Wool of bat and toe of snake! It’s time for. . .
The 13th 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 werewolf, superstition, and fright.
- 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.
- You may use the words in any form i.e. werewolves (werecub or werepuppy is acceptable as well should your story feature a young werewolf), frighten/frightening/frightful, superstitious etc, 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!
POST: your story in the comment section of This Post between right now this very second and 11:59PM Eastern Tuesday October 31st (So you have 3 full days to post – Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.)
- 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 of the Official Contest Post so that people can come visit your blog, but all entries must be posted in the comment section of the Official Contest Post between 12:01 AM Eastern Sunday October 29th and Tuesday October 31st at 11:59PM Eastern or they will not be read.
- 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! (Handy Contact button above or [susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com) Please place your entry in the body of the email including your title, byline (that means who the story is by – you! – so for example, By Jane Doe) and word count at the top – NO ATTACHMENTS! and please do not submit any entries before the official opening of the contest at 12:01 AM Eastern Sunday October 29th. They will not be accepted.
- 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 😊
- Every entry will be listed with a link to its comment so that entries are easy to find, but I cannot add links until 50 entries are up or they become incorrect when the comments move on to page 2, just so you’re aware!
THE JUDGING: over the following days, 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 Monday November 6th (though if the judging takes longer than expected it might be a little later – I have school visits that week and a far away book festival over the weekend.) The winners will be announced Thursday or Friday, November 9th or 10th (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!
⭐️ Ask Me Anything Zoom Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Sandra Foreman Sutter, owner and “top gnome” at Gnome Road Publishing, and author of STAN’S FRIGHTFUL HALLOWEEN (Spork, September 2020) and THE REAL FARMER IN THE DELL (Spork, March 2019)!!! Not only will Sandra read and critique your manuscript, you will get to talk to discuss it with her!
⭐️ Rhyme & Meter Self Study Course – Renee LaTulippe Renée M. LaTulippe is the author of The Crab Ballet (Cameron Kids/Abrams, 2022) and Limelight: Theater Poems to Perform (Charlesbridge, 2024) and has poems published in many anthologies including No World Too Big, Night Wishes, School People, National Geographic’s The Poetry of US, One Minute Till Bedtime, Poems Are Teachers, ThankU: Poems of Gratitude, and A World Full of Poems.
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique or Zoom Chat About A Project You’re Working On PLUS a Signed Copy of THE PIE THAT MOLLY GREW from Sue Heavenrich, author of THE PIE THAT MOLLY GREW (Sleeping Bear Press, August 2023), 13 WAYS TO EAT A FLY (Charlesbridge, 2021), DIET FOR A CHANGING CLIMATE (21st Century Books, August, 2018), FUNKY FUNGI (Chicago Review Press, July, 2022), the Super Science Series, and The Human Machine Series.
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (non-rhyming, 700 words or less) PLUS a Query Letter Critique from author Steena Hernandez! Her debut picture book, LUPITA’S BROWN BALLET SLIPPERS, comes out with Beaming Books in Fall 2024. She’s an active member of SCBWI, Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Challenge, and Las Musas. Her poems and stories have appeared in Highlights High Five Magazine, and Little Thoughts Press Magazine. She’s represented by Lynnette Novak from the Seymour Agency. Visit her website at www.steenahernandez.com.
Author Steena Hernandez (photo credit Laura Squire)
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Hanh Bui, author of The Yellow Áo Dài (Feiwel & Friends, April 25, 2023) and the forthcoming Ánh’s New Word: A Story About Learning a New Language (Feiwel & Friends, May 14, 2024) PLUS a signed copy of The Yellow Áo Dài!
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (non-rhyming, 750 words or less) from Dara Henry, author of HANUKKAH PAJAMAKKAHS, forthcoming from Sourcebooks, September 2024! Dara is a former teacher and has twice been named Honorable Mention in the Children’s Fiction Category of the 88th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, KIDLIT411, Writing for Children, 12×12, and PB_Soar 24. She is represented by Rena Rossner of The Deborah Harris Agency.
Author Dara Henry
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (Rhyming) PLUS Zoom Chat from developmental editor Lou Piccolo! Lou studied English Literature, creative writing and teaching at university in South Africa. After working as an EFL teacher in France for twenty years, she studied proofreading and editing before becoming a developmental editor of children’s and young adult’s literature for independent authors. She is a graduate of Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab – Punching Up Prose With Poetry course and Making Picture Book Magic, the in-house writer for Editions Entrefilet’s language-learning magazine ‘Go English Kids’ for children of 8-12 in France, and a traditionally published author of MG and YA fiction with Burlington Books.
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (non-rhyming) or Dummy Critique from Bonnie Kelso, author/illustrator of NUDI GILL: POISON POWERHOUSE OF THE SEA (Gnome Road, April 4, 2023), illustrator for IN A CAVE (written by Heather Ferranti Kinser, Gnome Road, October 3, 2023), and author-illustrator of a three-book series with GRP starting next spring!
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (fiction) from Melissa Stoller, author of SCARLET’S MAGIC PAINTBRUSH (Spork 2018), READY, SET, GORILLA! (Spork 2018), THE ENCHANTED SNOW GLOBE COLLECTION (chapter books) (Spork 2017), SADIE’S SHABAT STORIES (Spork, 2020) and PLANTING FRIENDSHIP: PEACE, SALAAM, SHALOM
⭐️ 30 Minute Ask Me Anything with Rebecca Gardyn Levington, author of BRAINSTORM! (Sleeping Bear Press, 2022), WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW (Barefoot Books, Mar 7, 2023), I WILL ALWAYS BE…(HarperCollins, Spring 2024), and AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? (Penguin/Rocky Pond, Spring 2024)
⭐️ Signed Copy of Roxanne Troup’s beautiful MY GRANDPA, MY TREE, AND ME (Yeehoo Press, April, 2023)
⭐️ Signed Copies of Kizzi Roberts‘s books THE ELVES GO MARCHING and THE EGGS GO ROLLING!
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, recommending their books for school and library purchases, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊
Now! Get those entries up! Have fun writing something new! Have fun reading the amazing work of your fellow writers! Have fun eating as many miniature chocolate bars as your little heart desires!
Happy Halloweensie!!!
I can’t wait to read your stories!!! 😊
For those of you having trouble commenting, I apologize for the fact that my site is apparently very temperamental! I can suggest the following: if you’re trying to post comments from a phone or tablet, try a computer – sometimes it works better that way. Chrome seems to work better with this site than some of the other browsers, although one dedicated individual, determined to be able to comment, has reported that she finally managed with Microsoft Edge. Thank you for trying – it’s so important for all of you to get to hear from each other!
The 228 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! 🎃 👻
1. The Most Frightening Halloween Of All! – Katie Schwartz
2. Trick Treat Or Treat. Smell My Feet – Sarah Hawklyn
3. Trick Or Treats – Mikki DeFever
4. The Werewolf – Michelle S. Kennedy
5. A Haunted Treasure Hunt – Ashlee MacCallum
6. The Zoo Super-Intendent – Joy Dickinson
7. Knock On Wood – Heather Kinser
8. The Silver Chain – Teresa Traver/Anne Rollins
9. One Last House – Tyler Ham
10. Above And Beyond – Corine Timmer
11. Hairy Wolf – Bridget Magee
12. Red Riding Hood Goes Trick Or Treating – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
13. Prank Or Prophecy? – Colleen Murphy
14. The Rule Of Three – Kathleen MacEachern
15. A Special Secret – Kelly Kates
16. Itchy Witch – Deborah Holt Williams
17. The Halloween Pet Parade – Kelly Clasen
18. Just A Superstition – Lyn Kekowsky
19. Werewolf’s Fright – Janel Caverly
20. What Monsters Wear On Halloween – Elissa Theiss Mazzeo
21. Wereboy – Paul Kurtz
22. Where’s Wolf? Werewolf! – Katie Walsh
23. Werewolf Yummies – Paul Kurtz
24. Cuddlesome Cubbies – Donna Kurtz
25. Beware: Were-cub In Disguise – Jodie Houghton
26. Happy Howl-o-ween! – Donna Kurtz
