alcohol abuse in such a short piece. @AnneLipton
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October 10, 2020 at 9:01 pm
Ooh! Wasn’t expecting that! Love the story, Michelle!
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October 1, 2020 at 6:27 pm
Cat’s Cauldron
Inspired by Image 12
By: Erin McCabe
Cat was clever, kind, quick, but clumsy. Very clumsy.
Witches whooshed their wands. Cat waved it.
Cat’s cauldron overflowed, remnants from wandering spells.
Skates for snakes, perfume pillows, grape-colored goats, ideas that graced Cat’s imagination.
“Distracted,” school said.
“They call me, ‘Clumsy Cat, the class jinx.’ My spells never work.”
Mom advised, “Keep your cauldron full.”
That night, Cat dreamed of speeding sloths, glimmering geckos, bouncing baseballs.
The next morning, Cat’s pencils became mighty markers, notebooks napkins, and lunchboxes lava lamps. Finally, she broke from her mismatched spells for lunch.
Tummies rumbling, her friends shared snacks lamenting gifts at the shop.
“He wants hockey stuff or a snake.” Claire cried. Shopping was a tricky business.
Cat had an idea. All afternoon, “Catriona! Pay attention!” chimed from her teacher.
Cat was paying attention. (Art note: imagination wandering)
(Art note: Cat setting up a shop.)
Curious schoolmates wandered over, “Cat’s cauldron?”
“My shop,” she smiled.
Cat rummaged in the cauldron, placing out mismatched wand work.
“First special! Skate for a snake!” Claire snatched the skate grinning broadly.
“Perfect presents with a cauldron full of creations.”
Driveway overflowing, Mom tapped Cat, “Everyone loves your imagination inventions.”
“Thanks for keeping my cauldron full, Mom.”
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October 1, 2020 at 6:52 pm
Great story! I love your use of alliteration-so fun!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:31 am
Awww….. love it when imagination pays off.
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October 2, 2020 at 12:32 pm
Lovely story, great alliteration.
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October 4, 2020 at 12:16 pm
Fun and adorable story!
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October 11, 2020 at 3:52 pm
Wonderful, ingenious, and original premise. I love that you show how Cat succeeds despite—or perhaps because of—her differences and how you stir in themes of creativity and upcycling as well. Marvelous messages! @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 6:23 pm
JANA’S SQUIRREL
By Kathi Morrison-Taylor
Jana and her two older sisters lived with their parents in a cozy forest home.
In the oaks above, squirrel-parents tended their own pair of young ones.
Bouncy babies in the spring
turned to frisky acorn hunters by fall.
Each girl had a favorite.
“The big one’s like me,” said the eldest sister. “Brave! She can leap to every branch she sees. She scampers the fastest and climbs the highest.”
“I prefer the shy one,” said the middle sister. “Wise! She remembers where they buried the oldest acorn, helps repair the nest, and warns when foxes are near.”
“Let Jana decide,” said the eldest. “Which is best?”
“Yes,” said the middle, “Brave or wise?”
“My favorite is the littlest one,” whispered Jana.
“You mean mine,” said the middle sister. “The wisest!”
Jana shook her head.
The two older sisters were puzzled.
“But mine’s big,” the eldest said, “and I don’t see another.”
“Invisible!” said Jana. “She chases the wind, makes me laugh, and sings the sweetest songs.
She’s sitting on my shoulder right now. But your squirrels are nice, too. They’re equal.”
In the end, the girls chose to agree.
Here is a picture of Jana’s squirrel waving at you! (caption for image #13)
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October 2, 2020 at 8:30 am
Awe! I love this one. I’d love to see it as a picture book. I’d read it to my three daughters.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:33 am
Lovely twist, I think everyone needs an imaginary squirrel in their lives that makes them laugh.
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October 2, 2020 at 12:34 pm
Such a lovely story.
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October 4, 2020 at 12:14 pm
I love this! Adorable story!
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October 5, 2020 at 2:22 am
Cute having an imaginary squirrel! Good luck!
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October 11, 2020 at 4:02 pm
A charming and intriguing sister story. I love how we get to know the sisters via their descriptions of the squirrels with an ingenious, humorous, and heartfelt twist at the end. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 5:45 pm
Left Behind on Trick or Treat Night
by Jill Zdunczyk (Image 2, 190 words)
My shoes hurriedly crunched their way through the dry, fallen leaves. Heart racing, I saw my friends at the next house already — knocking on the door, shouting a sing-song “trick-or-treat”. My heart sunk seeing them there without me. Why hadn’t they waited?
They walked on to the next house.
I decided to be brave and go alone to the house they had just left. I knocked on the door. After several agonizing seconds, the door whooshed open. A beautiful, smiling fairy was doing her best to hold a giant bowl of candy bars. She peeked down over her bowl at me. That’s when I squeaked out a scared “trick-or-treat” from underneath my mask. Her eyes twinkled as her smile got bigger.
She looked around and after not seeing anyone asked if those were my friends who had just left. I sighed a “yes” and told her about how my legs weren’t long enough to catch up.
“Well, we’ll just have to give you a little extra for having so much courage!” the fairy said. Then, she turned her giant bowl upside down and emptied it into my pumpkin bag.
LikeLiked by 7 people
October 1, 2020 at 11:30 pm
Yay for bravery! Glad it was rewarded. Your story was a sweet reminder of the excitement of Trick or Treating.
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October 4, 2020 at 12:12 pm
Wonderful story! Glad she was brave and happy she got extra candy!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:40 am
Ha! I was expecting an extra piece or two – love it!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:35 pm
A lovely Halloween story.
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October 9, 2020 at 10:12 am
Ohhh! so adorable and sweet. Good luck.
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October 10, 2020 at 9:04 pm
Every childhood dream! Big score for being brave:)
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October 11, 2020 at 4:10 pm
Sounds like a fabulous Fairy Godmother! This is such a relatable story for kids with a beautiful theme of courage and a wonderful implicit message about not leaving others behind. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 4:45 pm
THE RAIN GIVES ME SUPERPOWERS
by Vashti Verbowski
(Image 6, 188 words)
Before the clouds turn grey, I know the rain is coming.
I smell it in the air and feel it in my hair. Like the wolves and the wind, I howl.
Face up and palms open, I let the rain soak in. And like a bolt of lightning, I race through the trees.
When I stop for a breath, I count the drops on my tongue: “One, two, three.”
I stretch and reach and rise up like a budding flower.
And just like that, I’m taller.
The rain gives me superpowers.
Now, you might be wondering why I’m telling you my secret – you’re just a tree.
But you’re more than that. You are life and breath and beauty. And like a river greeting the sea, we are connected.
The rain is pouring down for you. Trickling down your trunk, seeping into your soil, and reaching for your roots.
When these dark days are over, your branches will grow longer. You will sprout tiny leaves that rush in the wind. And you will feel the rain rising within you.
Then you will know, the rain gives you superpowers too.
LikeLiked by 14 people
October 1, 2020 at 5:48 pm
Funny and punny! Delightful story!
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October 1, 2020 at 7:24 pm
I enjoyed this! Your first three lines grabbed me and I had to finish reading the rest. Nice work!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:20 pm
Thank you Kathy! I’m glad you were pulled in:)
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October 1, 2020 at 11:36 pm
Vashti, I love the imagery you’ve created and how you turned rain into a superpower!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:36 pm
Thanks for your kind words Michelle!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:41 pm
Awesome story loved the combination of rain and superpowers! good luck
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October 2, 2020 at 11:35 pm
Thanks! When I was a kid, I thought all sorts of things gave me superpowers:)
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October 2, 2020 at 8:19 am
Lovely and lyrical!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:21 pm
Thank you Karyn:)
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October 2, 2020 at 12:36 pm
What a wonderful story.
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October 3, 2020 at 10:22 pm
Thank you Stacey:)
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October 2, 2020 at 2:06 pm
I love anything involving a tree! Well done.
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October 2, 2020 at 11:34 pm
Thanks Kaitlin! After all the forest fires in OR and CA and smoke up in WA (where I am), I had to write about trees… and rain (which eventually cleaned our air). Rain is magical. Trees are precious!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:25 pm
Beautiful imagery! Love this!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:21 pm
I really enjoyed this! Well done!
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October 5, 2020 at 9:58 pm
Love the imagery! Great story!
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October 11, 2020 at 4:21 pm
Amazing premise with gorgeous writing. You had me at the title. But I also love “You are life and breath and beauty.” @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 4:35 pm
I submitted this earlier on the entry form, but forgot to it post under the Comments section – better late than never. It’s so much fun to read everyone’s work! Good luck to all!
AUTUMN NOTCHES by Kathy Chalas
(200 words – Photo #13)
The lingering ache called her to the woods–Papa’s woods.
Ghost-like, Renny glided through the room and slipped outside. She raced across the field to the forest, now ablaze with fiery autumn colors. Away from the house with hushed voices. Far from Mama’s tears. Beyond the suffocating crush of visitors.
Sickness had whittled Papa away. Renny missed their walks. Like Papa, she captured small moments with her eyes and ears. She savored the stories–Papa’s stories.
The woods seemed different now–deeper, wilder, stranger. Once-familiar paths choked under fierce tangles of vines. But Renny had to find the tree–Papa’s tree.
It stood alone–a towering beech with golden-bronze leaves. Graceful branches reached out like welcoming arms. Renny caressed its smooth trunk and small notches–Papa’s notches.
Every autumn, Papa carved a new notch to show how she had grown. Renny pressed her heart against the tree. With a stone, she scraped a mark above her head. She felt Papa whisper, “I’m here.”
Renny stepped from the shade. October sunlight washed over her face like a warm touch–Papa’s touch.
Comforted, she headed home. Now, there would be a new journey–Renny’s journey. But Papa would always walk with her.
LikeLiked by 10 people
October 1, 2020 at 6:39 pm
Beautiful! Brought tears to my eyes. Well done:)
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October 1, 2020 at 7:17 pm
Thank you so much!
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October 1, 2020 at 7:54 pm
This really touched me. Poignant story.
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October 1, 2020 at 10:24 pm
Thank you! I appreciate your kind words.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:38 am
Lovely. The notches on the beech tree are especially poignant.
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October 2, 2020 at 11:22 am
Thank you so much!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:38 am
I got emotional reading this. Well done!
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October 2, 2020 at 1:14 pm
Thank you! I appreciate your comment!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:37 pm
What a beautiful story.
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October 2, 2020 at 1:14 pm
Thank you for your kind words!
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October 3, 2020 at 8:05 am
Kathy, I got tears in my eyes! So beautiful! It is interesting I read your poem today. Abuelo passed away many years ago, and I still clearly remember the times we walked together. Thank you for sharing this.
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October 3, 2020 at 8:21 am
Thank you -your kind words mean so much! Both my Nana and Grampa were in my heart when I wrote this. I am glad that it reminded you of your Abuelo and touched your heart, too.
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October 4, 2020 at 2:23 pm
Beautiful, emotional, story! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 7:42 pm
Thank you for your kind comments. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
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October 11, 2020 at 4:29 pm
Hauntingly beautiful with wonderful voice. I especially love the way Renny glides “ghost-like” and the apt yet heartwrenching originality of “sickness had whittled Papa away.” @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 10:18 pm
Thank you for your very thoughtful comments, Anne. I am glad you enjoy reading this!
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October 1, 2020 at 4:08 pm
No Bones About It
A Fall Frenzy Story based on image #9
By Christiana Doucette
When Ribsy waved across the graveyard to Maxilla, she almost didn’t wave back. She had a bone to pick with him. A tibia to be exact. He’d cracked her shin loud enough her hip went out when he threw open his coffin.
“Why can’t I grow a spine.” She moaned. But a missing muscular system made standing up for herself tough.
She ducked behind Ulna. Good. He’d disappeared. She heaved a sigh, bony hand on her chest.
