***FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE***
Sorry for the delay in posting finalists, everyone! So many great entries – it’s really hard to narrow the field and it’s taking us longer than expected. I will do my best to post them no later than Monday afternoon, sooner if I can. Thank you all so much for your patience, and have a great weekend!
Witch’s wart and wing of bat! It’s time for. . .
The 11th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest!!!

~ for children’s writers ~
THE CONTEST: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (children here defined as 12 and under) (title not included in word count) using the words glow-in-the-dark, goosebumps, and goodies.
- Your story can be poetry or prose, scary, funny, sweet, or anything in between, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words. Get it? Halloweensie – because it’s not very long and it’s for little people 😊
- You can go under the word count but not over!
- Title is not included in the word count.
- Also, being super clear for this year, glow-in-the-dark counts as 1 word (even though it looks like 4 😊)
- You may use the words in any form i.e. glowed-in-the-dark, goosebumpley, goody (“Oh, goody!”, goody-two-shoes etc.), whathaveyou 😊
- You are welcome to enter more than one entry – just remember you’ll be competing against yourself 😊
- No illustration notes please!
And yes, I know 100 words is short, but that’s part of the fun and the challenge! We got just shy of 300 fantastic entries last year, so I know you can do it!
POST: your story in the comment section below between right now this very second and Sunday October 31st at Midnight – the witching hour! Please include your title, word count, and byline with your entry so that if your posting handle is MomNeedsAVacation I’ll still be able to tell who wrote your entry 😊
- For those of you who would also like to post on your blogs, please feel free to do so! You are welcome to include the link to your blog with your entry in the comment section below so that people can come visit your blog, but all entries must be posted in the comment section of This Post between now and Sunday October 31st at Midnight.
- If you have difficulty posting your entry to the comments, which unfortunately sometimes happens, you may email your entry to me and I’ll post it for you! Contact button above or [susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com Please place your entry in the body of the email including your title and byline at the top – NO ATTACHMENTS! They will not be opened.
- I know how hard you all work on your entries, and how anxious you are to get them posted, but please try to be a little patient if your entry doesn’t show up immediately. Many comments have to be manually approved, and it sometimes takes me a little while to post entries that come in by email. I promise I will get to everything as soon as I can. I try never to leave my desk during contests, but sometimes it’s unavoidable 😊
- Side Note: WordPress will not properly format entries written in the shape of a pumpkin (or anything else!) or with fancy or colored fonts or unusual spacing. No matter how great it looks in whatever program you compose it in, be forewarned that when you post it in the comment section it is going to be basic and I am not able to change that for you, I’m afraid.
THE JUDGING: in a grueling marathon over the days following the contest close, my devoted assistants and I will read and re-read and narrow down the entries to a finalist field of about 12 which will be posted here for you to vote on I hope by Friday November 5th (though if the judging takes longer than expected it might be a little later – we will do our best!) The winner will be announced Monday November 8th (good lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise 😊)
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. Use of all 3 required words and whether you came it at 100 words or less.
- 4. 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.
- 5. Quality of Writing: check your spelling, grammar, punctuation etc. If you’re going to rhyme, give us your best 😊 Use and flow of language, correctness of mechanics, excellence of rhyme and meter if you use it, PROOFREADING!
- 6. Originality and creativity – because that is often what sets one story above another.
- 7. How well you followed the Submission Guidelines – agents and editors expect professionalism. This is a chance to practice making sure you read and follow specified guidelines. If you don’t follow agent and editor submission guidelines, they won’t even read your submission.
THE PRIZES: So amazing! What wonderful, generous people we have in our kidlit community! Just wait til you see what you can win!
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique by Dawn Young, author of THE NIGHT BAAFORE CHRISTMAS (WorthyKids, 2019), COUNTING ELEPHANTS (Running Press Kids, 2020), THE NIGHT BAAFORE EASTER (WorthyKids, 2021), THE NIGHT BAAFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL (WorthyKids, 2021), and the brand new ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS (WorthyKids, October 19, 2021)!

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (nonrhyming) by Janie Reinart, author of WHEN WATER MAKES MUD: A STORY OF REFUGEE CHILDREN (Blue Whale Press, 2021)

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (biography) by Lindsey McDivitt, author of NATURE’S FRIEND: THE GWEN FROSTIC STORY (Sleeping Bear Press, 2018), TRUTH AND HONOR: THE PRESIDENT FORD STORY (Sleeping Bear Press, 2020), and A PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE: NELSON MANDELA’S HOPE FOR HIS NATION (Eerdman’s Books For Young Readers, 2021)

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (rhyming or any) or First 10 Pages of a longer MS (winner’s choice) by Kenda Henthorn, author of the forthcoming BAA, BAA TAP SHEEP (Sleeping Bear Press, April 15, 2022)
Kenda works in the aviation industry now so it’s no surprise that her writing inspirations and aspirations are sky-high, too. She resides in Oklahoma and when the winds aren’t sweepin’ down the plains, Kenda enjoys acting, flying, kayaking and riding horses or her motorcycle. (Vroom-vroom!)She has served as a Regional Coordinator for the Oklahoma SCBWI and a Best in Rhyme Award committee member and judge.

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (rhyming or lyrical) by Randi Sonenshine, author of THE NEST THAT WREN BUILT (Candlewick March 2020) and the forthcoming THE LODGE THAT BEAVER BUILT (Candlewick Fall 2022)

⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique by Danielle Dufayet, author of YOU ARE YOUR STRONG (Magination Press, March 2019) and FANTASTIC YOU (Magination Press, September 2019)

⭐️ Storyboard Notebook – a great way to draft your picture books! PLUS a deck of What’s The Story Cards to inspire the drafts! PLUS the Making Picture Book Magic Self Study Course to help you craft your draft!

⭐️ Personalized signed copy of ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS by Dawn Young PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

⭐️ Personalized signed copy of BRANCHES OF HOPE: The 9/11 Survivor Tree by Ann Magee PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

⭐️ Personalized signed copy of MIMIC MAKERS: Biomimicry Inventors Inspired by Nature by Kristen Nordstrom PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

⭐️ Personalized signed copy of A PLAN FOR THE PEOPLE: Nelson Mandela’s Hope for His Nation by Lindsey McDivitt PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

⭐️ Personalized signed copy of THE NEST THAT WREN BUILT by Randi Sonenshine PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

⭐️ Personalized signed copy of 13 WAYS TO EAT A FLY by Sue Heavenrich PLUS your choice of one of the writing craft books listed below!

⭐️ Winners of the 6 signed picture books above may also receive their choice of any one of the following writing craft books to go along with their picture book:






Please join me 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 birthday, holiday or other gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazon, B&N, or anywhere else if you like them, recommending them for school and library visits, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊
Happy Writing! Happy Reading! And Happy Halloween!
Now, let the Halloweensie begin!
The 294 entries listed below are linked to where they appear in the comments so you can click on the titles and get right to them! (Assuming WordPress cooperates . . . fingers crossed!) Anyone who feels kind can start at the bottom of the list so those entries get some comments too! 🎃 😊
- Isolated For Halloween – S. J. Little
- A Halloween Time Machine – Sara Kruger
- Weather’s Trick, Witch’s Treat – Abby N. Wooldridge
- Halloween Is LIT! – Anne Lipton
- Kit’s Costume – Kari Ann Gonzalez
- Mean Halloween – Heather Ferranti Kinser
- A Witchy Switch – Katie Schwartz
- The Porchlight – Chris Garcia-Halenar
- Bruce Goose – Jessica Hinrichs
- Undersea Halloween – Vashti Verbowski
- Sweet Swap – Daniella Kaufman-Schloss
- The Halloween Witch – Trista Herring Baughman
- The Lonely Pumpkin Head – Elle Jaufret
- Hallows’ Eve – E. A. Peterson
- Whose Cat Is THAT? – Beth Stillborn
- This Pumpkin’s Not For Picking – Laura Howard
- The Jimjam – Carrie Karnes-Fannin
- Trick Likes Treats, But So Does Swoop – Melissa Valente
- The Haunted House High Up On The Hill – Sue Lancaster
- Tricked The Treats – Katie Fischer
- A Helpful Ghost – Emily Durant
- The Wraith On My Wrist or Ghostie Lost In City Mist – Sally Yorke-Viney
- Three Little Geese Do Halloween – Linda Williams Swanson
- A Glowing Solution – Nicole Loos Miller
- Warning: May Contain Sugar – Amy Leskowski
- How Hannah Saved Halloween – Colleen Murphy
- Double Meaning Halloween Knight – Debbie Meneses
- Untitled – Shariffa
- The Scavenger’s
FeastBall – Sarah Hetu-Radny - ‘Tis The Season, Candy Eaters – Hannah Roy LaGrone
- Greta’s Glow-In-The-Dark Goosebumps – Susan E. Schipper
- Bobbing For Apples – Lyn Jekowsky
- The Perfect Pumpkin – Barbara Kimmel
- No More Sugar! – Sarah K. Rose
- Fairy-Fire – Vanessa Konoval
- Creepy Cook-Off – Sarah Meade
- Macy & Lucy’s Halloween – Sarah Meade
- Ghostly Linens – Stephanie Maksymiw
- Happy HOWL-oween – Lindsey Hobson
- Three Glowing Bats – Sherry Roberts
- Halloween Family Secret – Jennifer Mary Grolemund
- A Sick Day – Jany Campana
- The Pied Pumpkin Of Halloween – Marta Cutler
- Creatures From The Couch – Julie Hansen
- Alligator The Ghost – Marta Cutler
- Goose-Zilla – Linda Staszak
- Welcome To The Skeleton Dance – Sue Heavenrich
- Teal Halloween – Kathleen Lowry
- The Gloves – Stephanie Rondeau
- Ghoulie Rulies – Brenda Whitehead
- Tricky Treaters – P. J. Purtee
- Garth’s Game Changer – Darcee A. Freier
- Nabbed! – Abby Voss
- The Wart-Covered Tree – Danielle Arndt
- The Last Fall Firefly – Meagan T. Gentry
- Who Cares If It’s Cold? – Allison Strick
- Glenda’s Goosebumps – Susan Burd
- The Candy Thief – Meagan T. Gentry
- Halloween Hero – Rose Cappelli
- The Halloween Ball – Marta Cutler
- Scary-Go-Round – Catherine Catcho
- The Scariest Monster – Marty McCormick Bellis
- Fright Night – Marty Findley
- Halloween Eve – Barbara Renner
- Wilbur Werewolf – Deb Buschman
- Teeny Owl’s Spooky Halloween – Janet Parkinson Bryce
- No Room For Monsters – Jill Stuck
- Ghost House – HC Morris
- Boogie Man’s Bright Idea – Jenn Shetsen Wierda
- Swamp Beast Falls For Sweets – Jilanne Hoffman
- Have You Seen My Monster – Alan Elliott
- Halloween Hang-Ups – Russell Wolff
- Mark Lights The Way – Karyn Curtis
- Halloween Pie – Jill Stuck
- The Costume – C. E. King
- I’m Coming To Get You – Pat Holloway
- The Frightmare – Linda Staszak
- Frankie & Gigi: Trick Or Feet – Kira Barrett
- Home For Halloween – Melissa Miles
- Not The Costume I Wanted – Michelle S. Kennedy
- Goosey Glender’s Fall Feast – Bartybear
- Halloween Scavenger Hunt – Denise Seidman
- Stink Fairy’s Hallo-smelly-ween – Stacey Miller
- Hallowmas – Danielle S. Hammelef
- Goosebumps For Mother Goose – Lynne Marie
- How Do You Tickle A Ghost? – Kizzi Hutcheson
- Dragon Magic – Melissa Rotert
- Gretyl Hobbled Into Halloween History – Royal Baysinger
- Shiver And Sugar! – Abby Voss
- Monster Feast – Abby Voss
- Are You Ready To Trick-Or-Treat? – Corine Timmer
- Christmas In October – Vanessa Konoval
- Spooky ABCs – Alan Elliott
- Dragon And Pirate’s Halloween – Alan Elliott
- Tiny’s Halloween Flight – Carolyn C. Snelling
- Rainbow Bridge – Corine Timmer
- Great-Aunt Broomhilda – Josh Cohen
- Cirque Fantome – Kizzi Hutcheson
- A Knock On The Door – Pamela Swanson
- Trick-Or-Treat Nightmare – Cindy Sommer
- Worth The Climb – Armineh Manookian
- Thank You, Trick-Or-Treaters! For Protecting Your Mother – Sharon McCarthy
- Beware, Out There – Julie Lerczak
- The Haunted Bathroom – Jill Lambert
- Plan Bee – Jenny Morales
- “BOO!”K Spooky Halloween – Laura N. Clement
- The Witch’s Mistake – Jennifer Kaap
- Itsy B. Spider – Molly Ippolito
- Too Many Goodies – Rachel Krackeler
- Ghostmetics – Rozana Rajkumari
- Santa’s Halloween – Jen MacGregor
- My Scariest Halloween Night – Les Degnan
- Winnie Trick-Or-Treats – Dorothy Kohrherr
- Camping Surprise – Meredith Flory
- Halloween Hunt – Mary Ann Featherston
- The Glow-In-The-Dark Bowl – Kathy Scott
- The Haunted House – Carmen Castillo Gilbert
- Once Upon A Halloween – Colourbeam
- A Witchy Potion – Susan Summers
- A Giant Surprise – Susan Summers
- Hollow-Eeek! – Karen Keesling
- Once Upon A Halloween – Nadia Ali
- Halloween Battle: (Vampire) Squid vs. (Goblin) Shark – Laura Bower
- Happy, Happy Halloween – Claire Freeland
- Mr. O’Leary’s House – Nina Nolan
- Phantom Festival – Lynn Moore
- The Surprise Halloween Friend – Cindy Greene
- Goosebumps – Amy Flynn
- Ninja Goose And The Halloween Hi-Yah! – Deborah Foster
- Tricky Treat – Patricia Nozell
- A Halloween Snack – Debra Daugherty
- Escaping Planet Taradiddle – Colleen Daugherty
- First Halloween Treat – Natalie Cohn
- My Last Trick-Or-Treat – Reed Hilton-Eddy
- Glowing Ghost – Lauri C. Meyers
- hALLYween SPELL – Paul Roncone
- Halloween Love – Marla Yablon
- Cockroach’s Glowing Problem – Lori Himmel
- Scaredy-Cat Pat And The Haunted House – Sara Dean
- Let The Real Halloween Begin! – Lori Evans
- Ixchel’s Belizean Halloween – Blanca Manzanilla
- Emy Is Always Right – Katharyn R. Benessa
- Tricky Treat – Ann Grilli
- Jack’s Pumpkin Plan – Diana Murrell
- Lights In The Dark – Ivanka Dimitrova
- Fraidy Cat No More – Jennifer Cherry
- Galactic Trick-Or-Treat – Tiffany Hanson
- My Ghost Bubble Friend – Sheila R. Schmotzer
- R-R-R-Rattled – Gennie Gorback
- Glow-In-The-Dark Goodies – Leslie Collins
- Moonlit Love – Liz Kehrli
- Un-Spooky Halloween – Krista Legge
- Stella Shines – Laura Barens
- Tabby The Trouble Maker – Dawn Renee Young
- The Nameless Ghoul – Imelda Taylor
- How The Jack-O-Lantern Found His Real Smile – Sheri Palmer
- Halloween Chase – Connie Newbauer
- Spidey Sparkles – Angelique Lamour
- Never Trick A Witch – Tiffany Hanson
- Halloween Monster – Tiffany Hanson
- The Halloween Sleepover – Kelsey E. Gross
- Goose Bumped – Jen Subra
- The Rock – Trista Herring Baughman
- Halloween Pumpkin – Shariffa
- A Tricky Tattoo – Gregory E. Bray
- Brave, Adalaide – Katie Walsh
- March Of The Skeletons – Jill Richards Proctor
- Little Night Terrors – Obbverse
- The Mansion On Maple – Glenda Roberson
- The Graveyard Picnic – Gabrielle Cardwell
- Halloween Heebie-Jeebies – Karen Pickrell
- A Few Of The Scariest Things: A Parody To The Tune Of My Favorite Things – Ingrid Boydston
- The Witch Of Jekyll Island – Shampa Enayet
- FEELINGUNSEENONHALLOWEEN – Nicola Beach
- Hank’s Halloween Costume? (A Riddle In A Story) – Ken Major
- All Hallow’s Eve – Stacey Miller
- Molly’s Ghost – Hobbo
- The Witch’s House – Emma Wood
- My Word – It’s Halloween! – Jamie Donahoe
- Switched On And Off – Diana Webb
- A Night With Gran – Diana Webb
- Boys Will Be Boys – Matt Snyder
- Flicker Of A Cat’s Tail – Jacqui Boulter
- Pumpkin Train – Kathy Raggio
- The Alien – M. Waknitz
- Jellyfish George’s Halloween – Scott Kinder
- Skeleton’s Halloween – M. Waknitz
- Twyla Z. Witch – Lori Dubbin
- Witch’s Brew – K. Sibilia
- It’s Halloween – Elizabeth Muster
- Capture The Goodies On Halloween – Ames Jegen (age 11)
- (Not) A Very Scary Story – Linda Staszak
- Halloween Helpers – Ellen Seal
- Halloween Warning – Stephanie Henson
- Leaping Lizards! – Sharon Match
- Graveyard Bully – Jean James
- The Greatest Night Of The Year – Krista Harrington
- Halloween Hide And Seek – Melissa Wrex
- Trick Or Treat Night – Emily Keifer
- Oscar’s Irresistible Brew – Lucretia Schafroth
- All Hallow’s Eve At The Roller Rink – Bonnie Kelso
- My Halloween Crew – Alana DeVito
- Post Halloween Goals – Amy Reitz
- The Card Game – Cathy Lee
- Quiet Night – Thelia Hutchinson
- Trick-Or-Treat, Night Animals!: A Halloween Story – Mary Catherine Amadu
- A Halloween Tail – Janice Kay
- An Inch – Susan Leigh Needham
- Underwater Halloween – Judy Sobanski
- The Lonely Scarecrow – Sarah Atherton
- The Little Witch – Deborah Hunt
- Waking The Dead – Nancy Derey Riley
- A Not-So-Sweet Halloween – Erika Romero
- It’s Halloween In Toothytown – Kristen Littlefield
