Ear of frog and toe of newt! It’s finally time for . . .
The 6th Annual HALLOWEENSIE CONTEST!!!!!
aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!!!!
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. Your story can be scary, funny or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!) Get it? Halloweensie – because it’s not very long and it’s for little people 🙂 (And yes, I know 100 words is short but that’s part of the fun and the challenge! We got nearly 150 fantastic entries last year so I know you can do it!) Also, you may use the words in any form – e.g. moon, moons, mooned, spidery, ghostly, whathaveyou 🙂 No illustration notes please!
Post your story on your blog between right now this very second and Monday October 31st by 11:59 PM EDT and add your post-specific link to the list below. There will be no Perfect Picture Book post on Friday Oct. 28 so the post and the list of links will stay up all weekend for everyone to enjoy. If you don’t have a blog and would like to enter, you can simply copy and paste your entry in the comments section below. (Or, if you have difficulty with the comments, which unfortunately sometimes happens, you may email your entry to me and I’ll post it for you! Please place your entry in the body of the email – NO ATTACHMENTS!) P.S. Although I try to stay glued to my computer 24/7 I am sometimes forced to leave my desk. If you haven’t commented on my blog before, your comment won’t show up until I approve it. It may take a little while if I’m away from my desk. Likewise, if you send me an entry to post, I promise I will do it as soon as I can!
The Judging: in a grueling marathon over the following days, my lovely assistants and I will narrow down the entrants to 3 top choices (hee hee hee – you know how much trouble I have with only 3, so we’ll see) which will be posted here and voted on for a winner on Monday November 7th. The winner will be announced on either Wednesday November 9 or Thursday November 10. If we get more than 20 entries, I will post 6 finalists and give prizes for 1st through 3rd. If by some chance we get the kind of turn out we did last year, all bets are off. I may post as many as 10 finalists and I’ll probably end up giving everyone a prize 🙂 But we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it 🙂
Judging criteria will be as follows:
- 1. Kid-appeal! – These stories are intended for a young audience (ages 12 and under), so we’re looking for stories that children will enjoy and relate to.
- 2. Halloweeniness – the rules state a Halloween story, so it must be crystal clear that the story is about Halloween, not just some random spooky night.
- 3. Quality of story – entries must tell a story, including a main character of some kind and a true story arc even if it’s tiny 🙂 Entries must not be merely descriptions or mood pieces.
- 4. Quality of Writing: check your spelling, grammar, punctuation etc. If you’re going to rhyme, give us your best 🙂 Overall writing quality and use of language are also important.
- 5. Originality and creativity – because that is often what sets one story above another.
The Prizes:
– a Picture Book Manuscript Critique by wonderful editor Marilyn Brigham of Two Lions!!!
Marilyn Brigham
Marilyn Brigham edits picture books, chapter books, and middle grade for Two Lions, the children’s imprint at Amazon Publishing. Her recent titles include Go to School, Little Monster by Helen Ketteman, illustrated by Bonnie Leick and The Secret Knock Club: The Great Sleep-Under, by Louise Bonnett-Rampersaud, illustrated by Adam McHeffey. She is looking for commercial, character-driven picture books and chapter books; holiday picture books; and widely appealing, high-concept middle grade. She is not currently acquiring board books or nonfiction.
– a Picture Book Manuscript Critique by the fabulous agent Jodell Sadler of Sadler Children’s Literary Agency!!!
Jodell Sadler
– winner’s choice of a Picture Book Manuscript Critique or a 15-minute phone call for all your writerly questions from fantastic author Katy Duffield (LOUD LULA – Two Lions 2015, FARMER MCPEEPERS AND HIS MISSING MILK COWS – Cooper Square Publishing 2003, ALIENS GET THE SNIFFLES TOO – forthcoming from Candlewick, and many other titles)
Katy Duffield
– winner’s choice of a Picture Book Manuscript Critique or a Query Letter Critique from amazing author Dori Kleber (MORE-IGAMI, Candlewick 2016)
Dori Kleber
– a Picture Book Manuscript Critique from the awesome Vivian Kirkfield, author of the forthcoming SWEET DREAMS, SARAH – Creston Books, 2017) AND personalized signed copies of her wonderful books SHOW ME HOW and the LUCKY DRAW ANTHOLOGY.
Vivian Kirkfield
– a Bundle Of Books from KidLit411 (must be selected by someone in the USA due to postage) including:
Picture Books:
THEY ALL SAW A CAT by Brendan Wenzel
GOODNIGHT GOODNIGHT CONSTRUCTION SITE by Sherri Duskey Rinker
THE LITTLE MOUSE, THE RED RIPE STRAWBERRY AND THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR by Don and Audrey Wood
A MORNING WITH GRANDPA- Sylvia Liu
Middle Grade Books:
THE GEOGRAPHY OF YOU AND ME- Jennifer E. Smith
SUNNY SIDE UP Jennifer and Matthew Holm
IF YOU’RE READING THIS Trent Reedy
AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS Gennifer Choldenko
(What a totally awesome book bundle for writers, readers, parents, teachers, or gift-givers!!!)
– a 6 month subscription to One Stop For Writers (value $50)
– an e-pub or PDF copy (winner’s choice) of Linda Ashman‘s Nuts And Bolts Guide To Writing Picture Books.
– a personalized signed copy of THE PEDDLER’S BED by Lauri Fortino
– a personalized signed copy of GRIMELDA THE VERY MESSY WITCH by Diana Murray
Please join me again in thanking these very generous authors and other writing professionals for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books and services for holiday or other gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazon, B&N or anywhere else if you like them, or supporting them in any other way you can dream up 🙂
Now then. Time for my sample entry which I provide because I would never ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. Also, in case anyone is worried about the quality of their entry they have only to read my truly horrific attempt to be filled with confidence that their’s is MUCH better! I have to confess, I was really down to the wire this year (my schedule is a little bit nuts!), I have a deadline for tomorrow… which also means I may be a little behind getting started reading entries… just so you know… but I digress!
