Monday Writing Magic – 3rd Annual Holiday Writing Contest and ReviMo Info

Posted on December 8, 2013 by viviankirkfield

Entering contests is a great exercise in creative writing. It hones your writing skills, brings you into fellowship with other writers and helps you gain courage to put your work out there. For the past three years, I’ve been participating in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Holiday Writing Contests – today begins;

The 3rd Annual Holiday Contest!!!

The Contest: Write a children’s story about a Holiday Mishap, mix-up, miscommunication, mistake, or potential disaster (a la Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer :)). Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words.

For more information about rules, judging, voting and prizes, please go here.

I thought about what I should write. My trash can is filled with discarded ideas. I hope you will enjoy the story I decided to go with.

SANTA’S NEWEST ELF (157 WORDS)

A letter came for me today.

Dear Jack O’Lantern, don’t delay.

Please come to Santa right away

And help make balls and bikes and clay.

A strong wind blows – I rock, I roll.

I barely miss a huge mole hole.

No hole will stop me from my goal

Of elfing at the cold North Pole.

I cross the street – the light is red.

A tire almost hits my head.

I fear the car will squash me dead.

It pushes me along instead.

And in a muffin shop nearby,

The baker gives a battle cry.

She wants to put me in a pie.

I quickly tumble past – “Bye-bye!”

I see the lights of Santa’s shop.

I slip and slide and belly flop.

I’m turning like a spinning top.

What if I never ever stop?

I hear a jolly Ho-Ho-Ho.

It’s Santa standing in the snow.

He says, ‘The workshop’s down below.”

Elf Jack O’Lantern, come, let’s go!

I hope you enjoyed my little Christmas story – I’ll be linking up on Susanna’s website and you can go and read ALL of the amazing entries here. For the Halloweensie Contest, there were 79 stories!

A couple of important items to mention:

1. The Authors for the Philippines auction is over – they raised over 55,000 British pounds (not sure how many US dollars that is…but it is a lot!). I’ve just packed up a copy of my book that I donated – it is going to a mother of two in Staffordshire, England.

2. Please don’t forget the Kid Lit Giveaway Blog Hop Holiday Extravaganza that is still happening here and on 48 other blogs around the blogsphere. There are so many books and gift cards being given away.

3. I guest posted on the PreK and K Sharing Blog – one of the most incredible blog resources I have ever seen…please go and check them out.

4. Pull out those old manuscripts and dust them off – Meg Miller is hosting a challenge for the New Year – REVIMO will encourage you to REVISE – REVISE – REVISE. There will be prizes, inspiration and information.

5. And, one more reminder about the limited time only Holiday Sale of my book on Amazon – only $10!

Parenting Tip - How To Teach Problem Solving

December Contest Round-up (subitclub.wordpress.com)
Getting Things Done? When? (clarbojahn.wordpress.com)
How I Got My Agent: Alayne Kay Christian (sylvialiuland.com)
No Fee Fiction Contest – Win Money – Get Published (kathytemean.wordpress.com)
A Picture Book Is Worth A Thousand Words (teacherlingo.com)

82 thoughts on “Monday Writing Magic – 3rd Annual Holiday Writing Contest and ReviMo Info”

Stacy S. Jensen on December 8, 2013 at 11:05 pm said:

Lots of mishaps in this fun little adventure. Thanks for sharing this one!

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- viviankirkfield on December 8, 2013 at 11:22 pm said:
  
  Glad you liked it, Stacy! Can’t wait to read them all.:)
  
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izatrapani1 on December 9, 2013 at 5:13 am said:

Oh the poor elf! Great meter in this story, Vivian. Well done!

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 4:18 pm said:
  
  Oh Iza…that is high praise indeed…I do thank you. It was definitely a challenge…I’m glad you feel I succeeded.:
  
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thiskidreviewsbooks on December 9, 2013 at 6:42 am said:

Wonderful rhyme! I like the idea of your story! 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 4:17 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Erik! I’m glad you like it…the rhyme was tricky because I wanted to do four rhyming lines for each verse.:)
  
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Juliana Lee on December 9, 2013 at 7:42 am said:

I always wondered what happened to all those little Jack-o-lanterns! (At least the ones the deer don’t eat in our neighborhood!)

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 4:16 pm said:
  
  When we lived in Colorado Springs, our pumpkins would disappear…yes, the deer loved them. But here in New Hampshire, they’ve been safe…I still have one uncut pumpkin outside…I’d better take him in and rescue him…so that I can put him in some muffins.:) 🙂 🙂 Mwa-ha-ha!
  