27. Howl-a-ween – Denise Seidman
28. The Frightfully Superstitious Werewolf – Susan Burdorf
29. Who Can Frighten Skeleton? – Jessie Raspbury
30. Untitled – Shariffa Keshavjee
31. Untitled – Shariffa Keshavjee
32. Untitled – Shariffa Keshavjee
33. Halloweensie Surprise – Elizabeth Thoms Charles
34. It’s Halloween – Janet Parkinson Bryce
35. Werewolf Bites! – Claudine Pullen
36. Sweet Superstition – Kristen Littlefield
37. Where Wolves? There Wolves – Marty Findley
38. Petrified – Mary-Catherine Amadu
39. Beware The Moon! – Jen Subra
40. Changes – Kailyn Dickason
41. My Family Secret – Sharon McCarthy
42. Don’t Get Eaten! – Sarah Hetu
43. The Full Moon Club – Patricia Finnegan
44. Halloween Jitters Revenge – Joyce Uglow
45. The Great Halloween Race – Marta Cutler
46. Scaring For Sugar – Sarah Hetu
47. Hush Little Werepup – Stephanie Maksymiw
48. Earth Is Tricky – Glenda Roberson
49. Werewolves Halloween Bash – Yolanda Danyi Szuch
50. A Human Superstition – Tiffany Hanson
51. Fifty-Eight Pieces Of Candy – Jacqueline Lindsey
52. Werewolf And The Frightening Superstition – Angel Gantnier
53. Attack Of The Werekitty – Linda Staszak
54. It Started With A Bite – Katie Lee Reinert
55. The Woefull Werewolf – Linda Staszak
56. Wilfy Werewolf’s Good Manners – Tracy Curran
57. The Halloween Parade – Lindsay Moretti
58. Werepup’s First Howl – Jessica Iwanski
59. How To Catch A Werewolf At Halloween – Susan E. Schipper
60. Half-Moon Halloween – P.J. Purtee
61. Oooo, It’s Halloween! – Paul Brassard
62. Verily Scarily Night – Marta Cutler
63. When Werewolves Take Baths – Jessica Russo
64. Werewolf, Monster and Witch – Maria Pope
65. A Whoosh, and a Swoosh and a Gurgly Goop – Maria Pope
66. A Superstitious Wish – Susannah Lee
67. The Boy Who Cried “Werewolf!” – Nicole Garnett
68. Moon Ballet – Katrenia Kiger
69. Luck Not Needed – Tracy T. Agnelli
70. Believe Or Not – Tracy T. Agnelli
71. Not Taking Any Chances – JIL
72. Witch And Werewolf – Julie Hauswirth
73. A Howling Halloween – Lynn Moore
74. A Creak and A Sneak -Bri Lawyer
75. Bit By A Werewolf – Bri Lawyer
76. Halloween Lookout – Lisa Billa
77. The Leaf Raking Olympics – Lindsay Moretti
78. Fright Night – Susan Eyerman
79. The Halloween Scoop – Jamie Siebrase
80. Luna, the Not So Scary Werewolf – Melissa Miles
81. Halloween At The Disco – Jamie Donahoe
82. What’s More Frightening? – Anne Lipton
83. Was Wilbur A Were-Squirrel? – Deb Buschman
84. McDoodle’s Pup – Yonglee Deborah Kim
85. What To Wearwolf – Jill Lambert
86. Stories Of Monsters – Laura Polasek
87. The Strangest Halloween – Jenn Kim
88. The Origin Of The Werewolf: the Bronze Age Koryos (NF) – Lauren N. Simmons
89. Drew’s Debate – Marty Bellis
90. Bite Fight – Ryann Jones
91. Kitten’s Halloween – Jaclyn Crawford
92. To Eat Or Not To Eat, That Is The Question! – Charlie Griffin
93. Green Does Not Mean Mean – Linda Glazebrook
94. Mom Gave Me A Werewolf! – Sarah J. Williams
95. Halloween Is Here, Ready or Not – Elisa Teichert
96. Halloween Advice – Paul Roncone
97. Spooky Storytime – Sarah Meade
98. Hilly’s Not-So-Superstitious Halloween – Sarah Meade
99. Hair-Raising Halloween – Sheri Bentley
100. Grizelda Pumkinhead’s Smashing Halloween – MaryAnn Cortez
101. Halloween Howl – Russell Wolff
102. Halloween Night – Mia Geiger
103. The Best Halloween Ever – Armineh Manookian
104. Expected Visitors – Jenna Grace
105. Rougarou’s Bugaboo: A Louisiana Cautionary Tale (Almost) – Sally Yorke-Viney
106. It’s Beginning To Look A Little Creepy – Diana Lynn Gibson
107. Why Werewolves Howl – Laura Badami
108. I’m Not A Superstition – Patti Ranson
109. The Rougarou’s Curse – Trista Herring Baughman
110. Laughing And Giggling On Halloween – Isabel Cruz Rodriguez
111. A Werewolf In School – Susan Lynn-Rivera
112. A Frightful Howl’oween – Lucretia Schafroth
113. Which Wolf? – Melissa Chupp
114. The Haunted House – Shawn Kirby
115. Larkspur Werewolf’s Halloween CompBOOsition – Kandi Zeller
116. Chocolate For Halloween – Marcia Dalphin Williams
117. The Great Halloween Scare – Eleanor Ann Peterson
118. Mr. Skeleton And His Werewolf Bones – Kathleen Jacobs
119. Seven Years Of Bad Howls – Laura Wippell
120. Villa Number Thirteen – Kiran Nair
121. Werewolf VS. Dentist – Abigail Mumford
122. Spell Check – Tara Flake
123. Thirteen Werewolves – Patricia Nozell
124. I’ll Be What?! – Stephanie K. Mena
125. Tick-Tock – Sarah Elynn
126. Werewolf Wants To Share – Lori Bonati
127. Dare To Be Were – Dana Lee Ryals
128. Gordon Goblin’s Halloweensie Stew – Judy Caldwell Hughes
129. Isaac’s Frightful Night – Anna Eklund-Cheong
130. The Coolest Halloween Story Ever! – Carmen Castillo Gilbert, PhD
131. The Backwards Werewolf – Linda Fischetti
132. A Halloween Trick And Treat – Stephanie Flom
133. Rudy, The Werewolf – Lori Himmel
134. The Superstition – Allison Gray
135. Friends With A Werewolf – Lauri C. Meyers
136. Untitled – Martha Holguin
137. A First Halloween – Claudia Sloan
138. A Sight, A Fright, and A Delight – Jean Martin
139. The Hairy Neighbor – Anjali Morard
140. Raven And The Werewolf – Elizabeth Muster
141, Trick IN a Treat – Reed Hilton-Eddy
142. Halloween Spell – Nina Nolan
143. Fright Night Birthright – Helen Addyman
144. Black Cat Saves The Night – Lori Sheroan
145. Rowl The Smiling Werewolf Pup – Tarja Helena Nevala
146. Ivy Hates Halloween – Cindy Sommer
147. Where Wolf? There Wolf! – Bru Benson
148. Trick-or-Treating Time! – Jenna Grace
149. Halloween Howl – Angela Martinelli
150. No Good Tricks Or Treat – Thelia Hutchinson
151. Scared – Sue Ko
152. Fright On Calm – Sue Ko
153. Wee Willie Werewolf – Colleen Fogarty
154. The Who, What and Where Wolf – Julianna Kurtz
155. Flora Won’t Get Scared – Ashley Sierra
156. Dotty Didn’t Listen – Jane Helliwell
157. Heart’s Halloween – Ashley Sierra
158. Proffering The Offering – Ms. Joy
159. Witch Ride – Rhonda T. Spear
160. Haunted Hayride – Rhonda T. Spear
161. Halloween Trick – Mary Beth Rice
162. The Kittens Halloween Party – Dianne Borowski
163. Need A Snack – Yessenia Holm
164. Werewolf Baby – Vashti Verbowski
165. Pockets Out – Lynsey Folkman
166. Halloween Haiku – Corine Timmer
167. Wendy Werewolf’s Biggest Fright! – Amy LaMae Brewer
168. The Ballad Of Wolfgang A. Werewolf – Melissa Miles
169. The Witching Hour – S. J. Barratt
170. Werewolves Of Halloween – Karen LaSalvia
171. Little Dead Riding Hood – Marlee Fuller-Morris
172. Treat Or Be Tricked – Dianna Sussman
173. Werewolf On Halloween – Valerie McPherson
174. The Monster Under The Bed – Diana Sussman
175. Fur Moon – Christina Shawn
176. Right Where They Belong – Mona Pease
177. Unless – Gail Hartman
178. Pink Underwear – Melissa Lasher
179. A Grave Mistake – Keatley Eastman
180. Grounded – Becky Danks
181. The Scariest Thing Of All – Jeanette Fazzari Jones
182. Weirdwolf – Searra Simpson
183. Aunt Howla’s Big Book Of Recipes: Spooky Halloween – Sarah Stauffer
184. Lazy Eddie – Jen Keenan
185. Strange Encounters – Jen Keenan
186. Stingy Jack – Kellie Tune
187. Untitled – Lyudmila Danova
188. Dachsie And Beagle’s Halloween Plan – Dorothy Kohrherr
189. I’ll Be Brave – Dawn Renee Young
190. The Scariest Halloween Night – Carol Jones
191. A Werewolfington Trick-or-Treat – Jan Schwaid
192. Lucky Penny – Daniella Kaufman
193. Scream Of A Dream – Diana Webb
194. Pup – Judy Valko
195. Reversal? – Marla Yablon
196. Halloween Disguise – Colleen Fogarty
197. Werepuppies’ Delight – Katherine Rea
198. Dulces For Mami Nieves – Chicanana
199. The Moonlit Secret – CE King
200. Halloween Snack – Jessica Phillips
201. An Immigrant Werewolf – Danna Zeiger
202. What Happened To Harry? – Judy Sobanski
203. Sally’s Last Minute Costume – Imelda Taylor
204. Spoofed By Foop! – Robert L. Saminsky
205. My Mom Is A Monster. . . A Real One – Royal Baysinger
206. Mr. Werewolf’s Trick – Marie Tang
207. Stanley, The Fluffy Werewolf – Hannah Roy LaGrone
208. Woody The Good Werewolf – Robin Donovan
209. Bright White Moonlight – Helen Addyman
210. Wendy’s Wise Words – Una Belle Townsend
211. Can Howloweensie Stay Away? – Becky Goodman
212. Werewolf Gets A Halloween Makeover – Annette Bethers
213. Fantasmita – Adriana Gutierrez Loza
214. How To Conjure A Cat – Andi Chitty
215. A Skeleton In Wolf’s Clothing – Amy Martinez
216. Kansas City’s Moonlight Star – Amy Martinez
217. A Little Halloween Magic – Patricia Corcoran
218. Truth Be Told – Diana Lynn Gibson
219. Halloween Dinner For Werewolf – Nedra Chandler
220. Wolfgang – Nancy Riley
221. What To Wear – Breanna Henry
222. Howl Knows What The Moon Reveals – Jennifer Schmitz
223. A Halloween Full Moon – Anne Weaver
224. Dear Halloween – Lori Dubbin
225. Ghost Bells – Jennifer Taylor
226. It’s Halloween Night! – Susan R. Waide
227. My Older Brother – Lucia Flevares
228. Black Cat Camp – Amy Duchene
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Hilly’s Not-So-Superstitious Halloween
By Sarah Meade
Word Count: 100
On Halloween, Hilly, who isn’t a bit superstitious, wakes to a werewolf howl.
