WOO-HOO! Let the joyous news be spread! It’s time for
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 not counting the title (aren’t I being generous?! 🙂 It can be as short as you like, but no more than 350!) Did the dog knock over the Christmas Tree? Did little Johnny’s costume get grape juice all over it moments before the holiday pageant? Did the menorah go missing? Did travel arrangements get snarled or miscommunicated? Did Santa’s sleigh have to make an emergency landing? The field is wide open! Have fun! (And because so many people have mentioned this, the story does not have to be funny! You can have a holiday mishap that is serious or sweet or mysterious… Please don’t feel that you have to go the humor route! Also, because a number of people have mentioned it this time, no art notes please.)
– A Picture Book Manuscript Read and Written Critique by Karen Boss, Editor at Charlesbridge!!! (Priceless!) Karen Boss is the editorial assistant at Charlesbridge Publishing in Watertown, MA. She has a master’s degree in children’s literature from Simmons College and is currently editing projects that range from picture books for younger readers to picture books for older readers to middle-grade novels, both fiction and nonfiction. (But let’s face it, folks! You’re getting YOUR picture book manuscript in front of an actual editor at a highly regarded publishing house! Who knows where that could lead?)
– A Gold Membership to Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 in 2014 (a $150 value)
Little GOLDen Book Membership includes:
- Full access (view and post) to the Main 12 x 12 Forum and Critique Connect (where you can find critique partners)
- Access to the members-only 12 x 12 Facebook Group
- Ability to view the Events, Member Books, Videos/Trailers and Help An Author Out (HAAO) sections of the 12 x 12 Forum
- Opportunity to win craft-related prizes from the monthly featured authors
- Full (view and post) access to the Events, Member Books, Video/Trailers and HAAO sections of the 12 x 12 Forum
- FULL (view and post) access to these additional sections of the 12 x 12 Forum: Query Corner (get feedback on your query letters), Pitch Perfect (get feedback on loglines and pitches), and Manuscript Makeover (get feedback on the first 250 words of your ms)
- Access to the Submission Station section of the 12 x 12 Forum, which will provide information about that month’s agent or editor and instructions on how to submit to him or her.
– 2 signed Picture Books by Linda Ashman – RAIN! and PEACE, BABY! (Keep for yourself or give as a holiday gift to a little person in your life :)) PLUS
a $25 Amazon Gift Card
– A Picture Book Manuscript Critique by Erin Molta Erin is an experienced senior editor of picture book, early readers, chapter, middle grade, and YA books, as well as novelty and licensed titles. She has been in childrens publishing for more than twenty years and has a keen understanding of early reader through YA audiences. She has an excellent reputation with established authors, illustrators, and agents.
– Enrollment in the Online Writing course Making Picture Book Magic in the month of your choice (a $99 value)
– A signed copy of TUGBOAT by Michael Garland (not even released yet!) AND
a signed copy of A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS by Julie Hedlund (Keep for yourself or give as a holiday gift to a little person in your life :)) PLUS
a $25 Amazon Gift Card
– A Picture Book Manuscript Critique from author/illustrator Sarah Frances Hardy, author and illustrator of PUZZLED BY PINK (Viking Juvenile, April 2012) and the forthcoming PAINT ME!. A great choice for someone who is both an author and an illustrator – and I know we have quite a few of those here 🙂
– 2014 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market by Chuck Sambuchino (your choice of paperback or Kindle edition)
– The Crock Of Charms Anthology – a three volume collection of stories for readers of all ages from writers all over the world including some you probably know 🙂 Robyn Campbell, Cheryl Secomb, Clarike Bowman-Jahn, Theresa Milstein, Lenny Lee, and me, to name a few 🙂
(Run your mouse over the prizes, books, authors, etc… most of them are links)
Wow! Let’s get the Holiday Party started! 🙂
Here is my sample… to prove that in can in fact be done… and because I wouldn’t ask you to do anything I won’t do myself… (But seriously, whose idea was 350 words? It’s cramping my style! :))
And away he flew in the red velvet suit he’s worn ever since.