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  - Juliana Lee on December 9, 2013 at 4:41 pm said:
    
    Mmmmmm… And if you we’re a good little girl, you’d leave a muffin for Santa!
    
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    - viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 8:30 pm said:
      
      That is so funny, Juliana! I actually have a couple of cute T-shirts with a Santa theme…one of them says, “How much for the naughty boys list…another says,”Santa, define good” and the last says, “I’m not short, I’m just elf-size” (I’m kind of small:).
      
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      - Juliana Lee on December 9, 2013 at 9:02 pm said:
        
        My new favorite Santa saying, “Santa, I can explain.” 🙂
        
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        viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 11:35 pm said:
        
        Love that, Juliana…I’ll have to remember those words.:)
        
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teresarobeson on December 9, 2013 at 8:00 am said:

So funny about Jack wanting to be an elf (we should all aspire to be more than we are)! Is it wrong of me to laugh so hard at poor Jack nearly getting nailed by a tire? 😉

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 4:13 pm said:
  
  And when the baker takes chase, Jack thought he was a goner for sure.:) I’d love to be an elf (except for the snow-all-year-long situation…just think…toys all day!
  
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nrhatch on December 9, 2013 at 8:19 am said:

Now pumpkins have something to aspire to when Halloween turns the corner to reveal Christmas on its way. 😀

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 3:47 pm said:
  
  You know, Nancy…it was one of our left-over from Halloween jack-o-lanterns that sparked this idea.:) Recycle – Reuse – Repurpose!
  
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Patricia Tilton on December 9, 2013 at 8:58 am said:

Very unique. Love your rhyming.

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 3:45 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Pat! Writing in rhyme is both rewarding and frustrating…the rewarding outweighs the frustration. 🙂
  
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readingwithrhythm on December 9, 2013 at 9:20 am said:

hahaha! Great job Ms Kirkfield!! I can sure picture poor Jack rolling down the street. I’m glad Santa showed up in time!

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 3:44 pm said:
  
  I thought of having a dog chasing after him, thinking he was a ball to fetch and play with…what do you think of that, Rhythm? 🙂
  
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  - readingwithrhythm on December 9, 2013 at 3:52 pm said:
    
    That would be me! 😀
    
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    - viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 4:20 pm said:
      
      🙂
      
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julie rowan zoch on December 9, 2013 at 10:00 am said:

Loved the suspense! Good luck, Vivian!

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 3:43 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Julie. I was biting my nails as Jack narrowly missed the spinning wheel attack.:)
  
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angelapenadahle on December 9, 2013 at 12:01 pm said:

I love the idea of a pumpkin becoming an elf for Christmas…it made me think of a fairy tale. 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 3:42 pm said:
  
  That is so sweet, Angela. I’m really surprised I have not written a fairy tale, either fractured or otherwise…I LOVE fairy tales…maybe that will be my next writing project.:)
  
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Carrie Finison on December 9, 2013 at 1:23 pm said:

Vivian, I loved the image of the little Jack O’Lantern, rolling along, evading the baker, and finally becoming an elf. Cute! We all can dream, can’t we?

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 3:39 pm said:
  
  Dreaming is what life is all about…and where our dreams will take us when we work towards realizing them.:) Thanks, Carrie…glad you like it. I started reading down Susanna’s list and then my internet went out for a couple of hours. 😦 But it is back up now.:)
  
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Cathy Ballou Mealey on December 9, 2013 at 2:48 pm said:

Love the mashup of holidays!
Will Tom Turkey make a North Pole appearance as well?
I love “elfing” – great verb!

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 3:36 pm said:
  
  Tom Turkey…oh, what a great idea, Cathy…perhaps Jack O’Lantern could have ridden on his back.:)
  
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Jarm Del Boccio on December 9, 2013 at 3:07 pm said:

Such a cute and festive story Vivian. I’m glad the elf survived all the dangers that could have kept him from his task!

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Donna L. Sadd on December 9, 2013 at 3:37 pm said:

I love your story! Great rhyme and great job! Happy Holidays! :0)

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 4:19 pm said:
  
  Happy Holidays to you, Donna! This is great fun, isn’t it.:) Thanks for the kind words.
  
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  - Donna L. Sadd on December 9, 2013 at 4:32 pm said:
    
    Yes, it’s wonderful fun, Vivian! I’m so grateful that Susanna holds these contests. It really helps work those writing muscles and allows us to nurture each other as well.
    