- Until It’s Safe – Brittany Saulnier
- First Halloween – Karen deWilde
- You Are What You Eat – Alexa Tuttle
- Once Upon A Halloween – Carrie O’Leary
- Goodie Ghost’s Halloween Screams – KJ Albright
- A Bunny Can Dream – Becky Walker
- Ogre’s Halloween – Barbara DiMarco
- Monster Lipstick – Kathi Morrison-Taylor
- Ghoulies Grand Soiree – MaryAnn Cortez
- Haunting Gnomes – Lindsay Moretti
- Goosebumped Ghoul And Scattered Skeleton – Sarah Kohls Roberts
- Not This Time – Sandhya Acharya
- How To Sneak A Halloween Treat – Alicia Meyers
- I Wish. . . – Amy Duchene
- Bram’s Hunt – Michaela Almeida
- Terrific Toothpaste! – Heather Gallagher
- The After Party – Samantha Sinclair
- The Final Hour – Ashlee MacCallum
- Halloween Gala – Tonnye Williams Fletcher
- Halloween Bites – Melissa-Jane Nguyen
- Double, Double Toilet Trouble – Stephanie Amargi
- Henley’s Haunted House – Jeannette Suhr
- Disguise Surprise – Nancy Derey Riley
- Enough – David McMullin
- Witches Aren’t Supposed To Be Afraid Of The Dark – Ally Piper
- Frankenpixie – Paul Kurtz
- Scaredy-Monster – Paul Kurtz
- Halloween’s The Worst! – Donna Kurtz
- Bunny’s Bored! – Donna Kurtz
- The Goblin Market – Aly Kenna
- Wilfred The Wizard – Nicola Thackrey
- Halloweenie – Jana Mattern
- The Last House On Halloween – Bru Benson
- Ghostly, Ghastly, Goosebumps – Janet F. Smart
- Astronaut Aidan – Kaye Wright
- The Halloween Dare – Erin Cleary
- Dracula’s First Halloween – Eleanor Cullen
- Pumpkin Dawn – TSW Sharman
- A Southern Halloween – Trista Herring Baughman
- The Candy Monster – Judy Cooper
- The Halloween Potty – Andrew Hacket
- It Absolutely Will Be A Fine Night – Susan Krevat
- Halloween Goodies – Una Belle Townsend
- It’s Dark In Here – Sue Ko
- Eyelashes – Sue Ko
- Fall – Sue Ko
- Too Dark – Rae Harkness
- Boo – Mary Ann Napolitano
- Much Too Goody – Sarah Hawklyn
- Candy Surprise – Julianna Kurtz
- Halloween Surprise – Judy Egan
- Trick-Or-Treat At 20 Below – Matthew Lasley
- Gotcha! – Pat Finnegan
- The House Next Door – Aundra Tomlins
- No Grownups! – Penny McNally
- The Halloween Party – Claire Schlinkert
- Can We Please Skip The Costumes? – JC Kelly
- How Would She Know? – Meredith Adams
- The Day After Halloween – Haven Blough
- Brujita’s Treat – Desi Vee
- Spooky Investigates – Jessica Murray
- The Best Medicine – Becky Falkum
- You Ain’t Nothin’ But A Hot Dog – Joyce Schriebman
- Witches Holiday – Nadia Nakib
- Halloween Hocus Potion – Shelley Kinder
- Goats And Goblins – Briana Joy McCormick
- Next Halloween – JC Kelly
- Pirate’s Halloween – Marjorie David
- Silly Goose – Sarah Marhevsky
- All’s Fair In Spook And Scare – Patricia J. Weaver
- Smartie Treat – Steena Hernandez
- Haunted Hunt – Dea Brayden and Linsday Brayden Ellis
- The Glow-In-The-Dark Goodies – Christopher Singleton, Sr
- Witches Woods – Bevin Rolfs Spencer
- Invite A Witch To Your Halloween Party?! – Holly Vagley
- Pumpkin’s Halloween – Holly Vagley
- Halloween Moon – Martha Holguin
Glow-in-the-Dark Goodies
By Leslie Collins
Word count 97
Glow-in-the-dark Goodies
“Put some glow-in-the-dark tape on before you go trick or treating.”
“Okay,” said Kyle.
Outside Isabelle said, “I dare you to go to the scary house at the end of Pumpkin Street.”
“If you go too,” said Kyle.
Knocking at the scary house, they said, “Trick or treat.”
Suddenly Kyle said, “I forgot to put the tape on.”
“Do you mean glow-in-the-dark tape?” asked a voice at the door.
Kyle nodded.
“I have just the right goodies for you. Eat them now.”
As they left, Kyle said, “Isabelle you have goosebumps.”
Isabelle answered, “That’s because you’re glowing-in the-dark.”
Haha! Gotta wonder what the goodies looked like. Fun story and good luck!
I loved the dialogue in your story, especially the “I dare you . . . I’ll go if you go” sequence.
Glow in the dark gum drops would be a TRULY terrific Halloween treat!🎃
Moonlit Love
By Liz Kehrli 99 words
“I’ll never forget the first time we met,” he said, stroking the scar on her neck.
Goosebumps bloomed across her pale flesh.
“A Halloween night, like this,” she replied. “I was watching children trick-or-treating when a cool breeze beckoned. I turned and saw you glowing-in-the-dark, underneath the crescent moon.”
“Wolves were howling a harmony of mischief,” he said, eyes closed. “I chased you past countless monsters and witches carrying goodie bags.”
“Our first kiss took my breath away.” Her dark eyes smiled.
“Yes, it was certainly love at first…”
He leaned in, unable to resist any longer.
“… bite!”
First vampire story I’ve read. Nicely done. Good luck!
Hysterical! I loved this Halloween romance, especially when the “wolves were howling a harmony of mischief” AND, of course, the “love at first bite” play on words.
Wow! Vampire love in only 100 words! 🧡🎃
Both funny and romantic!
Un-Spooky Halloween
By Krista Legge
word count 93
Are you a scaredy cat?
A bone shaking skeleton?
A worried witch?
Do you get goosebumps by the slightest of breezes?
Then come to my Un-spooky Halloween party where all nervous creatures are welcome.
You will never find creepy, glow-in-th-dark eyes peering from the darkness.
The lights will be bright, not a shadowy corner in sight.
Grossed out by ooey, gooey goodies?
Only bright and colorful sweets can be found at my party.
So when you arrive, don’t worry about any tricks,
Just come right in and enjoy tranquil treats.
Happy Un-Spooky Halloween!
Sounds fun!
I would come to your Un-Spooky Halloween party! Too many scary things at once make me nervous. No frights in sight at this party! Very clever :).
I’d come to an unspooky Halloween party. Love the sweet, calm alternative to a scare affair party. Nice work!
I know many a child (and many adults) who would gladly forego all of the Halloween scares. I really liked how you wrote the invitation in a way that it almost sounded like an advertisement.
I would love a tranquil treat! 🧡
ENTRY POSTED FOR LAURA BARENS
Stella Shines
word count: 97
Day one of zoom school gave Stella goosebumps. She was a fledgling witch, and zoom school for witches was not held in front of a computer screen. Learning to fly a broom was required for young witches in order to ride in the annual Halloween parade. The fastest flyer would win a brand new glow-in-the-dark broom. After many scratches and scrapes, Stella had completed zoom school. The day of the final exam, Stella loaded up on goodies and soared successfully to a first place finish. On Halloween night, Stella shone as bright as her new glow-in-the-dark broom.
Love the twist on “zoom school.” Very sweet. Good luck!
I second that! Good luck to you.
Thanks!
I’m sure kids would love that play on words for zoom school being a place to learn how to zoom on a broom, and not a school with classes via Zoom.
Zoom school sounds cool! Fun story! 🎃
ENTRY POSTED FOR DAWN
TABBY THE TROUBLE MAKER
Dawn Renee Young
98 words
https://mrsgoodchoice.net
Trent was excited about the goodies he collected trick or treating. But he had an eerie feeling. Each step he took he sensed he was being watched.
Rounding the corner, a pair of green glow-in-the-dark eyes stared at him. Goosebumps raced up and down his arms.
Ignoring the eyes, he sprinted on to the next house. Suddenly, he felt something soft rub against his leg. A familiar MEOW sounded and KER-PLUNK!
The set of glow-in the-dark eyes peered over the side of his candy bucket.
It was Tabby his cat. Tabby had gotten into Trent’s glow-in-the-dark paint.
Tabby and Trent are so cute and relatable, especially Tabby’s green glow-in-the-dark eyes. Terrific, Dawn!
Cute! I like the KER-PLUNK and can just picture this.
Cute Dawn! I painted our office green this weekend. My dog then decided to scratch his side on the wall. Just like your cat.Well done!
Aww, Tabby just wanted to get in on the Halloween tricking. Cute story.
Your words created such a vivid picture in my mind – I can definitely see Tabby peering over the side of Trent’s candy bucket.
Super cute! 🎃
You capture the fun and fright of a Halloween night purr-fectly!
ENTRY POSTED FOR IMELDA
The Nameless Ghoul
By Imelda Taylor
Word Count: 100
A nameless ghoul once searched for a name.
While the rest got into mischief, dug graves, and feasted on bugs. He’d rather plant flowers and eat lettuce.
Scab-eater, Pus-licker or Worm-slurper, were great ghoulish names, but such names gave him goosebumps.
One Halloween night, he caught something moving and glowed-in-the-dark.
“Please don’t eat me,” it said.
“Don’t worry, I wasn’t going to,” said the ghoul.
“Thank you, I’m Glowria, the firefly. What’s your name?”
“I’m afraid I don’t have one.”
“You’re good for not eating me, so how about Goodie?”
And that’s how Goodie got his name and his friend.
Awww, so sweet!
Awww, what a sweet ghoul. Cute story!
Aww sweet Goodie! ❤
Very sweet. I wouldn’t like any of those ghoul names either! Glad he got to be Goodie! Good luck!
Oh, how I love origin stories, and how Goodie got his name was definitely a good one.
I like the name Glowria! 🎃
How Jack-o-lantern Found his Real Smile
By Sheri Palmer
Word Count: 99
Jack-o-lantern smiled but was not happy. He sat at the edge of the boat party and watched all the little witches and ghouls having fun. Eating goodies and dancing. He wished he could dance.