So, here goes nothing…!
Won’t You Come Into My Parlor…? (100 words)
The Halloweensie Spider was lonesome as could be.
“Nobody ever comes to visit me.
“I know!” she said. “I’ll plan a big to-do!”
So she sent out invitations to everyone she knew.
The Halloweensie Spider got ready for her guests.
Hot apple cider and candy treasure chests.
Games organized for lots of friendly fun
Like Pumpkin Golf, a Witch Ring Toss, and Find The Skeleton.
The Halloweensie Spider stood at her moonlit door
Greeting the witches, goblins, ghosts, and more.
“So glad you came!” she told them with a smile.
“Forgive my sticky floors, but I hoped you’d stay awhile!”
Everyone feeling better about their stories now? I should certainly HOPE so! 🙂
Also, this is so weird I just have to share it. I realized belatedly that totally by chance, my sample entry from last year also included the 3 words from this year. Look!
Halloween Surprise! (100 words)
Halloween. Trick-or-treat.
Spooky shadows. Darkened street.
Suddenly my brother, Jay,
Tugs my arm. “Let’s go this way!”
He pulls me off the beaten track,
Passes Old Man Clancy’s shack.
Creeping fog licks at our heels.
I don’t like the way this feels.
Something glides in silent flight,
Ghostly shapes against the night.
“Witches! Let’s go home!” I say.
“Owls. Let’s go on,” says Jay.
Spidered moonlight through the trees.
Heartbeat pounding. Shaky knees.
Up ahead this haunted night
Monsters dance by bonfire light!
Turning! Running!
Then, “SURPRISE!”
Costumed monsters end disguise.
Cake and presents, friends who say,
“Happy Halloween Birthday!”
How weird is that?! But I figured it would be cheating to use it again 🙂
I can’t wait to read all of your entries! I’m so looking forward to them! I hope there will be a lot – the more the merrier! And there are still nearly 5 days to write, so you have time if you haven’t written yet. Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well. And your reading friends – parents, teachers, etc. The more people who read and enjoy your stories, the better!!!
So! I don’t love this link system, but it’s all I have, so my apologies and do your best with it, and let’s hope it works!
Contest Entrants, remember to add your post-specific link to the linky list below so we can all come read your awesome stories! (Post-specific means not your main blog url, but the actual url of the post that has your story in it – otherwise if you post again before the contest ends, your link will take readers… and judges!… to the wrong place!)
Eager Readers – you ALSO need to click the “click here” to add your entry button on the linky list just to see the list of links. I apologize profusely for the inconvenience of not having the list visible right here on my site. But this, apparently, is wordpress…
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
Happy Writing and Happy Halloween!!! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
So fun! Good luck everyone. Can’t wait to read some of the stories.
Aren’t you and Cupcake entering a story, Genevieve???!!! 🙂
I haven’t totally ruled it out, but nothing yet….
Get Cupcake on the job – I’m sure she can help 🙂
It wouldn’t be the same without you, Genevieve! Give it a go🙂
Here is my entry for Halloweensie writing contest 2016 In name of Maggie Jeffrey
HALLOWEEN STORY
TRICK OR TREAT
Polly was excited on Hallowe’en. She loved dressing up, decorations, trick or treating, moonlight and the SCARINESS. She also loved playing tricks on her sister, Penny.
Tonight Polly had asked a boy from school to dress as a ghost and jump out. Then he would put his remote control spider in a bowl of sweets as Penny was about to take one.
However when he appeared Penny said ‘Hi Gavin, I saw your shoes’. Polly whispered to Gavin ‘Spider’s in the wrong bowl!’
As Polly reached to move it, it bit her. It was real, and poisonous.
TRICK OR TREAT.
It wouldn’t be the same without you, Genevieve! Give it a go 🙂
Oh my goodness, Lesley! What a spooky ending! I guess Polly got her payback! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Samantha Spider gazed at the moon, and the moon winked back.
“We should work together to reach the moon,” Samantha said.
The spiders wove wonderful webs, and used strong knots to lock them together.
The web grew larger, and LARGER, and L A R G E R.
Samantha lifted leg, after leg, after leg (all eight of them) to climb to the end of the web—where she landed on the roof of the mansion. She saw a sky full of ghosts and goblins, but she couldn’t reach the moon—until she hitched a ride on a witch’s broom.
Sherry, I love the cooperation the spiders display & the solution to Samantha’s quest. And well done for being the first story posted in the comments!
Thanks! It’s such fun to write these short challenges! And I love to write to constraints.
Cute! What a workout – huh?
Sherry, I love your story. So creative. Great job.
Thanks! Insomnia is the culprit. I thought I might as well post. I love these writing challenges for shorts!
Beautifully written Sherry.
Thanks, Marla!
Sherry, I love your story. But you will see why when you read mine. Just know that I wrote mine long before I read any posts today. I didn’t want you to think I got my idea from you. Great minds think alike. The similarities are uncanny!!! Happy Halloween!!
Lisa, That’s always so funny. Great minds!
Loved the moon winking 🙂
The moon winking is one of my favorite events in life. I grew up thinking that man spoke directly to me!
Nice job, Sherry. Great lesson on working together.
Love the ending, Sherry!
Great story, Sherry! I love the visuals in ‘used strong knots to lock them’ and ‘the moon winked back’. 🎃
What a beautiful image, Sherry – spiders all working together to create a web to the moon! Love the cooperation! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
I LOVE reading all of the stories – a definite Halloween treat (and tiny, so fewer calories!). Thank you Susanna!