“Woohoo!” Hilly cheers.
At breakfast, Hilly spills some salt.
“Whoops!” She doesn’t toss any over her shoulder.
As she strings spiderwebs, Hilly trips into the hall mirror.
Crack, clatter, shatter!
“Gads!” She cackles.
At the pumpkin patch, a black cat crosses Hilly’s path.
“Hi, pretty kitty!” she coos.
While sipping cider, she ducks under a ladder.
“Oopsie!” Hilly giggles.
Later, Hilly carves frightfully fun jack-o’-lanterns.
When trick-or-treaters trek up her sidewalk, Hilly calls…
“Don’t step on the cracks!”
The children gasp.
“Just kidding!” Hilly grins.
“Happy Halloween!”
Superstitions galore, and Hilly is one fearless little girl!
🙂 thank you!
Sarah, another great “Halloweensie” tale! 🎃
Thank you, Susan!
Love Hilly’s carefree and sweet attitude!
Thank you, Armineh!
Hilly’s playful personality is so fun! Love how you incorporated all the superstitions.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Lindsay!
So cute, Sarah!
Thanks for your help, Glenda!
haha! I wish I was Hilly! I’m too superstitious! lol Great job, Sarah! So fun!
haha 🙂 Your comment made me laugh. Thanks, Nicole!
Hilly, is a courgeous spider, right? And quite the prankster.
I didn’t picture Hilly as a spider, but I like that you did, Eleanor! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Super presentation of superstitions. Well done.
Thanks so much, Jill!
So cute! Love all the superstitions!
thanks, Maria!
Hilly’s demeanor is so refreshing. She sounds like the perfect picture book character. Her name is very fitting. You created an unique MC that seems like she just spreads happiness and joy. Something I would love to read more of and think readers would too. Another great story, Sarah. Good luck!
Thank you SO much, Ashley, and thank you for your help with my stories!
Warm fuzzies in this story, and Hilly is spreading the fun! Very cute story, Sarah, love the thread of happiness!
Thank you so much, Katie!
Haha! Hilly tempting fate and acing it! Very fun!
HAIR-RAISING HALLOWEEN
By Sheri Bentley
89 words
My mom was superstitious
And always so suspicious
A figurine
On Halloween
Could make her shout and scream!
She thought she spied a werepup
What else could mama dream up?
She filled with fright
Her face turned white
What happened to her eyesight?
Was it a trick-or-treater?
Or something that could eat her?
Her body shook
I tried to look
A werepup or a crook?
It was all gray and hairy
So grizzly and so scary
A wild boar
By the screen door
Was causing this uproar!
Hahaha – A wild boar was totally unexpected:-)
Wow! The bounce I had while I read this. So fun!! and what a surprise at the end! Love it!
Wow! The bounce I had while I read this. So fun!! and what a surprise at the end! Love it!
Fun story with lyrical rhythm.
Love your rhyme and bouncy rhythm. A wild boar by the screen door, hahaha!
GRIZELDA PUMPKINHEAD’S SMASHING HALLOWEEN 100 words
By MaryAnn Cortez
Grizzy hoped her party would be a smash.
Ding-dong.
Every envelope brought ghastly news.
Wylee werewolf had a fangache.
Grady ghoul, a slimy cold.
The spider sisters were exhausted from harvesting flies.
She’d heard superstitions about leaving the woods on Halloween.
Her flame could be extinguished.
But her friends needed help.
She packed a Boo-basket.
Moth cookies,
Bat’s breath broth,
and wolfsbane powder.
Frightful noises rose from beyond the trees.
Trucks rumbling. Children’s footfalls.
Shining her light bright and bold, Grizzy squashed her fear.
She joined a line of trick-or-treaters and delivered her gifts.
It was a smashing Halloween adventure.
Grizzy’s friends had such unique illnesses … I especially liked that “the spider sisters were exhausted from harvesting flies.”
Thank you!
Clever illness. Boo-basket . . . funny.
What a fun story of monstrous friendship on Halloween. Nice job!
Love your word play, ‘smashing Halloween adventure’, fangache, her flame could be extinguished, etc! And that Grizzy was such a good friend! Great job!
HALLOWEEN HOWL
By Russell Wolff
88 words
One frightful, full-mooned Halloween night,
a werecub asked, “Does my howl sound right?”
She honked and squawked, less wolf than duck.
She grunted and coughed, but her AWOOOOOO stayed stuck.
Her friends said,
“Lick toads!”
“Chew on an owl!”
But superstitious tricks didn’t help with her howl.
Her bestie said, “Girl, be yourself. Go nuts.”
So she stopped,
breathed deep,
bared her fangs,
and bellowed from her guts.
What came out sounded most like a giant burp-quack,
but it sure scared the pants off a monster named Zach.
*******
Hahaha! I’m sure kids would laugh their pants off about that “giant burp-quack”:-)
Thanks, Patricia! I hope so 🙂
Your story is super fun… but, umm, your last name really is the perfect entry for this contest. 🙂
LOL. I’d say it should give me a leg up, but in a story about werewolves, that may not evoke the nicest image. 🙂
Kids would get a kick out of this:
“Lick toads!”
“Chew on an owl!”
Thanks, Jill!
Love it! Love, “but her AWOOOOOO stayed stuck.” Good job.
ENTRY POSTED FOR MIA
Halloween Night
By Mia Geiger
99 words
On Halloween, Angelica
was scared to trick-or-treat.
For she was superstitious and
saw danger on the street.
Even on non-holidays,
she didn’t step on cracks.
Any ladder in her path
would stop her in her tracks.
Halloween was extra-hard;
it gave her such a fright—
werewolves, ghosts, and skeletons
might lurk around at night!
But then she heard a soft “Meow”—
a lost (and jet black!) kitten.
“Oh no!” she cried, a wee-bit scared.
Soon, though, she was smitten!
Angelica then grabbed her broom
and crinkly pointy hat.
“Happy Halloween!” she said,
and flew off with her cat!
So sweet and fun, Mia!
Such a perfect happy ending for Angelica:-)
Adorable! I love that Angelica overrode her scaredy-cat nature to make a purr-fect friend.
A charming story in rhyme! Lovely.
Fun. Fun. Fun.
So cute! I’m glad she didn’t let a superstition stop her from being nice to the kitten. Good luck!
Nicely done. Fun story and rhyme. Good luck!
The Best Halloween Ever
By: Armineh Manookian
Word Count: 100
Wolfgang wasn’t SUPERstitious, just a little stitious.
He basked under the moonlight for good luck,
then felt …
tingly under his costume.
Mrs. Shabun opened the door and stared at his face.
“Trick or—”
“WEREWOLF!!!”
“WHERE?!”
“AAAHHH!!!” She dumped all of her candy into Wolfgang’s bag.
“Thanks!”
What luck!
“WEREWOLF!!!” Mr. Walter cried and dumped all of his candy, too.
“WHERE?!” Wofgang was frightened but felt the weight of his bag.
Double luck!
At the park, Wolfgang won first place: “Best Costume Under a Costume.”
“How did you do it?” everyone asked.
But his eyes were on the prize.
“CAAANDYYYY!”
I can just picture Wolfgang basking in the moonlight
Thank you!
Innocent little Wolfgang! So fun, Armineh!
Yay for Wolfgang!!!
Thanks Jany!
Hi Armineh. Nice job on this one. Everyone loves lots of candy.
Thanks for reading it!
I literally giggle out loud reading the 1st sentence.
A little nod to The Office! 🙂 Thanks for reading my entry.
Love your first line and play on were and where. Good job!
Expected Visitors
By Jenna Grace
Word count: 96
It’s Halloween, time for a fright,
What else could you want on Halloween night?
The time has come for superstition,
After all it’s a tradition!
Masquerading down the street,
Give us something good to eat!
I wait nearby the door with glee,
Who will come to visit me?
Zombies and vampires, oh what a sight!
Anything’s possible Halloween night.
Heroes and villains battle nearby,
Witches and fairies take to the sky,
Ghosts and goblins to gobble you up,
And who’s up next? A tiny werepup!
Monsters trailing out of sight,
See you again next Halloween night!
Your opening stanza perfectly captures the Halloween spirit:-)
Thank you!
You’ve conjured up a wonderfully vivid celebration of Halloween!
Thank you!
What a fun description of Halloween trick-or-treaters. Nicely done.
Thank you!
ENTRY POSTED FOR SALLY
Rougarou’s Bugaboo: A Louisiana Cautionary Tale (almost)
By Sally Yorke-Viney
WC=97
I’m Rougarou and now you know, if superstitions hold,
I live in swamps near New Orleans and I am 12 years old!
I’ve always had that notion when I see a full round moon
I want to howl and prowl around and act just like a loon!
What’s weird is that I feel some fright when I see pretty stones.
There’s more than twelve. They block the door and I begin to moan!
That’s when I grump and gnash my teeth, cause twelve’s my bugaboo!
Your stones, my counting and your smarts keep this werewolf from you!
Your poem about the legendary Louisiana Rougarou was fun and informative – Great job!
I had to giggle at the (almost) in the title. My favorite part: the 1st 2 lines.
What a fun, slightly scary story. Good job!
ENTRY POSTED FOR DIANA
It’s Beginning to Look a Little Creepy
(To the tune of It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas)
by Diana Lynn Gibson
80 Words
It’s beginning to look a little creepy
Everywhere you go
Take a glance at the monsters walk
Stumbling ‘round the block
Where skeletons are wobbling to and fro
It’s beginning to look a little creepy
Masks that terrify
And the thing that will scare you most
Are the goblins and the ghost
As they float nearby
It’s beginning to look a little creepy
Mummies everywhere
But the spookiest sight to see
Are the zombies, you’ll agree
So you’d best beware!
Very creative, Diana! And well done! I’ll never hear that Christmas carol in quite the same way!