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    - viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 8:28 pm said:
      
      You said it, Donna! The encouragement we receive from each other is so important.:)
      
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Catherine Johnson on December 9, 2013 at 6:33 pm said:

Great idea and fun twists and turns, Vivian. Great post!

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 8:12 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Catherine! It was fun to write! I’m grateful to Susanna for the inspiration.:)
  
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cherylsec on December 9, 2013 at 7:34 pm said:

This is wonderful, Vivian! So clever and beautifully written. Well done!

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 8:13 pm said:
  
  There are so many awesome entries, Cheryl! I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
  
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deborahholtwilliams on December 9, 2013 at 7:36 pm said:

Using an old pumpkin is a really fresh idea for a Christmas story, Vivian! The squirrels ate our pumpkin, bit by bit till it was all gone. Glad you recycled yours into a story!

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 8:21 pm said:
  
  We were lucky…all of our pumpkins escaped wildlife attack.:) I’ve still got one or two that I plan to use…maybe pumpkin muffins? What do you think? I’m so glad you like the story, Deborah…I’ve read some of the other entries…WOW! People have put their heart and soul into this contest…it is very inspiring!
  
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Kim Tyser on December 9, 2013 at 8:12 pm said:

Really clever story and great rhyme. I Liked it very much!

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 8:23 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much for stopping by, Kim…and I’m so glad you like the little jack-o-lantern tale. Isn’t it amazing how many different stories there are…each one is unique!
  
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Yvonne Mes on December 9, 2013 at 9:58 pm said:

That was a perilous journey, I hope Jack fares better in the workshop 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 11:37 pm said:
  
  Hee Hee! That is the stuff of the next story, perhaps.:) Thanks for stopping by, Yvonne!
  
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Perfecting Motherhood on December 9, 2013 at 11:37 pm said:

Very cute story! Now we know to send our Halloween pumpkins to the North Pole!

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- viviankirkfield on December 9, 2013 at 11:38 pm said:
  
  Or you can send them to me…I love baking with pumpkin.:) Glad you liked the story, Milka!
  
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Michelle Heidenrich Barnes on December 10, 2013 at 8:12 am said:

What a grand adventure for Jack and a fun read for kids! I’m glad Jack was able to roll with the punches and make it to the North Pole.

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- viviankirkfield on December 10, 2013 at 8:25 am said:
  
  ‘Roll with the punches’…I love that, Michelle…you definitely have a way with words.:)
  Thanks for stopping by…this contest has produced a pile of wonderful stories!
  
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Marylin Warner on December 10, 2013 at 10:29 am said:

So much fun, Vivian. And I’m relieved the car didn’t ‘squash him dead’–so glad for him!

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- viviankirkfield on December 11, 2013 at 7:57 am said:
  
  I am too, Marylin…I kind of like happy endings.:)
  
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clarbojahn on December 10, 2013 at 10:35 am said:

Your story is just adorable and thanks for the links. I’ll go there right away and see if I can donate my book or something else. I did n’t know all those things were happening so thanks for telling me.:)

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- viviankirkfield on December 11, 2013 at 7:59 am said:
  
  Thanks, Clar! Don’t feel badly about the auction…there is just so much going on all the time…there are many worthy causes that I’d love to participate in that I can’t. 🙂
  
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Susanna Leonard Hill on December 10, 2013 at 4:54 pm said:

Hahaha! My Santa didn’t want to mix his holidays and yours did it on purpose! I love the rhythm of your rhyme and your poor Jack’s harrowing trip! Thank goodness that baker didn’t catch him 🙂 Thanks so much for another delightful contest entry, Vivian! 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on December 10, 2013 at 5:50 pm said:
  
  I love your contests because they help me to think and create outside the box…I’m really having a ball, visiting everyone’s blogs and reading the incredible entries. 🙂
  
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Tracy Campbell on December 11, 2013 at 4:14 pm said:

Vivian, thanks for making me smile with your rhyming story. I love rhyme. 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on December 11, 2013 at 8:21 pm said:
  
  Me too, Tracy! But it’s so darn hard to write. Every time I start one I am tempted to change it to prose. Glad I made you smile!
  
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Beth Stilborn on December 11, 2013 at 6:18 pm said:

What fun to have a Jack o’Lantern want to join Santa! Clever idea!

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Stacy Couch on December 12, 2013 at 9:02 pm said:

That’s a very determined pumpkin! Clever take on pumpkin & elves. (We have “Pumpkin Chunkin” down here.)