“There you are!” Ribsy boomed, taking Maxilla’s hand in a bone-crunching grip and shaking it so hard her teeth rattled. “Thought I’d lost you!”
Maxilla cringed.
Ribsy released her hand. “Whoops. I’m trying to be careful. But it’s tough when you’re all thumbs.” He held up a hand, wiggling the short digits. “I’d’ve gotten a full hand replacement but it would’ve cost an arm and a leg… and that defeated the purpose.”
Maxilla considered.
It would be hard to lift things with all thumbs. It would be hard to open a coffin carefully. Make no bones about it, her leg still ached. But she could see his point. All thumbs!
She giggled.
She couldn’t help it.
He’d tripped and struck her funny bone.
LikeLiked by 15 people
October 1, 2020 at 4:48 pm
This struck my funny bone! Very clever!
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October 1, 2020 at 6:40 pm
No bones about it, this a great story! 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 6:43 pm
All the Bone puns! Nicely done!
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October 1, 2020 at 6:58 pm
Feel like I just sat through science class and smiled the whole time. Well done!
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October 1, 2020 at 7:57 pm
Great, comical story! I love puns!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:17 pm
Great bone-y puns!
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October 2, 2020 at 1:45 am
Amazing collection of bone puns… and all wrapped up in a funny story! Nicely done:)
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October 2, 2020 at 10:25 am
Adorable. Thanks for the smile! 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 11:40 am
As a science teacher, this tickled MY funny bone.
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October 2, 2020 at 3:47 pm
I’m so glad! That is high praise indeed! 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 1:19 am
Love all the bony cracks and puns, great job!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:59 am
I loved all the bone references, so funny.
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October 4, 2020 at 2:20 pm
Great story! Cute and clever! Nice!
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October 10, 2020 at 9:07 pm
Haha! I picked image #9 as well. It’s fun to see another take on it!
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October 11, 2020 at 5:01 pm
I love how you develop Maxilla’s wariness of Ribsy but flesh out the story to show his good intentions and that he isn’t really bad to the bone. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 3:24 pm
Hi friends! Posting my entry below since I don’t have a blog yet! This was so much fun! Happy Fall!!
I’m Thankful!-Image #8
By Jessica Hinrichs
Word count: 195
The thrill of fall is in the air,
The summer’s last goodbye.
A little boy runs out to play
Beneath the autumn sky.
A pile of crunchy leaves looks fun,
So amber, yellow, gold.
A frolic, jump, and last hurrah,
Before the air turns cold.
No homework and a week off school!
Terrific! This is living!
Deliriously overjoyed,
He’s bursting with thanksgiving!
“I’m thankful for my Mom and Dad,
My uncles, aunts, and cousins,
My Grandma and my Grandpa, and
My best friends by the dozens.
I’m thankful for a hayride on
A chilly autumn day.
I’m thankful for the pumpkin pie
My Mom baked yesterday.
I’m thankful for hot cocoa and
For apple cider, too.
I’m thankful for amusement parks
And field trips to the zoo.
I’m thankful for the stack of books
The library lets me borrow,
and…
I’m thankful for the turkey that
We’re going to eat tomorrow!”
The sun has set, as evening fades,
So back inside he goes
To sit beside the fire, read
A book, and warm his toes.
Content and cozy, grateful heart,
He’s filled with festive cheer.
This thankful spirit, he resolves
To keep throughout the year.
THE END
LikeLiked by 10 people
October 1, 2020 at 3:43 pm
So sweet and heartwarming!
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October 1, 2020 at 3:55 pm
Thank you!!
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October 1, 2020 at 4:39 pm
This is really sweet. Beautiful rhythm! Good luck 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 6:44 pm
Love it! It’s such fun, lyrical read!
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October 1, 2020 at 7:03 pm
I love the thankful vibe and great rhyming. Nice job!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:45 pm
Thanks so much!
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October 2, 2020 at 1:47 am
So many things to be thankful for! Love it:)
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October 2, 2020 at 10:27 am
I love this sweet, heartwarming poem. Well done!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:12 pm
So sweet!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:59 am
Such a lovely, lyrical story!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:19 pm
Beautiful and sweet! Love it!
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October 10, 2020 at 9:09 pm
I really enjoyed this one! We live out in Arizona and I really miss all that is fall! Really nice:)
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October 11, 2020 at 5:13 pm
Darling and delightful with outstanding rhyme and meter. This poem captures the essence of childhood joy so well, while also channeling a remarkable spirit of reflection and gratitude. It fits the image and the spirit of Thanksgiving so well. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 5:34 pm
Thanks so much for your kind words!
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October 1, 2020 at 3:15 pm
Good luck to all! Happy Halloween!
Witch Stew
Into the woods on Halloween Eve Sam went deep
To find a goblin, a ghost, anything that gave a creep.
Then tomorrow night he’d cause his friends much fright
When he told them he’d seen the spookiest sight!
Suddenly there in the clearing ahead
A witch was stirring something by a fire glowing red.
Sam tiptoed near.
She greeted him with a sneer.
“Witch, are you cooking a spooky brew?”
“No, it’s my dinner. A nice potato stew.”
He sighed. “I’m looking for something scary.”
She nodded. “Tis the season to make you wary.”
Waving her hand she mumbled twice
A dragon suddenly rose up from the pot, not looking very nice
It roared and lunged at Sam
Who hid behind a tree, shaking to be in this jam.
The witch looked over. “Will that do?”
Sam nodded. “Yes, definitely, thanks to you!”
She waved her hand again to make the dragon vanish.
“Let me eat my supper now or you too will be banished.”
“Can I come back?” he asked. “This was the best Halloween ever.”
“No,” the witch hissed. “You are to return here never.”
Sam turned to run out
He had his scare to share, no doubt!
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October 2, 2020 at 8:41 am
Love that her caldron holds nice potato stew!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:17 pm
This is so cute! Good Luck!
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October 11, 2020 at 5:24 pm
Fantastic premise! Your characters are brilliant, and the witch is a hilarious foil to Sam. You show his fear beautifully. And I love his hunger for adventure. Even after he’s scared out of his wits, it seems like he can’t get his fill! @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 3:07 pm
Image #2 200 words
HALLOWEEN WELCOME
With each hour of the plane trip, Sevgi’s home across the ocean seemed further and further away—like a dot on a map.
She wondered what life in America would be like. Would she make friends? Would her English be good enough?
Sevgi followed Mama and Baba one flight up to their new apartment. High-pitched voices and giggles echoed from the stairwell—then excited knocks.
Sevgi pulled the door ajar. Costumed children smiled broadly.
Her eyes widened. They’re here to welcome me!
A bride, princess, witch, soldier, and superhero held out buckets brimming with candy.
“Trick-or-treat!” they exclaimed.
Sevgi gasped. These sweets were for her?
She reached in and chose a chocolate bar from the bride. “Thank you,” she whispered.
Speechless, none of the trick-or-treaters moved. Sevgi suddenly remembered her manners. In her country, if offered something, it was rude not to accept it. So she dove in, choosing a treat from each child’s container.
Sevgi beamed at Mama and Baba. “Isn’t it wonderful? Americans welcome new neighbors with buckets of candy!”
[ART: Sevgi trick-or-treating with her new friends—she’s wearing a makeshift costume the children have assembled with pieces from their own costumes, e.g. bride’s veil, superhero’s shield, etc.]
LikeLiked by 17 people
October 1, 2020 at 3:26 pm
I really enjoyed reading this, Ann – such a clever twist on trick or treating and a sweet (no pun intended!) ending!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:22 pm
Thank you, Claire! Glad you liked it!
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October 1, 2020 at 7:05 pm
This story grabbed me from the first sentence. I just love it. GREAT JOB. It gave me all the feels 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 12:27 pm
Thank you so much, Tara!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:46 am
Everyone should be welcome with buckets of candy, great story!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:28 pm
Thank you so much!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:10 pm
Great hook! This could be a wonderful first half of a picture book. You’ve pulled us right up to the climax. (And I love the sweet ending.)
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October 2, 2020 at 12:33 pm
Thank you, Roxanne! Your comments are so validating – It actually is a full picture book ms that I cut and adapted for the contest!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:16 am
I just love this! Such a great new take on Halloween, so refreshing to read!
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October 3, 2020 at 9:17 am
I’m so glad you liked it! Thanks so much for your comments.
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October 4, 2020 at 1:15 am
This is so great, love the twist on trick-or-treating!
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October 4, 2020 at 9:57 am
Thank you so much, Sylvia!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:02 am
I really enjoyed this! Loved the mood you set, too.
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October 4, 2020 at 9:57 am
Thank you, Blair!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:12 pm
I loved this sweet story! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:10 pm
Thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:21 pm
I love this! Getting a sense of what children from other cultures might think when being introduced to American traditions and celebrations- brilliant! And the art note at the end just warmed my heart!
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October 5, 2020 at 9:37 am
Thank you so much, Michelle! Your comments really validated my intentions for this story.!
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October 11, 2020 at 5:43 pm
An original and imaginative take on Halloween, which is by turns funny, and heartwarming. I love the art note showing how the children welcomed Sevgi. @AnneLipton
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October 11, 2020 at 8:41 pm
Thank you so much, Anne!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:57 pm
The Great Witches’ Brew-Off
By Aimee Larke
188 Words
Wilhelmina minced and measured. Determined to prove her recipe was better than any traditional witches’ brew and could win the Great Witches’ Brew-Off.
Just a few more ingredients. A pinch of persuasion and cup of convincing. Lastly, a dash of cinnamon.
The judges approached. Wilhelmina’s heart raced. Was she making a big mistake? What if they hated it? What would they say when they discovered what was in her brew? Or, rather what was missing from her brew. She never should have entered the contest.
“Outstanding!” said judge Cordelia Witch.
“Enchanting!” said judge Helena Witch.
“This is the best we have sampled all day!” said judge Evanora Witch.
Before she could stop herself, Wilhelmina blurted out “Thanks, it’s vegan!”
Silence…
“Preposterous! No creatures in your brew?” came a shout from the crowd.
“No frog legs?”
“No eye of newt?”
“No rotten eggs?”
“No bat wings, or fried worms?”
“No,” replied Wilhelmina.
“Bah” said Cordelia.
“Bewitching,” said Helena.
“Brilliant!” said Evanora. “1st Prize!”
“Wait.” said Cordelia.
“You liked the brew didn’t you?” asked Wilhelmina.
Cordelia had to admit, it was rather delightful!
“1st prize to Wilhelmina Witch” she cried.
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October 1, 2020 at 3:17 pm
LOVE the vegan twist1
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October 1, 2020 at 4:18 pm
Love the vegan brew idea! Very clever.
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October 1, 2020 at 4:42 pm
Loved it Aimee! So clever! 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 10:23 am
A great twist on witches’ brew! I wonder just what IS in there? Moldy mushrooms? Desiccated dandelions? How fun. 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 5:59 am
This was fun to read!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:32 am
I really enjoyed reading this! Clever twist!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:08 pm
Cute and clever!
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October 5, 2020 at 10:50 am
Amiee, who would have thought that a vegan brew would win over the witches. Love how you showed what Wilhelmina used to make it and her apprehension when it was judged.
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October 11, 2020 at 5:57 pm
Cool brew. I love all the ingredients that went into Wilhelmina’s brew and your story, especially “a pinch of persuasion and a cup of convincing.” @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 2:53 pm
Blair, love your creativity. It’s all so fun. Well done 🙂 Good luck.
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October 1, 2020 at 2:42 pm
[…] My entry in the 2020 Fall Writing Frenzy is below. I used Image 14, courtesy of Susan Kaye Leopold. Other entries can be found here. […]
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October 1, 2020 at 2:40 pm
The Night Gracie Faced the Ghosts
Word Count: 188
by
Patricia Cleary
Brian Lee Ford
The storm clouds outside hovered heavy and fat. They rumbled
atop Gracie’s home.