Kids love substituting words into familiar songs – Kids would love to sing this creepy Halloween/Christmas song:-)
So creative and nice rhyming work, too!
I had to sing along. Well done. The last stanza is hysterical.
Oh wow, I can’t believe mine wasn’t the only Christmas song parody this year!!! Hahaha! Great job!!!
This is great!
Good job putting a Halloween spin on a Christmas song.
ENTRY POSTED FOR LAURA
Why Werewolves Howl
By Laura Badami
100 Word count
A long time ago there was a tradition
Or what one might call superstition
that on Halloween night
Werewolves howled to cause fright
but there is another version
about a Halloween Night Werewolf Excursion
Where werewolves darted and weaved through fields of stacked hay
Searching for snacks of mice on the way
They chased bats, racoons and an old owl
When suddenly, the littlest werewolf started to howl!
This howl was long and pierced the night
Woodland creatures shook with fright
The littlest werewolf plopped down with a thump
I howled because I smashed my big toe on a stump!
Hahaha – Stubbing a big toe can cause a lot of howls:-)
I chuckled at the end! Original and fun.
Laura, this is cute. I like your take on what wolves really eat. And, an ending that made me laugh. Nicely done.
I love this twisted take on werewolves!
I love, love, love the last line (so unexpected).
Haha! Love the ending. Very fun.
ENTRY POSTED FOR PATTI
I’M NOT A SUPERSTITION
By Patti Ranson
I’m not a superstition.
This werewolf is real!
This big, hungry deal.
This ‘patient’ disposition,
Excuse my odor.
Come, just two steps…
Closer.
Slurp… that’s it.
Perhaps I’m misunderstood.
That Hallowe’en spew!
None of it is true!
But you do look awfully good.
Excuse my odor.
Come, just one step…
Closer.
Slurp… that’s it.
So, I have spiked, furry ears.
Which might cause fright,
But this drooly sight
Should arouse no wasted fears.
Hoooooowwwwl, I’m all alone,
I’m not just a poser.
A wee bit closer.
You.
Me.
Slurp – ignore the gravestone.
You nailed the spooky, eerie, creepy tone in this one:-0
Oh, Patti! This DID arouse fears! (And I’m having trouble ignoring the slurping!) Happy Halloweensie!
Nice refrain.
You achieved maximum creepiness. I like it!
ENTRY POSTED FOR TRISTA
The Rougarou’s Curse
by Trista Herring Baughman
Word Count: 100
There are a lot of spooky things in the swamp–things that give even grownups a fright. Granny told me not to go out at night; she’s into all the old superstitions. She said, “Beware the curse of the rougarou”–that’s the cajun word for werewolf.
I never believed her, and one Halloween night, I didn’t listen. I walked among black trees beneath a moonless sky, headed to meet my friends on a dare. But I never made it. At least the old me never did.
I heard my friends calling. I watched them for a moment before I howled and attacked.
Contest Blog Link: https://booksbytrista.wordpress.com/2023/10/29/the-rougarous-curse-the-13th-annual-halloweensie-writing-contest-entry/
“At least the old me never did.” … What a creepy, spooky line:-0
Trista – yikes!. This one is scary.
I learned a new word (sounds like something to eat). I think kids would be spooked out (in a good way). Well done.
Thanks, y’all! 🙂
Oh no, scary! Good job!
ENTRY POSTED FOR ISABEL
LAUGHING AND GIGGLING ON HALLOWEEN
by: Isabel Cruz Rodriguez
Trick or Treating on Halloween
The little goblins laugh and scream
“It’s a full moon” one of them said,
Wear these glasses for night vision
Don’t forget the superstition
If a scary werewolf we envision
With furry paws and eyes so bright
It’s sure to give us all a fright.”
The little gobblins avoided commotion
By walking slowly and with caution
But when the goblins saw a motion
They jumped up and began to laugh
The spook appeared like a hot flash
Starting to dance the Monster Mash.
The little goblins laughed and wiggled
Joining him as they all giggled.
So much fun with the monster mash. Cute! Sweet ending.
A monster-mash dancing werewolf – What a funny sight:-)
Nice job Isabel. You’ve gotta love “The Monster Mash”. We always danced it with the picture book in my music classes.
I enjoyed your upbeat Halloween story and how the cautious “goblins” ended up dancing, laughing, and wiggling and having fun instead of being scared.
It’s adorable–I never knew goblins were so cute, giggled and wiggled!
I can hear all those giggles. Fun story!
ENTRY POSTED FOR SUSAN
A WEREWOLF IN THE CLASSROOM
By Susan Lynn-Rivera
Words 97
I’m frightened. The kid sitting across from me in class, Ray Wolff, is a werewolf. It’s not just that I am suspicious. At recess, he pulled fur off his chest. The growl in his throat didn’t sound human, either. I’m afraid of him because he knows about my Halloween party tonight.
Finally, I got brave and told our third-grade teacher about him because she’s invited to my party. She strode to Wolff’s desk and said, “Dogs tucked down your shirt aren’t allowed in school.”
I hope she knows he was tricking her to cover up being a werewolf.
Now, I don’t know who to believe: the narrator or Ray Wolff. What a clever twist at the end of the story!!!
Thank-you for the positive feedback, Patricia.
Scary! I hope her party turned out okay.
ENTRY POSTED FOR LUCRETIA
A Frightful Howl’oween
by Lucretia Schafroth
WC: 100
“C’mon!” urged Wendalyn. “Sun’s almost up. We gotta get home!”
“Afraid we’ll turn into jack-o’-lanterns on Halloween?” Werner winked.
“I’m not superstitious!” she insisted. “Let’s cut through the graveyard!”
The two werewolves watched moonlit skeletons skittering around the headstones.
Suddenly—
“AAA-RRROOO!” howled something.
“That’s frightful—”
“RUUNNN!”
Glowing eyes galloped in pursuit. Glimmering teeth drooled slime.
“SMELL…W-ERRR-NER!” it bayed.
They dove, crouching beside a crypt.
“FIND…W-ERRRR-NER!”
“Wh-what is that?” stammered Werner. “M-maybe a vampire?”
“Their eyes don’t glow!” whispered Wendalyn.
“Ghost?” he wondered.
“Don’t have glimmering teeth!”
“Zombie?”
“Slimy…but can’t run!”
Then—
SLURP!
“Ahhh-haha, it’s Lurch—our bloodhound!”
The Adams family. Cute name for the dog.
Thank you, Eleanor! Actually, I came up with “Lurch” as I watched our 5-month old puppy trying to chase his ball. His clumsy attempt at running on his still too-big paws made me think–“He’s lurching!” He’s not a bloodhound but has a similar ungainly gate.
I’m happy your pup inspired you, Lucretia. Readers can imagine various scenarios, and interpret the story differently, I guess that’s why we write for children.
I love word play. Playing this game never ends 🙂
Thank you! It was a lot of fun to write this!
The trusty bloodhound, Lurch, gave us all a scare. (My mental image of Lurch is a little scary, too: He’s part traditional bloodhound and part Addams Family.)
Haha! Actually, “Lurch” is our sweet, 5-mo old Doberman, Draco, who is convinced that he’s a lap dog! He may be perceived as “Addams Family” to some but he’s all lick-no bite in reality.
Haha! Love the ending! Good job!
Thank you, Nancy. It’s always fun to end with an unexpected, opposite-of-scary-monster surprise.
Which Wolf?
By Melissa Chupp
99 words
Here’s your Halloween costume.
Pots? Pans? Candlesticks?
You wanted to be a wolf selling goods. A ware-wolf.
No, a frightening wolf lurking in the woods.
Here, I fixed it.
Trail signs and question marks?
For the wolf lost in the woods. A where-wolf.
No. You know, one that changes during a full moon.
I’ve got it.
Why so many outfits?
For the wolf that changes during a full moon. A wear-wolf.
Listen carefully. A creature that shapeshifts from man to wolf during a full moon after being bitten by another werewolf.
Oh, you can’t be that. That’s just superstition.
This made me laugh. Make this into a picture book. The illos would be fantastic.
Thank you! A picture book would be fun!
What a hilarious Abbott and Costello routine going on between these two – So funny:-)
Thank you!
Such an incredibly imaginative play on words!
Thanks, I seem to be drawn toward word play.
Hi Melissa. What a nice play on words. I pictured a mom or dad and kid.
Thanks!
Standing ovation (once I can straighten after being doubled over in laughter.)
Thank you 🙂
Funny! I feel this way like a mom sometimes…
Exactly!
Love it! So much illustration potential! Nicely done!
Thank you!
ENTRY POSTED FOR SHAWN
The Haunted House
by Shawn Kirby
WC 98
Friends think my house is haunted.
I am not superstitious.
My friends are coming Saturday for our Halloween party.
Tonight, I am alone.
Eerie music is coming from the basement.
I grab my flashlight.
Inching down the creaky steps,
The music intensifies.
The basement looks normal.
Wait! Is that a fur coat moving?
It’s a werewolf with our karaoke machine.
I sneak up on it. “Boo!”
“You frightened me! This is music for the party,” my brother says.
He is a werewolf , I am too.
Our house isn’t haunted.
No ghosts would haunt a family of werewolves.
Haunted house reputation … eerie music … a moving fur coat — You created so much tension — What a relief that funny last line was:-)
Kids would certainly relate to the scary basement. The tension was great.
Love the fun ending! You created lots of tension.
Sarah, I love all of the Nursery rhyme characters you incorporated into your story!🎃
Larkspur Werewolf’s Halloween CompBOOsition Report
By Kandi Zeller
100 words
Superstitions abound about werewolves.
I, Larkspur Werewolf, am here to set the record straight. Because it’s Halloween, and the misinformation about my community is staggering this time of year. So, today, I’m presenting my CompBOOsition paper on the subject of werewolf stereotypes.