So now! Everyone filled with confidence about their entries? I certainly hope so after that display! Never let it be said that I’m not willing to be a fool for my art 🙂
I can’t wait to read all of your (much better!) stories! I hope there will be a lot – the more the merrier! And there are still 4+ days to write, so you have time if you haven’t written yet and want to join the fun. Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well.
Remember to put your post-specific link (not your general blog link or people will find the wrong page if you post again before the contest is over) in the list below!
Don’t miss 38 entries in the comment section below (which thanks to Penny I’ve figured out how to link, so if you click on the person’s name it will take you directly to that story so you can read and comment… just give it a second to load 🙂 And this intelligence just in – if you’re trying to work these links on iPad or iPhone you will need the google Chrome app to get them to work – Safari won’t do it.)
Nancy – Toby’s Christmas: Ho Ho Ho Or No No No?
Suzy – Reindeer In The Eggnog
Mandy – One Squirrelly Christmas
Lakshmy – Santa’s Stocking
Kristen – The Great Christmas Morning Mix-Up
Teresa S – Always Ready Or Not
Michele – Santa Is Stuck
Kim – Popcorn For Santa On Christmas Eve
Ryan (Rino) – The Adventures Of Jonathan James
Alissa – Santa’s Stuck On the Toilet
Kirsten (not to be confused with Kristen above) – Blackout!
Karen – Santa’s New Toy-Making Machine
Anne – The Gingerbread House Disaster
Ann – The Christmas Present
Sue – Pup Unwrapped
Tim – O Deer
Diane – Frank’s Adventure With Santa And The Elves
Karen Z – Santa’s Snow Angel
Michelle S – Cookies For Papa Noel
Pat – Santa’s Paws
Vicki – Mrs. Claus Saves Christmas
Charlotte – Goldilocks’s Night Before Christmas
Susan – The Christmas Wagon
Pia – Santa Baby
Rachel – Fresh Frosting
Bonnie – The Sound And Smell Of Christmas
Martha – A Christmas Surprise
Patty – Santa’s Special Gift
Susan S – Snowman On A Roll
Kristen 2 – No Sleep For Santa (same author as The Great Christmas Morning Mix-Up above)
Debbie – Home For Christmas
Rita – George’s Christmas Present: A True Story
Sue – Blue Latkes And Salsa
Ruth – Santa Claus Has Lost His Voice
Heather – Behind Schedule
Morgan – A Brother For Christmas
Kelly – Happy Birthday Bambino
Kristen S – Dasher Does A Dash
Happy Writing and Happy Holiday Season!!! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Lovely poem, Vicki! Such a sweet Mrs. Claus.
Nice twist on Goldilocks, Charlotte! I adore a naughty heroine–and wonder exactly what Goldi left not quite right.
Such a lovely story, Susan! So sweet!
LOL, Pia! Nice use of Lewis Carroll–and Santa in PJ footies? Priceless.
Clever story, Rachel! Never considered the glue-y goodness of Colgate before!
Such lovely images, Bonnie!
A clever perspective, Martha! Never thought of Jack Frost and the North Wind! And my friend from Cali just marveled at our first snow.
Home For Christmas
Maddie chewed her lip as she stuck the needle through the puffy end of the last kernel
of popcorn.
Her cat, Stripes, sat at her feet and batted at the dangling end of the popcorn strand.
“No, Stripes,” she said. “This is for the tree.” Maddie hung the strand and then stepped back to admire her work. Perfect.
Next, Maddie poured out red and green gum drops into a pile on the dining room table. Her brother Alex wandered in.
“Gum dwop?” he said and stood on tiptoe to reach for one.
“Ok, but just one. I need them for the gingerbread house.” Maddie carefully outlined the roof and then stepped back to admire her work. Perfect.
Next, she got out frosting and sprinkles and decorated every star, tree, and candy cane cookie that she and Daddy had baked the night before. Her dog, Pekoe, stuck his nose up to the counter.
“Down, Pekoe! These aren’t for you,” she said. Maddie arranged the cookies on a plate and then stepped back to admire her work. Perfect.
She heard the front door open.
“Mama!” Maddie hugged her mom tightly. Mama was wearing the hat that Maddie had sent along with Daddy to the hospital.
“Come and see what I’ve done,” Maddie said and helped Mama walk into the living room. Oh no! Stripes was in the tree knocking the popcorn strands onto the floor.