Bump!
Splash!
Jack-o-lantern had fallen into the sea. Cold, dark and covered in goosebumps he sank.
Then he saw them, creatures having their own party under the sea. They danced, swirled and glowed-in-the-dark just like he had. They called him to join them. A current caught him and swirled him into the party. Under the sea he could dance too. He smiled and was happy.
What a fun story. Glad Jack-o-lantern found a place he enjoyed. Sweet!
I immediately thought of the PB GIRAFFES CAN’T DANCE when I read your story – How nice that Jack found the element that was just right for dancing for him.
He found a place to dance! Love it! 🎃
Halloween Chase
Connie Newbauer
99 Words
I am being chased and I am alone.
In the dark and rain, I hear him behind me.
Running, running towards home, I can see my door: Just a few more doors to safety!
Raindrops slide down my eyes.
Cold Raindrops puddle inside my costume and give me goosebumps.
My glow-in-the-dark bracelets are now dark.
I’m terrified of what is following me. Faster, Faster I run.
Each step makes my heart beat harder.
I hear chains coming closer, closer!
Throwing my goodies, I fall upon my door.
He pounces!
I laugh.
It is my dog, Thor.
Ha! Great surprise ending!
My heart was thumping reading this. So relieved it was Thor. Good job building pace and suspense. And thanks for not having a creepy ending! Good luck!
Hahaha – I laughed, too, when I found out it was Thor, and not something more sinister, that was causing all that scary tension.
Oh, good old Thor! 🎃
SPIDEY SPARKLES
By Angelique Lamour
Spidey Sam awoke with goosebumps
All 8 legs were covered
Night was coming, ghosts arousing
Much to be discovered
Quick to work he spun his silk
Into a web like art
Lit up by the porch light, he was
Glowing-in-the-dark
Trick-or-treaters creeped up slowly
Mouths dropped open wide
“Gnarly cobweb!” “Freaky Spider!”
Sam felt warm with pride
Door flung open, witch stood cackling
Goodies now in sight
Sam for fun, then moved a bit
Off they screamed with fright
Smiling to himself,
Sam just loved this night
The one day of the year
He stepped into the light!
So very clever – and I say this as one who really does not like spiders around!
Spidey’s Sam’s story is delightful!
Glad Sam got to enjoy his day with such a spectacular display of webby fun. Nice!
I felt like I knew Sam by the end of your poem/story – It’s so nice to have your hard work appreciated – “Gnarly cobweb!” and “Freaky Spider!” are such awesome words of praise for Sams’ “web like art.”
I don’t love spiders but I enjoyed this! 🎃🧡
ENTRY POSTED FOR TIFFANY
Never Trick a Witch
By Tiffany Hanson
100 Words
This Halloween I was done with goodies. I was going to trick a witch.
I crept to the witch’s house and waited until she put her cat outside. Then I jumped out at her.
“Cauldrons and candy corn!” she shouted. She glared then beckoned me inside.
She pulled out a book and flipped through the pages. “Goosebumps, ghosts. Here it is, glow-in-the-dark spells.”
She pointed at me and said a spell. “There, now you’ll never sneak up on me again.”
My eyes widened as I looked down at my glowing green hands. Next year I think I’ll stick with treats.
Great title and story!
Creepy and fun. Good luck!
A good lesson for us all to never trick a witch! Good job!
Hahaha – Such a cute story and having the moral embedded in the title was very clever.
Creepy! Be careful who you trick! 🎃
ENTRY POSTED FOR TIFFANY
Halloween Monster
By Tiffany Hanson
93 Words
I have a Halloween monster,
To protect my treats.
All tricksters beware,
When roaming the streets.
My monster is sneaky and swift,
He comes out at night.
Dark like a shadow,
To give you a fright.
He has glow-in-the-dark green eyes,
To give you a pause.
Try not to get scratched,
By one of his claws.
He will defend all my goodies,
He won’t even care,
If you get goosebumps,
From his smooth black hair.
He’s real, so trespassers beware,
And don’t have a cow,
When he jumps and roars,
His fiercest “Meow!”
One of the best kinds of Halloween monsters!
Cute! That twist is perfect.
Love the fun ending. Love all the warnings to build suspense. Good job and good luck!
Love this story! And I wasn’t expecting a kitty!
Loved the surprise ending – I was never expecting a cat to be the monster; however, the language of the previous verses gave plenty of clues – Very clever!
Oohhhh! Great “monster”reveal! 🎃
THE HALLOWEEN SLEEPOVER
By Kelsey E. Gross
WC 100
Tony was enjoying every minute of Sam’s Halloween sleepover.
The group carved jack-o-lanterns,
went trick-or-treating,
and gobbled goodies.
Everything was great …
… until bedtime.
Sam flipped the light switch. “Ghost story time!”
Tony got goosebumps.
He darted into the hall.
Sam peeked out. “You’re scared of ghost stories?”
“No.” Tony gulped. “I … usually have a night light.”
“Oh,” said Sam.
“Maybe I’ll leave…”
“No!” Sam passed him a glow-in-the-dark dinosaur. “Use this!”
“Only LITTLE kids sleep with toys.”
Sam shrugged.
Tony paused … then smiled.
“It’s perfect. Thanks!”
He burst back in.
“BOO-RAWRR! Hear this scary story about T-Rex’s ghost!”
Yay! I love this sweet sleepover story, particularly Sam’s kindness and Tony’s creativity. Nicely done, Kelsey!
Very cute ending. I love kids’ imaginations! Great job nailing their personalities. Good luck!
Sam was so understanding – So nice to read a Halloween story with themes of empathy and friendship.
That sounds like such a fun sleep over! 🎃
GOOSE BUMPED
(WC 97)
By Jen Subra
Gary fluffed his feathers as he waddled home, and his nearly glow-in-the-dark, orange beak snipped and snapped at goose-goodies in the grass.
THWUMP! Another tumble, another bump. That makes six!
“These feet!” thought Gary grumpily. “How will I ever trick-or-treat with these giant, clumsy feet?”
Flustered and frustrated and feathers all askew, Gary thought about not trick-or- treating. But then, he had a brilliant idea. Excitedly, he tripped and tumbled all the way home.
At twilight his goose gang gathered dressed to trick-or-treat.
“Gary!” cried Ginger, “where’s your costume?”
Gary grinned. “This is it! I’m goose bumps!”
Cute! I like Gary’s smart solution.
Love, “Flustered and frustrated and feathers all askew . . .” I like Gary’s creative costume. Nice job!
Love all of the alliteration you embedded in your story – It makes it so much to read aloud.
Great use of word play! 🎃
The Rock
by Trista Herring Baughman
Word Count: 100
“Mom said to stay on our block, remember, Oscar?”
“You’re chicken.” I clucked at him.
Jeb followed reluctantly into the dim-lit park. He lugged his Halloween goodies. “What’s that?”
He pointed underneath the sliding board.
“It’s just a rock, see?” I picked it up. “It has glow-in-the-dark eyes painted on.”
The rock quivered; its eyes moved. I dropped it. “Let’s go.”
We raced home.
I gasped. Green eyes glared; gave me goosebumps. We tried to bury it, throw it into the lake…There was no escape.
But inside, we’re safe.
Oh no! The eyes! It can’t be! It’s here…Under my bed!
I wonder, should I have named it “It Came From Beneath the Slide”? I can’t decide.
Oooh, I like this! I do like your alt title, Trista. I can just picture the creepy rock showing up again and again. Nicely done.
Thanks, Sarah!
Even rocks can be scary! Good story.
Thaks! 😀
*Thanks 🙂
Oh no, now I won’t look under my bed for a good long time! Haha. Great spooky story for Halloween. Nice job!
Thanks, Nancy! 🙂
Lots of great lines in this spooky story – I especially liked: “You’re chicken.” I clucked at him.
Thanks, Patricia!
This would have scared the living daylights out of me as a kid! Well done! 🎃
ENTRY POSTED FOR SHARIFFA
Halloween Pumpkin
Off to carve pumpkins, I stealthily walked, knife in hand. Bag of goodies on my back Caught in the spidery web of the baobab. Ghastly shadows it cast sending goose bumps up my spine.
A hand reached our furry, dark. Snatched my knife, I am unarmed. I froze.
The Colobus monkey crept away. I sighed
Nice suspense and spookiness. I like the twist at the end. Nice.
“Baobab” and “Colobus monkey” sent me straight to the internet to double check where this tree and monkey were found in the world – What a unique setting for your scary tale!
Spooky. I especially liked “ghastly shadows”. 🙂
How exotic! 🎃
A Tricky Tattoo
By Gregory E Bray
(100 words)
Going through my Halloween goodies, there is a bag with a goosebumps glow-in-the-dark temporary tattoo and a piece of algae green candy that smells like sweaty socks. I know it’s from Mr. Wonkers. He gives the worst treats so he gets our best tricks. “The candy will stop the spread!” is written on the back of the tattoo. I toss the candy in the garbage and put the tattoo on. The glowing goosebumps spread all over my body! I dive into the garbage and retrieve the candy. It’s disgusting but the goosebumps go away. You won this year Mr. Wonkers!
Creative and creepy!
Hey Greg,
Glad to see you entered the contest.Good luck.Funny story, nasty candy! What’s Wonkers first name, Willy? 🙂
Thank you, Sarah.
@KMAJOR23 It’s actually Billy, Willy’s long lost cousin. 😉
Haha! Fun story and I’m glad the goosebumps came with an antidote, even if it was disgusting! Good luck!
Thank you, Nancy.
I love how that closing line ties such a perfect knot around the year-to-year rivalry between Mr. Wonkers and the tricksters.
