Halloweensie

The Old Ways

By in General, Halloweensie, SCBWI, SLH, Work, Writing

I’m supposed to be planning tonight’s big neighborhood Halloween Hotdogs potluck, cooking 216 hotdogs and five pounds of chicken nuggets, but the weather report has gotten so dire for this evening that we had to punt the party to tomorrow in favor of hopefully buying the kids a few more rain/wind/thunder-free trick or treating minutes tonight. Because it WILL happen tonight!

I set a few contingency plans in place, including an opt-in do-over for trick or treating tomorrow night (mostly for littles). So crazy it just might work? I guess we’ll see. The trick may be on me! But really, it’s all about the kids so cross your fingers and wiggle your nose for dry spells this evening!

I’m posting this really close to the wire, but it’s been a while and I wanted to have a go at ‘Muse” Susanna Hill’s 9th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest! I started something on this subject for last year’s contest but didn’t finish in time.

I’ve been thinking about the origins of Halloween and the cycle of death and rebirth that many cultures, traditions, and religions celebrate, at or beginning at this time of year (in North America). Also, my own grandmother is 101 and a half (you get the halves back again after you turn a certain age). I have been very lucky to have had her in my life these 47 (and a half) years.

The Contest: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (children here defined as 12 and under) (title not included in the 100 words), using the words potion, cobweb, and trick.

The Old Ways

“Tonight ain’t fit for man or beast,” Granny would’ve grinned.

Rain pelts the window by the flickering gourd. 

I leave warm bread on the sill, in case They still come for tricks. 

“Tonight the veil grows cobweb thin,” Granny would’ve winked.

I set her favorite scones and tea on the mantle.

Ma feels my head, gives me a potion, and tucks me into my quilt.

“Go to sleep, child. Tomorrow’s a new day,” I heard Granny sigh.

Restless and sweating, I must be asleep. Finally, I dream. 

Then bleary and blinking in the morning light, I realize she is gone.

Bon Voyage, Silver Spider!

By in Children's, General, Halloweensie, Other Challenges, SCBWI, SLH, Writing

spider_halloweensiea2

For some reason, this year has been busier than usual. I haven’t had a lot of time to work on personal projects, and so this blog as well as my Twitter and Instagram accounts have been dormant for a few months. So I’m not doing that well in the social media/follower departments.

Apart from managing our household and the lives and endless paperwork (overnight diapers still included) of the 3 and 5 year old Jaegerlings, I can’t complain that it was paying contract work from my main client, k12.com, that ate the remainder of my free time! Whatever higher power placed me with K12 14 years ago sure has a sense of humor since, once again, I’ve been working in my worst academic subject - math! Trust me, it’s a lot more fun for me to graphic design and code it than it ever was for me to study it. Ah well.

In addition to the craziness of this year, my husband got laid off from his proposal manager position this week. Well then! It’s certainly going to be an interesting next few months as he very well might be joining me in the consulting and contracting world.  For right now, if you need any freelance writing, editing, resume formatting, grant application or proposal work, he’s your guy. If you need graphics I’m your gal. Hmmmm maybe we could work together? That’s so crazy it just might work! What could possibly go wrong? Check back with me in a few months.

In spite of all this, I HAD to make time for my favorite muse, Susanna Hill’s 6th annual Halloweensie competition. This is the 5th piece I have written for Susanna’s competitions. The parameters, restrictions, and deadlines are great for exercising the puzzles of character, plot, and wordcraft for me. So for this, I will make time! And then… back to geometry for the remainder of November.

The Contest:  write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words, children here defined as 12 and under), using the words spider, ghost, and moon.

Read the other entries in the comments beneath Susanna’s contest post. Or on the Linky List Page!

Bon Voyage, Silver Spider!

“Silver Spider’s spinning her web sideways,” burbled Buff. “Why is she so weird?”

“She thinks she can catch the moon,” scoffed Umber.

“Can she do that?”

“Of course not, bonehead. She’s dreaming!”

Silver kept spinning. “I can do this,” she said. “I’ll finally leave this place. Nothing’s impossible on Halloween night!”

“Your magic moon is rising.” Umber sneered.

Silver spun faster.

Umber snored…

“Umber!” Buff shouted, “The moon is high. Where’s Silver?”

The spiders looked up.

Silver’s web had bridled the harvest moon! She ghosted across the sky in its wake.

At last she was off to see the world!

The Little Trick-Or-Treater

By in Children's, General, Halloweensie, Other Challenges, SCBWI, SLH, Writing

cat_n_pumpkin1

This year, I didn’t need any convincing to enter the 5th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest.