While werewolves do get fur and fangs under the moon, we aren’t violent. In fact, we’re more likely to be hurt by people who’re afraid of what they don’t understand. When we’re in our moon power, we run around together, howling the ancient songs passed down to us by our ancestors.
We are not a fright. Thank you.
Your CompBOOsition Report format was so unique … and a great play on words:-)
Thanks so much!
I could imagine Larkspur giving this speech. Nice take on the prompts.
Thanks!
A nice twist on the story idea. I enjoyed the read and the message.
A great re-envisioning of werewolves. Love, compBoosition. Nicely done!
Thanks!
Your werewolf is determined to clarify that werewolves do not harm anyone. Great speech. I believe there’s another message in the text.
CHOCOLATE FOR HALLOWEEN (100 words) by Marcia Dalphin Williams
Taylor shuffled forward. Kids said that house was haunted but Taylor didn’t believe in superstition.
She believed everyone in the world was nice if they could just figure out how to show it, and if ghosts were truly real, they just needed someone to love them.
Suddenly a kid werewolf stepped on her mermaid tail. “Did I give you a fright?” he asked.
“No.”
“Well come and share supper.”
She followed and watched a ghostly figure drop a dog dish. The kid scooped up candy bars, turned and handed them to her.
“After all” he said, “wolves can’t eat chocolate.”
Nice twist. Dogs/wolves can’t eat chocolate. Well done!
Thanks Eleanor. This was so much fun!
I always enjoy Susanna’s prompts.They helps me braistorm with a deadline.
I thought Taylor was a goner when she agreed to share supper … Your “wolves can’t eat chocolate” ending took me totally by surprise:-)
Thank you Patricia. I have a good younger friend named Taylor who is going to be a mermaid tomorrow. She loves everyone!
What a sweet 2nd paragraph. Touched me.
Thanks Jill. Guess that’s what I believe too.
It’s such a lovely story—great use of pulling emotional heartstrings.
Thank you Girl Scout. I was one too and a den mother to little boys.😊
Love the ending and I love Taylor’s confidence that everyone in the world is nice. We need more Taylors in the world!
Thanks Nancy. I believe they are out there!
Title: The Great Halloween Scare WC 87
The tiptap of our footsteps on the cobblestones grew louder as we climbed the steep alley.
“We’re lost,” said Vampy.
I reread the address on the invitation. “We should be close by now!”
Flickering lamps cast eerie shadows.
My heart thumped.
Cats’ cries filled the night air as we reached the threshold.
Vampy squeezed my hand.
“Careful, Vampy, or you’ll…”
Meowww! Hisss!
Vampy jumped. “Patsy! That was quite a fright. Luckily, I’m not superstitious. Better a black cat than a werewolf.”
Just then, a door flew open…
https://eleanorannpeterson.com/
Eek! Love this, my lovely CP 🙂
Wer a great group. Thanks Laura.
Flickering lamps cast eerie shadows. I can picture this! WOW!
Thanks Laura.
I meant Kiran. oops.
loud footsteps … flickering lamps … cats’ cries – You created a lot of tension with these words!
Thanks, Patricia, and thanks for leaving a comment.
Thanks, Patricia, for taking the time to comment.
Terrific build-up with evocative details. And I love how you leave the door open at the end!
Thanks, Anne. Let’s leave it to the children’s imagination on what HPPENS next.
Sorry, Anne, a few typos.
No worries!
Nice escalation in the beginning. Love, love, love the name Vampy.
Thank you, Jill.
Eleanor, I love the creativity! The ending is perfect….. 🎃🦉👻
Thanks for reading and commenting, Susan!
Better a black cat than a werewolf. But then . . .
A suspenseful story. My heart is thumping. Happy Halloweensie!
Great use of frightful adjectives to build the tension, Eleanor. I enjoyed your open-ended, suspenseful ending.
What a perfectly spooky ending! Nicely done!
Thanks Nancy!
MR. SKELETON AND HIS WEREWOLF BONES
Kathleen Jacobs
Word count: 96
Look!
Mr. Skeleton and his werewolf, Bones, are famished.
Their ribcages are…
EMPTY.
No flesh.
Just two hollowed bellies between them.
But tonight’s Halloween.
Do you know what that means?
That’s right!
Fright night.
Trick or treat,
and doggie sweets!
Knock. Knock.
Ding. Dong.
Ring. Ring.
Doors open.
No screams?
Superstitions suspended!
Candy tossed into open jawbones.
Chomp
Chomp
Chomp
Look!
Mr. Skeleton and his werewolf Bones feast.
Their ribcages are…
FULL of…
Gum.
Gummies.
Cotton candy.
Licorice.
Lemon drops.
Chocolate dots.
And lollipops.
No flesh. Just two…
Jam-packed.
Rammed crammed.
Candy jar guts between them.
What a terrific take on the werewolf as a skeleton’s pet. Love the imagery, too!
Thank you!
What a pair!
Love this:
Knock. Knock.
Ding. Dong.
Ring. Ring.
Thank you for your kind words.
Hahaha – A skeleton with a pet named Bones:-)
Thanks, I had so much fun writing this.
Fun story!
Thanks, I had a lot of fun writing it.
Love the word play and alliteration. What a fun read aloud!
Thank you for your kind words!
Original! I can picture the skeletel candy jars.
Thank you!
Seven Years of Bad Howls
Laura Wippell
99 words
The full moon’s tonight!
A dastardly growl rumbles inside me.
They’re in for a Halloween fright!
I race up the hill,
Towards my ultimate howling spot.
But skid on…
Spilt salt?!
Ouch.
I trot up the hill,
Towards my ultimate howling spot.
But stumble over…
A black cat?!
Yowllllch!
I limp up the hill,
Towards my ultimate howling spot.
But slip on…
A broken mirror?!
You’re kidding me!!!
What’s this superstitious nonsense?!
I’m a growling, yeowling werewolf with a howling job to do!
Then I realise: today is Friday 13th, not 31st!
Better luck for Halloween night- I hope!
So so good. Love your story.
Thanks Kiran 🙂
So funny, Laura! He mixed up the dates. Good luck!
Love how you include so many superstitions and the outcome that the dates were switched!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!
Smashing story with a brilliant reveal!
Thanks so much Anne!
I had to laugh at this humor:
A broken mirror?!
You’re kidding me!!!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it Jill. Poor werewolf was having a bit of a rough day haha.
Love the ending soo clever
Thanks Claudine!
What a fun story. Good luck.
Thanks so much Tarja!
You crafted all of those superstitions into your story so seamlessly, and the final one was so perfect:-)
Thank you so much for your kind words, Patricia 🙂
I’ve often transposed numbers, but this is the most fun I’ve ever had making that mistake. Fabulous twist!
Thanks Abby! I do feel sorry that 31 is a bit more popular than 13 though, haha. Need to write a story about poor number 13 now!
When superstitions collide! Fun story!
Thanks Nancy!
VILLA NUMBER THIRTEEN (WC 99)
Kiran Nair
A howling sound of a werewolf came from Villa number.13.
Sara and Sudhir jumped in fright.
“I am going to die!” said Sudhir.
“What? Why? Don’t believe in this superstition. You are silly!”
“Mandeep is inside. We must save him!” shouted Sara.
“How? His parents shouldn’t have moved to this Villa! It’s number thirteen!”
“I am in this Iron Man costume but I am so scared!”
Suddenly, Mandeep opened the door.
The sound of the werewolf continued. Sara and Sudhir grabbed Mandeep.
Mandeep laughed.
“I am watching a show. Its Halloween!”
The three chuckled and howled outside Villa number.13.
Love the setting of your story, Villa Number 13, and the premise that what we hear may not reflect the reality. Well done!
So cute Kiran! The title grabbed my interest straight away. Love how the kids are so ‘brave’ haha.
Nice eerie set up: A howling sound of a werewolf came from Villa number.13.
Then the humor: “I am in this Iron Man costume but I am so scared!”
Love that title:-)
Phew! Thank goodness it was only a movie.
Haha! Only a show. Fun story.
WEREWOLF VS. DENTIST
Abigail Mumford
Word Count: 100
A ping! and a pang! howled through my tooth. Could the 52 lollipops, 33 chocolates, and one donut be to blame?
“That cavity needs to be drilled, then filled.” The dentist unveiled a tray of sharp instruments: all silver.
“No thanks,” I said. “These canines are perfect…” A zing! and a zang! zipped through. Fear speared up my spine. I needed my teeth in prime condition to chomp and chew.
I wasn’t superstitious, just a simple werewolf with another appointment to schedule. The upcoming full moon would be the perfect time for my visit…
…that way we’d both be frightened.
What fun! I love the premise of the story, werewolf v dentist, and the over-the-top specificity in the question about the cause of the cavity.
Thank you!!
Great title (and story).
Thanks!
A dentist! What a great character to include in a Halloween story:-)
Ha. I know, right?
Why haven’t I ever thought of dressing up as a dentist for Halloween?!!! They give everyone a fright! What a fun, fresh Halloween story, Abby!
It’s these prompts! They inspire creativity. And you’ve got your 2024 Halloween costume all settled. 😉
SPELL CHECK
by Tara Flake
WC: 99
Double, double, toil and trouble…
Flipping frogwarts! There’s no bubble!
Fix it sisters, time is fleeting,
‘Tis the night for trick-or-treating!
Eye of newt
Two pixie wings
A werewolf tail
Four cobweb strings
One juicy slug
A wizard’s nose
Some goblin spit
Three pickled toes
Bumbling broomsticks! That says ‘wizard’
(In our haste we used a lizard).
Rush another! Yes – it boils!
Nervous knockers knock for spoils.
Serve the brew to soothe suspicions,
Dousing frightful superstitions.
Opened eyes see we’re not scary,
Just three sisters, old and merry.
Share the night in laughing stitches,
Freshly brewed by charming witches.
I love this take on Macbeth Tara. What a brew you concocted!
Thank you so much!