The graveyard was chilly and filling with bats. The ghosts were
preparing to roam.
“That does it for me,” Gracie said with a stomp. “I’m done with you
ghosts in my room.
No dodging mad phantoms or slithering spooks or goblins
that grin in the gloom.”
“But what are we corpses to do every night?” said Clem the
Cadaver with dread.
‘To do?’ Gracie thought, ‘you could go get a life.’ They couldn’t,
of course. They were dead.
“I don’t have a clue what you monsters should do. Don’t bother to
rattle your bones.
Go haunt an old house, a damp castle or two. You’re through
scaring me with your groans.”
“Who’s she to tell us?” Stanley Specter inquired. “So true,” Gordon
Ghoul gave a sigh.
“Unfriendly is all, but you never ask me,” said Wendy the Wraith. “I
could die.”
Yet now they stay home, Gracie tells them a tale, and tucks them in
cool earthen beds.
Once they are at rest, Gracie sings them a song, as peaceful
dreams dance in their heads.
LikeLiked by 10 people
October 1, 2020 at 3:52 pm
Love “‘go get a life.’ They couldn’t, of course. They were dead.” 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 6:45 pm
Me, too! What a great line!
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October 2, 2020 at 1:53 am
Such great halloween imagery with a wonderful overcome-your-fears story. I also loved the line “you could go get a life..” (brilliant!) and the ending was so sweet, “as peaceful dreams dance in their heads” (like Christmas sugarplums:). Well done and good luck!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:21 am
I love this. So fun. Great use of the Halloween theme; one feels a bit sorry for the ghosts! I love the ending, go Gracie.
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October 4, 2020 at 2:06 pm
This is adorable! Nice!
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October 10, 2020 at 9:11 pm
What a clever story! Really nice, Patricia!
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October 11, 2020 at 11:44 pm
Great twist on “facing down your demons.” I love that Gracie and the ghosts all stand up for themselves and then learn to live (ahem) with each other. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 2:24 pm
FALL LEAVES (89 words, image 8)
by Nina Nolan
Fall leaves jiggle in the breeze.
They look like they’re waving…
at me.
I wave back.
Fall’s fiery colors, proud next to green.
They’re not scared to stand out…
Like me.
They show off their Fall colors.
Not afraid to try new things…
Like me.
Then, they…
Fall.
I gather them up,
into a pile,
big enough…
to jump into!
The leaves seem happy playing.
Like me.
I spread out in the leaves,
knowing that what I think is falling,
can feel like flying.
For Fall leaves…
And me.
LikeLiked by 11 people
October 1, 2020 at 2:38 pm
So sweet and fun. It captures the spirit of fall for children. 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 11:45 am
Wonderful!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:03 pm
Loved this! Beautiful!
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October 11, 2020 at 11:48 pm
Fall leaves waving a playful hello is such an original and delightful image, and I love how you work this playfulness throughout the poem. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 2:20 pm
Migration Misery
By: Susan Summers
WC: 200
With a whap and a flap, Lacey stretched her wings.
“I am so ready for this!”
“It’s not a race you know. It’s migration,” said aunt Martha.
Geese began lining up.
Woosh! The first group was off.
Cronk! The second group was up and away.
Lacey’s group was next.
“Dear, you’re at the back,” said Mom.
“Why?”
“It’s your first time, just follow the leader.”
With that, they took to the air.
Bwwaaap!
“Who’s farting!?”
“Sorry sis.”
“I will not fly behind you!” Lacey flew ahead of her brother.
Baarrfff!
“Sorry,” shouted aunt Martha, “sometimes I get airsick.”
“Gross!” Lacey flew ahead of her aunt.
Buurrrrp!
“Excuse me,” said her Mother. “I ate a big lunch.”
“That’s it! I am not flying in the back any more!”
She dashed ahead.
“Flying south is awesome, but it’s a lot of work.”
Right then she had an idea.
“Follow my lead!”
Swooping down, she landed at the dealership.
Soon they were driving south in a Thunderbird.
Her family was sipping juice at the golf course when the rest of the flock arrived.
“How did you get here before us?”
“We’re super migrators with extra motor-vation,” she said with a wink.
Beep beep!
LikeLiked by 13 people
October 1, 2020 at 2:20 pm
This was inspired by image #10.
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October 1, 2020 at 2:35 pm
LOL. Cute. As I was reading it, It made me think of a family road trip.
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October 1, 2020 at 2:55 pm
So funny!
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October 1, 2020 at 6:50 pm
Hysterical Susan! So funny. I love how your mind works!
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October 1, 2020 at 7:05 pm
Ha, ha, ha, ha! Too funny, I love it! Love ‘sipping on juice at the golf course’!
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October 1, 2020 at 8:41 pm
Your onomatopoeia is spot on and your ending is punny and perfect! So funny and I love the Thunderfird solution. Wonderful, Susan!
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October 1, 2020 at 10:42 pm
So funny! Thanks for the giggles tonight.
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October 2, 2020 at 1:56 am
Very creative and funny story! My four year old would be quoting this story all day long! And I was not expecting that twist at the end. Well done:)
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October 2, 2020 at 4:49 am
Oh my gosh, this was hysterical! it’s one of my favorites so far–great job. Good luck in the contest.
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October 2, 2020 at 11:47 am
Rip roaringly funny. Loved it!
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October 3, 2020 at 9:07 am
Susan – I love the way your mind works! Fun and creative storytelling – made me LOL!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:01 pm
Cute, creative, and funny!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Hahaha! It’s hard being a young one on a road trip, isn’t it?! You captured those feelings so well, Susan. I also really enjoyed the action words – it made it so fun to read aloud. Great job!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:20 pm
I wrote about the long road, image #10. 200 words.
The Long Road
by Honor Rovai
Mina appeared after Julia left. She was at the corner one morning, wearing my red corduroys. The next day she was on the porch swing, twisting Puffin’s paw.
“It doesn’t hurt,” she said.
I mended Puffin with cotton balls and twine.
“Why don’t you go to school?” I asked once.
“I already know everything.”
“Then why’s the sky gray?”
“It’s made of rocks.”
“What do mangoes taste like?”
“Pink erasers.”
“Where’s Julia?”
“Swimming.” She shrugged.
Mina wasn’t like Julia. She tore pages from my math book. She stole my lunch and ripped my tights. But she was better than most kids. She never hurt Puffin again. And she really did know everything.
One morning I found her in the middle of a road I’d never noticed before. It was near the bus stop, hidden by some trees. I stood beside her and stared down the long, center line. It dipped and dived into nothing.
“Where’s this road go, Mina?”
She shrugged and sucked a mango seed.
“Mina, where’s Julia?”
“I don’t know.”
Mina’s hand felt like water. We walked together down the road, dipping and diving into nothing. The wind whipped our hair. The trees shook and closed around us.
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October 1, 2020 at 6:49 pm
I love this. Great aesthetic and subtlety.
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October 4, 2020 at 5:53 am
This kept me reading and wanting more! Love it!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:59 pm
Great story, Honor! Nice!
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October 10, 2020 at 9:13 pm
Another story I want to read more of, please!
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October 12, 2020 at 12:04 am
Getting all the cool gothic vibes from this one. A tragic, hauntingly beautiful story written with such finesse. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 1:14 pm
The Meadow of Spirits Unknown (Image 12)
Far from the torment and anguish at home,
she flees to the Meadow of Spirits Unknown.
Alone with her thoughts, she begins the great task,
of healing the world from the wounds of its past.
She leaps and she twirls as the Autumn sun sets,
and she cleanses her heart from its tears and regrets.
Spiderwebs, lizard legs, tail of shrew,
she gathers each item for witches’ dark brew.
With a cackle, a sizzle, a whistle and swish,
she blends and she stirs and she beats in her wish.
To strengthen the ailing, enrich all the poor,
to feed all the hungry, solve conflicts and war.
Stop forests from burning, and clean tainted seas,
be kind to each other, set troubled souls free.
Come gather ye spirits, and powers that be.
Let’s beg for redemption this All Hallows’ Eve.
LikeLiked by 20 people
October 1, 2020 at 1:37 pm
I want to join her coven! Thank you for sharing this wonderful story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 1, 2020 at 4:15 pm
Haha, sure, the more the merrier! Thank you!
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October 1, 2020 at 5:01 pm
Hauntingly beautiful! What a creative way to weave in such an important wish/task/conversation!
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October 1, 2020 at 6:50 pm
Thank you so much!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:14 pm
I loved this. Great job!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 1, 2020 at 4:15 pm
Thank you 🙏🏻
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October 1, 2020 at 4:14 pm
I love her wishes!
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October 1, 2020 at 6:50 pm
Thank you, me too 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 11:50 am
Gave me goosebumps. We need her now!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 2, 2020 at 12:37 pm
🙏🏻
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October 2, 2020 at 12:02 pm
Wonderful rhythm. Beautiful imagery and closing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 2, 2020 at 12:37 pm
Thank you!
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October 2, 2020 at 8:52 pm
Such great imagery Danielle!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 2, 2020 at 9:35 pm
So hopeful and lovely. “Meadow of Spirits Unknown” is such a great name!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 8:27 pm
Thank you!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:19 am
Beautiful imagery Danielle! And what a great, subtle take on a witch, with rhyming no less. I love it!
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October 3, 2020 at 8:28 pm
Thank you ❤️
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October 3, 2020 at 6:16 am
Love this! Such a sweet twist!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:03 am
Thanks!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:56 pm
Beautiful wish! Beautiful story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 5:54 pm
🙏🏻💫
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October 12, 2020 at 12:38 am
What a wonderful sentiment for All Hallows’ Eve. And every Eve. Love your good witch with such good wishes and your original, inventive, and ingenious poem. @AnneLipton
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 12, 2020 at 1:10 am
Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙏🏻 😊
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October 12, 2020 at 6:32 pm
beautiful story with excellent meter and rhyming. Nice work.
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October 12, 2020 at 6:54 pm
Thank you! 💫
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October 31, 2020 at 6:54 pm
So well written and a pleasure to read!
LikeLiked by 1 person
November 5, 2020 at 12:09 pm
Thank you! 🙏🏻
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October 1, 2020 at 1:04 pm
The soft forest floor embraced my footsteps, muting the crunch of leaves and fallen branches breaking under my feet. I ran deeper and deeper into the glen. Fog shrouded the pine trees, leaving me with a glimmer of light to follow. An owl hooted in the limbs above.
Why had I chosen this costume? I felt like an overdressed bear. Sweat poured down my face. I didn’t expect to be running. The plan was to trick or treat with my friends and scarf down mini-Snickers and gobs of candy corn until I felt ill.
Instead my plan took a hard left at the Hardy’s front door when an apparition appeared on the porch steps. “Run,” was all it said. So, I did.
And now all I could hear was the heavy breathing of something behind me, getting closer and closer. Darn! I forgot I had on those ugly white socks. They shone like a beacon in the darkening woods. I must keep running. It can’t catch me. There must be someone down this path who can help me. I can only hope
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October 1, 2020 at 4:13 pm
Ahh I hope so too! Nice build up.
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October 1, 2020 at 7:03 pm
Thank you!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:58 am
Love your vivid descriptions and those socks! What a great detail…. a beacon in those darkening woods. I hope she gets the help she needs.