Me too! I know there’s no way I be able to get to them all but will try my best. (Better than treats & low cal too)
Haha! You’re funny Patricia 🙂 I’m so glad you’re enjoying the stories – they’re great, aren’t they? Always so much fun!
I am so excited that Halloweensie is back that I have put the title of my post and not the title of my story on the Linky Tool link, i hope you can correct it Susanna… being so technically challenged I will post in comments to be sure.
Teensy-Weensy Witch Strikes Back! /99 words
By Julie Abery
A pale moon trembled on Halloween night,
The teensy-weensy witch danced jiggles of delight.
Jumping on her broomstick, scooping up her cat,
Sammy spider poised on her pointy purple hat.
“We need to fly faster” the giant spider cried.
“We need a rocket blaster” the teensy witch replied.
“Quickly, send a sticky web spinning way up high,
Catch those ghosties unaware, flying through the sky!”
“Nooooo” wailed the gooey ghosts wishing they had fled.
The witch and the spider gathered up the thread!
Tying a humungous bow, they hung them from the moon…
“Next Halloween can’t come too soon!”
Love it!
Thanks, Marla 🎃
Love it too!!!!
What an imaginative story – who knew you could string ghosts from the moon. Once the clouds clear, I’ll have to look to see if they’re still there!
…and did you spot those gooey ghosties, Patricia ? 🎃
Cute! I especially liked “danced jiggles of delight”. 🙂
Thanks, Becky! It was fun to write! 🎃
So cute!
Clever! :)!
Delightfully fun, Julie! “Pointy purple hat” is so fun to say 🙂 I love that the witch thinks they need a rocket blaster! And the idea of catching the ghosts and hanging them from the moon is original and evokes a wonderful image! Thanks so much for joining in the contest fun! (And now that I’ve actually had a minute to read your post, I’ll go check that link for you! 🙂 )
Say huh? Wha? Is it time already???? EGAD, MAN. I must be in th, th TWILIGHT ZONE (cue music).
Wishing I used those three little golden nuggets last time. MUST work on it. Sus, I am sharing this in Binders. BODACIOUS prizes from a bodaciously awesome, marvelously wonderful, Sus.
LOVE your story. MWAH!
I hear that music, Rob! Spooky! Thanks for sharing in Binders! And I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ENTRY (wink wink nudge nudge hint hint!) And thank you for loving my dreadful story – you’re too kind! 🙂 MWAH back atcha! 🙂
Thanks for hosting this contest! I had so much fun writing for it. What a great exercise – it really made me pour over each word and consider its value. Now, at the risk of staring at a typo for 4 days, I’m going to post early. Good luck everyone and I’m looking forward to reading all the stories!
Candy Korn
By Karen LaSalvia
“Now this is more like it,” said Rolo. “A bowl with a view!”
“No, it’s bad! I heard about this,” said Twizzler. “They call it… Halloween.”
“Sounds fun!” said Airhead.
“It’s a once-a-year candy MASSACRE, Airhead!” said Twizzler. “First, we’re moved to a bowl under the moon, then a bag decorated with ghosts and spiders, then there’s jiggling and jostling…”
“See? Sounds fun!” insisted Airhead.
“Shh!” said Rolo.
“One by one we disappear,” said Twizzler. “With only our clothes left behind!”
“Spooky!” said Rolo.
Twizzler continued, “It’ll be okay unless we hear…”
TRICK OR TREAT!
Love the candy talking — very clever 🙂
Talking candy-so funny! Great idea!
Oh I love this point of view – a great take on the Halloweensie theme.
Such a fun idea! Love it!
Super cute, Karen! 🎃
So clever! I especially love that they disappear with only their clothes left behind!
Love the candy’s perspective! SWEET!!!!
What a great idea, Karen! Love Halloween from the candy’s POV – very original! And such clever lines – like Twizzler calling Airhead Airhead when that meaning is so perfect and “one by one we disappear with only our clothes left behind” Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Oh my, thank you all for your lovely supportive comments! Really just made my week. 🙂
Oh boy…writing in rhyme…here goes…
Haunt the Vote (87 Words)
Attention! Election!
This Halloween night!
Under the moonlight
Come vote – it’s your right!
Spider or Ghost:
You must choose a side.
No third party choice
It’s one scary ride.
The issue at stake:
Salty or sweet?
It cannot be both.
You must choose one treat.
Spider liked salty:
Pretzel, popcorn or chip.
Especially if
It came with some dip.
Ghost liked sweets:
Chocolates and gummies.
“Who doesn’t?” Ghost thought,
“Maybe some mummies…?”
On Halloween night
– election disaster –
We wrote-in “Sour”
Now a pumpkin’s our master!
Love the originality! Well done.
Thank you so much! I had some serious writers block at first and then this just hit me. It was fun to write!
This is so clever! I laughed so hard at the end. Good job!
Yay, a laugh! That’s what I was hoping for so you made my day!
Hilarious!! Perfect for the times!!
Thank you so much! I thought maybe a lighthearted election spin might be good for everyone, haha!
How fun to connect Halloween and the Election! I love all the different ideas!
Thank you so much! Once I had the idea I was off running, haha! 🙂
So much fun! Loved it!
Thank you for your kind comment! 🙂
What an original, and timely, entry. What fun!
Thank you so much for your kind words! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Hahaha — such a funny, and timely, story. Love it!
Thank you so much Gabi! 🙂 It was fun to write once I got going!
Ha! This made me giggle. Great job!
Oh yay – hearing that folks are laughing is the best! Thank you!
Super clever how you packed all this into 87 words! Well done! 🎃
Thank you so much! 🙂
Hahahaha – clever!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Realized my name isn’t anywhere – I’m Lauren! 🙂
Hahaha! Very clever, Lauren! And loved the ending – you made me laugh 🙂 Thanks for joining in the contest fun with this creative entry!