Delightful Shakespearean send-up! Your ingenious humor truly had me in “laughing stitches.”
Thank you! Happy to lend a laugh 🙂
What a recipe!
Thanks, it was fun to write!
Thank you, it was fun to write 🙂
This is terrific from word choice to rhyme and meter. So cuch fun.
Thank you! I’ve loved learning proper meter techniques over the last several months!
The language of your spells is enchanting:-)
Thank you! This was a fun challenge 🙂
I love everything about this! It’s one of my favorites!
Many thanks! It was pretty fun to write 🙂
Couldn’t resist a bit of number fun in celebration of the 13th annual Halloweensie Contest!
Thirteen Werewolves
By Patricia Nozell, 96 words
One lonely werewolf
howling…WHOO-WHOOO!
Startled wary shadow;
then there were two.
Two hungry werewolves
knocked on a door.
Copycats greeted them;
then there were four.
Four gleeful werewolves
frolicking late.
Started seeing double;
then there were eight.
Eight crazed werewolves
Prowled on Hallow’s night.
Five scrambled, joined the pack;
Frightful, scary sight.
Thirteen cheeky werewolves
sought more, found none.
Scared superstitious folks;
t’was so much fun!
Thirteen weary werewolves
slunk towards dens.
Disappeared one by one;
dreamt of ghostly fens.
One lonely werewolf,
howled at the moon.
Remembered new friends found,
planned to see them soon.
Clever counting concept with wickedly wonderful wordplay. I especially love “Thirteen weary werewolves.” And your ending is a sweet and happy twist!
Thank you!
Oh, boy. You gave us a math lesson in 100 words or less? Bravo, indeed!!!
Thank you!
I had to laugh: seeing double;
then there were eight.
Thank you!
I thoroughly enjoyed this! Clever and fun. Good luck!
Four gleeful werewolves
frolicking late.
Started seeing double;
then there were eight.
Too funny!!
Thank you!
Illustrating this werewolf pack that just keeps growing and growing (and then disappears one by one) would be so much fun:-)
Thank you!
What a cute, ‘halloweensie’ take on a counting story! The illustrations would be so much fun for this, Patricia
This is so much fun. I can see this as a Halloween counting book! Great job!
I’LL BE WHAT?!
By Stephanie K. Mena
100 words
“They all melted together,” Carrie screamed.
“This summer was extremely hot. The attic even hotter,” Mom sighed.
“My werewolf costume morphed into my Thanksgiving turkey headdress AND my homemade evergreen tree ornament.” Carrie said pulling on the werewolf’s ears and tugging on eagle feathers.
“Your costume is a fright. It’s a shapeshifter like no other,” Mom said.
“Everyone else has cool costumes.”
“There will be plenty of spooky witches, ghosts and goblins. One superstition says to chase away evil spirits, ring a bell,” Mom laughed.
“Like a loser,” Carrie cried.
“You’re every holiday. You’ll travel as the bell-ringing HAPPPY-HALLOWEEN-THANK-MAS MONSTER!”
I’d like to see THAT funny costume.
A Halloween-Thanksgiving-Christmas monster mash-up! What unique and creative costume idea–and fun story.
Thank you. 🙂
Love the “Like a loser” cry and then the mother’s creative rely. This is super fun. A “don’t cry over spilled milk” moment, or is it.
Thank you 😊
Sure to win a prize for Most Original Costume:-)
Thanks 🙂
I’m picturing the illustrations now! So much fun – love the HAPPY-HALLOWEEN-THANK-MAS MONSTER! Very creative! Great job and good luck!
The imagination is let loose 🙂
I believe an illustrator would have fune 🙂
TICK-TOCK
By Sarah Elynn
Word Count 93
On the eve of Halloween, Alpha gathered the werepups ’round.
To hear an old spooky story about an antique shop he’d found.
Owned by a man named Pop, full of whirs and ticks and tocks.
Alpha was teething at the time and bit a cuckoo clock.
Pop yelled a superstitious curse and threw at him a cup.
“What was the curse?” asked Barkley, a very frightful pup.
Alpha scratched his itchy ears, first with paws and then with sticks.
“He warned when you eat a clock, you’re doomed to a life of ticks!”
Hi Sarah. I love this, especially since I was just bitten by a tick in our woods. The bane of all dogs and Vermonters.
Thank you! Ugh, I’m sorry to hear that! We Mainers feel the same!
Love this line: Alpha was teething at the time and bit a cuckoo clock.
Thank you, Jill! = )
Hahaha – So funny for him to be “doomed to a life of ticks” … Kind of reminds me of Captain Hook’s alligator in Peter Pan:-)
Yes! Haha I never thought of that, but being a big fan of Peter Pan, I love that comparison! = )
I love the last line. It’s cute and funny. Good luck.
Thanks so much, Janet! 🙂
WEREWOLF WANTS TO SHARE
by Lori Bonati
Word Count 100
Halloween is coming.
Full moon’s on its way.
I won’t need a spooky costume
to scare folks away.
Face will sprout some whiskers,
Nose will grow quite long,
Ears will change their shape, and I will
howl a creepy song.
Neighbors will be frightened.
Friends will scream and shout.
I’ll become a hungry werewolf
when the moon comes out.
You might think I’m kidding.
Come ‘round to my street!
This old “superstition” will have
clawed and furry feet.
I would never bite you.
(I might wag my tail.)
When the night is over, we can
share what’s in my pail.
Blog Link: https://loribonati.com/blog/f/werewolf-contest
Lori, this is nicely rhymed with a natural rhythm. Good job.
Thanks, M. Dalphin!
“wag my tail” — funny to imagine a sweet little werewolf wagging and eating candy. Nice rhyme!
And thanks to SueJeanKo … I’m not sure how to reply to your comment, but this is it!
Great job! Fun to read aloud.
Thanks, Deborah!
Fun and descriptive 😊
Thanks, Stephmena!
Oh, how charming! Nice rhyme and rhythm. Bravo!
Thank you kindly, Parishaiku (I like your name)!
This is wonderful. Clever too. Fear is a funny beast.
I love the ending. Well done!
Thanks, Corine!
… and thanks for following my blog!
Very nice. I like the friendly ending. 🙂
Thanks, Karen! It’s good to have a friend.
So tempting to go over and share what’s in his pail, but I wonder if that’s just a trick … Maybe, maybe not — I love how your ending lays the groundwork for different interpretations
ENTRY POSTED FOR DANA
Dare to be Were
By Dana Lee Ryals
(99 words)
Weresville is a cozy, little town, with happy people and pumpkins all around.
But don’t be fooled by the charm and delight, as Halloween nears, so does that frightful night.
People that evening are especially scarce, most being tempted and take the dares.
Believe it or not, or call it superstition, people of the town find themselves in quite a hairy position.
If the urge is too strong and you look at the moon, wait one moment and a werewolf you will be soon.
Close the blinds, read a book, this just might help you NOT take a look.
This town even SOUNDS cozy: Weresville
Your words set a perfectly scary and creepy tone for this story:-0
ENTRY POSTED FOR JUDY
100 Words
GORDON GOBLIN’S HALLOWEENSIE STEW
By Judy Caldwell Hughes
Frightful Forest’s Cooking Contest is today.
Gordon is making Halloweensie stew with:
-Artichoke hearts
-Toenail clippings
-Corn ears
-Werewolf whiskers
-Cabbage heads
-Fingerling potatoes
-Kidney bean juice
-Secret ingredient.
But where is it?
Who’s playing a trick?
Gordon spots the culprits.
He snatches their cache.
Simmer, simmer.
Finally, stew, gritty as beach mud.
Gordon worries Witch’s Wolfberry Brew or Kitty’s Catnip Catsup will win.
Superstitious, he crosses his fingers and crumbles-on his secret, Rainbow Rose petals.
The judges munch, crunch and slurp the entries.
Gordon’s stew sparkles their eyes. It tingles their tongues.
The pumpkin of gold goes to Gordon.
Great sensory description: gritty as beach mud.
Really creative idea and great ingredients. Toenail clippings – eww! haha
Love all the body parts in this stew’s ingredients: Artichoke HEARTS, TOENAIL clippings, Corn EARS, Werewolf WHISKERS, Cabbage HEADS, FINGERing potatoes, and KIDNEY bean juice
ENTRY POSTED FOR ANNA
Isaac’s Frightful Night
By Anna Eklund-Cheong
Word count: 97
“Ready?” asked Grandma.
“Ready!” squealed Isaac.
“Don’t let black cats cross your path,” Grandma warned. “It’s bad luck.”
Isaac shivered. Her warning frightened him.
“I learned that superstition long ago,” added Grandma.
“What’s a superstition?” Isaac asked.
“An expression people invented to keep us safe,” she explained.
Suddenly, a black cat wearing mittens, and a werewolf in galoshes, raced across their path!
Grandma jumped! Isaac caught her hand.
After trick-or-treating, they headed back home, exhausted.
Isaac brushed his teeth, climbed into bed, and whispered:
“Grandma, tell me a story about black cats–the kind that wear mittens.”
Oh, my heart. This is such a sweet celebration of grandma and grandchild. I am obsessed with your “werewolf in galoshes”(!) and would love a story about that, too!
Thank you for your feedback, Anne! Every comment helps a writer take her/his game up a notch. “Galoshes” has always been one of my favorite words! I was so happy to use it.
I adore this visual: Suddenly, a black cat wearing mittens, and a werewolf in galoshes, raced across their path!
Aw, Isaac comforted Grandma: Grandma jumped! Isaac caught her hand.
Sweet ending.
Thank you for your comment, Jill! I’m glad the main moment in the story moved you ❤
Anna,
Nice to see you here!
I love this intergenerational interaction between grandma and Isaac. Two distinct voices through your choice of words. I love the ending, especially. Happy Halloweensie!