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October 2, 2020 at 12:21 pm
Thanks!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:30 pm
Eek! Great tension!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:37 pm
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2020 at 12:34 am
love the momentum, and those socks! lol such great descriptors throughout. I wish I could read on!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:16 pm
Seems like I need to make a longer story from this!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:53 pm
I love this! Spooky with great descriptions! Love the socks!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:58 pm
Thank you. If you’d like to follow my blog, here’s the link. https://creatividadplus.com/ Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 12, 2020 at 12:49 am
Incredible mixing of humor with horror, creating delicious tension. The description and details are superbly done (“ugly white socks”—LOL, and the entire first para really sets the scene). I love the abrupt, cliffhanger ending, leaving us hungering to know who’s chasing the narrator—and did they just catch up? @AnneLipton
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October 31, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 2 people
October 1, 2020 at 1:04 pm
[…] A kidlit contest hosted by the amazing Kaitlyn Sanchez and incredible Lydia Lukidis. There’s still time to submit your own story. For rules or to read all the wonderful entries, click HERE. […]
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October 1, 2020 at 12:54 pm
SOUNDS OF THANKSGIVING
by: Roxanne Troup
197 words
inspired by Image #4
The time has come to gather—to be thankful and to eat.
Our house is full of family—full of voices, full of feet.
Alexa’s in the kitchen begging for a crumb.
“NOT YET!” Momma yells. “Wait until it’s done.”
ZZZIT. TAP. TAP. Dad is fixing Grandma’s door.
TAP-CLANG. $#&@! Something heavy hits the floor.
CLITTER-CLATTER-CLIT. Cinders races down the hall.
PITTER-PATTER-PIT. It’s a Ralph-and-kitty brawl!
“TOUCHDOWN!” Uncle shouts from the downstairs den.
Grandpa wants a replay; score is seventeen-ten.
DING-DONG goes the bell. Did my cousins bring a treat?
“WELCOME,” Grandma says to the neighbor down the street.
BEEP-BEEP. A car! Yes—they’re finally here!
Momma CALLS us to the table. Food starts to appear.
GURGLE-GRUMBLE-GROWL. I can hardly wait.
Turkey, stuffing, pie. So much to fill my plate.
“We must PAUSE,” Grandpa says “in grateful reflection.”
I sneak another taste of Aunt’s berry confection.
POP! goes the button on Uncle Mike’s shirt.
(He probably should have skipped that second dessert.)
S-I-G-H-S all around. Contentment on each face.
Soon we’ll start dispersing. Each one to their own place.
I love the sounds of family—of laughter and of living;
sounds that fill our house every Thanksgiving.
LikeLiked by 19 people
October 1, 2020 at 1:11 pm
Oh my goodness! Reading this made me so excited for the holidays to come! Really felt like I was invited over for the day 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 11:26 am
Thanks!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:39 pm
Great use of onomatopoeia! It’s like you were recording the Thanksgiving sounds in my own home! 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 11:31 am
I’m glad it worked!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:18 pm
This had me wishing for Thanksgiving, and also laughing out loud at the “TAP-CLANG. $#&@! Something heavy hits the floor.” Nicely done!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:32 am
My daughter said, “Mom…I know what that means. Maybe you should change it.”
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October 1, 2020 at 10:48 pm
So unique. I love how you’ve focused on the sounds!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:33 am
Thanks!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:52 am
You captured my childhood memories!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:58 am
I thought only my house was that chaotic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 3, 2020 at 3:21 am
I just really enjoyed reading this. I have so many fuzzy warm feelings from it and such great use of rhyme!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:34 pm
Thank you.
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October 4, 2020 at 1:49 pm
Beautiful! Love the way you captured the sounds of family!
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October 4, 2020 at 10:33 pm
Thank you.
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October 5, 2020 at 6:17 am
Such a delight to read!
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October 6, 2020 at 6:15 pm
Thank you.
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October 7, 2020 at 6:00 pm
Roxanne! Love this! Making me miss the activity and liveliness of a full house during the holidays–especially with feeling so secluded this past year. And oh my word this line: TAP-CLANG. $#&@! Something heavy hits the floor.
My eyes popped open. But you know I love something that surprises me. LOL
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October 7, 2020 at 7:59 pm
Thank you Shereen…I knew it would cause a reaction, but I couldn’t think of anything better. *shrugs sheepishly*
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October 12, 2020 at 12:59 am
You bring to life all the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and feels (sensory and visceral) of a family Thanksgiving with such joy, humor, and vibrancy. This poem would be a wonderful read-aloud story for children of all ages! @AnneLipton
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October 12, 2020 at 10:05 am
Thank you.
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October 1, 2020 at 12:52 pm
A Bookworm’s Revenge
By E. Elle Bea
(Image 12; 188 words)
“Do I know you from somewhere?”
His question is innocent, paired with a friendly smile and the casual display of his library card for me to scan. But I know better than to fall for this version of him. Jacob Stevens might be the “hot new senior” at Belmont High, but ten years ago he was the boy who ruined my life. Granted, it wasn’t difficult to convince a lunchroom of seven-year-olds to ostracize the bookworm, but his cruel trick that day still haunts me — the worms crawling out of my backpack, the other kids’ shrieks of laughter, the sting of tears in my eyes.
I’d ran home immediately after school and spent the afternoon alone in the field behind my house. Rather than using my plastic cauldron for treats, I’d filled it with perfectly chosen items for a spell: my favorite book, Jacob’s class picture, a worm. All this time I’d thought the curse had worked; Jacob’s family had moved away a few weeks later. But now he’s back.
And even though I don’t fit into that witch’s costume anymore, it’s time I finish my revenge.
LikeLiked by 15 people
October 1, 2020 at 1:15 pm
Ooh, yes. You had me with the title 🙂 Enjoyed your story. I want to read more …
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October 1, 2020 at 1:15 pm
Love the intrigue and how it has me “muahahaha-ing” at the end.
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October 1, 2020 at 1:41 pm
You’ve left me wanting more… I want to read the rest of this book! 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 1:56 pm
Leaves me wanting more!
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October 1, 2020 at 4:10 pm
Love that Jacob’s going to get his due! I want to know what happens!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:57 am
Wonderful beginning! I can totally see this as a scene in a pubbed MG.
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October 3, 2020 at 3:35 am
I love the MC’s spunk! I would definitely have read this in my teenage years
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October 4, 2020 at 12:10 am
ooohhh, I want to know what happens next!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:46 pm
Great story! I love the ending!
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October 10, 2020 at 9:16 pm
Ooh, nice! Would love to read more:)
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October 12, 2020 at 1:15 am
Fantastic voice and just the right amount of brilliant backstory. Hope your narrator shows Jacob that the book worm is now a book dragon! Or possibly falls bookish head over heels for him? @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 12:24 pm
The Wandering
By Anne Ruggirello
177 words
Image 10
A year has passed since the tendrils of fate and folly reached down and took my parents from me in the middle of the night.
The coroner spoke of badly mangled bodies, so I was not permitted to see them before the burial.
There had been many losses during the Great Upheaval, but none had touched me this deeply.
I became unhinged, unable to think or breathe or be, and so began the wandering-
Month after month, engulfed by a surreal dullness.
Until this very day,
This very moment,
When my heart is uplifted,
Reawakened
By a sight grown all too rare.
Magnificent golden leaves
Reaching out so tenderly
To greet me, to offer sustenance.
I am drawn in. I lie down and cover myself with the yellow,
All but my face.
Drenched in the softness,
My muscles release and relinquish to this earthen bed.
I rest and am ready to emerge, but then footsteps,
Running, pounding. Just behind the trees,
Whispering.
Wait. Those voices. They haunt me. It cannot be.
I freeze inside my camouflage cocoon.
LikeLiked by 8 people
October 1, 2020 at 1:43 pm
I really like the mood you’ve set in this piece!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:37 pm
Thank you, Genevieve!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 2, 2020 at 11:54 am
What a cliffhanger!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 2, 2020 at 12:06 pm
Thanks so much!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:12 am
I felt compelled to read more and more! Well done!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:47 am
Thank you, Blair!
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October 4, 2020 at 11:22 am
This is so intriguing! I want to know more!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:43 pm
I love this! Nice!
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October 20, 2020 at 7:29 pm
A haunting, atmospheric, and fascinating tale with wonderful immediacy, tension, and suspense. I hope this is only the beginning! @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 12:22 pm
Stopping by the Woods
by Armineh Manookian
Image 6
79 words
Deep silence shrills its heavy breath.
Where fairy tales birthed long ago.
Where Big and Bad hid to and fro.
These woods. A place we do not know.
Through timbered maze they faced unknowns-
Past porridge bowls in quirky shapes,
Past three plump swine and crimson cape,
Past siblings’candied quick escape.
They found the lost and made wrong right,
Triumphant over fear, their foe.
We read to harvest hope they sow.
These woods. They call us. We must go.
LikeLiked by 14 people
October 1, 2020 at 1:19 pm
Love the hints of tales you have sprinkled through this!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:45 pm
My favorite part of this piece is “Through timbered maze.” That phrase says so much in so few words!
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October 1, 2020 at 4:08 pm
Love the subtle fairy tale references! Very clever
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October 1, 2020 at 5:07 pm
Thank you!
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October 2, 2020 at 4:54 am
Loved this, especially the conclusion. The woods DO feel full of secrets and stories–no wonder we have so many stories set there. Best of luck in the contest.
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October 3, 2020 at 3:26 pm
Excellent imagery! I really enjoyed reading it!
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October 3, 2020 at 5:37 pm
Thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:37 am
Love the way this conveys the age-old pull of the woods as an inspiration for tales across the centuries!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:17 pm
Nicely done!
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October 4, 2020 at 4:21 pm
Thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:39 pm
Love the imagery! Nice!
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October 12, 2020 at 1:24 am
Wonderful fairy-tale allusions. I love “Past three plump swine and crimson cape.” @AnneLipton
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October 12, 2020 at 2:03 am
Thanks so much!
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October 1, 2020 at 12:19 pm
Little Cauldron
Little cauldron on the ground
Meet the witch you have found
Together watch the magic grow
Potions stirring overflow
Jack-o’-lantern at your side
He’s funny, sweet, deep inside
Little cauldron now’s your chance
To teach the witch a magic dance
Dream, explore, reinforce
Poof, you’ve conjured up a silly horse
Jack-o’-lantern go prepare
Poof, there’s a turtle and a hare
Little cauldron show ambition
Introduce the witch to a magician
Now take this opportunity
To create a community
Jack-o’-lantern, what’s up next
There’s going to be a magic test
Little cauldron full of generosity
The little witch loves astrology
It’s getting late, let’s retreat
We love to trick-o-treat
(image 12, 110 words)
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October 1, 2020 at 12:39 pm
This is so cute! Good luck!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:46 pm
This is super cute!
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October 2, 2020 at 1:07 pm
Love this! So creative to make the cauldron the MC!
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October 4, 2020 at 1:38 pm
This is adorable! Love it!
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October 10, 2020 at 9:18 pm
That was cute! Nice story, Alex!
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October 12, 2020 at 1:27 am
Such a delightful and original premise! @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 12:17 pm
Here is my submission inspired by Image 8 of the boy playing in the leaves:
Fall Is Fun!
Coat on, scarf on, hat on too.
Billy’s ready, aren’t you?
Out we go, the air is crisp,
We see our breath, a smoky wisp.
To the park, where trees grow tall,
The place to be, when it is fall!
Vibrant colours, swirl around,
Softly blanket chilly ground.
Red and yellow, orange, brown,
Brilliant beauty, falling down.
Rustle, bustle, wind whips leaves,
Run and catch them, on the breeze,
Heap them up, ‘til cheeks glow red,
Fall back safely, on your bed.
Watch the birds fly on their way,
To warmer countries far away.
Chase the squirrels, up the trees,
Watch them leap with grace and ease.
Stomping, stamping on the ground,
Kick up leaves and spread them round.
Crinkle, crackle, crunch and scrunch,
Then back home in time for lunch.
Fall is joyful, fall is fun,
Fall is great, for everyone!
LikeLiked by 11 people
October 1, 2020 at 12:56 pm
I really enjoyed your poem, especially the part about the colors! Good luck!
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October 1, 2020 at 4:21 pm
Thank you Melissa🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 1:52 pm
This is so fun! It made me so excited for Fall to arrive!
