There’s been lots of traveling in the last few months…new grand-baby…Singapore…family visits.
I’ve missed my regular blogging and social media connections – but I’ve had so much fun!
To get back on track, I’m going to try a new blog schedule:
Monday will be geared towards picture book writing – sharing helpful articles and links for other writers as well as contests, submissions and highlights from my works in progress.
To kick this off, I’m thrilled to post my entry to children’s author Susanna Leonard Hill’s 4th of July Secret Mystery Writing Contest. Contests are a great way to exercise your writing craft and connect with other writers…and Susanna’s contests are super cool. Please click on the link to get the details and find out what GREAT prizes she is offering. There is still time to enter!!!!
The Fourth Of July Secret Mystery Writing Contest!
We were asked to write a children’s story with any July 4th setting, 400 words or less, in which there is a mystery is solved or a secret is revealed. Here is my 199-word story…I hope you like it!
THE MONSTER FAIR or Why Christmas Is Celebrated in July on Gollywhomper Square
It happened in the summer, down on Gollywhomper Square.
The residents decided they would build a Monster Fair.
The first ride they constructed was a giant Ferris wheel.
A jingling carousel was next, made of the strongest steel.
The third one they erected was a mammoth water slide.
They pumped the contents of a lake to fill that drenching ride.
But trouble was a-brewing because no one could agree
On Kamikaze – Tilt-a-Wheel – which should the next one be?
The shouting match grew louder – Screaming Swing – or Pirate Ship!
It must be Roller Coaster – Topple Tower – no – the Whip!
With stomping feet and blazing eyes, they all began to fight,
Like popping firecrackers, you could see the sparks ignite.
The fairgrounds started shaking – as the earth began to quake.
An avalanche descended and refilled the empty lake.
No Ferris wheel – no carousel – no drenching water slide!
A mountain range of pure white snow had covered every ride.
The monsters moaned, “No Fair! No Fair! The snow is everywhere!”
The monster children cheered, “How great! Let’s ski and sled and skate!”
So every summer, you will find, on Gollywhomper Square
A celebration on the 4th – The Monster Christmas Fair!
I hope you will visit Susanna’s contest page so you can read all of the other entries…and perhaps submit one of your own!
I also want to add a link to a summer picture book writing workshop that is being offered by Pam Calvert: Picture Book University…it began today and looks like it will be lots of fun…oh, and did I mention…it’s FREE! http://wwwpamcalvert.blogspot.com/2013/07/picture-book-university-picture-book.html
In addition, Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Challenge is keeping hundreds of picture book writers motivated and inspired to write picture books every month…I’m checking in for the end of June…I wrote several picture book drafts and revised some others. http://www.juliehedlund.com/erzsi-deak-june-12-x-12-agent/
And last, but certainly not least, gifted mentor and picture book writing teacher, Mira Reisberg, is gearing up for the next Picture Book Academy course to be offered at the end of August…if you are interested, please visit her website and sign up to receive the free newsletter to get all the info…places in her class go really quickly: http://www.picturebookacademy.com/
Related articles
- Fourth of July Secret Mystery Contest (catherinemjohnson.wordpress.com)
- Writing Your First Picture Book Manuscript in 5 Easy Steps (slumberlandstudio.com)
- What Makes a Manuscript Stand Out? (kathytemean.wordpress.com)
- Four More Things Published Authors Know That You Should Too (kathytemean.wordpress.com)
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
Hey Vivian. Man. The word choice in this is absolutely wonderful. Super job and loved your rhyme. This is genius really. A new take on monster stories. 🙂
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Wow…Robyn…that is some great praise…I’m SO glad you liked the rhyme and the story.:) It’s been so much fun, visiting and reading the other entries…super stuff out there.:)
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That’s quite a feat to combine two holidays, a mystery and monsters in the same story. . .with rhyme no less! Well done, Vivian!
MakingtheWriteConnections
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The building of the Monster Fair was quite a feat. 🙂 Too bad it got covered up…but, the kids looked at the silver lining in the snow cloud. Glad you liked the story, Jarm!
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Sooo cute – Vivian. I love the poem!!
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Thanks, Laura…it was fun to dream up.:)
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Just had a look at the rides too – yikes! I’m too squeamish for the likes of those these days! But I wouldn’t mind visiting Gollywhomper Square! Would be COOL to illustrate! The rhyming adds such perfect rhythm for this!
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What a beautiful and encouraging comment, Julie! I love that you feel it would be cool to illustrate…coming from someone with your artistic eye, that really means so much to me.:)
When I was a kid, I did go on many of those rides…but probably not now.:) Although I did skydive with my son 2 years ago.:)
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You did? You are one wild woman! I hope I can muster some more guts in the future!
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I don’t know if it was guts.:) Maybe just faith. 🙂 🙂 Some might say stupidity. 🙂 🙂 🙂
But I will say that it helped me realize that almost nothing is impossible if we truly want it…and it gave me more confidence in myself.:)
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And a great story for the grandkids…to tell themselves – “My grandmother…”
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🙂
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Love the rhythm and rhyme in this fun romp. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks so much for stopping by, Pam…it was fun to write…I’m glad it was fun to read.:)
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Nice entry, Vivan! You did a great job on the rhyme and monsters always add to the fun :•)
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Coming from you, Penny (aka the master of rollicking rhythm and rhyme contest entries), those are very kind words. Glad you liked it…Susanna always provides a great writing prompt with her holiday contests.:)
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Your entry is so original. I love everything from the monster rides to the sizzling rumble. Beautiful rhyme!
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Joanne…thanks for stopping by and making my day with your lovely comment! And I love your description…sizzling rumble…I think i will use that in a story…has such a great sound and creates a fantastic image in my mind.:)
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