“Come see the gingerbread house.” Maddie steered Mama into the dining room. Oh no! Alex was standing on a chair pulling gumdrops off the gingerbread roof one at a time. He smiled a gummy smile at Mama.
“How about a cookie, Mama?” Maddie led her into the kitchen.
Oh no! Pekoe had his paws up on the counter and was gobbling up all the sugar cookies.
Everything was ruined.
“Did you do all this for me?” Mama asked.
Maddie nodded. A tear slipped out and slid down her face.
“Don’t cry, Maddie. Everything’s perfect.” Mama smiled at Maddie and pulled her close.
And then everything was perfect once again.
Funny, and nice take on the tech, Patty! I and my flip phone applaud you!
Great poem, Susan, with such a nice flow! Love the “traveling snowman” bit too!
Such a sweet story, Debbie! I love your use of repetition… just..perfect!
Thank you Penny! I loved reading your entry as well 🙂 Happy Holidays!
Thanks Martha!!
So, last night my son snuck into
our bed and proceeded to snore so incredibly loud the ENTIRE night… I was irritated, and of course was wide awake so I had to write this story
….. 🙂
No Sleep for Santa
Two nights before Christmas, the gift-giving fest,
Santa had a routine for his last night of rest.
While sipping a warm mug of simmering milk,
he slipped on red P.J.s of finely spun silk.
He stretched out in bed, covers pulled to his nose.
As he started his slumber, a racket arose!
Were the elves using power tools this late at night?
Were the reindeer wrapped up in a Pay-Per-View fight?
Or maybe an earthquake – the floorboards were shaking.
Whatever the reason, his ears were left aching.
He turned to investigate. Could THIS be the cause?
That horrible noise was his wife, Mrs. Clause!
Her mouth halfway open and soundly asleep,
she snored like a wolf who inhaled a sheep.
It didn’t make sense how a person so small
could replicate sounds of a grizzly-bear call.
Santa elbowed her side with a gentle-ish nudge
jabbed her arm, poked her foot, but she just wouldn’t budge.
Now bored, wide awake, Santa typed an update
on his Facebook, “Is anyone else up this late?”
No comments were made, although one sheep clicked “Like”.
Apparently sheep and its friends were on strike.
It seemed that the whole world was happily sleeping,
while Santa was painfully pacing and creeping.
He finally gave up at the breaking of dawn.
Instead of some ZZZ’s, Santa bellowed a YAWWNNNN.
His eyes shot like daggers through Mrs. C’s head
when she asked, “My dear Santa, why weren’t you in bed?”
There was no time to waste though, with so much to do.
So he chased cappuccinos with cold Mountain Dew.
He hopped in his sleigh wearing only one boot,
forgetting to put on the pants of his suit.
In a half-woken haze, too exhausted to care,
he delivered the loot wearing red underwear.
He set auto-pilot and let the sleigh cruise.
Too bad there was no auto-Santa to use!
Finally back at the Pole, shoving open the door,
he searched for their list for the general-store.
He scribbled “For Santa:”, eyes red, cranky face,
writing next to it, “EARPLUGS! Two pairs…just in case.”
Eek – this posted twice – once as Guest?? I can't delete that one – Susanna – could you please delete that post? also, it wouldn't let me post it as it was written (hence the lines all weird in spacing). Oh well!! 🙂 Thanks!
No need to apologise for the word limit! It forced me to cut back… something I never thought I could do! Have you thought about publishing a book with all these wonderful stories? Think it could be a best seller!!! Actually, with 90 stories, it could be a couple of volumes!!!
Funny you should mention that! I think about making a book every time we have one of these contests because there are just so many wonderful stories, and it always makes me feel bad that they can't all win! But that would be a huge project that I don't think I have time for 🙂
Hmmm… They both look like they have your name to me… And I know – I hate when it does that. When I post for people I try to go through and fix everything but it's stupid! 🙂
This is fantastic, Kristen! So funny! And as someone who has done her fair share of gentlish nudging, arm jabbing and foot poking, not to mention rolling over, I can SO relate 🙂 It's amazing what inspires us, isn't it? At least while your son snored you got an excellent story out of it! 🙂
What a fun story, Patty! Very cute- sometimes I don't like my GPS either. Good luck! 🙂
I'm just going to put the link in the post to this one, so this will be the one people find!
