Category Archives: Uncategorized

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#50 Precious Words Writing Challenge

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It’s been a VERY LONG time since I have entered Vivian Kirkfield’s #50 Precious Words writing contest. In fact it’s been a long time since I have entered any writing contests other than Madness Poetry. I guess you can say I was on a sort of hiatus, writing more non-fiction than fiction. Then I saw a little blurb on Dr. Seuss yesterday, and well it reminded of this lovely contest, and all of the wonderful work Vivian does, so I thought I’d dust off the computer keys and give it a go. If you are not familiar with this contest head on over HERE and check out all of the wonderful entries.

My entry comes in at exactly 50 words.

Swimmers Take Your Mark (50 Words)
By Jean James

Today was the day
I hit the pool swimming.
I knew this race
was the one I’d be winning.

My breath came in bursts,
I surfaced for air.
I pulled through the water,
hands shaped in prayer.

“Lub-dub” thumping-beats
drummed in both ears.
First on the wall.
Emerging to cheers!

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Halloweensie 2021: Graveyard Bully

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Graveyard Bully 

 In the graveyard,
two rows down,
A bully,
costumed, creepy clown,
was haunting me,
and wished to fight,
behind old Murphy’s tomb
tonight.

My cold dead flesh
prickled lumps
of oversized, grotesque, goosebumps.
‘Cause I was scared to fight this clown,
but I’m not one
who just backs down.

Glow-in-the-dark pumpkins lit the ring.
Bells chimed thrice: ding, ding, ding!

My heart began to skip a beat.
I thought for sure I was dead meat,
then clown tripped on his clumsy feet…
ran off ashamed by his defeat.

Spirits cheered, “Goody!”
I won the fight!
A most enchanting
Halloween Night.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed my entry and may you all have a Happy Halloween!

To read all of the amazing entries, head on over here to Susanna Leonard Hill’s site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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11th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest

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It’s the most wonderful time….of the year! Time for Susanna Leonard Hill’s 11th annual Halloweensie writing contest. Not sure what that is? Then head on over here to learn all about it. I cannot believe this contest is in its 11th year! Some years I have been able to enter, some years I have not, some years I have placed in the winning circle or have received an honorable mention, and some years I have not, but each and every year, I can guarantee you, I have had so much fun writing my own stories, and reading all of the creative and talented entries. Halloween is truly one the most wonderful times of the year for me, and one of my favorite holidays.
Big thanks to Susanna for hosting this contest year after year!
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10th Annual Halloweensie Contest

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Play me while reading!

Ghosts and Goblins, Witches and Warlocks, Monsters and Mummies, it’s finally that time of the year that you’ve all been waiting for…

Covid to be over?

NO!

2020 to be over?

NO!

In flight dining to begin again?

Definitely NO!

No my dear Ghouls, it is the scariest of all times…time for Susanna Leonard Hill’s

10th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest!

Wait… you don’t know what that is?

Now I’m scared!

Do be a good monster and head on over here to read all of the gruesome details.

Now get writing!

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The 5th Annual Valentiny Contest -FINALISTS!!!

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Susanna Leonard Hill's avatarSusanna Leonard Hill

Every time I run a contest I have a great time reading fabulous entries from writers who have entered my contests before and being dazzled by new writers who are entering for the first time, visiting blogs I’ve been to many times and blogs I’m seeing for the first time, reconnecting with old friends and making new ones, and generally being blown away by the collective talent (and peer support) in the kid lit community.

It is SO MUCH FUN!

And everything is as lovely as lovely can be. . .

. . . right up until I have to choose the finalists!

Then, all of a sudden, I find myself saying, “Why? Why do I do this to myself?”

and, “Whose idea was this ANYWAY?!”

and “GAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!”

cd521-surprisedbabytiger

Because you are all creative geniuses, and your work is spectacular, but there are only 12 prizes.

So somehow the other judges…

View original post 3,408 more words

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Valentiny Time!

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I can’t believe it’s already February! You know what that means? It is time for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Valentiny Writing Contest! Not sure what that is? Head over here to read up on all the contest rules. We have to write a tiny (Valen-tiny), 214 word story where somebody is feeling curious. I can tell you right now I’m so curious as to how I’m going to tackle this story idea. So if you’re feeling a little curious, check out Susanna’s website so you can enter a curiosity of your own. Until then…happy writing. See you back here by the 14th!

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9th Annual Halloweensie Contest

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Get ready ghosts and goblins, All Hallow’s Eve is soon upon us, and you know what that means right?

Evil tricks and yummy treats?

Cavity laden teeth?

Blackmail worthy costumes?

Nooooo….it means it’s time for Susanna Leonard Hill’s 9th annual Halloweensie writing contest. Not sure what that is? Head on over here to read all about it. I can’t wait to read all the wonderful entries, and to submit my own. Hope to see your story there!

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#50PreciousWords Contest: Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

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March 2nd, is Dr. Seuss’ birthday, and to celebrate, the #50preciouswords contest is now open.  Don’t know what #50preciouswords is? Then head on over here to Vivian Kirkfield’s website.

Dr. Seuss was not immune to writing challenges either, and was dared by Bennett Cerf, his editor at Random House, to write a story using no more than 50 unique words (not the word count). The result: Green Eggs and Ham.

 

Thank you Vivian for all that you do to support the kid lit community. You are a true inspiration!

Here is my entry at exactly 50 words.

Telephone

Two soup cans,
butchers twine,
grab a can,
pull the line.

You run there,
I’ll go here,
put your can
around your ear.

Mouth to can,
I yell, “Hello!”
and watch sound travel
to and fro.

My friend replies,
“No need to shout,
I hear you clearly,
Over and out!”

 

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Storystorm 2019 Is Here!

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Today is an exciting day because registration is open for Tara Lazar’s Storystorm 2019! Not sure what Storystorm is, then head on over here to find out. I’m looking forward to participating again this year. Who knows, maybe a great picture book will be born this year.

Happy Writing!

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Hi and welcome to my Friday series The Hairbag Poet. You can read about the history of this series here. In the blogging world Fridays are known as Poetry Friday. You can read about Poetry Friday here. I will plan on posting The Hairbag Poet each Friday. Today the Hairbag Poet, (that’s me), will […]

via The Hairbag Poet-Extinction — Nightingalechronicles.com