Working within the “weensie” constraints was a great experience for me last year. I had to give it a go again (and I couldn’t resist doing a quick little illustration for #Inktober 2015 as well).

As most of you know, I’m primarily an illustrator and have been spending most of my not-so-spare time this past year working up better illustration skills (my wee ones are still in preschool). Small writing challenges like this one give me exactly the right push to work on wordsmithing. Thank, again, Susanna Leonard Hill for hosting.

Here are the rules: Write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words), using the words costume, dark, and haunt.

She haunts the streets in search of treats.
Her costume is a jaunty bell.

Green eyes that sparkle in the dark,
The moon winks back and all is well.

She tumbles, nips, and almost trips
A witch, two pirates, and a mouse.  

They stroke her fur, laugh with her purr,
As they progress from house to house.

But one by one they have to run,
It will be bedtime all too soon.

Atop a Jack-O-Lantern’s back,
She mews, then howls up at the moon.

Edit 11/1/2015:
This happened again last night before the kids put on their costumes. Little Kiki, the neighbor’s cat, is the inspiration for this poem (and my son’s costume – he adores her). She has been coming to our door all week to for Halloween treats.

little_trickortreater

Edit 11/5/2015:

Doin’ the happy dance this morning! The winners are posted. I won an honorable mention again! That’s a Halloweensie two-for two for me.  And I’m listed first. I’ll totally take that.

A big THANK YOU to Susanna Leonard Hill for hosting this fantastic (and tough!) competition once again this year and making me believe I can write.

Congratulations to all the winners, my critique buddy, Johnelle DeWitt for placing as well for her super-creative main character, and to everyone who entered. Honestly, y’all are tough competition!

Kidlit Creature Week 2015: Meet The Pumpkin Poag

By in General, Halloweensie

poag_lo

I’ve just done my submission for the inaugural KIDLIT CREATURE WEEK, a free collaboration starting January 15.

And here we go. Ladies and gentlemen, your first glimpse of the Pumpkin Poag.

This little guy made his debut in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Halloweensie Contest this past October in my weensie story, “The Poag’s Revenge.” I had just thought him up as my entry for Kidlit Creature Week (which simply had a later submission deadline) and he’d insisted I write about him.

A little about Pumpkin Poags (Genus: Hobgoblin, Species: Pumpkin Poag):

Poags are related to Hobgoblins but generally live outdoors. They make their homes in pumpkins and gourds and might be found guarding pumpkin patches in the autumn. They prefer to live in the prettiest pumpkin in the patch. Be careful not to accidentally take that one home to carve into a jack-o-lantern.

Poags also differ a little in color and ear shape depending on where they live. For example, you might find a blue-eyed, white Poag living in a ghost pumpkin.

Poags can be playful, mischievous, and are often possessive. They enjoy crafting pleasant surprises and treats, but don’t upset them as they are very creative and often frightening tricksters.

And Starting January 15th, LET THE WILD RUMPUS BEGIN!
#KidLitCreatureWeek

The Poag’s Revenge

By in Children's, General, Halloweensie, Other Challenges, SCBWI, SLH, Writing

Thank you to Johnelle DeWitt for encouraging me to write something for the 4th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest.

Yes, I said writing contest.

As most of you know, I’m an illustrator but I would also like to write someday so I gave it a go. It’s the first work of fiction I’ve finished in close to 20 years (and the rest have never seen the light of day).

Here are the rules: Write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words), using the words pumpkin, broomstick, and creak.

Edit November 6th, 2014:

YIKES! I am doing the little happy dance and having a “Sally Field” moment here… My entry won an Honorable Mention! Motivation has been kick-started.

Thank you, Susanna Leonard Hill, for creating a lot of fun, inspiration, and camaraderie! And now, for giving me a good kick in the writing trousers.

Here is my entry:

 

The Poag’s Revenge

How the Pumpkin Poag took his revenge that howling night was frightening,

Swirling creaking, shrieking gales in streaks of greenish lightning.

As shingles, branches, baubles blew, we cowered in our room,

Certain our prized Jack-o-Lantern surely brought this doom.

Dragging rakes and broomsticks, creeping out at palest dawn,

We gazed upon the chaos littering the lawn.

Indeed, our gorgeous pumpkin was smashed across the ground,

And scrawled in dusty sidewalk chalk this angry screed we found:

“Next time you trespass in my patch for magic gourds to find,

My shimmering, dazzling, glimmering home, you had better leave behind!”

 

By the way, Mr. Poag should also be making a VISUAL appearance later this year… stay tuned.

 

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