Thank you, Patricia.
Icky, creepy and spooky! Good job 🎃
Brave, Adalaide
By Katie Walsh
100-words
At the tippy-top of a mountain
where the full moon glistens,
lives a witch named Adalaide.
All day, Adalaide whooshes around on her broom.
But when night looms and witches take flight, Adalaide hides inside.
“It’s dark and spooky.” Goosebumps dot her arms. “I wish I were brave.”
Meow!
Adalaide dashes to the window.
“Oh no!” A kitten clings to a branch.
Night’s dark! And spooky!
MeOW!
Adalaide mixes goodies into her cauldron.
“Worries, worries, go away.
I am feeling brave today.”
Kaboom!
“A glow-in-the-dark broom! Here I come, kitty!”
Under the glistening moon,
flies a brave witch named Adalaide
Awww!
This is absolutely adorable. I can see Brave Adalaide as a picture book!
Aww, thank you!
I love a witch with a kind heart, and your message how the kitty rescue motivates her to overcome her fear!
Thanks, Kathi!
Love the title and such a sweet story. I’m glad she was brave. Nice job!
Thank you!
Such a sweet story, and I like how the glistening moon in the closing of the story echoed back to the full moon glistening in the story opening.
Brave Adelaide, Kitten Saver!
MARCH OF THE SKELETONS
by Jill Richards Proctor
73 Words
The march of the skeletons
clattered its way
down my drive, to my room,
by the bed where I lay.
They cackled like witches
and filled me with fright.
“Go Home! You are spoiling
my Halloween night.”
Their bones clacked and rattled.
They glowed in the dark.
I trembled with goosebumps . . .
then woke with a start.
Torn wrappers from goodies
lay heaped on the floor.
I wriggled in pain.
Trick or treat . . . nevermore!
This is great, Jill! Strong beginning, middle, and end. Not to mention, a delight to read. Way to go!
I love this Jill! So much fun to read aloud and a great ending!
This is great! I had a dream like that once! lol
Creepy fun! I love your word choices throughout.
Ha ha!! Too much candy? But all will be forgotten by next Halloween, for sure. Good job Jill.
A sugar-enduced nightmare…hilarious! Love it, Jill!
Haha! Oh the woes of too much candy on Halloween night. Great word choices and rhyme. Love “nevermore!” Good luck!
I love this story! Great job Jill!!
Your story/poem was such a pleasure to read aloud, and I especially liked your closing line “Trick or treat . . . nevermore!”
Never more! Great ending! 🎃
Little Night Terrors. (One for the older youngsters.) Obbverse (100 words)
‘At last it’s Halloween!
Now we’re gonna hit the streets,
A scarier group you’ve never seen
And we’re a’coming for your treats.’
There’re twenty munchkins or more
Gathered ‘neath the Town Hall light,
They’ll soon be rapping at my door,
‘Ah, the children of the night!’
See how my heart jumps
When forty glow-in-the-dark hungry eyes
Leave me with goosebumps,
Hoping my goody bag is of a goodly size.
All candies consumed, kiddies fade away
Leaving this relieved look on my face,
It’s my treat, pitching in my last Pay Day,
A worthwhile trick; if they don’t egg my place.
Fun!
You captured all adults worries on Halloween night! Good job!
You did such a great job building up the tension as the 20 tricksters with 40 glow-in-the-dark eyes were approaching that it’s not at all hard to imagine the sense of relief that comes as they “fade away.”
Nice twist! 🎃
The Mansion on Maple (100 words)
by Glenda Roberson
“No way!” said Chance, eying the crumbling mansion.
“Come on!” said Harry and Hazel.
“Nope!”
“Scary is fun,” said Hazel.
“You go. I’ll watch.”
Twin glow-in-the-dark skeletons scurried toward the door. Chance got goosebumply and peeked between his fingers.
Harry tugged the rope by the massive door, and organ music played a song fit for a funeral.
A shadowy figure scuttled by a window. The door creaked open . . . something snatched their pillowcase!
Chance screamed into his sweaty hand.
“Chance! She filled our entire pillowcase.”
“But, with what?” Chance whispered. “There’s something red dripping out . . . and it’s definitely NOT goodies! RUN!”
A spooky mansion. Love the doorbell!
Thanks so much!
So creepy and so fun! Love the ending, too. “RUN!”
Thanks so much, Sarah!
Yikes, pillowcases dripping red! Time to run for sure! Nicely done.
Thanks, Nancy!
Your title reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode so I was immediately pulled in. Spooky and creepy – just right for Halloween!
Thank you so much!
What a fun doorbell that would be to have for Halloween!
Spooky, yes! Thank you.
A truly scary story for Halloween! You ratchet up the tension and suspense so skillfully, and your descriptive language is a delight.(I especially love “A shadowy figure scuttled by a window.”) It’s amazing how you give the characters so much personality in so few words!
Thank you, Anne. I always appreciate your kind words!
Great creepy ending!
Thanks so much, Ingrid!
The Graveyard Picnic
by Gabrielle Cardwell
89 words
Gertie the Ghost’s on her way to a date—
a picnic by gravestone— but Gertie is late.
It’s taken her ages to choose what to wear,
and paint on her makeup and fix up her hair.
Her eerie white gown seems to glow-in-the-dark.
She hopes he’s still there as she floats through the park.
And there on a rug amongst stones of the dead
he’s laid out his goodies, the ghostliest spread.
He smiles. She gets goosebumps. Her head’s feeling light.
Love’s in the air on this Halloween night.
How romantic! I love the line,
“Her eerie white gown seems to glow in the dark.” Just beautiful.
Romantic and creepy! Love it.
I love this. So spooky and delightful 🙂
Nicely done and very unique! 🧡🧡
Nice work! The rhyme is well done.
Aww, a ghostly love story! This made me smile. Well done, Gabrielle!
Sweet, spooky love! Thanks for sharing
This is so sweet . . . for a ghost love story! Your rhyme is done well and love your word choices. Great job!
Awww! This is such a sweet story! I love it!
Sounds like a romance made for the Addams Family – This story/poem was fun to read:-)
Your cleverly written gothic poem—with its lovely, lighthearted sense of humor—is a delectable Halloween treat!
Halloween Heebie-Jeebies
By Karen Pickrell
(98 words)
Mama thinks trick-or-treating is a bad idea.
“Why bother teaching our kids safety tips?” she said. “Never talk to strangers. Never take candy from strangers. Never cross the street at night … except on Halloween.”
But dad said, “Just think of it as dress up day.”
So we donned our costumes.
Mama covered us with glow-in-the-dark strips.
“Oh, goody, goody,” my little sister said. “We get candy.”
I knocked on the first door. Frankenstein answered.
Gulp. I got goosebumps.
Then he reached into a cauldron and handed me an eyeball.
And now I’m totally convinced mama was right.
Cute! I love the title, and I do see where Mama is coming from. 🙂
Thank you, Sarah!
Good point! That’s funny! 😱😂
Thank you!
Haha! Mama is always right! Fun and slightly creepy! Good job!
Thank you!
Ugh! Talk about a treat that you don’t want to find in your goody bag . . . I liked the way you showed it would have been better to listen to Mama.
Thank you!
So cute, your last line was perfect, I was laughing out loud! Good job, and good luck!
A Few of the Scariest Things: A Parody to the tune of My Favorite Things
By Ingrid Boydston
83 Words
Witches on broomsticks and vampires flying,
Frankenstein monsters and zombies not dying,
Ogres and aliens, all ghastly green!
I’m getting goosebumps ‘cause it’s Halloween!
Halloween night doesn’t make me feel merry.
Walking around in the dark is too scary.
Glow in the dark, that’s what I need to be.
Trick or treat goodies would all be for me!
Hey I’ve got it!
I could light up….
I know what I’ll be!
Bright lights and some tinsel, a glittering star!
A Halloween Christmas Tree!
This is wonderful! Flows very nicely to the tune. 😀
Thank you!😊
Thank you! 🎼🧡
Those zombies just don’t want to die, do they. Not everyone likes Halloween you know. Can’t wait for Christmas 🎄 A creative entry. Love the parody! I tried singing it!
Thanks Corine! 🧡
I LOVE this! I enjoyed singing it and imagining it. This is so much fun with a sweet and creative ending.
Thank you!😊 Unfo
…unfortunately I can’t seem to stop singing it now. 😂
Love it! It’s got such a great flow to it.
Thanks Josh!
Very well done
Thank you Carrie. 😊
This is so fun! I enjoyed singing it, and it goes along to the rhythm of the song perfectly. Well done!
Thanks so much! I had to work out the meter on the original to make sure mine matched. 😊
I love your mashup, Ingrid! Have a Merry Halloween!
It was unintentional. I’d been thinking about the 3 words for days and…nuthin! Then we watched Sound of Music for the umpteenth time and it hit me all at once. Thanks and you too!
I loved the Sound of Music. Crossing my fingers for you.
Adorable! Similar to my method and my feelings about goosebumpy things 🙂
Thanks Hannah! 🧡
Love it! Nicely done. Good luck!
Thank you Nancy! I’m happy you like it. 🧡
So clever! I was singing at my computer. Great job
Thank you Kathleen! 🧡
This is so lovely, I had fun singing along to it. It’s perfect! 💖
Yay! Mission accomplished, thank you! 🎃
Very fun! Love the idea of a Halloween Christmas tree!
It made me giggle, I’m glad you liked it too! 🧡