Thanks so much Susanna! These contests are always such fun challenge, and it makes me happy to hear that I got a laugh!
Moon Spell
Hey, baboom, dadoom,
The witch and the broom,
The spider jumped over the moon;
The little ghost Oooed
To see such skill,
And the owl began softly to croon.
Hey, brickle, brackle,
The witch starts to cackle,
The spider webbed over the moon;
The little ghost gaped
To see such shade,
And the owl sang his Halloween tune.
Hey, goblin, squadron,
The witch and the cauldron,
The spider delivered the moon;
The little ghost rushed
To see the spell,
And the Owl hooted, “I’ll see you soon!”
Very nice!
Thank you!
Love your word choice!
Thank you!
Really enjoyed your poem & in awe at the many multi-syllable rhyming words you’ve used.
Thank you!
Great read-aloud fun!
Oh! I hope so! Thank you!
Such fun language!
Thanks!
Very nice! Love the title! 🎃
Thank you!
I’m bewitched!
Nice job, Rebecca! I like your play on the traditional nursery rhyme – very clever for Halloween! Favorite line: “the spider webbed over the moon” – nice! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Thank you! It was fun writing for it!
Thanks for hosting this contest! I had so much fun writing for it. What a great exercise – it really made me pour over each word and consider its value. Now, at the risk of staring at a typo for 4 days, I’m going to post early. Good luck everyone and I’m looking forward to reading all the stories!
Candy Korn
By Karen LaSalvia
“Now this is more like it,” said Rolo. “A bowl with a view!”
“No, it’s bad! I heard about this,” said Twizzler. “They call it… Halloween.”
“Sounds fun!” said Airhead.
“It’s a once-a-year candy MASSACRE, Airhead!” said Twizzler. “First, we’re moved to a bowl under the moon, then a bag decorated with ghosts and spiders, then there’s jiggling and jostling…”
“See? Sounds fun!” insisted Airhead.
“Shh!” said Rolo.
“One by one we disappear,” said Twizzler. “With only our clothes left behind!”
“Spooky!” said Rolo.
Twizzler continued, “It’ll be okay unless we hear…”
TRICK OR TREAT!
“Airhead”…Giggle giggle. Love that character! Cute story Karen.
Ha! Adorable idea!
Hesper’s Revenge (100 words) by Michele Blood
“Gotcha!” whooped the boot-wielding child.
One horrifying thwaaap later, Hesper was reduced to a stain in porch corner. There the ghost spider festered for 20 years hatching plans of revenge.
Hesper lay tomb-still as clowns, cowboys, and cops paraded through puddles of Halloween moonlight. Where was the barbarian? Had Hesper waited too long?
She recognized the brute instantly. Her hourglass tingled. The costumed fiend still wore boots. Now he carried a long, narrow wand, and sported a white jumpsuit with a diamond-shaped logo.
Frigid liquid streaked toward Hesper’s underbelly. A familiar voice announced, “Orkin man! I’ll start on the porch.”
Haha, the ending is great! Really enjoyed your entry!
Oh my! Hadn’t seen that one coming! Hope Hester survives!
I love the costume twist ending…and a ghost spider. Brilliant!
Very creative! I didn’t see that ending coming at all.
So funny! Spider ghost. Love it!
Oh my goodness, Michele! What a clever entry! Hesper’s personality comes through in spades! And I love the dark humor! Well done! 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the contest fun!
Thanks, all, for your kind comments. It was fun to write. I struggled with a name for the ghost spider character, and decided to use a derivation of a scientific name for a black widow species 🙂
Thanks, Susanna for sponsoring this contest. It made Halloween extra fun this year, and I’ve enjoyed reading the entries.
Great job all! Good luck to everyone who enters!
Thanks, Iza 🙂
You can find my story on the Linky Tools list! Look for THE HALLOWEEN MOON. Good luck to everyone. I will be reading the entries throughout the day and enjoying all of your creativity!
I’m a-comin’, Traci! I’ll make it over there eventually! Can’t wait to read it 🙂
Halloweensie!!!!! Hurray!!!!! Thank you so much, dear Susanna!!!! Your contest makes a fun holiday even better!
I’ll be posting my link tomorrow…can’t wait to read all the wonderful stories. 😉 And I LOVE yours…so clever. 🙂
I’m glad you’re excited, Vivian! I always so enjoy seeing all the creativity and talent, all the writerly support and camaraderie, it’s fun! Can’t wait to read yours!
ENTRY #1 POSTED FOR DAVE W
Lilly brought her warmed marshmallow towards the picnic table. She sat beside her grandfather and assembled her s’mores. Her grandfather gave a dark chuckle, “It’s a full moon tonight.”
Lilly knew the game he liked playing. “I’m too old for your Halloween ghost stories pappy.”
He chuckled again as he got up to leave. “Are you now?”
She nodded and then felt something tickle the back of her neck. Reaching behind she pushed away at what she thought was her pappy’s hand.
She felt nothing.
Working on her s’more again, she found a big hairy spider dangling from her hand.
This one gave me the shivers!
Ooh! Delightfully creepy, Dave! Imagine if the big hairy spider had ended up IN her s’more! ICK! Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
ENTRY #2 POSTED FOR DAVE W
It was Xavier’s first Halloween. Together they crossed the street to the McDermott’s house. Xavier had seen Mr. McDermott decorating the yard over the past several weeks. It was covered in ghosts and spiders. Now, basked in the full moon, it was scary different. Xavier’s hand held tight around his father’s thumb.
Xavier reached to push the doorbell but before he did, the door swung open. Out jumped a scary monster. Xavier’s father let out a pained yelp of his own. Then the monster pulled off the mask and there stood Mrs. McDermott with the smile of an angel.
Sounds like the McDermott’s go all out to create spooky Halloween fun for the neighbors 🙂 Thanks for joining in the contest, Dave!