Thank you for commenting, Corine! Who knew that stories could be told in 100 or fewer words!!?? Oh, we did! Sometimes stories can even be told in 17 or fewer syllables! Wink.
😉
I love how Isaac is so protective of his grandma! What a special relationship and a sweet story!
Now that’s a sweet Halloween treat and story!
The ending is purrfect.
Great way for Isaac to end the day – A bedtime story from Grandma … maybe a story about three kittens with mittens;-)
ENTRY POSTED FOR CARMEN
Carmen Castillo Gilbert, PhD
Word count: 97 words
TITLE: THE COOLEST HALLOWEEN STORY EVER!
Time to make my Halloween costume.
Can’t be a princess again.
Done being a pirate.
A werewolf – no more.
Slithery is the way to go!
Need supplies …
Green rope for a tail.
Green make-up for my face.
Green socks for my feet.
Ta-da! Juana, The Super Iguana!
I look frightful!
Even people who are not superstitious will run when they see me.
Trick or treat!
A tasty cricket!
Trick or treat!
A shiny beetle!
Trick or treat!
A long-legged spider.
I want candy!
I remove my tail and turn into a leprechaun.
Trick or treat!
Cute, funny, informative, and two holidays too–it’s a grand slam home run!
What a clever change of costume. Candy tastes so much better than bugs!
Necessity is the mother of invention … I love the ingenuity of this little trick-or-treater when only bugs were landing in the bag
The Backwards Werewolf
By Linda Fischetti
98 words
Flowerew is a backwards werewolf. Whenever the moon is full, Flowerew changes from a wolf into a hungry human…who loves candy! Flowerew usually can’t get all the candy he wants,…but this year Halloween has a full moon! Flowerew can go Trick-or-Treating!
Wait! Regular werewolves will look like kids in costumes! Humans won’t be frightened and run away! Werewolves will eat all the kids…and the candy!
Flowerew thought hard about Werewolf superstitions. Aha! Werewolves are afraid of Vampires!
Flowerew dressed like Dracula. He scared away all the Werewolves!
Halloween was happy and filled with candy!
Fabulous premise with wonderful twists!
Linda!!!!! So happy you entered The 13th Annual Halloweensie Contest!
Great story, I love the name Flowerew! 🎃
Kids would just love this idea of a backwards werewolf!
A Halloween Trick and Treat
By Stephanie Flom
WC: 100
On Halloween night, Charlie headed out for trick-or-treating.
“I’ll come with you,” said Mom.
“No, I’m old enough to go alone,” he replied.
“Oh…ok.” said Mom, disappointed.
“Are you sure?” Dad asked, “there’s a full moon tonight, werewolves might be out…”
Charlie wasn’t a superstitious boy, so he headed out on his own.
But…five houses down he heard a…GROWL!
He saw something….terrifying…covered in fur.
The beast headed right for him.
Beyond frightened, Charlie sprinted home, straight to his mom.
“I love you,” he whispered.
At bedtime Dad asked Charlie (while smiling and hiding something furry), “Any werewolves out tonight?”
Yes!! haha classic dad “trick.” I can totally see my husband pulling this when the kids are older. Great job, Steph!!
Thank you!!
Awww! Very cute. Funny that Dad did what the evil sibling would normally do.
Totally relatable! I love this, Stephanie! Great work!
Thank you Lauren!
Such a fun and heartfelt piece. You make us feel all the feels!
Thank you!
Excellent twist!
Thanks Abby!
Sneaky Dad. Once Dad spills the beans, Charlie will get back at him. Maybe . . . next year’s Halloweensie is set up for you.
Ohhhh I love that idea Jill!
Thank you!
Some Daddies are just little boys inside and this story captures it. Well done. Love it!
Perfect Dad joke (trick):-)
Love the twist! Great job! 🎃
Thank you!!
RUDY, THE WEREWOLF
by Lori Himmel
97 words Rudy means “famous wolf.”
The moon lit up Rudy’s bedroom.
“I’m going to be a werewolf for Halloween!”
Then…
TWITCH!
WHOOP!
ZAP!
“What’s happening?”
Flesh to fur.
Fingernails to claws.
Bulging muscles and torn shirt.
Wolf-like face and terrible teeth.
“I’m a real werewolf!”
“ARH-WHOOO!”
Rudy frightened trick-or-treaters and smashed pumpkins.
One kid screamed, “I thought werewolves were just a superstition!”
“OH, no we aren’t!” roared Rudy.
He growled and slobbered through the streets.
“RAH! HA! HA!”
Rudy shook the ground when he walked.
THUD! QUAKE!
The clock struck midnight.
“Time to be Rudy again! Wait! Why didn’t I turn back?”
“ARH-WHOOO?!”
Such a cleverly written cautionary tale. I love Rudy’s enthusiasm!
Thank you, Anne! Aren’t these so fun to write? Appreciate your comment. 🙂
Great description of the transition from boy to werewolf.
Thank you for your comment and for reading, Jill!
Sounds like Rudy is a “WILD THING” and totally lovable.
Awe, thanks! He is definitely “wild!” 🙂
Interesting background on the German meaning of the name Rudy
ENTRY POSTED FOR ALLISON
The Superstition (Cut Down to 100 words)
By: Allison Gray
“Tonight is CABBAGE NIGHT,” Bobby said. “Because if you eat cabbage the night before Halloween, a werewolf will…”
“Uh huh,” Sam interjected.
“You’ll see because Mom said we’re having cabbage soup for dinner.”
At supper, Bobby whispered, “Tomorrow is FRIGHT NIGHT! In more ways than one…”
“I’m not superstitious,” Sam muttered.
On Halloween, Sam’s dread for bedtime grew with the dark.
Scrrrritchhhh, claws dragged.
“AHHH-WOOOOO!!”
A shadow loomed in the doorway. A robed figure… with a cabbage head?!
Bobby laughed. “It can’t be ‘Fright Night’ without a little fright!”
He peeled a leaf off the cabbage. “Happy Halloween, Sam.”
Splendid sibling story with so many layers!
Hahaha, I can hear the young boys reading this laughing at the first line (every time they read it).
That Bobby is quite a tease … I do wonder if Sam will get his revenge
Friends with a Werewolf
By Lauri C. Meyers
100 words
Mom made me invite the new kid trick-or-treating.
“Okay. But it’s weird Bobby has a beard.”
Bobby’s breath smelled like meatballs, but he sniffed out the best houses. He howled at my jokes. (I’m hilarious.) After weird Mr. Jones gave out beef jerky, Bobby traded me Snickers.
Bobby was alright…until the moon appeared. He ran off frightened!
“Guess he’s superstitious?”
Suddenly, this dog trotted up wearing Bobby’s pirate hat.
“Bobby?”
Grrrrrrrr.
Meatball breath.
The dog pounced…
… on Joey the Jerk trying to steal my candy bag! Joey ran scared!
“Not this year! I’m friends with a werewolf!”
“Right?”
Woof!
https://www.laurimeyers.com/2023/10/friends-with-werewolf-halloweensie-story.html
Very cute story!
Terrific tale of friendship with delightful details like the howling at the narrator’s jokes (“I’m hilarious.”) and the meatball breath!
I’m a sucker for humor: He howled at my jokes. (I’m hilarious.)
Great sensory images (meatball breath? Eww! or maybe Mmm?) and pacing!
And to think this child didn’t want to go trick-or-treating with Bobby … I love how his act of kindness was rewarded
Totally a cute tricky kind of story! Well done!
ENTRY POSTED FOR MARTHA HOLGUIN
A dreadful night soon to fall.
Filled with fright and treats for all.
Moonlight shades aligned as steps.
Luring voices in our heads.
Climb up, come up, for a treat!
Treats await come look, come see.
Way atop the Willow tree.
Disappearing apparitions.
Witches broomsticks looming by.
Skeleton bones with treats in hand.
Black cat eyeballs creep behind.
Superstition startles the climb.
Werewolf glares in disguise.
Reaching heights to snatch a treat.
BOO!
Snatch!
Scream!
Too scared to try, too scared to see!
Treats await come look, come see.
High atop the Willow tree.
One ghoulish night on Halloween.
Gorgeous lyrical piece. Reminds me of “The Hanging Tree” from the Hunger Games.
Thank you appreciate your comments
Very creepy tone established in your story … I can almost hear the scary music that could be playing when your story is read aloud.
And a scary windy haunting howl. 😳 Thank you, appreciate your comment. The title is “Wicked Willow Trick or Treats” it didn’t copy when I pasted.
A First Halloween
By Claudia Sloan
Word count: 100
Hold my hand.
I’ll walk with you.
Let’s warm-up
and practice BOO!
Ring the bells.
Knock on doors.
Don’t be scared
by spooky roars.
If wicked witches fly around you,
if you hear a werewolf howl,
if a ghost appears behind you,
breathe in, …breathe out a growl.
Keep trick-o-treating, like a game,
you’ll be happy that you came.
If you’re frightened by loud noise,
try to focus, keep your poise.
Tombstones, cobwebs, superstition,
creepy monsters, …it’s tradition!
Think happy thoughts and yummy treats.
Watch the moonlight on the streets.
You’re so brave!
We’re almost done!
Halloween —
Oh, how fun!
Also available at my blog: https://claudia-sloan.blogspot.com/2023/10/a-first-halloween.html
Precious and poignant with lovely rhythm and rhyme. A real Halloween treat!
Sorry for the delayed response, I didn’t know there were comments (first-timer here!). Thank you so much for your encouraging words! 🙂
If you write a Halloween PB, I’d like to see this refrain:
Tombstones, cobwebs, superstition,
creepy monsters, …it’s tradition!
I LOVE that first stanza. So sweet and an excellent way to draw in the reader.
I like: “breathe in…breathe out a growl”
I enjoyed your rhyme, especially “superstition” with “tradition.”
Claudia, for a first attempt this entry, in my opinion, is a GRAND SLAM! Great rhyme and choice of words. I, too, think you can make a fanstastic PB out of this one. Buena suerte!!!