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for checking out my story. Good luck in the contest. So any guess as to what Hank’s costume was?
Oops. Just ignore that previous comment, Ingrid. I enjoyed your sing-songy story very much.
Ken
No worries, it’s so easy to make that mistake. 😁
Wow! So clever and well done. Congrats!
Thank you Barbara! 🎃
Wow great job!!! I’ve been singing it..even though I am not the greatest singer lol!
That’s the joy of parodies! Glad you like it! 🎃
Best glow-in-the-dark object yet:-)
My singing voice is terrifying, and I think your Halloween version of My Favorite Things might be just the thing for me to perform for Halloween – What a fun take on that well-known tune!
Oh, I hope you did sing it! Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm! 🧡🎃
I had the song My Favorite Things in my head while reading this. Good luck!
It’s now been in my head for weeks, lol! Thank you🧡🎃!
Wow, very nicely done. Love the “zombies not dying” line!
I had fun with that, thank you! 🎃🧡
Excellent job! You nailed the meter, kept the delightful feel of the original song, and it worked perfectly for the revelatory ending.
Thanks so much! I tried my best. 🎃🧡
I’m fave-ing your entry, Ingrid. Simply delightful from start to finish, and I love the dazzling twist ending!
Wow, thank you Anne! 🥰
The Witch of Jekyll Island
by Shampa Enayet
100 words
I run, lost in the Tweens-n-Tots Twisted Corn Maze. Towering stalks strangle the path behind me.
“Mom? Dad?”
“Go home, Kat” they holler stiffly.
Scarecrow witches glow-in-the-dark, walking. Long fingers grab my cold-blooded, goosebumpy arm, dragging me across desolate cornfield.
“To the coven,” a witch croaks.
We fly into Spanish moss swaying through giant oaks in lazy southern wind. The hotel, a white mansion where the Rockefellers holidayed, where my parents once honeymooned, fades in waning moonlight. My skin greens like my real mother’s. She cackles, “Goodies for you!”
I’m Kat Kraven, Witch of Jekyll Island. For Halloween. Forever. Missing.
Ooooh, this intrigued me! I was in Jekyll Island with my family just last weekend. Love the “Spanish moss swaying through giant oaks in lazy southern winds”. This is creepy and compelling, and I wanted to read more!
This is creepy fun!
Oooh, this could be the start of a creepy middle grade novel. Keep going. Love it!
That’s quite a goosebump-inducing setting you crafted with your words, and I think that Kat Kraven is a perfect name for a witch.
A spooky and inventive Halloween tale that leaves me craving more!
F E E L I N G U N S E E N O N H A L L O W E E N
by Nicola Beach
100 words
Gogo is sad. “Invisible ghosts are not scary. I am a nobody!”
“Ghosts do not have bodies. You ARE a no-body,” cackles Hexie the witch.
“My wish this Halloween is to be seen.”
“Sadly, my magic does not work on ghosts. Perhaps there is another way?” Hexie goes shopping and buys; a sheet, glow-in-the-dark paint and goodies.
She pours the paint into her cauldron. Next, she stirs in the sheet.
After dark, floating under his glowing sheet, Gogo terrifies every trick-or-treater. Boo!
At midnight, Gogo and Hexie scoff the uncollected goodies. “I have happy goosebumps. Thanks, Hexie. Best Halloween… EVER!”
Fun! Love the names Gogo and Hexie, as well as the creative solution and adorable ending image.
That’s fun irony- the ghost has to don a costume to enjoy Halloween! 🎃 👻
Aww, happy goosebumps–that’s sweet. Hexie is a good friend.
Aww, so glad that Gogo has a friend like Hexie. Nicely done!
This ghostly perspective on not being seen was so unique, and I especially liked this line: “Ghosts do not have bodies. You ARE a no-body,”
Word Count: 100
HANK’S HALLOWEEN COSTUME? (A Riddle in a Story)
By Ken Major
Hank’s costume was bright
On Halloween night.
It glowed in the dark
And blinked with each bark.
Equipped with two wings
And hidden round things,
He traveled with speed
On sugary feed.
His tail was unique
And looked oh so sleek.
The costume below
Had places to stow
More goodies for fuel
And drinks to stay cool.
When strangers came near
Goosebumps would appear,
All over their skin
From shin to their chin.
Hank ended his night
With one unkind fright.
He spooked a black cat
Who’s name was Sedat.
A WOOF and a YAP,
Then Hank took a nap.
My entry is posted on my blog at http://www.brianwoods.blogspot.com
Fun! I like “He traveled with speed/ On sugary feed.”
Thanks, Sarah. Did you get a chance to figure out the riddle? Go to my blog for details. Good luck in the contest.
Very intriguing! 🎃
Thanks for stopping by my blog, Ingrid! Good luck in the contest. Did you figure out the riddle?
I figure it’s not human but I couldn’t guess the vehicle!…?
Very fun, but I’ve gotten so bad at riddles! LOL!
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for checking out my story. Good luck in the contest. So any guess as to what Hank’s costume was?
Ken
Such a fun idea to embed a riddle in a poem! I’m guessing this is a dog dressed up in an alien spaceship:-)
Title: All Hallow’s Eve
Word count: 73
Author: Stacey Miller
It was All Hallow’s Eve and the creatures were stirring especially the mouse, it had nibbled on Witchy’s gunky gooey goodies, and had transformed into…
Mutant Mouse.
Now he could sniff out cheese two blocks away…
Glow-in-the-dark better than a Jack-o-lantern…
And give goosebumps to all the cats in the neighbourhood.
There was only one downside…
He would have to put his Mousehole up for sale… he couldn’t fit in it!
I enjoyed reading your story. It must be wonderful for Mouse to give all the cats goosebumps. Alas, there’s always a downside to every upside. I’m sure Mouse will figure it out though.
Fun! I like “Witchy’s gunky gooey goodies” and all of Mouse’s changes.
Always be careful what you wish for! 🎃👻
Mutant Mouse or Super Mouse! I wonder what happened to kids if they ate the witch’s gunky gooey goodies! Good job.
Thank you so much, Nancy ❤️
Fun story! Loved “all the creatures were stirring, especially the mouse”
I’m sure that kids would think that Mutant Mouse was positively AWESOME – He reminds me a bit of the PB KAT KONG.
Thank you so much, Patricia. I haven’t read that pb but definitely will now. ❤️
Molly’s Ghost, by Hobbo from http://www.hobbospoems.com
word count, 60
Molly strolled through the park,
in a glow-in-the-dark
hoodie her daughter had bought her.
Creeping behind,
Halloween on his mind,
a naughty ghost looking to haunt her.
Wearing loose pumps,
it gave Molly goosebumps,
when spied from the edge of her hoodie,
but it ran faraway
when she screamed at it, hey
go away mate, I’m one of the goodies.
This is fun to read aloud, and that last line made me chuckle!
Thanks for the feedback, Sarah. Pleased that you enjoyed it!
This was delightful to read aloud! Very fun! 🧡
Thank you Ingrid, Very kind. Pleased that you enjoyed it! 😊
This is a very fun read. Love the last line! Good luck!
Thank you Nancy. I won’t hold my breath though, there are dozens of cracking entries. 😂
WOW! A full on story written as a poem in just 60 words!!!
Thank you Patricia. I don’t like to waffle! 🤣
Love the voice in this fun story.
Thank you Stacey. Pleased you enjoyed it! 🙂
The Witch’s House
(100 words)
By Emma Wood
Pointy hat. Stripy stockings. Midnight robes.
Finally, Waverley was ready.
Clutching her glow-in-the-dark cauldron, she joined the trick-or-treaters outside.
Waverley stopped at spooky Madame Crone’s, a place no other kids dared visit.
She pushed through the creaky gate. Lightning flashed.
A black cat bolted past, screeching. The sound gave her goosebumps.
Madame Crone appeared from thin air.
“Oh goody,” she cackled. “We’ve been expecting you.”
Waverley was suddenly surrounded by witches. Actual witches.
Madame grinned. “Tonight, you’ll become one of us!”
Waverley trembled, but she spoke bravely.
“I’ve practiced, Grandma. I’m ready.”
Then Waverley and the witches began to chant.
Creepy and fun! This feels like the beginning of a longer spooky story. I’d read more about Waverley! Love that name, too.
Thanks, Sarah – that’s so lovely to hear!
Nice set up and knock down all in 100 words! 🧡🎃
Thanks, Ingrid! It was fun to write. 🙂
Loved the unexpected ending! It does seem like you could turn this into a middle grade novel! I want to know more! Great job!
Nice twist! It made me want to keep reading!
Whoa! When the story started, I never dreamed Waverley was getting “ready” to become a witch. That was a great twist at the end.
My Word – It’s Halloween!
Jamie Donahoe
99 words
“All this gabbing about goodies, ghosts, and glow-in-the-dark ghouls is great; it’s even giving me goosebumps. But,” bellowed Beatrice, “what about broomsticks, bogeymen, and bats in the belfry?”
“Not to mention haunted houses, headless horsemen, and hobgoblins,” howled Haley.
Instantly there arose a clatter of chatter the likes of which those walls had never heard. “We all want weird words,” wailed the class.
“Now, now,” smiled Ms. Atoz. “I believe there’s something for all twenty-six of you today.”
Sure enough, by the end of the day, everyone from Abigail (apparition) to Zelda (zombies) had found a special Halloween word.
Weird Halloween words. What a fun Halloween challenge!
FUN! As a word nerd, I love this!
Thanks – saw that the words all started with G and I was a goner!
This was fabulous fun to read aloud! 🧡🎃!
