Monday Writing Magic – 3rd Annual Holiday Writing Contest and ReviMo Info
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 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.
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!
Related articles
- 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)
Posted on December 8, 2013, in 3rd Annual Holiday Writing Contest, Monday Writing Magic and tagged Christmas, Gifts and prizes, Giveaway, Holiday picture book story, Holiday Writing Contest, PreK and K Sharing, ReviMo with Meg Miller, Susanna Leonard Hill. Bookmark the permalink. 82 Comments.
Lots of mishaps in this fun little adventure. Thanks for sharing this one!
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Glad you liked it, Stacy! Can’t wait to read them all.:)
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Oh the poor elf! Great meter in this story, Vivian. Well done!
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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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Wonderful rhyme! I like the idea of your story! 🙂
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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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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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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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Mmmmmm… And if you we’re a good little girl, you’d leave a muffin for Santa!
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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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My new favorite Santa saying, “Santa, I can explain.” 🙂
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Love that, Juliana…I’ll have to remember those words.:)
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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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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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Now pumpkins have something to aspire to when Halloween turns the corner to reveal Christmas on its way. 😀
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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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Very unique. Love your rhyming.
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Thanks so much, Pat! Writing in rhyme is both rewarding and frustrating…the rewarding outweighs the frustration. 🙂
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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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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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That would be me! 😀
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🙂
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Loved the suspense! Good luck, Vivian!
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Thanks, Julie. I was biting my nails as Jack narrowly missed the spinning wheel attack.:)
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I love the idea of a pumpkin becoming an elf for Christmas…it made me think of a fairy tale. 🙂
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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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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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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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Love the mashup of holidays!
Will Tom Turkey make a North Pole appearance as well?
I love “elfing” – great verb!
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Tom Turkey…oh, what a great idea, Cathy…perhaps Jack O’Lantern could have ridden on his back.:)
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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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I love your story! Great rhyme and great job! Happy Holidays! :0)
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Happy Holidays to you, Donna! This is great fun, isn’t it.:) Thanks for the kind words.
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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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You said it, Donna! The encouragement we receive from each other is so important.:)
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Great idea and fun twists and turns, Vivian. Great post!
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Thanks, Catherine! It was fun to write! I’m grateful to Susanna for the inspiration.:)
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This is wonderful, Vivian! So clever and beautifully written. Well done!
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There are so many awesome entries, Cheryl! I appreciate your kind words. 🙂
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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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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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Really clever story and great rhyme. I Liked it very much!
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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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That was a perilous journey, I hope Jack fares better in the workshop 🙂
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Hee Hee! That is the stuff of the next story, perhaps.:) Thanks for stopping by, Yvonne!
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Very cute story! Now we know to send our Halloween pumpkins to the North Pole!
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Or you can send them to me…I love baking with pumpkin.:) Glad you liked the story, Milka!
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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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‘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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So much fun, Vivian. And I’m relieved the car didn’t ‘squash him dead’–so glad for him!
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I am too, Marylin…I kind of like happy endings.:)
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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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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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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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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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Vivian, thanks for making me smile with your rhyming story. I love rhyme. 🙂
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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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What fun to have a Jack o’Lantern want to join Santa! Clever idea!
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That’s a very determined pumpkin! Clever take on pumpkin & elves. (We have “Pumpkin Chunkin” down here.)
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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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What a fun holiday mash-up! Your rhyme is so catchy! Great job, Vivian!
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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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haha! Good for Jack O’Lantern, brave fellow! “The baker gives a battle cry.” LOL! Wonderful Vivian. 🙂
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Glad you liked it, Meg! I’d be sad to miss a Susanna Holiday Contest…they are great fun!
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Great rhyme, Vivian! I’m glad Elf Jack-O-Lantern finally made his destination! Nice job! 🙂
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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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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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Yay! Thanks for those lovely comments about my story, Robyn. 🙂 A fun-read aloud was definitely my goal!
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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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Thank you double, Elaine, for your persistence. Glad you liked a little Halloween with your Christmas.:
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Who knew that Santa recruited? Funny story, Vivian!
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Tee hee! We all need a little help from our friends, I guess. Glad you liked it, Wendy.:)
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I love the recycling of the pumpkin. Thanks for sharing. 😀
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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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Here, here! Thanks for sharing. I really like your story.
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Thanks, Jackie! It was fun to write…glad it is fun to read. 🙂
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I really felt the hurrying pace in this story. got to get there on time. well done.
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Thanks so much, Cecilia…I rescued your comment from the spam folder…sorry I didn’t respond sooner.:)
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Love your rolling jack-o-lantern elf, your great meter and rhyme, and especially your squash pun!
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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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And if the weather is bad and Rudolph is on vacation, good old Jack can light the sleigh!
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Lauri…What a great idea! Quick, where’s my pen..I feel another story coming on.:)
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