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October 1, 2020 at 4:23 pm
Thank you Genevieve. It’s written for young children in mind so thats exactly the effect I wanted it to have😍
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October 1, 2020 at 6:00 pm
I love your entry, good job!
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October 2, 2020 at 5:43 am
Thanks Natalie😃
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October 2, 2020 at 11:52 am
Evocative word choice. Well done!
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October 2, 2020 at 1:06 pm
Thanks Roxanne🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 11:24 am
You captured fall fun beautifully! Good luck!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:57 pm
Thank you Rose😀
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October 4, 2020 at 1:35 pm
Love this! Great fall imagery!
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October 4, 2020 at 5:58 pm
Thanks Jill I tried🤪😀
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October 4, 2020 at 7:25 pm
You tried and succeeded!
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October 5, 2020 at 5:33 am
😁❤
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October 12, 2020 at 1:34 am
This sensory-rich Fall poem also delights by way of its exuberant action, energy, and humor. @AnneLipton
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October 19, 2020 at 9:40 am
Thanks Anne! I’m delighted you liked it 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 12:03 pm
LOST SOLES
by Dez Sargeant-Blair
(Inspired by Image 1- Socks)
“Are you really not going to go look for him?” Kelsa asked. She began to wonder what would have to happen for her parents to organize a search party. One minute, her brother was driving them all crazy asking if they’d seen his favourite pair of socks then Whoosh, he’s just gone. She looked over at Baldwin’s phone; he’d never go anywhere without it.
Mom sipped her coffee, “Kelsa, you’ve been reading too many of those mystery novels. Twelve-year-olds should be reading comics.”
“Too many?” exclaimed Kelsa “Maybe you guys aren’t reading enough. Baldwin’s sudden disappearing act is bizarre, considering he’s not a magician Mom!”
“Socks are disappearing left and right.” Said Dad, “Mr. Bensen was saying how there seems to be a strange sock thief around. Four pairs went missing from his laundromat. Ms. Lewis was kicking up quite the fuss about it. She was so mad that she wouldn’t answer her door when he tried to apologize.”
Was it that Ms. Lewis wouldn’t answer or that she couldn’t? Thought Kelsa. Well, if her parents won’t look for Baldwin, she’d have to. Kelsa looked down at her socks and wondered if she would be next.
LikeLiked by 11 people
October 1, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Love it Dez! Good luck 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 7:54 am
Thank you Rosanna!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:54 pm
This is great. It reminded me of the fear I felt as a child watching HOCUS POCUS when they couldn’t convince the parents that there was real danger afoot! So scary! I’d love to read more about Kelsa and how she solves the mystery on her own!
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October 2, 2020 at 7:58 am
Thank you so much, Genevieve! Happy to hear that you’d love to read more about Kelsa. I had so much fun writing this tale that I’ve developed it further. With any luck, it’s frighteningly good. 😉
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October 4, 2020 at 1:33 pm
Scary and mysterious! Nice!
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October 10, 2020 at 9:20 pm
So original!
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October 12, 2020 at 1:47 am
I love that the image of the socks inspired you to write such a fantastic mystery. You pack in so much awesome voice and detail in this short piece. I hope you hotfoot it to write the rest. Because from what I’ve read of your work thus far, the journey of an MG novel begins with a single pair of socks. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 11:52 am
[…] honor of the Fall Writing Frenzy, I’m going to extend the time to get in on these awesome blog giveaways! If you haven’t […]
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October 1, 2020 at 11:22 am
Inspired by Image #3
197 Words
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October 1, 2020 at 11:19 am
When I Am a Leaf
I’ll be the ginkgo’s green fan,
leaf at the tip of the top branch
waving to clouds,
waving to stars.
Best of all
I can dress in rain.
And best again—
I’ll learn to tickle
the wind.
—
My entry is inspired by image #5. Thanks for reading!
LikeLiked by 12 people
October 1, 2020 at 12:45 pm
Simple and sweet! Thanks for sharing! Good luck!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Beautiful!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:41 pm
Beautiful work! I love the simplicity, and I can hear my kids’ voices in this poem.
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October 4, 2020 at 1:30 pm
I love this! Beautiful!
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October 12, 2020 at 1:52 am
Lovely, imaginative poem. I relish the playfulness of the piece, especially the last lines @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 11:08 am
He Waved Goodbye
by Jeannette Lee
Image #1, 200 words
This morning, I found an owl in the living room.
He stared at me, unblinking. I stared back, unable to move, or even breathe.
Trying not to panic, I tip-toed to the window, opening it wide. The owl turned his head all the way around, watching my every move. When the window squeaked, my intruder opened his wings and, with a loud WHOOSH, flew to the top of the chandelier.
With a rush of heart thumping adrenaline, I grabbed my nearby book and coffee and rushed outside.
Panting, I leaned against the outside of the door. What now? Why did I bring a book instead of my phone? I should be calling an animal rescue group, researching how to get rid of a Living Room Owl, or maybe calling Mom to cry.
I could ignore the fluttering and hooting likely going on inside. What if I sat and read my book quietly on the porch, and just lived the rest of my life out here?
As I contemplated my choices, I heard a SCRATCH, a SCRAPE, a FLUTTER … then a grey and white owl emerged from my window and flew overhead. I’m pretty sure I saw it wave goodbye.
LikeLiked by 11 people
October 1, 2020 at 1:56 pm
Wonderful! I was immediately drawn in by your opening line!
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October 13, 2020 at 12:44 am
I agree! Such an intriguing opening line!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:56 pm
Nice! Love the wave goodbye!
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October 1, 2020 at 4:51 pm
Cute story! I recently saw an owl outdoors and they really are majestical creatures. I thought of it as I read this (just glad mine wasn’t indoors 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 3:47 pm
Cute story! I love owls.
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October 10, 2020 at 9:22 pm
“Researching how to get rid of a Living Room Owl!” Haha:) Nice story!
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October 12, 2020 at 1:58 am
Amazing! Such authentic voice, cinematic action, and and carefully-crafted details. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 10:44 am
Don’t Let the Dung Beetle Make the Stuffing!
by Donna Kurtz
Image 4
Happy Thanksgiving, mon ami. I am Chef Pierre. Can you watch the kitchen while I buy cranberries for dinner? Merci.
Oh, and remember:
Don’t-Let-the-Dung-Beetle-Make-the-Stuffing!
Au revoir.
Bonjour, I came early to help with dinner. I am D’Artagnan Dung Beetle, stuffing-maker par-excellence.
I will make the stuffing.
Non?
I use my secret ingredient très special. Do you want to guess what it is?
You don’t?
There’s a fresh, steamy sack in my bike basket. I’ll whip some up.
Non?
Cousine Didi eats my stuffing three times a day. She says, “It is très dung-a-lish-us!”
I’ll be extra-tidy.
Pretty please?
Non?
I will sing—do you know Frère Jacques?
MAK-ING STUFF-ING,
MIX-ING, FLUFF-ING—
DUNG POUR VOUS,
DUNG POUR VOUS—
Non?
I’ll give you a whole box of magnifique chocolate-covered dung balls.
I’m holding my breath until I turn BLEU!
Not working, huh?
Grand-maman Delphine is coming. She will be s-o-o disappointed.
I-I’m going to cry!
Maybe not.
LET-ME-MAKE-THE-STUFFING!
I am back, mon ami. You did not let the dung beetle make the stuffing, did you?
Bon! I must leave again. Will you watch the kitchen a little longer?
He’s gone, good. Hey, nobody said I couldn’t make my dung-a-lish-us pie…
LikeLiked by 13 people
October 1, 2020 at 1:04 pm
This is hilarious! Love it! Reminded me a bit of Escargot by Dashka Slater. Good luck!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:31 pm
You had me had the title! This is so clever. Good luck!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:59 pm
This is oh-so-clever and laugh-out-loud funny! Great work!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:26 pm
This is so funny. I love the voice of the beetle. Nice job!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:50 pm
Very clever!
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October 1, 2020 at 8:38 pm
Love the Dung Beetle’s character voice. Very fun!
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October 1, 2020 at 8:46 pm
Ewwwww! I love the French chef aspect combined with the dung beetle. What a concept! 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 11:45 pm
So creative! Love this!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:49 am
Creative concept!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:58 am
I really loved this!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:03 am
I enjoyed this immensely! Good luck!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:06 am
lol, so funny! love the language and voice.
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October 4, 2020 at 3:44 pm
Cute, creative, and hilarious! Nice job!
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October 12, 2020 at 11:16 pm
Haha what a funny premise and fun characterization! Thanks for or sharing with us!
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October 1, 2020 at 10:36 am
The Hunt
Image 10 (The Road)
by Kristen Reinsel
WC: 197
The sweet, juicy berry bursts in my mouth. POP!
BOOM!!!
Run!
Dart, dash, jump.
Yellow, orange, dabs of green.
A clearing.
Freeze!
Oh, no. The hard, black earth with its yellow stripe again. I should have never crossed in the first
place. Mama warned me not to—not without her.
But the berries—I couldn’t resist.
Hooooowwlll! Woof!
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
They’re coming!
Their scent— it’s not of the forest.
BOOM!!!
No choice.
What did Mama say? Look and listen before crossing.
Large, rumbling beasts roam this strip of dead land. They are fast and strong. But cold,
without fur or heartbeat. They harm many.
Not only us—the smaller ones, too. The tree and burrow dwellers. The beasts do not care.
Empty. Quiet.
BOOM!!!
No choice.
Click, clack, click, clack.
So strange under my hooves. No softness. No give. It’s as if this ground were never alive.
VROOM…
Glowing, white eyes pierce through the fog.
Hypnotizing me. So hard not to stare.
Hooooowwlll!
Crunch, crunch.
Cross!
Ahhh… the soft, comforting give under hoof.
Keep running.
Dart, dash, jump.
Yellow, orange, dabs of green.
Freeze!
Crunch.
They’re here!
Their scent— it’s of my own.
Mama! Sister!
Safety.
LikeLiked by 17 people
October 1, 2020 at 11:15 am
Wow! I loved this! It was so clever how you slowly revealed more and more about the MC!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:29 pm
A wonderful story based on the picture. Nice job bringing the reader into the tale. I love how you described the journey and the fear of the roadway and the cars.
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October 3, 2020 at 3:23 am
Such a lovely read-especially that perfect ending! I love how you build up the tension throughout
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October 4, 2020 at 3:41 pm
Great story, Kristen! Loved the ending!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:59 pm
Love this one!!
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October 5, 2020 at 12:31 pm
Loved how you pulled me into the mind of the mc! And very glad they made it safely across. Really enjoyed the hints at the zooming “beast” with it’s glowing eyes.
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October 12, 2020 at 2:28 am
Such a wonderful, imaginative story and frank, cautionary tale likely to spur discussion between adults and children about road safety and animal conservation. I love how skillfully you channel the animal POV and your nimble play on “a deer in the headlights.” @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 10:28 am
Hello Everyone,
It is a very exciting time. Thank you for everyone who put this contest together. it was a joy to write for it.
I don’t have a blog, please see my story below:
Tittle: My Childhood Home
by: Mariana P.
Word Count: 196
picture #14
It was a late afternoon, the day was sunny, and the air humid. I arrived in my hometown after 10 years. Everything looked similar except my childhood home. Abandoned, the house felt haunted. As I entered from the backyard, there was ivy growing on the concrete that surrounded the house. Emptiness hit me when I walked into the living room. There was at least an inch of dust on the floors, there was no furniture and no signs of children playing. Its atmosphere felt sinister, as if the house stayed in a weird limbo outside of time and space. My room looked worse; all the windows were broken. As I turned around to run away from that place, I spotted the door sideboard. On it were my measurements until the last day before we moved out of the country. I traced the numbers and lines with love, at that moment a ray of light came through that made me turn around and get close to the window. Right there on the side of the broken glass a sunflower grew. I touched it carefully and closed my eyes as I cried. This is still my home.