And I love the teachers name…clever! 🧡
I was wondering if people would pick up on that!
Well done Jamie! Very clever.
This is so fun! You could turn it into a Halloween ABC book! Good luck!
Thanks! Hmm, hadn’t thought of expanding it but it’s certainly worth considering 🎃
I couldn’t help but notice all of that fabulous alliteration, but I never guessed how critical it would be to your story. What a clever idea, along with that teacher name, Ms. Atoz:-)
ENTRY POSTED FOR DIANA WEBB
Switched On and Off
” My teacher says I glow-in-the-dark the best in my class.’ said Glowy the glowworm to his brother Glint.
‘Oh shush,’ said Glint. ‘ You’re such a goody goody glowworm.’
‘Look’, said.Glowy. ‘ In the window. It’s giving me goosebumps.’
‘Geese don’t bump .They fly,’ said Glint.
Then Glowy and Glint began to glow like the biggest pumpkin you can buy with the biggest candle inside because they were both so scared of the dark with that great big shadowy..
‘ Boo! It’s only me,’ said their brother Glitterball dressed as a skellingbone ‘ Now let’s go out and light the town up orange. ‘
Ha! It took me a second read to get geese don’t bump…clever!
Very clever! Fun surprise with their brother Glitterball. So cute!
Glowy, Glint, and Glitterball – What great names for glowworms!
Love the names. Such a fun story.
ENTRY POSTED FOR DIANA WEBB
A Night with Gran
Eeeee!
Oh grandma what good ees you do.
There’s a great big glow-in-the-dark goose bumping beside my bed.
It’s just your feather pillow grandma fallen in the moonlight.
It’s that goose we ate at Christmas coming back to haunt us.
Then let’s have something veggie this year. How about roast pumpkin?
If I see one more pumpkin I’m going to
Eeeeee!
What good ees you do gran…
I’m not your grandma I’m a squealy wealy come from the dark to scare you. But I’m getting quieter so it’s safe to go to sleep now.
zzzzz
Oh my, that’s creepy! Fun!
Oh, creepy! I don’t know what a squealy wealy is, but I don’t think I want to know! Scary fun!
Oh boy, where did Grandma go? Scary to think of what the squealy wealy might have done to her. One of my favorite lines is this one: “It’s that goose we ate at Christmas coming back to haunt us.”
BOYS WILL BE BOYS
By Matt Snyder
Word Count: 98
Davey & Ritchie set out in the night with mischief intentions in mind. Hoping to egg the scariest house they could find. They happened upon a street with nary a light, using their glow-in-the-dark glowsticks, they discovered such a sight. Ritchie taunted Davey to throw his eggs, yet Davey froze in fear with goosebumps running up and down his spine. Oh Goody, declared Ritchie with egg in hand, who threw it at the house, but where did it land? In the hands of the Police Chief who said with a laugh, boys will be boys on Alls Hallow Eve.
No treats for these tricksters! 🎃
Nope 😁
Oh, dear! Poor Davey.
What a naughty pair! Fun!
Thanks 😁
There’s always a few wiseguys who get into trouble on Halloween. Good luck in the contest.
Ken
Thanks I’m more a visual artist than a writer, but I like lending a voice to contests now and again.
Hahaha – I can just imagine the fright Davey and Ritchie got when the egg landed in the hands of the police chief.
Yeah I’m pretty sure they learned their lesson lol
ENTRY POSTED FOR JACQUI
FLICKER OF A CAT’S TAIL
(98 words)
By
Jacqui Boulter
I watched the artist carve pumpkins and layer them into a pirate ship worthy of sailing,
with a band of pirates aboard.
I sat alone and uncarved. I wanted to sail, too.
The artist put me in the palm of his hand and studied my small frame again. This time,
he carved. A tea light flickered in my pumpkin belly. I had goosebumps knowing that I
glowed-in-the-dark.
“Watch that tail flicker on the pirate’s cat,” said a trick-or-treater.
I illuminated the treasure chest and the goodies inside. I was the smallest pumpkin with
the biggest job on Halloween.
I could visualize this. Love the pumpkin p.o.v. 🎃🧡
How sweet! I’d like to see the masterpiece.
Aww, love it! The smallest pumpkin with the biggest job! So cool!
People do such amazing jobs with pumpkin carving these days, and your did such a good job with your words that I easily imagined this pumpkin pirate ship.
ENTRY POSTED FOR KATHY
PUMPKIN TRAIN
by Kathy Raggio
[97 words]
Conductor Skully was ready.
The passengers were set.
Go, Pumpkin Train, go!
Rumbly – tumbly,
clickety – clack…
down the glow-in-the-dark track.
Rumbly – tumbly,
clickety – clack.
To the…
STOP!
A huge goody bag blocked the path.
Scoop it up!
Go, Pumpkin Train, go!
Rumbly – tumbly,
clickety – clack.
To the…
STOP!
A grumpy monster obstructed the way.
ROAR!
ROAR!
ROAR!
Goosebumps prickled on Conductor Skully.
What to do?
Hmmm…
The goody bag!
Will it calm the monster?
MUNCH!
CRUNCH!
YUM!
Climb aboard, Mr. Monster!
Go, Pumpkin Train, go!
Rumbly – tumbly,
clickety – clack…
down the glow-in-the-dark track.
To the…
Halloween Party!
This is so fun to read. Love all the noise descriptions throughout, especially the train.
Thank you!
Ok, wow! I could see this as a board book! Well done! 🧡🧡🧡
Thank you!
Love the rhythm! Kids would enjoy reading or hearing this.
Thank you!
Love this. Such a fun read-aloud for little ones! Go, Pumpkin Train, go! Good luck!
Thank you!
With all of those sound effects, this book would make such a great read aloud for young children. On top of that, it has just the right amount of scariness for the very young:-)
Thank you!
ENTRY POSTED FOR MICHELLE
The Alien
by M. Waknitz
WC 89
Beneath my bedroom door,
There was an eerie light.
Goosebumps ran down my spine;
I pulled the blankets tight.
Slowly the door creaked open,
Huge eyes on top of a head.
Glowing green in the dark,
A martian walked towards my bed.
The alien leaned over,
So we were cheek to cheek.
He stuck his finger up my nose
Which tickled and I sneezed.
He thrust his bag towards me.
“Trick or Treat” he squeaked.
I threw some goodies in his bag,
Then “POOF” he vanished in a blink.
Yikes! That’s fun!
OOH, scary alien trick-or-treater. I’d never get back to sleep. Fun!
You created such a nice balance between scariness and humor – Your story was fun to read:-)
JELLYFISH GEORGE’S HALLOWEEN
by Scott Kinder
[100 words]
Jelly George’s glow-in-the-dark skeleton costume arrived today.
He would FINALLY have bones!
“Just wait until my friends see how good I look. How creepy. And SOOOOO boney!”
George visited Susie Sponge’s house first. He rang her bell with excitement, full of goosebumps.
The door opened.
George could see envy seeping from Susie’s pores as she gave him candy.
She wanted bones too. And he was FULL of them.
George floated the night away, collecting goodies and passing his jelly buddies with their silly mediocre masks.
He felt like a king.
UNTIL he noticed …
David Dogfish eyeing him.
And DROOLING.
UH-OH.
Great twist! 🎃😂
Thanks, Ingrid!
There’s always a price. I hope George evaded David Dogfish! Cute story!
Thanks, Nancy!
Love the humorous arc in this!
Thank you, Barbara!
Hahaha – So funny that the sponges were jealous of Jelly George, too!
Glad it made you laugh, Patricia 🙂
ENTRY POSTED FOR MICHELLE
Skeleton’s Halloween
by M. Waknitz
WC 82
I heard click and clacking,
Late this creepy night.
I looked outside my window,
And much to my surprise.
There outside in my front yard
Were skeletons all around.
Wearing goofy hats and silly masks,
While prancing up and down.
They were out trick or treating,
After we had gone to sleep.
Stopping under tree branches,
The bats dropped them sweets.
I ran downstairs, opened the door
And tossed some candy out.
The skeletons froze in horror,
Yelled “child” then scattered about.
I love this take on Halloween, the scary become the scared! 😱 🎃
Haha! Scared of the children, nice twist! Good luck!
Your story reminds me of the PB SNOWMEN AT NIGHT, instead now we know what skeletons do on Halloween night – What a clever idea:-)
Twyla Z. Witch
By Lori Dubbin
Word Count 100
Twyla Z. Witch craves Halloween goodies.
She hops on her broom and swoops into a neighborhood of trick-or-treaters.
Twyla hides her broom behind a tree.
“No one needs to know I have a magic broom.”
She saunters up to the first house.
“Trick-or-treat,” she cackles.
“Almond Soy Bar? Sorry, almonds make my skin goosebumpley red.”
Twyla races to the next house.
“Thwicks Bars! Yesss!”
Twyla stuffs them into her sleeves and races to retrieve her broom.
“Uh-oh, which tree?”
“Hmph! Next Halloween, I’m painting my broom glow-in-the-dark yellow.”
“See, I still have a few Thwicks up my sleeves,” she snickers.
Groan! Lol! 😂😱🤣
LOVE all your candy references! Good job!!
LOL, love the word play. Very punny!
LOL – Now, I’m craving candy bars again
Witches Brew
By K. Sibilia
WC: 100
“Goody, goody gumdrops!” Gwendolyn Witchington giggles as she gathers ingredients for her Halloween brew.
“Double, double toil and trouble; Gwennie’s brew will boil and bubble! Toe of frog and wool of bat; add them all, now stir and—“
CRACK!!!
“My cauldron! It’s crumbled!”
So Gwennie scraps her potion, grabs a pot, and tries something new. She simmers and stirs until a luscious liquid glistens and glows-in-the-dark.
“These gurgling glops of goo give me goosebumps!” Gwennie gushes as she grabs some gorgeous Granny Smith apples, skewers them, and plunges them into the new brew.