ENTRY POSTED FOR SUSAN
SYLVIA’S BEST HALLOWEEN
By: Susan Schade
98 words
Sylvia loved Halloween. As the moon crept into the sky, she settled into her favorite windowsill spot. She wiggled and tapped all eight legs excitedly as she watched the costume extravaganza outside. Sylvia dreamed of dressing up.
Suddenly, she shrieked! She was not alone! She flew over fleshy fingers to escape the towering tissue above her. It landed on her head and she raced across the room. Sylvia swung to her web and the tissue floated to the floor.
The other spiders marveled, “Sylvia, you’re the best ghost we’ve ever seen!” Sylvia smiled. It was the best Halloween.
Cute idea!
Best Halloween because she got to “dress up” and because she didn’t get crushed by those fingers with the tissue!!! Narrow escape! 🙂 Thanks for a creative, nicely written entry, Susan – I love the image of the moon creeping into the sky! 🙂
Thank you for hosting this contest! It’s my first one and it was lots of fun and a little challenging! 100 words is not a lot of words — LOL Here is my entry for the contest! Submitted by Kathy Elstad.
A Little Erie Gift!
Ooooh! A creepy night — just right for the little band of ghosts to practice scaring for Halloween!
Out of the attic window, they flew down, down to the park. Boos and screams were heard and a little sniffle. A little sniffle? Little Boo sadly sat under a tree. A little spider dropped down and asked, “Learning to be scary?” “Yeh,” said Little Boo!
So Spider spun an unusual web all over Little Boo and off he flew by the light of the moon. An erie glow was seen and screams were heard — “Ahhhhhh!”
Hi Kathy, great job! Love the story! 🎃
Thank you for liking my story! Little Boo thanks you too!!!
Hi Kathy, thank you for entering! So exciting that this is your first time 🙂 And you’re right – 100 words is very challenging! 🙂 Love your cute story, and spider helping Little Boo find his scary 🙂
Excited to read as many as I can. Good luck to every participant!
I posted an ‘almost’ entry – 104 words, so I know it does not qualify, but I hope my adaptation will be something parents, teachers, storytime-tellers might like to use with toddlers too! Thanks for inspiring me, as always, Susanna!!!
I’m sure it’s fantastic, Julie! I can’t wait to read it! And maybe you can figure out a way to drop those 4 words before midnight on Halloween 🙂
ENTRY POSTED FOR ELEANOR
Sheryl twisted and turned in bed.
The full moon lit up her bedroom casting ghostly shadows against her bedroom wall.
“What was that?” she gasped.
Her eyes widened when she noticed a huge spider crawling down its web.
“Mom… help, there’s a bug in my bedroom!”
Sheryl’s mother swung the door open. She smiled when she saw the critter, and looked towards the window.
“You needn’t worry. Come and see for yourself. The moonlight reflected its shadow on the wall making it seem larger than it is in reality.”
It’s amazing how things can appear so much larger and scarier in shadow than in real life! Poor Sheryl! 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun, Eleanor!
ENTRY POSTED FOR ROBIN
What Should Witch be for Halloween
By Robin Brett Wechsler
(word count: 99)
The night before Halloween, Witch didn’t know what to be.
“What can I dress up as?” Witch wailed under the moonlight.
“We both have a green face,” said Frankenstein. “You be me, and I’ll be you.”
“Not a boy,” said Witch.
“At least clothes fit you!” said Skeleton.
“Can’t you cast a spell and be whatever?” said Ghost.
“Yes, but I can’t decide!” said Witch.
“A spider?” suggested Frankenstein.
“Too creepy!” said Witch.
“Mmm,” said Mummy.
“What?” asked Skeleton.
“Mmmee,” said Mummy.
“Me?” asked Ghost.
“ME!” said Witch. “He wants to be himself for Halloween! I’ll be myself too!”
Hi Robin! I laughed at Frankenstein’s idea. Nice job!
Great story, Robin! Love that Witch translates for Mummy! 🎃
Hahaha! I guess with that crew, no one really needs to do much dressing up for Halloween! 🙂 I like that Witch interprets for Mummy, but the ambiguity as to whether Mummy was saying “me” or actually suggesting Witch be a mummy… so that it’s really Witch who makes her own decision. Thanks so much for joining in the contest fun, Robin!
ENTRY POSTED FOR MARIA
The Treat Escape
(100 words)
by Maria Ordish
Moon slices an escape route through the Halloween mess…
“I can’t see!” moaned Ghost. “Icing has dripped into my eyes!”
“Your eyes are made of icing,” said Spider.
“If Janie comes in and eats us, I’ll crumble.”
“Perhaps the Gingerbread People have some advice. They hang on a tree
every year.”
“I don’t want to be stuck in a box for 11 months!”
“Let’s roll out the cat door…”
Moon beams his spotlight.
“Look Mama! Cookies!”
“They smell yummy, honey. Try one.”
“Noooo! They’ll sit on my shelf forever and ever.”
“Oh, look. Ghost’s eyes are all gooped with icing.”
“Told you.”
Like this idea….ask the ‘gingerbread people for advice’ – so funny! Well done! 🎃
Fun entry, Maria! Love asking the gingerbread people for advice 🙂 And the moon beaming his spotlight – nice! Thanks so much for joining in the contest!
Thank you for hosting this contest! It’s my first one! It was fun and a little challenging 🙂 100 words is not a lot of words — LOL Here is my entry for the contest. Submitted by Kathy Elstad.
A Little Erie Gift!
Ooooh! A creepy night — just right for the little band of ghosts to practice scaring for Halloween!
Out of the attic window, they flew down, down to the park. Boos and screams were heard and a little sniffle. A little sniffle? Little Boo sadly sat under a tree. A little spider dropped down and asked, “Learning to be scary?” “Yeh,” said Little Boo!