LikeLiked by 11 people
October 1, 2020 at 11:16 am
What a vivid story. It was an emotional roller coaster that ended with such hope. Thank you!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:49 pm
i’m glad you felt hope, the same way I did when I left my home. good luck!!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:07 pm
So much emotion. Loved your story. Good luck!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:47 pm
Thank you! the story was made with love, good luck !!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:33 pm
Your story warmed my heart. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 1, 2020 at 11:46 pm
That is so sweet of you, best of luck to you as well!!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:46 pm
What emotion! Well done. Good luck!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:46 pm
I’m glad you felt my emotion. Thank you for reading and good luck!
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October 1, 2020 at 4:01 pm
Very touching, nice ending.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 1, 2020 at 11:45 pm
Thank you for reading, best wishes for you!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:25 pm
Beautiful and full of emotion! I still love my childhood home!
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 12, 2020 at 2:36 am
Such a heartfelt and moving story. I love how you so beautifully proved the axiom that “Home is where the heart is.” @AnneLipton
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 1, 2020 at 10:15 am
Magic Sockz
By: Jan Campana
Image 1
88 words
So much waiting. These ‘Somnambulist Sockz’ promise: “Magic: the instant you put them on”…but nothing. Where’s the magic? I keep reciting from The Witch’s Manual, “Alakazam!” Still nothing. How many times should I repeat, “Presto Pumpkin Pie?” I try, “Sim Sala Bim!” but my coffee is still cold. And why isn’t this cloak of invisibility working? I said, “Please.” These darn socks don’t even keep my toes warm. One, Little. Spark. Is that too much to ask? A person could fall asleep under these conditions. So–much–w-a-i-t…zzzzz.
LikeLiked by 8 people
October 1, 2020 at 2:27 pm
Such a cute idea. I’d sure be annoyed if my magic socks didn’t immediately work, too! 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 2:30 pm
Adorable! Well done socks. 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 8:23 am
Funny! I need these socks!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:17 pm
Magic socks! Cute idea!
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October 12, 2020 at 2:47 am
I love the humorous and sassy voice! You channel the narrator’s impatience beautifully. The ending is perfect. I wonder when and where your restless narrator is going to sleepwalk . . . @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 10:12 am
A Different Kind of Thanksgiving!
by Paul Kurtz
Image 4
Over the causeway and past the palms,
To Grandma Raquel’s we go.
Our mom drives the Jeep, while Dad falls asleep—
He snores like a buffalo!
Porpoises play in the turquoise waves,
White pelicans dive and glide.
I hug my pup Rags, his curly tail wags—
He loves our Thanksgiving ride!
Plastic flamingos glow on the lawns,
A sea breeze stirs the air.
Our Jeep gets a flat, but Mom fixes that—
Dad snores like a grizzly bear!
Grandma’s cabana sits by the beach,
Her warm, loving smile we spy.
Hurray for the fun! Is the flan all done?
Save room for the mango pie!
LikeLiked by 19 people
October 1, 2020 at 11:11 am
What a fun thanksgiving – sign me up:) The mood of this story and your writing style totally match. Nicely done:) I especially liked the imagery of the “plastic flamingos” and I could totally imagine eating “mango pie” at the beach!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:28 am
Of course I had to sing along! Well done and what fun!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:02 pm
Really creative. Well done! Good luck 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 1:37 pm
Thanksgiving at the beach with mango pie! Love it!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:39 pm
This is wonderful–especially the dad’s snores & Mom fixing the flat.
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October 1, 2020 at 1:51 pm
Ha ha! I couldn’t read this. I had to sing it! Good luck!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:55 pm
Love this twist on the usual Thanksgiving imagery. Go Mom!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:28 pm
This was so cute! The title drew me in right away. I would love to have this Thanksgiving experience!
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October 1, 2020 at 5:53 pm
This is funny! Shame on Dad!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:49 pm
Haha! So funny! I love all the ways Dad was snoring on the way to Grandma’s and how Mom fixed the tire!!! And my favorite- Plastic flamingos glow on the lawns. (Yes- truly Thanksgiving in FL!)
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October 2, 2020 at 3:11 pm
I literally couldn’t read it, it goes with the music so perfectly I couldn’t help but sing it. I love holiday stories that are outside the typical ones I see that are all about snow and cold.
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October 3, 2020 at 6:00 am
Love this! Well done! Your imagery is so entertaining!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:16 pm
Cute and clever! Fun to sing along!
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October 5, 2020 at 5:53 am
What a fun ride in a unique place!
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October 10, 2020 at 9:26 pm
I want to go to Grandma’s cabana for Thanksgiving! I really enjoyed your story, Lee!
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October 12, 2020 at 2:52 am
Wonderful Thanksgiving road trip/driving song interpretation of a Christmas classic. I love the colorful, descriptive details. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 10:11 am
Ambling Down the Lonely Highway (Image #10 Courtesy of Unsplash- WC 126)
By Michelle S. Kennedy
I take the road less traveled.
Most times I am alone.
It leads me down a narrow path
into a great unknown.
The street is long and empty
with forest on each side
Cool mist and fog now drench my thoughts
and taint my every stride.
As golden leaves fall down like rain
and scatter to the ground,
I feel a sense of harmony
when looking all around.
Anticipating winter’s chill
will soon be in the air,
the effervescent scenery
departs without a care.
A branch snaps in the distance.
Hushed silence is provoked—
A squirrel wakes from his slumbered rest
since sound has been invoked.
My breath is deep and panting,
perspiration’s down my back
but in this peaceful morning, I’m
surrendered to the track.
LikeLiked by 14 people
October 1, 2020 at 1:01 pm
Well done Michelle. Loved your story. Good luck.
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October 1, 2020 at 6:58 pm
Thank you so much!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:37 pm
Beautiful sensory details. Love the slight unexpected twist at the ending, “I’m surrendered to the track.”
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October 1, 2020 at 7:01 pm
Thank you! The picture reminded me of when I was training for a marathon and I had to find quiet places to run.
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October 1, 2020 at 1:39 pm
This is lovely. Best of luck!
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October 1, 2020 at 7:01 pm
Thank you! ❤
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October 1, 2020 at 2:30 pm
This piece evokes so many sense memories of brisk autumn walks! Well done!
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October 1, 2020 at 7:02 pm
Thank you Genevieve!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:33 pm
I love the sense of peacefulness this evokes as you read it. Nice job.
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October 1, 2020 at 7:02 pm
Aw! Thank you Susan!
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October 1, 2020 at 6:48 pm
Very nice, love the descriptions!
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October 1, 2020 at 7:03 pm
Thanks, Katie!
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October 1, 2020 at 8:51 pm
You truly painted a fall masterpiece here, Michelle! Fall is my favorite time to run, so I was there in a second. Too many favorite phrases to list–drench my thoughts, effervescent scenery, and such a great ending, surrendered to the track! Wonderful!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:00 pm
Aw! Thank you so much, Jill! As soon as I saw this picture, it had me mesmerized. ❤
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October 3, 2020 at 9:04 am
I love how descriptive this is, Michelle. You did a great job with voice and rhyme. Good luck!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:01 pm
Thanks so much, Doreen!
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October 3, 2020 at 3:19 pm
This is so lovely!!! Great job 🙂
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October 3, 2020 at 11:00 pm
Thank you, Bridget!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:13 pm
I loved this! Beautiful!
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November 6, 2020 at 2:15 pm
Thank you, Jill for taking the time to read it! Glad you like it. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 5, 2020 at 5:52 am
This is great, I feel winters approach!
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November 6, 2020 at 2:14 pm
Thanks so much, Mary!!!
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October 5, 2020 at 9:53 am
Beautiful! Great job capturing the essence of the image.
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November 6, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Aw! Thank you so much! ❤
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October 12, 2020 at 3:11 am
An outstanding and insightful reflection on Fall, running, and life. I love the contrasts, including cool and drenched, a branch snapping and silence, and scattering with harmony, all of which create exquisite tension.@AnneLipton
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November 6, 2020 at 2:12 pm
Thank you, Anne! I appreciate your comments! You made my day!!
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October 1, 2020 at 9:54 am
Image #10 WC 155
THE RACE
Penelope McNally
In her dream, she finishes first, the flurry of pounding feet far behind her. Breaking through the tape, arms raised high, she looks heavenward. We did it Mama! Smiling, she slows her pace and her breathing, waving to the cheering throngs – there are always throngs in her dream.
Tomorrow is race day. Today, standing at the beautiful mid-point of the course, she takes it all in. Follow the yellow straight line, she sings to herself, straight to new beginnings and a fresh start. Mama is pain free now and her own heart is healing. The road ahead is boundless, full of promise. Believe in yourself, you are strong, Mama told her. It’s become her mantra.
At the starting line, she takes a deep breath, calming her pre-race jitters. Believe in yourself, you are strong. The hard work and countless miles behind her, she is ready. It’s time to live out her dream…three, two, one, go!
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October 1, 2020 at 12:58 pm
Loved this Penelope. Your writing is beautiful. Good luck 🙂
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October 2, 2020 at 10:12 am
Thank you!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:42 pm
So inspirational. I believe in your MC. Best of luck.
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October 2, 2020 at 10:13 am
Thanks Anne!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:33 pm
I am so invested in this character! I hope she wins the race!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:57 pm
This is lovely!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:13 am
Thank you!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:34 pm
What a thoughtful and moving piece. It always amazes me how present our loved ones remain even after they pass. You captured that so beautifully.
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October 4, 2020 at 3:08 pm
Thank you Sara!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:38 pm
What an uplifting story!
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October 2, 2020 at 7:03 pm
Beautiful story!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:10 pm
Thanks Aimee!!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:06 pm
It seems to me that you are about to fly!!! spread your wings and good luck!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:08 pm
Thanks!!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:08 pm
Beautiful and inspirational! Nice!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:09 pm
Thanks Jill!
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October 12, 2020 at 3:16 am
What an exuberant and uplifting story! I love your line, “Follow the yellow straight line, she sings to herself.” You really have me rooting for your runner. @AnneLipton
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October 12, 2020 at 5:15 pm
great work, Penelope.
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October 1, 2020 at 9:39 am
Good luck everyone! I look forward to reading some great entries throughout the day. 🙂
Mine is below.
The Ritual
by Searra Simpson
Inspired by Image #6 (The boy running into the woods)
Fall solstice had arrived. The wind blew crisp through the dim evening sky. The fog cast its net far and wide. Deep within the woods the secret coven congregated.
The witches were adorned with a smear of blood down the center of their chests. With hands clasped and heads bowed, they chanted, “Divine Darkness, soon we lay before you another pure sacrifice…” Then, ceremonial silence reverberated.
A crunch of a fallen leaf piqued the occultists’ ears. A young man had entered the woods, drawn in by an inexplicable urge. “Help, please, hurry!” feigned the malevolent maidens. The boy began to run, but with each hasty step, he unwittingly hurdled toward his ultimate demise.
The fog grew so dense that sight became a useless sense. The sound of a swift slice cut more than just the air. A heavy thud rippled across the ground. The sirens lifted their offering upon a wooden altar and recited their incantation. “Dark Lord, accept this slaughter in exchange for our eternal existence. As has been done, so is done again.”
The ritual was complete.
The enchantresses dressed back into their cheerleading uniforms and headed to the schoolyard for the start of the game. “Go Rams!”
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October 1, 2020 at 2:35 pm
This is so delightfully creepy! My favorite line was “The fog grew so dense that sight became a useless sense.”
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October 10, 2020 at 9:28 pm
I loved that line as well, Genevieve! Really nice, Searra!
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October 1, 2020 at 3:58 pm
Oooh so creepy! Well done
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October 2, 2020 at 12:05 pm
This was a fun story! The science teacher in me can’t help but point out that it’s autumnal equinox, but well done!
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October 4, 2020 at 3:06 pm
I love this! Nice and spooky!
