One of the most important things a writer can do is…WRITE!
Perhaps you set aside a large chunk of time every day to write. Or maybe, because of family and other obligations, you snatch precious minutes whenever you can.
Jane Yolen advises writers to BIC…Butt in Chair.
And one way that encourages writers to do that is to enter contests and writing challenges. One of my dear friends and favorite picture book authors, Susanna Leonard Hill, is holding her 7th Annual Halloweensie Contest.
If you are interested in joining in the fun, there is still time to do so. And even if you aren’t able to participate, you’ll have so much fun reading all of the entries.
The rules are simple: Write a 100 word Halloween story for children using the words monster, candy-corn, and shadow. For more details, go to Susanna’s website by clicking the link above.
I decided to take a trip around the world via the internet to see how Halloween is celebrated in other countries. Interestingly enough, it began in Ireland and has spread, in various forms, to many parts of the world. In some places it is celebrated on different days and in others, it is a more religious holiday to honor the dead. But costumes and candy seems to be present in most of the celebrations.
Here is my entry. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Maybe I need to do a picture book about HALLOWEEN AROUND THE WORLD.
THE HALLOWEEN CONNECTION (100 words)
It’s time to search for Halloween
Around the globe and in-between.
Jack-o-lantern in the shadow
Glowing eyes and burning smile.
Trick or treat,” a monster shouts.
Halloween—American style
Chinese children say Teng Chieh.
Lanterns glow to light the way.
Special foods are offered up.
Spirits come on Halloween Day.
In Mexico, kids decorate
With posies bright and candy-corn
And shout “Queremos Halloween.”
They trick or treat from dusk till dawn.
Disguised, Greek children come to call.
“Do you know who I am?” they ask.
A guessing game begins until
The treats are served and they unmask.
Hurray for Halloween!
Photo courtesy: https://www.google.com/search?q=halloween+around+the+world&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjqk-qr3ZTXAhVHSyYKHR3MBJ8Q_AUIDCgD&biw=1094&bih=408#imgrc=ZK8axJblvt5XUM:
And hurray for Susanna Leonard Hill and her wonderful contests!
Really nice, Vivian! I didn’t realize Halloween was even celebrated in other countries! Hurray for Halloween is right!!
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It’s amazing, Judy…and I had so much fun finding out how many countries celebrate Halloween or similar holidays.
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I love this, Vivian! Different, educational, and so well done.
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Thanks, David. I’m glad you enjoyed it! Now I’ve got a new picture book to write, I guess. 😉
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What an innovative and enjoyable way for us to learn about Halloween traditions around the world, Vivian. Thanks for doing the research for us. Well done! Best wishes with the contest. 🙂
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So happy you liked it, Norah. The research was actually so much fun to do.
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I love learning new things too. 🙂
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Vivian, this is a fun 100-word story. Haven’t seen many compare Halloween around the globe. Maybe an expansion into a PB is in your future. Good luck. 🙂
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Totally, Maria…I am definitely going to turn this into a picture book…I haven’t seen any Halloween around the world books either. And I loved both of yours.
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Vivian, I love learning about how other people celebrate Halloween. Thanks for writing a diverse story. A great idea for a picture book! Kassy Keppol wrote about dia dos Muertos. In Portugal, where I live, they celebrate the day of the dead on 2 November. A couple of days before, everyone cleans the graves. Municipalities clean the cemeteries. On the 2, DIA DOS FINADOS, thousands of people visit the graves of loved ones. They bring flowers and food to eat at the grave.
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Yes, I read about Dia de los Muertos…and countries like Japan and China also honor the dead with lanterns and food offerings. It’s actually a lovely custom, I think.
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Oh how wonderful! This sounds like a perfect picture book~ definitely pursue publishing it!
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Thanks, Jessica…I’m going to try!
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Nicely done, Vivian! I love your theme and all the research you did. I definitely see a PB here! Hooray for Halloween!
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Hooray for Halloween! I’m so happy everyone is enjoying this Halloween around the world, Melissa.
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Nicely done, Vivian! A multicultural Halloween book sounds great!
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Thank you so much, Iza…I’m excited about doing such a book! I think there might be a receptive audience for a diverse book like that.
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Ah, Vivian…your NF side is at the fore – good job in educating us in a fun way. Cool way to approach the topic, very original.
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Yup, definitely my NF side came out with this entry, Kathy. 😉
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That is delightful, Vivian! Thanks for sharing!