So Spider spun an unusual web all over Little Boo and off he flew by the light of the moon. An erie glow was seen and screams were heard — “Ahhhhhh!”
I’m thrilled that this was your first contest, Kathy! Yay you for entering! Love how Spider was wiling to help Little Boo. We all need practice to become good at what we want to do, and we can all use a little help! Thanks for a cute story and for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
It was so fun to be part of this contest! I have loved reading ALL these amazing stories! Wow! Look at what 3 little words help create!
Susanna, thank you so much for hosting this very fun contest! I am just beginning to think of myself as a writer so I have enjoyed reading all the stories submitted and I have learned so much from all the authors. I am also amazed at reading ALL the personal comments from you! Wow! That is dedication! Thank you, again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Kathy! And your story is cute! Keep up the good writing work 🙂
Mordecai Moon
by Kathryn Rammell
Mordecai Moon sat perched in the sky,
Waxing and waiting for Hallow’s Eve to roll by.
Doorsteps were haunted, dinner now sweets.
Kids transformed into monsters to pick up their treats.
But one group of teens thought ill of the night
And terrorized children, leaving more than just frights.
Until one bold ghost stood up to the bunch
And gave them a scare worth more than a punch.
Vampires, witches and spiders take note
From the clever pranks of this devilish ghost.
Mordecai Moon just laughed from his throne
And begged the brave child to leave them alone.
I’m glad someone stood up to the bullies, Kathryn! Thank goodness for the bold ghost 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Ok, my story sounds a lot like Sherry Howard’s. But I swear I wrote it yesterday before reading any of the posts today. Great minds and all that!! Happy Halloween!!
Spider’s Halloween Treat
“Mama, I want to go to the moon,” said Spider.
“Be home by 5. Tonight is Halloween!”
Spider spun a silky ladder. It took until noon to get to the oak tree.
He eyed the telephone pole.
That took until 2:15.
By 4:30 Spider had spun his way to the top of the tallest building in town.
A witch whooshed by on her broom and snagged his web. Up, up he swept, dangling from her broomstick, all the way to the moon and back. By 5 O’clock!
“Mama, I –“
“Perfect timing! Here’s your ghost costume!”
The same, but different! Wasn’t it fun to use the prompt words? Using times is a great technique. We were taught to use times as a constraint sometimes when writing fiction. It can get the creative juices flowing.
I guess it’s kind of the same, Lisa, but not really! It’s amazing how 3 words can produce 150 + different stories, and even when they’re vaguely similar in some way, they’re still unique! Funny – I almost wrote a story where spider dressed up as a ghost too! when I couldn’t get my rhyme scheme to work… but in the end I went with my original idea! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Yours is awesome, Susanna! 👍👻
Thank you, Catherine 🙂 You’re FAR too kind! 🙂
No just too FAR away. Would love to hang out with you
ENTRY POSTED FOR POLLY
Spider and Ghost at Halloween By Polly Owen (98 words)
Spider and Ghost, set out – unlike most,
to do a good deed for the day.
No trickle or treating,
Just welcoming greetings,
but still, people just ran away.
“Oh why don’t they like us?” Ghost said as he wailed,
the moon coming out, from a cloud.
They think that we’re scary,
and I am too hairy.
And some don’t like help. They’re just proud.
Then one little girl, skipped along and then fell.
They rushed to her aide like a pro.
She looked up and smiled,
to the screams of “That child!”
“We’re not helping vampires though!”
What a fun rhyme, Polly! And I like the twist at the end.
Fun story and rhyme, Polly – great to read aloud! – and I like the twist at the end! 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the contest fun! 🙂
ENTRY POSTED FOR CLAIRE
Spider’s Scary Night by Claire Bobrow
Wooooooo!
“Who’s there?” said Spider.
He trembled on his web.
Wooooooo!
“Who are you?” called Spider.
His 8 eyes looked this way and that.
Wooooooo!
“What do you want?” shrieked Spider.
He crept to the darkest corner of the web and hid.
But the moon rose.
And Spider shone like a black marble in a fishing net.
Wooooooo!
Spider ran.
Quick as lightening, he dropped from a silken thread…
And landed right on the head of a ghost,
Who blinked red eyes and moaned:
Wooooooo!
Spider fainted
Into the ghostly candy bowl
Left on the porch,
For Halloween.
Oh, my! Poor scared spider! Nicely done, Claire! I love how he trembles in his web – so perfect! – and how his 8 eyes looked this way and that, and how he looked like a black marble in a fishing net – great language! And I guess you have to faint, into the candy bowl is a good place to go 🙂 Thanks so much for joining the fun!
Thank you Susanna for hosting this Halloweenific contest and for arranging the fantastic prizes from: Marilyn Brigham of Two Lions, Jodell Sadler of Sadler Children’s Literary Agency, Katy Duffield. dori Kleber, Vivian Kirkfield, KidLit411, Brendan Wenzel, Sherri Duskey Rinker, Don & Audrey Wood, Sylvia Liu, Jennifer E. Smith, Jennifer & Matthew Holm. Trent Reedy, Gennifer Choldenko, Linda Ashman, Lauri Fortino and Diana Murray.
p.s. The challenge is so worth it!
You’re very welcome, Traci – it’s my pleasure! And the people who donate are so incredibly generous – especially the people I tag for prizes over and over! 🙂 Looking forward to reading your entry!
I’m so excited for Halloweensie! This is my favorite time of the year, not even my pile of grad school homework could keep me away. Thank you so much for hosting as usual. I’ll be posting tomorrow. Can’t wait to read all the fabulous entries.
So glad you’re excited, Jean! I always think it’s so much fun – so much talent, so many creative ideas! Looking forward to your entry! 🙂
I do have a blog, but would like to take advantage of entering by posting my entry here–this is so much fun!