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October 5, 2020 at 11:56 am
Ooooh! So creepy and love the ending!
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October 12, 2020 at 3:36 am
It’s incredible how you’ve managed to write an entire story arc and also infuse humor into this short horror tale. I love your lush and evocative descriptions, especially “The fog cast its net far and wide,” and the hilarious twist ending of cheerleaders as evil witches. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 9:04 am
[…] my entry for the Fall Writing Frenzy contest. Click here to check out the other stories and […]
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October 1, 2020 at 8:37 am
Looking forward to reading all the entries! Thanks, Lydia & Kaitlyn!
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October 1, 2020 at 8:34 am
Submitted! Thank you for creating this fun event! I don’t have a blog yet, so here’s my piece, Forbidden, inspired by Image 6 (the girl running through the dark forest).
Smiles,
Erica Mae Presley
Forbidden
She runs.
The forest darkened foreshadowing death had returned.
Forbidden, the Fairy King had warned
awakening the colorless and cold.
Rachel had tried to help. Her best friend. The human.
Now he chases her—blood thirsty and ravaged.
If only Willow had listened,
maintained the fairy veil,
hiding century-old secrets,
beneath the intricate, floral quilt.
In love with what she couldn’t touch,
her fairy magic wasted,
on a beautiful, colorless face.
Now they run, heartless after heartbeat,
boom-boom, boom-boom.
Through the thick dark,
death after life,
her kingdom threatened,
Willow’s light fades.
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October 1, 2020 at 2:37 pm
You did a great job evoking sadness in this piece. “In love with what she couldn’t touch/ her fairy magic wasted/ on a beautiful colorless face.” UGH! So sad! Great work!
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October 3, 2020 at 7:03 pm
Thank you so much! 🙂
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October 4, 2020 at 3:02 pm
Beautiful and sad! Good luck, Erica.
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October 5, 2020 at 10:18 am
magical story, nice work!
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October 5, 2020 at 11:53 am
Poor Rachel! This is such a chilling tale and beautiful!
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October 12, 2020 at 3:50 am
Lovely and haunting. I love your gorgeous notion of a fairy veil/floral quilt, especially contrasted with “the thick dark.” I hope Willow’s light can return. @AnneLipton
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October 12, 2020 at 11:01 am
Thank you so much for your kind comment, Anne! I was inspired to write a poem based on the characters in my urban fantasy trilogy IP. Willow’s light may return 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 8:33 am
[…] Check out the other Fall Writing Frenzy stories here: https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/2020/09/30/fall-writing-frenzy-entry-form/ […]
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October 1, 2020 at 8:28 am
Witchcraft Workshop
by Allison Strick
196 words
My Witchcraft Workshop’s open,
here for every spooky need.
My customers are lining up.
Ready? Let’s proceed!
“I want to find true love today!”
My powers are distinguished!
I’d brew a potion, but
my cauldron fire’s been extinguished.
“I want to hear my future.
Will my dreams be turned to fact?”
I’d love to help you out,
except my crystal ball is cracked!
“Can you cure these itchy warts?”
I know an incantation.
But, you see, I have a lisp
that tends to cause frustration.
“I want to try that flying broom!”
The ride could not be sweeter.
But, wait–I see the needle’s low
upon the mystic meter.
“I’d like to turn my puppy
to a creepy kind of pet.”
I must have an assistant
and my cat is at the vet.
“Conjure up an eerie ghost!”
That spell, for me, is easy.
But I would need some eye of newt and
those just make me queasy.
“Turn me to a dragon!
Make the bully a baboon!”
If only I had not misplaced
my wand this afternoon.
Forgive these magixcuses.
I feel such chagrin and sorrow.
Tonight I’ll see the witchy doctor–
come again tomorrow!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:31 am
This was a fun read. I loved each of the excuses. Good luck!
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October 1, 2020 at 12:53 pm
Fantastic Allison! I love it 🙂 So many clever things – magixcuses! Good luck 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 1:45 pm
So clever. Love it!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:12 pm
This was *such* a fun read. The meter makes it fly by!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:31 pm
That was hilarious. Loved each “magixcuse”.
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October 1, 2020 at 2:39 pm
This piece was so funny! I love all the “magixcuses!”
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October 1, 2020 at 2:58 pm
Very clever and funny!
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October 1, 2020 at 3:36 pm
This was great fun to read – really inventive use of language! I like the ‘mystic meter’ on the broomstick!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:52 pm
Haha! Poor witch needs a witchy Dr.— Love it!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:19 am
This would make such a lovely picture book. I can just imagine the illustrations. Great job!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:43 am
Fun! Love your word “magixcuses.”
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October 3, 2020 at 10:41 am
Such fun! I loved make the bully a baboon!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:59 pm
Cute, clever, and funny! Who could ask for anything more?
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October 5, 2020 at 10:20 am
super fun read!! good luck!
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October 5, 2020 at 11:50 am
Hehehee love these witchy excuses! So cute!
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October 10, 2020 at 9:33 pm
Haha, that was awesome! Clever and funny! Nice story, Allison!
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October 12, 2020 at 3:54 am
Hilarious, modern take on witchcraft. I love all your wordplay and situational humor. “Magixcuses” is genius. @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 7:42 am
Last year, I wore my brother Danny’s hand-me-down pumpkin costume. It stunk like a
moldy Jack-o-Lantern. People gave me extra candy, probably just to get my stink off their porch.
This year is gonna be different! No boring sheet ghost or toilet paper mummy for me. I
saved my Tooth Fairy and birthday money with one goal— to be Halloween Queen!
But when I went to the store the tutus and tiaras cost triple my savings.
“Let me help,” Danny smirked. “I’ll get you the perfect Halloween costume.”
And even though at least once a week, he swaps the cereal with Legos and ties all the
breakfast spoons together, I still gave him my money.
All thirteen dollars and thirty-seven cents.
While he was gone, I dreamed of turning heads with my regal robes.
My royal subjects would surely give me quadruple the candy.
But the sack Danny handed me rattled rather than shimmered. No ruffles. No sparkles. Just a shabby skeleton with a crown of bones.
“What’s this?” I demanded. “I wanted to be a queen.”
“You are,” Danny said. “ Queen of the Dead.”
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October 1, 2020 at 10:41 am
Ooops, the title and photo got cut.
This story is called Halloween Queen
Photo #7
185 words
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October 3, 2020 at 5:52 am
Love it!! So cute and clever!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:33 pm
Oooh, Queen of the Dead is quite the upgrade! I like the back & forth relationship between the siblings.
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October 1, 2020 at 1:40 pm
Very cute! Nice surprise…you never know what to expect from older brothers…
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October 1, 2020 at 2:13 pm
Wonderful details and a great ending. Spooky and funny is my favorite!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:40 pm
Ahhhhh! I love Halloween costume stories. Dear little one, be the BEST Queen of the Dead you can be. That’ll show Danny.
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October 1, 2020 at 2:40 pm
I love the sibling rivalry. The brother keeps letting her down, but the sister just wants to trust him!
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October 1, 2020 at 3:34 pm
Love this, Sara! I love the sibling dynamics. 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 3:41 pm
I loved the tension of waiting to see what costume the brother was going to turn up with at the end, and the sibling relationship was beautifully drawn!
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October 1, 2020 at 10:53 pm
So fun, Sara. I love the tension you created. Cute ending too.
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October 2, 2020 at 12:10 pm
Loved it!
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October 2, 2020 at 2:21 pm
Danny is quite a character! Fun entry!
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October 2, 2020 at 9:21 pm
Such a brotherly and sisterly relationship with the great last line. I’m laughing while writing this!!! Great entry.
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October 3, 2020 at 3:27 am
I loved the ending-I could totally see my brother doing something like that when we were younger!
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October 3, 2020 at 7:55 am
I love it, Sara! Did it really cost $13.13? Last year, I was Frida Khalo. I didn’t get much. People thought I was my children’s nanny. This year, I will be Imelda on a donkey!
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October 3, 2020 at 8:38 am
Gracias Judith! I’ve dressed up as Frida too. I love her!
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October 3, 2020 at 11:59 pm
ahaha love the ending, so funny!!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:55 pm
This is so cute! Love it!
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October 5, 2020 at 2:06 am
Hahaha! Brothers will be brothers! Good luck!
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October 10, 2020 at 9:35 pm
Typical brother! Nice story, Sara!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:02 am
Brilliant! Wonderful voice, and I love the fantastic twist ending. @AnneLipton
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October 12, 2020 at 5:34 pm
you pulled me in after the first paragraph. What a character! And then sibling relationship is great. Having frown up with four older brothers, this really resonates with me. And Queen of the Dead… perfect. Sometimes annoying brothers DO have good ideas.
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October 12, 2020 at 5:35 pm
* grown up (not frown up). LOL
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October 1, 2020 at 7:39 am
[…] To read other entries, check out this webpage… […]
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October 1, 2020 at 6:42 am
Have been so blown away following you both on Twitter and seeing everything you’ve organized! Can’t wait to read everyone’s entries today, and thank so, so much for hosting this!
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October 1, 2020 at 6:34 am
Grumpy Bot & Ferret in: LEAF ME ALONE!
A leaf! A leaf is falling! It’s fall already!
A—leaf.—A—leaf—is—falling.—Not—fall—already.
[Bot zooms over and rakes it away from his garden]
Ahh… I can feel it already… the cool fall air… the smell of fire… pumpkins everywhere! And the piles and piles of leaves!
NO!—Not—MORE—leaves!—I’ll—be—raking—day—and—night!—It—can’t—be.—My—gardening—app—says—fall—doesn’t—start—for—two—more—weeks!
[Lots more leaves fall. Bot frantically raking and putting into bags. Ferret lying her yard in a pile of leaves]
Fall is glorious!
[Even more leaves. Bot now getting a leaf blower while Ferret is jumping about in piles]
Fall is my favorite!
Beep—Ferret?—Isn’t—it—about—time—you—rake—your—yard?
Now why would I ever want to do that?
…’Cause—that’s—what—you—do—with—leaves.
You sure are a nut, Bot! I’m keeping these as looooong as I can!
Finally!—All—the—leaves—on—my—tree—have—fallen.—At—last—I—can—rest.
WHOOSHHHH. [Wind blows leaves from Ferret’s trees onto Bot’s yard. Bot covered in leaves with grumpy face.]
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October 1, 2020 at 9:52 am
Thanks so much for this opportunity! Looking forward to reading others’ entries! I hope it’s okay that mine was the first 200 words of a fall-inspired story, and therefore not the full thing!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:42 pm
Such a great idea. I can just feel Bot’s frustration!
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October 1, 2020 at 6:23 pm
thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:50 pm
This is so cute! Poor Bot!
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October 5, 2020 at 2:45 pm
thank you!!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:10 am
Charming and funny! I love how distinctly you’ve drawn the characters and the interplay of their very different personalities. This story would make for a great picture book and/or animated short. @AnneLipton
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October 13, 2020 at 2:20 pm
thank you so much! i have a series 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 5:23 am
Annie Loveheart, The Tornado
My name’s Annie. Annie Alberts if you’re a grownup. Annie Loveheart, the Tornado if you’re a kid. Mom says the nickname suits me.
I’ve been thinking how to get back at Katie Ellen since she made fun of my little sister. So what if she had a booger in her nose. She’s four. Katie Ellen is the real booger.
Here’s my plan. I’m going to throw a Mega Stinky Bean stink bomb in Katie Ellen’s Halloween bag and sit back and laugh when everybody thinks she let one rip.
I sneak the Mega Stinky Bean under my babushka head scarf and grab my cane. We can’t find Katie Ellen, so my little sister and I hit up the houses with the best candy.
Ugh! She gets tired. I pick up a jack-o’-lantern to make her laugh. But the candle falls right out the bottom and she starts sobbing. Without thinking, I stick the gooey pumpkin on my head.