So cute, sweet, and funny from beginning to end!
I can just picture a young child sharing these words of Halloween wisdom with a friend – Amazing how you were able to couple a scary tone with a child-appropriate tone
ENTRY POSTED FOR JEAN
A Sight, a Fright and a Delight
By Jean Martin
100 words
Halloween was tomorrow and Walter and Wilbur Werewolf were set to dispel superstition.
Werewolves are quite nice.
They would be a sight,
Perhaps, create a fright, but then…
leave a delight.
At the first door, Walter turned into a chicken, Wilbur a cow.
They left eggs, milk and cheese. Wow!
At the second door, Wilbur turned into an ostrich, Walter a fish.
They left feathers and a delectable dish.
At the last house, a witch motioned them to enter,
Stirring a bubbling brew,
And poof! Walter and Wilbur flew!
A sight, a fright, but…
NOT part of her stew.
Phew!
I still think werewolves are pretty scary despite Walter and Wilbur’s best efforts!
Such a funny image:
At the first door, Walter turned into a chicken, Wilbur a cow.
They left eggs, milk and cheese. Wow!
Yes, I agree. It had me cracking up. Great story!
The treats that Walter and Wilbur left at each house were so funny:-)
Love how you incorporated Susanna’s three words into your story! Great story! 🎃
The Hairy Neighbor
By Anjali Morard
97 words
The wind howled.
“But,” Billie protested. “it’s Halloween, the ghouls are out. And the moon is full.”
“You frightened of werewolves?” her brother teased. “Superstitious?”
“No! I’ll go.” She drifted toward the gray, ragged house.
She pulled the cord, and the doorbell groaned, low and mournful.
Through the door, she saw a candle carried by a hairy shape. The beast loomed larger and larger.
“Monsters aren’t real. Monsters aren’t real,” she whispered, heart racing.
“Trick or treat!” she squeaked as the door opened.
“Here, have the whole bag,” growled the werewolf.
“Few kids visit…I’m not sure why.”
Hahaha! There’s a scary neighbor in every neighborhood! Billie overcomes her fears and takes home the prize–a whole bag of candy. And, I predict she will make a new friend of this hairy neighbor, too! “Few kids visit…I’m not sure why”—so funny!!
Thank you Anna! 🙂
I could sense Billie’s apprehension…and rightfully so! Poor Werewolf, prepared with all that expensive candy and hardly any trick or treaters!
I do feel a little bad for the werewolf! Thank you for your comment!
My heart was beating as fast as Billie’s! Thank goodness for this ending. Great job!
I’m glad Billie’s apprehension comes through. Thanks for the comment!
Such an awesome story. The “she squeaked” so reveals Billie’s fear.
Thank you for the kind comment!
Very cute! I was really drawn into the story and the ending made me laugh. 🙂
I’m so glad 🙂 . Thanks for the comment!
Nice! I love this story about overcoming a fear or weakness and getting rewarded. It makes one think twice about judging neighbors by their appearance.
“Monsters aren’t real. Monsters aren’t real,” — That simple little refrain added so much tension for me.
Raven and the Werewolf
By Elizabeth Muster
WC 100
CRASH! Raven’s mirror broke while he was feathering his nest for the Halloween party.
“Can I help you clean up?” asked a werewolf passing by.
“P-p-please go away,” Raven shivered in fright. “I’ve heard about your kind.”
“That’s right…I’m kind,” said the werewolf. “I’m a CAREwolf.”
“R-r-really?” Raven ruffled his feathers.
“I’ll prove it.” Werewolf cleaned up all thirteen pieces of glass and then handed Raven a lucky penny. “To ward off your superstitions.”
“Thank you,” replied Raven. “Would you like to come to my party tonight?”
“I’d better not,” said Werewolf. “At midnight I turn back into a SCAREwolf.”
You really got me with that funny twist at the end. Loved it!
Good luck from a broken mirror, I like it!
Fun wordplay here!
A CAREwolf . . . nice.
This is such a cute story. Love the matter-of-fact twist at the end!
What a fun twist at the end, Elizabeth!
Carewolf! Love it!
WEREwolf … CAREwolf … SCAREwolf: Such fun word play, PLUS the superstitions with THIRTEEN pieces of glass and a luck penny woven into the narrative, too!!!
R-r-really witty and fun short story!
Trick IN a Treat
Reed Hilton-Eddy
97 words
A trick IN a treat?
Smirk – silly superstition.
CHOMP
Gnaw, grind, gobble.
First lumpy and bumpy
And crispy, crusty and crumbly
Then sip, slurp and suck.
Savory, sour and subtle.
Feverishly I flop to all fours.
Wobble, bobble, tumble, bumble.
My face shifts to furry and fuzzy while I quake and shake.
Is this frightening or funny?
A bark bursts out with a boom.
GROWL
HOWL
Sallow and yellow my eyes glower at the shadows.
I sniff a whiff of something musky and skunky.
Am I a… werewolf?
What about you?
Care to try this tricky treat?
Also on my site: https://reedandnicolebooks.ca/news/
This is so much fun to say: sniff a whiff.
All your creative words are so fun to read. I laughed at “Is this frightening or funny?” Sometimes those two go hand in hand!
I agree that this is fun to say out loud. So many perfectly picked words.
What great language!
Great idea to have a tricky treat for the trick-or-treaters:-)
ENTRY POSTED FOR NINA
Halloween Spell
by Nina Nolan
[98 words]
I know Halloween is supposed to be scary,
but today was too much.
This morning, I thought my puppy’s eyes
were glowing like a werewolf!
Then, lunch in the cafeteria
which is usually just gross,
was downright frightening.
Walking home, a black cat crossed my path.
And I stopped in my tracks.
“That’s just superstitious,’ I said, “I’m creeping myself out.”
And with that…
the spell was broken.
At night, I trick-or-treated as Dorothy.
My puppy was Toto.
When anybody tried to spook us,
Toto gave them puppy kisses.
So, we weren’t scared…
unless we wanted to be.
Awww! My favorite costumes are always the non-scary ones. This is a great shoutout to those little ones who like to dress up for Halloween but don’t want to be terrified.
Then, lunch in the cafeteria
which is usually just gross,
was downright frightening. So funny.
Love that last line… “Unless we wanted to be”. Fab.
“That’s just superstitious,’ I said, “I’m creeping myself out.”: Loved her girl power agency when she broke the spell with her own words and logical thinking.
Fright Night Birthright
It’s time for transformation on the moonlit, monster stage…
With frightful frights on Mischief Night, I’ll truly come of age!
Though I’m seldom superstitious and my self-belief is strong…
I can’t help but feel suspicious and sure something has gone wrong.
I’ve certainly got furry ears, my teeth are sharper, too…
Eek! I’m not a wicked werewolf, I’m a cuddly cockapoo!
So I’m not a hairy horror and my howls don’t match the rest.
But when you’re cute and cuddly then the treats are just the best!
My first childhood pet was a cockapoo, so I LOVED this!
Awww, they’re just adorable, aren’t they? Thank you!
How creative and entertaining is this. Reminds me of stories where the egg hatches and it’s not what is expected. I could imagine the illustrations and delight from little readers. What a nice surprise twist! I enjoyed reading your story. Good luck!
Thank you so much 🙂
Hahaha – Transforming into a cockapoo instead of werewolf: Great idea!
Thank you!
Black Cat Saves the Night
By Lori Sheroan
95 Words
Werewolf had his tonsils out
October thirty-first.
His throat was raw and scratchy.
Halloween was cursed.
“Eat soft foods and whisper.
Soon you’ll be just fine.
You can’t go trick-or-treating, though,”
said Dr. Frankenstein.
Home alone on Halloween!
This was worse than any fright;
but with kindness and a blender,
Black Cat would save the night.
Ignoring superstition,
she crossed his path and knocked.
Since no guest was expected,
Werewolf was quite shocked.
She brought ice cream and her candy.
What a difference one friend makes!
Stirring, whirring (all while purring),
she made Halloween milkshakes!
This is a sweet story. What a good friend Werewolf has in Black Cat!
Haha, this is fab. I love the daftness of werewolf having his tonsils out and then it turns into a sweet story of friendship. Nicely done!
I keep thinking of werewolf having his tonsils out. Today is the day. 🙂 Fun story!
How did this crazy idea jump into your head?! Love this.
Our family tradition for Halloween is to throw our candy into a blender with milk and ice cream-Halloween blizzards! I always wanted to write about it, so this was my chance. Thank you!!!
Hahaha: Dr. Frankenstein performed the tonsillectomy:-)
ROWL THE SMILING WEREWOLF PUP
Tarja Helena Nevala
97 words
Under a round moon
Werewolf babies growl,
“Look!” Mama snarls —
And yowls a scary HOWL.
“It’s Halloween night,
With superstition gloom.
HOWL!” Mama gnarls.
“Wolf SMILES will BE your DOOM!”
“Run from wee goblins,
Witches and their treats.
Smiles are forbidden —
So are city streets.”
Mischievous Rowl
Who always has a smirk,
Tiptoes to the city,
For fun and lurky work.
“BOO!” yelled a ghost.
Rowl hiccupped with a grin.
Soon he was smiling —
And laughing from within.
“Now I am DOOMED!” he cried.
His smile gave him a fright.
“NO!” growled the ghost,
“It’s TRICK-or-treat tonight!”
Rowl is such a great name.
Yes. Sounds like a tough young werewolf name. He was a gullible too and got tricked.
I like how you used the word ‘lurky’ . . . from verb to adjective.
My favorite image is when Rowl “hiccupped with a grin.” … I picturing this cute furry baby werewolf hiccuping and giggling and ending up having a great time.
Thank you Patricia. I see a cute furry baby too. 🙂 I’ve kinda fallen in love with Rowl. Stared at an empty page for quite some time.