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Glad you enjoyed it, Jane. Thank you so much for stopping by. 😉
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What a great idea and fun approach! Good luck in the challenge!
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Love your entry, Vivian! I, too, had no idea about Halloween being a thing in other countries. So your fun and informative post was perfect. Well done!
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A fun story, and I learned a thing or two! Nice!
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Vivian, I also wanted to add that I agree with your first line here about the importance of a writer finding time to write. I like exercises like Susanna’s “tiny” contests because they force me to exercise my brain and write something new. After I entered this contest, I wrote an entirely new picture book manuscript and edited down an old one. Halloweensie definitely got the creativity flowing!
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Love it, Vivian! 🎃
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Nice job, Vivian. I like how you wove information in! Best of luck to you!
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Very clever approach, Vivian! You managed to fit a lot of information into 100 words.
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This is wonderful, Vivian! Please do that picture book!
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Well done, Vivian–great idea to show Halloween around the world (and yes, I’ll bet you could expand it as a picture book.)
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Of course you would research and offer up such a resourceful jewel. It wouldn’t be a Lady Vivian piece if not done that way. I love this, and thanks to you, this is going to be part of my lesson plan this week. See … quite the resosurce. BTW, love your entry. Such a fun read.
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Wonderful, Vivian!
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I love learning how Halloween is celebrated throughout the world What a great idea. Just all out wonderful. Yes, I agree I see a PB here.
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What a great trick or treat visit around the world! Clever 🙂 Wishing you good luck and Happy Halloween, Vivian!
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Very nice, Vivian. Fun and interesting.
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Love your entry, Vivian. And, yes, write a children’s picture book about Halloween around the world!
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Yup, yes indeed. I agree with the others. Halloween around the world sounds like a great new picture book. Best of luck, Vivian!
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Thanks for taking us around the world for Halloween fun and learning, Vivian! 🙂 You are such a talented writer/author! Wishing you the best!
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Love it, Vivian! It’s so fun learning how other cultures celebrate Halloween. Love how you think outside the box … er … U.S.
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Love the multiculturalism and educational content in your entry, Vivian!
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Entertaining and enlightening Halloween journey you took us on! Well done!
Ken
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OK, now that I’m at my computer, it will let me comment. Great story, Vivian! Love the international feel. I haven’t read anything like it. So it looks like you’ve got the seeds for a new book. Yippee!
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How fun to imagine children enjoying Halloween around the world. 🎃
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So interesting! I’d love to read more about halloween around the world. Great idea!
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Vivian this was wonderful! I had no idea Halloween started in Ireland. I love the idea of Halloween around the world as a picture book. So very clever.
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Vivian, you struck upon a great idea. I agree this is a wonderful picture book project for you. It has huge potential, so you’d best get at it right away! 🙂
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LOVE your entry, Vivian! So clever and interesting. Love this contest – posting mine today 🙂
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I love this around the world Halloween story, Vivian!!! The research for this one is half the fun! Good luck!
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What an interesting take on Halloween – thinking outside the box – love it!
Thanks for sharing the contest info, I entered it today as well. I put the link if you care to have a read. Good luck to you!
https://willowwritesweb.wordpress.com/2017/10/30/oh-fudge/
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I learned a little something about Halloween traditions while reading a well crafted story. Nice work Vivian. Good luck!
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This is such a nice touch to the contest. Wow. We learn and we are entertained, as well. Very fresh. And yes, this could spawn a book!
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Love that you included Halloween facts in a fun story!
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Beautifully done and one of my favourite Halloween stories I’ve read. Factual as well as being fun it’s a winner.
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Very nice! I love the Greek guessing game. How fun!
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I am intrigued with your story to want to learn more about Halloween in other countries. You gave us a taste to make us want more. Excellent, Vivian!
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Halloween across the world. Wonderful, Vivian!
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Cute story! You did a lot with 100 words!
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Great story Vivian!You could do a whole series! Many know about Christmas around the world but this isn’t something I’ve heard of before. My friend Wade Bradford wrote Around the World in a Bathtub, why not Around the World on Halloween? You’re such a bright light got in the kid lit community. Thank you for lighting it up for so many of us!
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Vivian, what an impressive story. I love your idea of writing about Halloween around the world. Good luck!
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Great job, Vivian! Sounds like a nonfiction picture book in the making to me! Nicely done! Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie fun! 🙂
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