Autumn has always been my very favorite time of year. The colorful foliage and cooler temperatures energize me and stimulate my creative impulses. Over the last four years, I’ve particularly enjoyed participating in some fall writing contests for children’s picture book authors. One is the Fall Writing Frenzy Contest hosted by author Lydia Lukidis and literary agent Kaitlyn Sanchez. The other is Susanna Leonard Hill’s Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest. Both contests require themed stories (fall or Halloween-related) that use a minimum of words. The Fall Writing Frenzy Contest requires that you choose from a handful of selected images provided by the contest hosts and use that image to inspire your story of 200 words or less. The Halloweensie contest requires using three particular words in your story, and the word count is limited to 100. These challenges offer writers real growth as we focus on the economy and magic of our word choices. Best of all, winners are awarded fantastic prizes, such as free books and manuscript critiques from literary agents and published authors, and there are nice opportunities to connect with and support other writers.
So, here are my entries for the two contests. I had great fun writing them. You’ll notice they are quite similar in theme, and I rhymed again—something I try not to do too often, but what can I say? It happens. I hope you enjoy them.
Entry for the 2024 Halloweensie Writing Contest:
The Craving
by Julie Lerczak (96 words)
One Halloween, no stars shined.
Branches creaked. Black cats whined.
Roaming witches zoomed up high.
Trick-or-treaters tiptoed by.
Creeping, sneaking, looking out,
freaky things lurked about.
Moaning zombies, toothy rats,
goblins wearing spikey hats.
Creatures gathered in the street,
growling loud, stomping feet.
Each had cravings. Each went wild,
stalking, chasing every child!
Children ran. They shrieked and screamed.
All around, monsters teamed.
“Please, don’t eat us,” wee ones cried,
chilly, shaking, terrified.
The monsters stopped in their tracks.
“Hold on there! Please relax!
Eat You? Why, we never would!
We want candy! Oh, so good!”
Entry for the 2024 Fall Writing Frenzy Contest:
Something Stirred in the Lake (188 words)
By Julie Lerczak
Bubble and slurp,
Gurgle and burp,
Something stirred in the lake.
It swished and swirled,
Then mud was hurled.
Someone was wide awake.
Upon a bank,
Slimy and rank,
It crawled and looked around.
There, up ahead,
A worn path led,
Straight to an old campground.
The “Thing” smelled smoke,
From burning oak,
Stirring a mournful moan.
Driven to eat,
The “Thing” craved meat,
And juicy marrow bone.
Hurried it went,
Tracking a scent,
Hopeful to find a meal.
Full moon howling,
Tummy growling,
It ran and drooled with zeal.
A camper sat
Atop his mat,
Feeding a golden flame.
He, too, could eat
Some tender meat,
Be it wild beast or tame.
The “Thing” walked in
Screaming a din.
The camper, unafraid,
Said, “Take a seat.
Put up your feet.
A feast for two, I’ve laid.”
Surprised and pleased,
The “Thing” then eased
Into a happy scene.
Sitting on logs,
They ate hot dogs
Along with hot canned beans.
There was no fright.
There was no flight.
There was no blood and gore.
Just two new friends,
Sorting out their day’s ends,
Sharing hot dogs, then s’mores.
You can enjoy more of the contest entries by checking out the following blogs:
Little Seeds Read 