Author Susanna Leonard Hill is hosting her 8th annual Halloween writing contest. Here’s the catch from Susanna’s blog:
THE 8TH ANNUAL HALLOWEENSIE CONTEST
~ FOR CHILDREN’S WRITERS ~
AAHHHRRROOOOOOOOO!!!!!
The Contest: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (children here defined as 12 and under) (title not included in the 100 words), using the words shiver, cauldron, and howl. Your story can be scary, funny, or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over).
I love being challenged to write something in so little words. It gets those creative juices flowing! Check out her sight to read other fabulous and frightening entries. Thanks, Susanna for the festive activity!
Here are my entries:
Halloween Surprise (99-words)
“Last stop,” Dad says pausing by an old house.
I squeeze his hand.
“This isn’t Grandma and Grandpa’s?”
“Come on.” He winks.
The wind howls around me.
I shiver. Even my fairy wings tremble.
Dad knocks.
Creeaakk…
Inside, a cauldron bubbles.
An old lady wearing a pointed hat stirs the pot.
“Come in,” she cackles.
I hide behind Dad.
“Her stew’s full of eyeballs and spiders!” I whisper.
I yank Dad to escape.
“Happy Halloween!”
“Grandma!” I giggle at her witch costume.
“Welcome to our BOO-tiful new house!” Grandpa howls, carrying candy.
“Now, that’s a trick, but such a treat!”
Halloween Mishap (90-words)
Time has come
What to be?
On this frightful Halloween.
Find a spell
add some goo
In the cauldron, stir the brew.
Gulp! I sip
down it goes
Pop! Out sticks a pointy nose?
What is this?
The wrong spell?
I’m not feeling very well.
Long black hair
to my knees,
In flies Broomstick on a breeze.
Help! I cry,
and I howl
now I’m feeling very foul.
Pop! A wart
more green skin,
shiver like a skeleton.
It’s too late
I guess I’ll be,
just a witch for Halloween.
Katie Walsh 
Great job and good luck in the contest. Your first story really has a full arc and nice twist at the end. Really love it!
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Thank you, Laura! Happy Halloween!
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Happy Halloween to you! I love Susanna’s blog and contests though I didn’t enter this one. 🎃
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Two excellent stories. Good luck!
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Thanks, Gregory!
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I love both of your stories! Halloween Surprise is so sweet and heartfelt. Halloween Mishap is cute and funny. Nice job!
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That’s so kind. Thank you, Brooke!
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Love the details, like when her fairy wings tremble. Great job showing with such a weensie wordcount.
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Thanks, Candice!
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Two great entries, Katie! Love how Grandma and Grandpa get into the spirit of Halloween in the first one, and how frightfully effective the brew is in the second 🙂 Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
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Thank you, Susanna! This was such a fun contest. I appreciate the opportunity to take part in it.
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Wow, two great stories. Love them both.
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Thank you!
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Two for the price of one…thanks, Katie. These Halloweensie stories were so much fun.
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Thank you for stopping by, Vivian! It was another great contest!
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