Gregor the Ghost
Gregor the Ghost woke up late afternoon on Halloween, his very favorite day. He would walk along the streets and no one would be afraid! They would think he was just another child in a ghost costume! When the moon was high, he joined the crowds going from house to house for candy.
He noticed a girl dressed as a green and yellow spider all by herself.
“What’s wrong ?”
“No one wants to go with me. They say I’m too scary ”
Gregor laughed.”Spiders don’t scare me.”
Ghost and spider gathered candy together. Neither one scared the other!
How nice that Gregor could walk in the open without scaring anyone, AND get candy, AND befriend someone else who was too scary! Thanks for a fun entry, Joan!
Here is my entry. Thanks for the opportunity Susanna!
Spider-Ghost by Kelly Darke (100 words)
Ghosts love Halloween. They usually party all night, but not Moon. Moon sat home reading comics.
Moon’s friend Shadow rappelled from her web. “Ready to trick-or-treat?
“Have you looked outside?,” asked Moon. “There are spooky monsters everywhere!”
“You know you’re a ghost, right?” said Shadow.
“So,” said Moon.
“I’ll protect you,” offered Shadow.
“From mosquitoes, yes. Zombies, no.” Moon continued reading.
Shadow climbed to the ceiling. Minutes later, a magnificent web drifted down covering Moon.
“What’s this?,” asked Moon.
Shadow leaped onto Moon’s chest. “It’s our costume. We are… SPIDER-GHOST!”
“Cool!” Moon lit up. “Nobody spooks Spider-Ghost. Let’s go!”
Hahaha! Clever Spider! It pays to be innovative 🙂 I’m glad the two friends found a way to enjoy Halloween together! Thanks so much for a fun entry, Kelly!
INTO THE FOREST By Kirsten Bock
Into forest, dark and deep,
Hold your treasure tight and creep.
Creatures huddle, shadows black
Waiting for a sneak attack.
Skitter spiders, howling ghosts
Crunching leaves as dry as toast.
Full moon glares as bright as day,
Tries to snatch your prize away.
Turn the corner, almost there,
Over inky grass, you tear.
Through the door, now lock it tight.
Up the stairs and out of sight.
Take a breath, you’re safe and sound.
Not a ghoul or beast around.
Heartbeat wild and sweaty drip,
You wonder, was it worth the trip?
Tip your bag and smile because,
Yummy candy! ‘Course it was!
This is great! Love the ending!
Thanks!
As always, Kirsten, a well written entry with great rhyme and creative, evocative language. Love the ending 🙂 Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
ENTRY POSTED FOR LORRAINE
SPENCER SPIDER: MASTER SPINNER
By Lorraine Sharma Nelson
Spencer wanted to be the best web-spinning spider that ever lived. One day, while he was busy working as usual, he noticed the giants hanging strange things on the porch where he lived. One of those things was a fake spider web.
I can do better than that, Spencer thought. That night, while the full moon shone on the little ghosts and goblins wandering the neighborhood, Spencer set to work. Up and down and side to side, he spun, without stopping.
When he was done, everyone came to admire the silvery Halloween decoration gracing the front porch of the house.
Love that Spencer took on the challenge of making a REAL spider web, much better than the fake one! Good for him – and how amazing it must have looked! Thanks so much for joining in the contest fun, Lorraine!
This my first time posting although I have heard of your contest before. I love your blog Susanna. Here you go:
Halloween Toast
by Elizabeth Wilcox Saba
Witch stirred her cauldron in the chilly mist,
As the creatures of the night came to assist.
By the light of the moon Owl tossed in some mice,
That made the brew smell quite nice.
Spider added an apple core,
That made the brew bubble more.
Ghost and Goblin tried not to be hasty,
But they were restless for something tasty.
“Let it bubble, let it stew,
Let’s be patient for my brew.”
Witch sipped, “This is fine,
creatures of the night get in line.”
Spider, Owl, Goblin and Ghost,
Filled their cups for a Halloween toast!
Hi Elizabeth! Thank you for your kind words about my blog. I’m so glad you decided to enter the contest this year 🙂 And wow! Mice, apple cores, witch and goblin stew – what could be tastier?! I bet that toast was scrumptious 🙂 Thanks for joining in the fun!
GOOBER THE GHOST AND THE SCARIEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR
By Joni Klein-Higger
Goober winced at the moon. “Halloween.”
What frightened Goober wasn’t goblins. Witches. Certainly not ghosts…after all, he was one. No, it was those loud, horrible, sticky-fingered creatures.
“Trick or treat.”
“I was here first.”
“Give me that!”
With each year, they got worse…
And worse…
And worse.
Goober tried tricking them.
Scaring them away with spiders.
He even tried summoning his ghoulish friends for help.
Nothing worked!
“I’ll never have a happy Halloween again,” Goober cried. “BOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO.”
“What was that?” the children shrieked.
“Ghosts!”
“Ahhh!!”
“Run!”
“Ah.” Goober smiled at the moon. “Halloween.”
And he lived hauntingly…
Ever…
After.
I really liked your concept of having a ghost be afraid of trick-or-treaters:)
Thank you, Kelly!
Nice rule of threes and a great twist, Joni!
Nice job, Joni! I love that your ghost is afraid of trick-or-treaters and that you managed to get three attempts at solving the problem into 100 words! I also loved how he “winced” at the moon – what a great use of the word! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Such a fun contest, here is my entry.
The Sun’s Halloween Party
By Alice Caldwell
(100 words)
Everyone was excited about the Sun’s Halloween party. The Stars were going as a rock band. A satellite was going as a robot. Earth was going as a spider. And the Moon wasn’t going. He was scared of all things spooky. That is why he only comes out at night. In the dark he can’t see all the things that scare him. Earth got an idea. She found a large sheet and cut two holes in it, and tossed it over the Moon. Under the sheet it was dark, and the Moon felt safe partying in his great ghost costume.