Oh, Debbie! You made me all teary! What a sweet, sweet ending! Lovely job making us see how hard Maddie was trying to make everything perfect for Mama. And I'm so glad Mama came home for Christmas, because of course that would make everything perfect. Great job! Thanks so much for joining in the holiday writing fun!
Martha, what a great story! Very original! Lots of luck to you! 🙂
I know you will need to time to consider this… but … no – I will send you an email! Su
very sweet sentiment and nicely set in its era.
a light tale that includes generational and cultural elements in a fun way. nicely done.
Cute story! Kids always know what to do when Santa's involved!!!
I enjoyed the pace and the mixups 🙂 Lovely way to get people together 'ol Saint Nick.
now that was a delightful bit of modern fun. Grinning.
I love eggnog. I never think to make it in winter and it is almost always too hot to drink it here at Christmas. I should follow the reindeer' lead and swim in it. 😉
beautiful. well done
Bo is certainly adventurous. It seems you had fun coming up with this poem and creating all sorts of difficulties to help Bo appreciate what he already had.
an interesting surprise indeed. We might get 'snow in the south' here in Australia if the weather keeps cold. Can we blame your Jack Frost? Chuckle
I found this little modernisation quite delightful. Sometimes progress does not give forward momentum. I liked your description of Santa's maps. well done
very earthly imagery, I was transported to Bethlehem and the stables. Your poem is terrific
Onesies are making it even to the north pole. 🙂 cute premise Pia
what a terrific twist. well done Rachel
I do like your line “Be good,” Santa said, “but don’t lose that spunk.” . an interesting festive spin on Goldilocks. nicely done
of course who else could take over for Santa. Lovely Vicki.
I'm gonna check that out! 😉
a story filled with love is always a good story. well done Michelle
what an adventure for Santa. Snow angels and clues, storms and tension all in the space of a few short paragraphs. 🙂 a great little story
I am not a dog person but I smiled at Frank's adventures. lovely imagery bringing Frank to life in words.
it would be a delight to see what else could be done with O Deer. 🙂 a fun piece
chuckle. oops. That little pet owner has a challenge on their hands. Nice twist at the end. well done.
OH NO. a disaster nicely turned around. well done
BLUE LATKES and SALSA
By Sue Heavenrich
Papa pushed open the door and stomped the snow off his
boots. “Where’s mama?”
“She took some chicken soup over to the neighbor,” said David.
“She said she’d be right back,” said Mimi.
“She taped the latke recipe to the cupboard and left us in charge,” said Benji.
Papa looked out the window at the snow drifting down through the fading light. He looked at the clock. Then he looked at mama’s note. “If we want latkes for supper, we better get started.” He handed David a basket.
“We need potatoes and an onion…” said Papa. David clomped down the basement stairs.
“…an egg and a carrot…” Mimi began rummaging through the refrigerator.
“…and one half cup of matzo meal.” Papa gave Benji the tin measuring cup and sent him to the pantry.
David returned with four blue potatoes. “They’re all I could find,” he said.
Mimi placed a beet on the counter. “Mama put all the carrots in the soup,” she said.
Benji gave papa the tin cup half filled with coarse, yellow cornmeal. “I couldn’t reach anything else,” he said.
Together they peeled and grated and grated and peeled and
stirred everything into a big silver bowl. With a pat-pat, slap-sizzle, Papa tossed the latkes into the hot oil.
Just as Papa took the last latke out of the pan, then Mama walked through the door. “Do I smell latkes?”
“They’re kind of blue,” said David. Mama picked up a latke and smelled it.
“They’re kind of speckled,” said Mimi. Mama took a close look.
“They’re kind of crunchy,” said Benji. Mama broke one apart and tasted it.
The kitchen clock ticked.
It tocked.
“They’re perfect,” said Mama. “And I know just what to serve with them.” She opened the cupboard and pulled down a jar of her spiciest summer salsa.
what a sweet exchange and lovely images of the room through the wrapping paper. good job 🙂
What a sweet story, Ryan. Nice job.
Nice teamwork! Glad Santa got to continue on!