OMG. The stink bomb bursts and starts streaming purple smoke smelling like three-day old garbage. Guess who I literally run in to? Yep. Katie Ellen.
“Such an Annie Loveheart move,” she says.
“The Tornado,” I add.
(Image 3 – pumpkin on head with purple smoke)
LikeLiked by 11 people
October 1, 2020 at 4:39 pm
Loving these first lines! So sweet!
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October 2, 2020 at 8:25 am
Very clever and funny!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:11 pm
Hee hee!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:54 pm
Such a great kid voice! I feel for poor Annie’s backfire, that’s the exact backfire I would expect for myself! Nice twist!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:38 pm
Cute and clever! Love this!
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October 4, 2020 at 6:43 pm
Haha this made me laugh! Tha ks for sharing!
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October 10, 2020 at 9:38 pm
Haha, made me laugh!
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October 1, 2020 at 4:37 am
I have submitted, yay! Checked out some amazing entries, but how do I check the ones that don’t link to a blog site?
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October 1, 2020 at 10:22 am
The entries with no link will post their stories in the comments here. 🙂
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October 1, 2020 at 3:52 am
The Great Witch-ish Bake-Off
by Anne Lipton
(Image 4, 195 words)
Some witches cook up potions,
Some stir a wicked brew,
But those in Great Britannia
are known for baked goods, too.
A contest starts at midnight,
upon All Hallows’ Eve,
The witches don their aprons
and coil up their sleeves.
They whisk up pure enchantment
with wands and mixing bowls,
but must roll out their magic
before the timer tolls.
And time, it flies like witches
soon floured white as bones,
while fading fast, these phantoms
give vent to ghastly groans.
For as their chocolate tempers,
the witches’ tempers rise,
They smash unwitting pumpkins
and bake them into pies.
They harvest tart cranberries
to fill autumnal tarts,
but as those berries boil,
they burst like telltale hearts.
The tired witches cackle
as spiced pear cider mulls,
though soon they’re back to toil,
cracking eggs like skulls.
They pierce their fall fruit puddings,
with dowels as wooden stakes,
a sticky glaze, the shining,
of candy apple cakes.
Two ravens sit as judges,
and squawk their harsh critiques,
while rave reviews are muffled
by crumb-encrusted beaks.
The winner of the bake-off
escaped the judges’ knife,
None had a better take-off
than the cake that sprang to life!
LikeLiked by 27 people
October 1, 2020 at 10:23 am
What a fun entry, Anne!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:19 am
Thanks, Brittany!
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October 1, 2020 at 11:37 am
I enjoyed the progression, the rhyme and the alliteration. Well done and good luck!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:20 am
Thanks, Colleen!
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October 1, 2020 at 12:48 pm
Excellent Anne. Beautiful rhythm. Good luck 🙂
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October 12, 2020 at 4:20 am
Thanks, Rosanna!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Love all the comparisons (my favorite is the witches temper to tempering chocolate). Really great visuals and rhythm!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:21 am
Thanks, Heather!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:44 pm
A fun read with terrific rhythm. Good luck!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:21 am
Thanks, Penelope!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:51 pm
Your rhythm and rhyme is spot on. Well done!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:22 am
Thanks, Anne!
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October 1, 2020 at 2:15 pm
I love how regular baking terms turn sinister (and wickedly funny) in this piece. Also, I am now hungry.
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October 12, 2020 at 4:23 am
Thank you!
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October 1, 2020 at 4:53 pm
I love this! It’s so witty and hilarious… I loved how the witches’ tempers made them smash pumpkins into pies and crack eggs like skulls. And the ravens had me laughing! Great rhyme and rhythm too! Well done:)
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October 12, 2020 at 4:23 am
Thanks, Vashti!
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October 1, 2020 at 5:47 pm
This was dead on! I loved the alliteration and rhyme! Good luck!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:24 am
Thanks, Natalie!
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October 1, 2020 at 9:08 pm
Absolutely love this – such rich imagery. So many fun lines to love – tart berries bursting like telltale heats (Poe!) and the smashing of pumpkins and witches tempers… well done!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:24 am
Thanks, Heather!
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October 2, 2020 at 7:56 am
Ooo. Love this! Very imaginative and well done rhyme and rhythm!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:25 am
Thanks, Shannon!
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October 2, 2020 at 8:27 am
How fun! Love the imagery!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:25 am
Thanks, Karyn!
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October 2, 2020 at 10:10 am
Anne! I really love your creativity and vivid language. Such a fun story! Mine never posted. Trying to get that resolved.
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October 12, 2020 at 4:26 am
Thanks, Glenda!
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October 2, 2020 at 5:00 pm
I really enjoyed this, Anne – there are so many brilliant images in it and it’s great fun!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:26 am
Thanks, Claire!
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October 2, 2020 at 5:12 pm
Good job Anne! I am guessing you are quite the cook. 🙂 Best wishes with the contest.
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October 12, 2020 at 4:28 am
Thanks! I definitely do enjoy dabbling in the kitchen.👩🏻🍳Best wishes to you, too!
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October 3, 2020 at 5:46 am
Deliciously fun!!!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:28 am
Thanks, Blair!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:43 am
I love your poem. How fun!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:29 am
Thanks, Jennifer!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:41 pm
What a delightfully delicious spooky story! I loved the rhyme and the word choices danced off the pages. Best of luck to you, Anne!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:30 am
Thanks, Kari!
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October 4, 2020 at 12:59 am
This is so much fun! I loved all the images you created, especially the ravens.
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October 12, 2020 at 4:30 am
Thank you!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:33 pm
Great, fun, story, Anne! Nice!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:31 am
Thanks, Jill!
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October 4, 2020 at 8:07 pm
I enjoyed this! I love the language and alliteration.
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October 12, 2020 at 4:32 am
Merci, Melissa!
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October 5, 2020 at 6:25 am
Great poem! Really fun to read!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:32 am
Thank you!
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October 5, 2020 at 5:14 pm
Wonderful imagery, and great rhythm/rhyme. I’m a big fan of the GBBO, so I was really drawn to this piece. Your word choice is really exceptional – one of my favorite lines is, “but as those berries boil, they burst like telltale hearts”. Love the ending, too. Really well done!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:36 am
Thanks, Rebecca! (Fellow GBBO fan, here—in case it wasn’t already quite apparent!)
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October 5, 2020 at 10:05 pm
This story is delicious, Anne! I especially loved your picture-perfect similes (burst like telltale hearts, cracking eggs like skulls) and consonance that was a feast for the ears (spiced pear cider mulls, crumb-encrusted beaks). Wonderful writing!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:36 am
Thanks, Jill!
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October 6, 2020 at 9:40 am
Wonderful, fun rhyme and story!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:37 am
Thanks, Connie!
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October 9, 2020 at 5:53 pm
So creative and fun!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:37 am
Thanks, Deb!
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October 10, 2020 at 9:10 am
This is such a fun read!! Great job!
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October 12, 2020 at 4:38 am
Thanks, Kara!
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October 12, 2020 at 5:05 pm
Great work, Anne. You’ve got a solid story with great rhythm and rhyme as well as some wonderful wordplay and alliteration. All baked up in less than 200 words with perfect ingredients for a winning story. Good luck.
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October 13, 2020 at 12:51 am
Thanks, Linda!
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October 12, 2020 at 5:58 pm
Delightful rhyme and word play!
@AnnHarrell
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October 13, 2020 at 12:51 am
Thanks, Ann!
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October 14, 2020 at 10:29 am
This is pretty darn cute.
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October 16, 2020 at 3:37 am
Thank you!
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October 21, 2020 at 12:46 pm
Fun from beginning to end!
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October 23, 2020 at 1:56 pm
Thank you! @AnneLipton
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October 1, 2020 at 2:15 am
Selkie Daughter
by Rachel Haynes
In the moonlight, they slip from their skins and hide their sea-selves under stones. Their wide, dark eyes scan the shore, and I sink into shadow, watching. They seem human, but they move like they’re swimming through air.
Mother moved like that—careful steps unused to gravity. Mother, who loved me less than she loved the sea. Her round black eyes searched for her stolen self until the morning Father was careless, and she seized her skin and sped to the water.
Her eyes were sorry. Surely, she wanted me to follow.
I climb down, shivering, to the stones in the surf. I snatch a velvet skin, so dark it shines silver. I slip inside, unsure—is half sea-blood enough?—but the skin shrinks to my body. I dive.
I slice through blue silk water, spiral between shafts of light, skim along the seabed. She’s somewhere near, I’m certain.
I surface and glance back at the sand. A girl stands there, her wide eyes watching me, her hair so dark it shines silver. A half-sister, maybe, now stranded on shore. My eyes are sorry, but I plunge again into the sea.
~~~
My entry is inspired by Image #7 — that feeling of being watched. I hope you enjoyed reading!
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October 1, 2020 at 1:23 pm
Love that you wrote about selkies! And really enjoy the haunting feeling of the end.
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October 1, 2020 at 1:47 pm
I love how image #7 inspired you to write this riveting tale.
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October 1, 2020 at 2:38 pm
Thank you! I loved that the rules allowed for metaphorical interpretations–it really opened the door for extra creativity.
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October 1, 2020 at 10:58 pm
Loved how you used selkies here and used a sad-tone for the ending!
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October 2, 2020 at 12:33 am
This was really good. You conveyed a whole sorrowful past in just 200 words.
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October 2, 2020 at 7:58 am
Wow! So unique and engaging! You’ve created a feeling of longing, sorrow and intrigue!
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October 2, 2020 at 11:18 am
Amazing twist and tie-in at the end. So enchanting and mysterious! I love it:)
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October 3, 2020 at 5:49 am
I really enjoyed your imagery and mood! Well done!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:44 am
What a unique topic! You really set me in the scene. Good luck!
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October 3, 2020 at 6:43 pm
Love this! It’s whimsical and sweet. The ending is perfect. Nice job!
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October 3, 2020 at 10:50 pm
Ohh, selkies! You drew me in from your first words “they slip from their skins and hide their sea-selves under stones.” Way to set the tone!
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October 4, 2020 at 2:29 pm
Beautiful and mysterious! Love the ending! Nice!
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October 8, 2020 at 10:22 am
Love this piece and all of the beautiful images.
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October 13, 2020 at 1:25 am
A gorgeous and atmospheric selkie tale with sparkling imagery. I adore your phrase, “I slice through blue silk water.” And I share a fondness for selkies with you. If you’ve not yet read THE FLIGHT OF GEMMA HARDY by Margot Livesy, I highly recommend. @AnneLipton
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November 1, 2020 at 10:09 pm
A haunting story full of lovely imagery.
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October 1, 2020 at 1:45 am
Hi, Lydia. I posted at 12:32 AM CST on October 1st. That would be 1:32 AM EST. Why does my handstamp for my entry show 22:31:44 September 30? I know this time means 10:31 PM, but it’s past one in the morning on the first of Oct. in the East, and past midnight where I live. I’ll asking because I don’t want to be disqualified for a faulty timestamp. Thank you. Debra Daugherty
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October 1, 2020 at 1:26 am
Entered! Phew! Should we post our entries here ourselves (if we don’t have a blog), or will you post them?
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October 1, 2020 at 12:12 am
My entry shows 9/30 but it was after midnight EST. But the form registered my AZ time zone. I swear! lol Good luck everyone, can’t wait to read them all.
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October 1, 2020 at 12:06 am
[…] It’s that time again, my friends for FALL WRITING FRENZY hosted by the wonderful kidlit duo, Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis. For more on the contest or to read the other fall-tasting entries, click HERE. […]
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September 30, 2020 at 9:35 pm
Sorry. I entered a few hours too soon. Can you pls delete and I can enter tomorrow? Thank you.
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September 30, 2020 at 9:47 pm
Ok, will do!
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September 30, 2020 at 9:52 pm
Thank you so much!
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