What a clever and creative idea, Alice! Love that Sun has a Halloween Party and that all the space characters go dressed up! And how nice of Earth to find a costume for Moon that would allow him to feel safe so he could enjoy Halloween too! Nice job! Thanks so much for joining in the contest fun!
The Spiders who Stole Halloween (93 words)
By: Kristen Foote
“Halloween should be OUR night!
With 8 long legs, we’re BORN to fright!
While ghosts and witches stew hot liver,
WE make bearded grown men quiver!
Candy? WHAT?? How’s THAT a thing?
‘Cause sweets can’t scare, beware, or sting!
So coat the town with webs wove wide!
Don’t leave an inch of space to hide!
And while scared children trick-or-treat,
they’ll shriek, “AHHHH!!! SPIDERS rule this street!””
The moon danced through their webs, un-feared.
“How pretty!” trick-or-treaters cheered.
“Oh well. The costumed kids are right.
We have all year. Who needs one night?”
Clever! Love your last line:)
Thank you for taking the time to read my entry!!
I really enjoyed your entry, it almost read like a rap song lol. So very clever!
Thanks Jean! I appreciate it!
What a clever and well-written concept, Kristen! I love that the spiders feel they should own Halloween… but in the end realize that not only can they scare everyone (even bearded men!), they do it all the time and can let the ghosts etc. have one night! 🙂 Fun story, great thyme! Thanks for another fabulous Halloweensie Contest entry!
Aahhhrrroooooooo is right, Susanna Leonard Hill! What an amazing contest. I really enjoyed exercising my writing muscle on this one. Thanks for hosting and good luck everyone. It is always such a delight reading all the entries. Happy Halloweensie!!!! Here is my contribution below.
The Broom of All Brooms (100 words)
The moon shone bright this Halloween night.
All prepared for an evening of fright.
The squeaky black bats flapped and flew.
The eight-legged spiders spun up some goo.
Spooky white ghosts floated high in the sky.
Booing and hissing when tricksters strolled by.
Witchy witches were whining
because their brooms weren’t flying.
So all of the bats, the spiders and ghosts too,
Thought and thought about what to do.
The spiders spun a broom of all brooms,
With silky wings and floaty ghost things.
Now with the help of a favorite few,
The witchy witches flapped and they flew.
Great Halloween atmosphere, Tracy! And how nice that everyone got together to help the witches! 🙂 Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie fun, and so glad you’re enjoying reading all the entries! 🙂
Oh my goodness, Susanna, what an amazing response to your contest and so many fabulous entries! How are you ever going to choose? I wish you could compile them all in a book so everyone could continually revisit. I would love to read these to my class every Halloween. Thanks for all your time putting it together. I’m sure you and the judges will be agonizing over this one, in a fun Halloweensie way!
I agree! So many, so amazing!
ENTRY POSTED FOR KATHLEEN
Spiderling’s Ghost Moon
By Kathleen Mazurowski
Crisp air fluttered through golden and crimson leaves.
“It’s time for extra spinning. I’ve dreamt that my web was chosen for the Ghost Moon,” said Spiderling.
He checked his work. “A little sticky,” thought Spiderling and kept spinning.
“I need to tighten it,” said Spiderling.
Using his new spider skills, he kept spinning a ghostly pattern.
Witches gathered to select the best web for this year’s Ghost Moon.
“This one’s gooey,” said one witch.
“This one’s too droopy,” said another witch.
“This one shows advanced web-making skills,” said all the witches. “This year’s Ghost Moon web is Spiderling’s!”
Hurray for Spiderling! His hard work and attention to detail paid off! And what a pretty setting with the crips golden and crimson leaves 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the contest fun, Kathleen!
ENTRY POSTED FOR ANNE
Boo, You’re It by Anne Sawan
“Boo, you’re it!” said Ghost.
“No fair.” Grumbled Spider. “I can’t see you.”
“You’re right. I guess it’s no fun playing Halloween tag with a ghost.” Said Ghost.
“I forgot, it’s Halloween! Said Spider. “We get to make a wish on the moon tonight!”
Ghost looked up at the sky. “I wish I wasn’t invisible.” She said.
Spider began to spin. “Here, try this on.”
Ghost slipped into the silky threads. “I’m not invisible anymore! Thank you Spider for making my Halloween wish come true, but what did you wish for?”
Spider smiled and said, “Boo, you’re it!”
Anne what a wonderful entry! I loved it all…especially the ending!
Great story, Anne! 👻
What a cute story, Anne! Love the idea of “halloween tag”! Spider and Ghost’s personalities come through well. I like Spider’s inventive thinking to help her friend. And love the ending with it’s possible double meaning – not just that Ghost has to be “it” but that Ghost herself might have been the answer to Spider’s wish 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
ENTRY POSTED FOR CHARLOTTE
What Owl Didn’t Know
by Charlotte Sheer
©2016
Owl is heard, though rarely seen,
“Whoooooo will come out
for this year’s Halloween?”
Children in costumes, with masks on their eyes,
step into the dark, feeling brave in disguise.
“BOO!” they shout, attempting to scare,
while sights that are spooky
appear in the air.
Mysterious moon glows through mist and gray trees.
The whoosh and white billows of ghosts chase the breeze,
while crackling dead leaves in the air fly around,
and spider-like shadows are cast on the ground.
“Where are you going?” Owl hoots, swooping low,
“Home…because Trick-or-Treat Night’s tomorrow!”
What a fun entry, Charlotte! Poor Owl – I can relate! So easy to lose track of the days, especially if you’re looking forward to something and eager for it to arrive! Nice depiction of Halloween mood! Thanks so much for joining in the contest!