Oct 11, 2019

KIDLIT FALL WRITING FRENZY CONTEST

For fun, I decided to participate in Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez’s Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy Contest this year. For this contest, participants were asked to choose one of ten fall images and write a 200-word (or less) story or poem about it. The piece could be happy, scary, beautiful, grotesque—whatever the writer feels like—for any kidlit age group, preschool through teen.

The photo I chose as my inspiration is below, followed by my entry. I hope you enjoy reading it! To read more entries, visit Kaitlyn’s website here (scroll down for links).


·        Name: Becky Shillington
Twitter: @BeckyShillingtn
Image: #7
Word Count: 195
Age Level of Prize: YA
Country: USA


HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Hi, it’s me!
I brought you a present. And I even wore a costume! I know it’s your favorite holiday.
You would’ve rolled your eyes at school today. The entire junior class dressed up as Disney characters, except for me and a few other rebels. Chloe Paxton sat in your seat in Chemistry (sorry!) wearing the full Cinderella getup—including the glass slippers! Even Mr. D. dressed up. Imagine the genie from Aladdin directing the band. Yep. It was interesting.
I was trying to remember all of our Halloween costumes today; Thing 1 and Thing 2, the twins from The Shining, a hotdog and ketchup. I gave our idea for this year to the Thompson twins from church. I hope you don’t mind—it was too good of an idea to go to waste.
Mom called on my way here, trying to sound excited. “Pumpkin pancakes for dinner tonight, Avery!” I guess we’re keeping up our old tradition this year, too?  
These dried-out flowers have to go. How did this get dirty so fast?   
There. I can see your name again. And our birthday.
Now I’ll set this right…here.
I miss you, Anna.
Happy Halloween. 


13 comments:

  1. Aww. I kind of figured where it was going two-thirds of the way through, but what a touching story. <3

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  2. Nicely done, Becky! A real tear-jerker.

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  3. I love the contrast between celebration and sadness. Lovely!

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  4. Clever. Good luck, Becky.

    Never Give Up
    Joan

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  5. Wow, so beautiful. You've done a wonderful job with voice--the voice of a twin who wants to be hopeful and happy and celebrate her lost sister, but you've also made this poignant piece very emotional. Well done.

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  6. Oh, Becky, what a beautiful story to share. I'm so impressed that your MC was so well composed despite the hard situation. I enjoyed the MC's voice, too. Thanks for entering this bittersweet piece into the Fall Writing Frenzy.

    Sincerely,
    Kaitlyn Sanchez

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kaitlyn, and thanks for hosting the contest! :-)

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