Lauri Meyers .

Susanna Hill is hosting her 8th annual Holiday Story contest ! The Contest :   Write a  children’s holiday story  (children here defined as age 12 and under) about  A Holiday Hero !  Your hero’s act of heroism can be on a grand scale or a small one – from saving Christmas to leaving a fresh-baked loaf of Challah bread for a homeless person to something like Gift Of The Magi where two people give up the thing most important to them to be sure someone they love has a good holiday.  Your hero can be obvious or unlikely.  Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is  not to exceed 250 words. Something about winter pulls me out to the woods to spy on the wild creatures and sneak a peek of their Christmas shenanigans.  Happy Holidays everyone!  Squirrel Wraps Up Christmas By Lauri Meyers (via publicdomainpictures.n...

It's crazy at my house right now with a trip coming up, a new puppy coming soon, and the HORRORS of fifth grade homework! But I couldn't miss S usanna Hill's Halllweensie Contest! 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!)  Here's my entry. I wish everyone a Happy and Safe Halloween. May you get every candy you want *after* the kids go to bed! Mwa Ha Ha! Photo via GoodFreePhotos Five Hungry Zombies By Lauri Meyers Five hungry zombies rotting on a street. The first one wailed, “Need something to eat!” The second one groaned, “Cauldron over there.” The third one screamed, “Smell children ...

Happy Valentine's Day! Susanna Hill is hosting her third annual Valentiny contest where she forces us to write complete stories in 214 words or less. She's tough, but these contests are great ways to get your inspiration flowing and see what your mind can do with constraints. In this year's contest, someone must be hopeful. You can read all the great entries here . Entries can be posted through 2/14. In my 146 word story, Joey must try every superstition to get a snow day or risk being Katie's Valentine. Snow Day Valentine By Lauri Meyers Jammies inside out. Ice in the toilet. Shake up the snowglobe. Snow day guaranteed! Snip lucky snowflakes. No need to cut hearts. I’m not gonna be Katie’s valentine. (via sxc.hu) Roll ice cream snowmen. Will she stare at me? Chow down on scoops of No School Tomorrow! Put a dime in the Window for Jack Frost. What if she hugs me? Add a few quarters. Run outside, spin twice. She...