“Ahh, perfectly poisonous candy apples! Trick-or-treat!”
Lovely use of language! 🎃
Thank you, Ingrid!
Remind me not to go to that house! LOL! Love her name and all the word choices. Good luck!
Thanks, Nancy!
All those Gs make me giggle – What a great job you did with embedding so much alliteration into the text of your story
Thanks, Patricia!
It’s Halloween
by Elizabeth Muster
Word Count 95
As autumn arrives
Apparitions aren’t afraid
Of the afterlife anymore.
Aha!
It’s Halloween.
Cadavers cackle
And corpses creep
From cemetery crypts.
Keep calm!
It’s Halloween.
Demons in the darkness
And devils in disguise
Dredge up dreadful deeds.
Don’t despair!
It’s Halloween.
Glow-in-the-dark goblins
And ghosts in ghastly gowns
Give goosebumps, not goodies.
Goodness gracious!
It’s Halloween.
Mummies masquerade
In the mysterious moonlight
Among a mausoleum.
Oh my!
It’s Halloween.
Scary skulls
And spine-chilling specters
Startle superstitious spirits.
So spooky!
It’s Halloween.
Terrible tricks
And terrific treats
Thrilling times on the thirty-first.
That’s a wrap!
It’s Halloween.
Terrific alliteration! 🎃
Wonderful alliteration and a few more lines and you’ll have a Halloween ABC book!
On top of the varying alliteration from section to section, I loved the repetition of the phrase “It’s Halloween.” It created such a rhythm in your text.
Capture the Goodies on Halloween
By Ames Jegen (age 11)
Word Count: 99
I waited. Breathlessly. With goose-bumps on my shoulders and sweat dripping down my back, I watched for any sign of movement. This was it. The one and only Capture the Goodies.
My comm crackled. “I got a visual. Three people, all armed with small water bottle-grenades. They also have glow-in-the dark helmets, so they’re no spies.” It was Amiir. Now was our chance, I would come in with the hose while Amiir flanked them with small water pistols. “On my mark, ” he said. 3 2 1 NOW!” I leaped out of the abandoned shack, spraying water in every direction.
Capture the flag used to be lots of fun, but the stakes are too high in Capture the Goodies! Fun concept. 🎃
Great story–good luck!
Love this twist on Capture the Flag. Hopefully they don’t get the goodies wet! Good luck!
Hahaha – Your characters are well-armed with those water bottle grenades, water pistols, and WOW!!! the hose. I liked where the story ended, leaving it up to me to envision how the water battle played out – Great job with a unique idea:-)
P.S. I do wonder if you’ve been in a few water battles yourself recently.
(NOT) A VERY SCARY STORY
By Linda Staszak
100 words
The haunted forest loomed ahead.
“I’ve got goosebumps,” whispered Buzzy.
Cosmo shivered. “We’ve got glow-in-the-dark bread crumbs. We’ll get home.”
“It’s worth it for full-sized candy bars,” Buzzy said as he dropped a trail of crumbs behind them.
The eerie house appeared out of nowhere.
Something banged.
Creatures howled.
Goodies mysteriously filled their bags.
They turned to run, but the trail was gone–there was only darkness.
Then a glowing creature bounded toward them.
They giggled nervously. “Bad dog Jinx, you ate our crumbs.”
And they raced after the luminous dog as it led them out of the haunted forest.
I especially liked the title, I knew it would be fun to read! 🎃
Thanks!
Definitely scary! Well done. Good luck!
Thank you!
Cute! Loved the twist with the dog.
Thanks!
Fun story. Glad that Jinx (great name) glowed in the dark to get them home. Nice job!
Thank you.
Cute story! 🙂
Thanks!
Hahaha – What a relief that the naughty dog was able to lead them home after eating the glow-in-the-dark trail. Great ending!
HALLOWEEN HELPERS
By: Ellen Seal
Sun setting, Solana pleaded. “PLEASE can I go trick-or-treating?”
“Sorry, sweet pea. You’re not steady enough on your crutches yet,” said Dad.
Solana frowned at the fresh leg cast under her firefighter costume and slumped into the couch. “Worst. Halloween. Ever.”
DING DONG
“Sol, look!” Dad shouted.
Goosebumps.
There stood Solana’s friends and a wagon with lights and glow-in-the-dark stripes.
WEE-OO WEE-OO
“Firetruck coming through!” they shouted.
Solana beamed and climbed in.
Zooming through the neighborhood, they giggled and gathered goodies.
Solana hugged her friends. “Thanks buddies. This is the best Halloween ever!”
Lovely story about friendship. Good luck!
What a great solution! 🎃
What a fun friendship story. Glad Solana got out on Halloween! Good luck!
What a great group of friends! I would love to read this story to children – I’m sure the example set by Solana’s friends would generate a nice conversation and inspire some empathy, as well as acts of kindness.
OOooh, wow! somebody got tricked for sure . . . ! Creepy! Good job!
Halloween Warning
Written by Stephanie Henson 2021
@stepha_henson (Twitter)
Word Count: 100
_____________
A spooky house sits on Halloween. Rumor is a witch and her cat, “Goosebumps”, live there.
Our mothers warned, “Stay away!”
But we didn’t listen.
“Let’s play Trick or Treat/ Hide & Seek!”
“Yay, glow-in-the-dark witch hunting!”
Before we could hide, the lady appeared.
“You think I’m a witch? I’m just an old woman with an overgrown lawn.”
Guilt overwhelmed us, “We’re sorry. We can help you clear it tomorrow.”
“I’ll pay you in goodies”, she replied.
The lady went inside, approached the cauldron, pulled out her hat, and smiled. With the broom untouched, others will clean up the mess – under her spell.
Yipes! You got me!🎃😂
Bahaha! Scary!
Well, I was just as gullible as the children in your story and immediately believed the lady when she said she wasn’t a witch – Nice surprise ending:-)
LEAPING LIZARDS!
By Sharon Match
100 words
Jake hurried to the classroom rug with his backpack.
Halloween show and tell was his favorite!
First went Sam. His superhero costume glowed-in-the-dark.
Jake peeked in his backpack. “Where’s my costume?” Nothing but his brother’s bug catcher net. “Oh no – we switched backpacks!” Jake’s stomach somersaulted.
“Eek!” said the teacher, pale with giant goosebumps.
Out of nowhere, a lizard had appeared on the rug.
Jake grabbed the net and scooped up the lizard. The class cheered.
To the outside, they all dashed. Away scurried the lizard.
“Oh goody!” clapped the teacher.
Jake grinned. Class Hero was his new favorite costume!
Aww! That’s a sweet un-spooky story for the kids who don’t like to be scared. 🎃
Very cute! A backpack switch that worked out well. Nice job!
How clever! Jake wanted to be a superhero, and he became a real life superhero without any costume at all.
Graveyard Bully
By Jean James (http://thenightingaletales.com/2021/10/30/halloweensie-2021-graveyard-bully/)
Word Count: 100
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.
OH NO! A scary clown story! Well done!
Thank you Ingrid!
Very fun read. Best line, “Bells chimed thrice: ding, ding, ding.” Good job and good luck!
Thanks so much Nancy.
Your descriptions of the action in the graveyard created such vivid pictures in my mind. I easily imagined them going “behind old Murphy’s tomb.”
Thanks Patricia. I appreciate your kind response.
So glad your MC got the better of the clown and I love that it was the clown’s feet that literally and figuratively tripped him up!! Good luck!
Yes those big feet did him in. Thank you Colleen.
So cute, I love the line ‘I thought for sure I was dead meat’! Fun to read – good luck!
Thanks Katie!
THE GREATEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR
By Krista Harrington
96 words
“Goody-goody gumdrops,” bubbled Hagadora, “it’s my favorite night!”
With a pointy black hat atop wiry gray hair, she stepped out of the shack.
“Ooh, what a chill! I’ve goosebumps, Albus,” she said to her cat, grabbing a black cape.
She tromped down the road, with a giddy yet ravenous spirit.
“The witch!” they all shrieked. “Hurry! Hide!”
Hagadora paid no attention. Her mind was not on children tonight.
“There’s the beautiful place! It magically glows-in-the-dark!”
Pulling a bib from her bag, she sat down with Albus.
HALF-PRICED STEAK NIGHT at the Grizzler, truly the greatest night of the year.
Groan! Great job! lol 😄
Such fun, Krista! Love the names and the bib in her bag.
Haha! Loved the half-priced steak night. Cute and funny. Good luck!
I truly thought Hagadora (what a great name, by the way) was up to something much more sinister – Great surprise ending!
Haha how fun! Nice ending.Love the name Hagadora!
Halloween Hide and Seek
By: Melisa Wrex
95 words
There’s a hole in my backyard.
Does a creature live inside?
Is it a goodie or a baddie?
Will it make me run and hide?
Sit a lid atop the tunnel end,
slit a slot so air can flow.
Fit a harmonica in the groove,
if this mystery breathes, I’ll know!
The tinny notes start to sail,
first faint, then bright and shrill.
Goosebumps…Eek! What will it be?
Fear spikes as notes fall still.
Glow-in-the-dark eyes look fierce!
I lean in, squeamish to my roots.
Burrowing owls? Oh, good grief!
I skipped trick-or-treat for HOOTS?
**********THE END**********
And here is the link to it on my blog 🙂
So funny! And sad, of course, to have skipped trick-or-treat for hoots!
Cute and they gave a hoot as to what was in the hole! haha! Nice job!
I liked the way you solved this backyard mystery – Burrowing owls: there is no way I would ever have guessed that:-)
Hoo- ray, 🎃