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- viviankirkfield on December 12, 2013 at 9:59 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Stacy! Santa gets so busy, we’ll all have to pitch in.:) I need to get over to Susanna’s list…I read the first bunch…but I’m thinking there are many more now.
  
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Penny Parker Klostermann on December 13, 2013 at 11:14 am said:

What a fun holiday mash-up! Your rhyme is so catchy! Great job, Vivian!

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- viviankirkfield on December 13, 2013 at 2:53 pm said:
  
  Coming from a rhyme-master, that is high praise, Penny! Thank you so much…I’m making my way through all of the entries…there are more than ever…so glad for Susanna.:)
  
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Meg Miller on December 13, 2013 at 1:10 pm said:

haha! Good for Jack O’Lantern, brave fellow! “The baker gives a battle cry.” LOL! Wonderful Vivian. 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on December 13, 2013 at 2:51 pm said:
  
  Glad you liked it, Meg! I’d be sad to miss a Susanna Holiday Contest…they are great fun!
  
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Martha Hubbard on December 14, 2013 at 8:13 am said:

Great rhyme, Vivian! I’m glad Elf Jack-O-Lantern finally made his destination! Nice job! 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on December 14, 2013 at 6:31 pm said:
  
  Hi Martha…thanks for the kind words.:) Elf Jack-O-Lantern would not let anything stand in his way of reaching his goal…kind of like us writers. 🙂 :
  
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Robyn Campbell (@authorswrite) on December 14, 2013 at 3:07 pm said:

Vivian, I adore your writing. I love the way you mixed two holidays into your story. Fantastic job!!! Your rhyme is so much fun to read out loud. Loved it! Good luck, Vivian!

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- viviankirkfield on December 14, 2013 at 6:36 pm said:
  
  Yay! Thanks for those lovely comments about my story, Robyn. 🙂 A fun-read aloud was definitely my goal!
  
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elainekielykearns on December 14, 2013 at 6:18 pm said:

What a great story, Vivian! I commented here the other day but for some reason it didn’t post- so glad I checked it! I love the mixing of the holidays, so creative! Good luck to you! 🙂

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- viviankirkfield on December 14, 2013 at 6:33 pm said:
  
  Thank you double, Elaine, for your persistence. Glad you liked a little Halloween with your Christmas.:
  
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Wendy Greenley on December 14, 2013 at 6:32 pm said:

Who knew that Santa recruited? Funny story, Vivian!

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- viviankirkfield on December 14, 2013 at 6:37 pm said:
  
  Tee hee! We all need a little help from our friends, I guess. Glad you liked it, Wendy.:)
  
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jackiewellington21 on December 14, 2013 at 8:26 pm said:

I love the recycling of the pumpkin. Thanks for sharing. 😀

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- viviankirkfield on December 14, 2013 at 10:11 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Jackie! My 5-year old grandson had a small pumpkin that we bought him. It decorated the yard for several days…then he painted it…then I helped him carve it into a Jack-O-Lantern. We baked the seeds (saved some to plant)…and cooked the pumpkin meat and made muffins. I’m a great believer in recycle, reuse, re-purpose.:) 🙂
  
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  - jackiewellington21 on December 15, 2013 at 5:42 am said:
    
    Here, here! Thanks for sharing. I really like your story.
    
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    - viviankirkfield on December 15, 2013 at 2:09 pm said:
      
      Thanks, Jackie! It was fun to write…glad it is fun to read. 🙂
      
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Cecilia Clark on December 15, 2013 at 4:38 am said:

I really felt the hurrying pace in this story. got to get there on time. well done.

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- viviankirkfield on December 15, 2013 at 4:41 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much, Cecilia…I rescued your comment from the spam folder…sorry I didn’t respond sooner.:)
  
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Buffy Silverman on December 15, 2013 at 7:12 pm said:

Love your rolling jack-o-lantern elf, your great meter and rhyme, and especially your squash pun!

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- viviankirkfield on December 16, 2013 at 7:16 pm said:
  
  Glad it made you smile, Buffy! It was an amazing contest…don’t know how I will decide which of the 14 finalists to vote for…they are all so worthy.:)
  
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Lauri Meyers on December 16, 2013 at 10:59 am said:

And if the weather is bad and Rudolph is on vacation, good old Jack can light the sleigh!

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- viviankirkfield on December 16, 2013 at 7:15 pm said:
  
  Lauri…What a great idea! Quick, where’s my pen..I feel another story coming on.:)
  
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