Monday, December 12, 2016

Tis' the Season!

2016 has been my year of TRYING EVERYTHING - at least when related to writing children's books. That post will be coming at the end of the month, but before we say hello to 2017, I figured I would try one more thing to also get me in the holiday spirit - a fun contest courtesy of Susanna Leonard Hill!
Check out her amazing blog here: SUSANNAHILL.COM

The 6th Annual Holiday Contest!!!!
12-days-1

So the challenge is to write a children's holiday story using the basic format/concept of The Twelve Days of Christmas, not to exceed 300 words. I thought about it for a week (as is my style), then wrote it yesterday. Here goes:


The Twelve Days Before Christmas
Twelve days before Christmas, mom bought me a sparkly, bright light-up necklace that blinked red, silver and green – just like real holiday lights.

Eleven days before Christmas, Luis said my necklace wasn’t quite as cool as his talking Christmas tie. The new girl, Lucy, said it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

Ten days before Christmas, Mr. Silver said I should put the necklace in my desk until the end of the day.

Nine days before Christmas, mom and I brought cookies to the neighbors who give us coconut cake on Kwanzaa.

Eight days before Christmas, my necklace stopped blinking.

Seven days before Christmas, mom replaced the batteries and told me not to sparkle quite as much.

Six days before Christmas, I asked Lucy what she wanted for Christmas. She looked down at her feet and said snow boots would keep her dry.

Five days before Christmas, we sang in the holiday concert. I wore my necklace for Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, but not for the Native American Winter Song.

Four days before Christmas, Mr. Silver found five shiny, gold chocolate coins for Hanukkah on his desk.

Three days before Christmas, Ms. Pam had to remind me not to leave my necklace on the bus.

Two days before Christmas, I gave Lucy the necklace. She smiled and twirled and said the colors glowed – like friendship.

On the day before Christmas, I asked Santa to bring Lucy the most sparkly pair of snow boots he could find. And more batteries.


21 comments:

  1. What a great ending to your story. Good luck and happy holidays.

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    1. Thanks Gregory! Did you enter as well? I'm working my way thru the submissions (slowly) ;)

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  2. This is a beautiful story Eileen! Your character has a strong voice and warm heart. Great job!

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  3. What a nice friendship story. This is what the season is about.

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  4. I really like this, Eileen! My mom got me a necklace like that a few years ago (and I'm in my thirties!) Good luck! (And high five from a fellow librarian!)

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    1. HI Jennifer! Thanks alot - I'm glad you get the necklace obsession! Where are you a librarian? Librarian/writers are my favorite people!

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    2. I'm in Illinois (Chicago suburbs). I'm currently only subbing and doing the occasional storytime... but I'll get back into a more "permanent" position one of these days. For now, I'm enjoying some extra time to spend on writing! :)

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  5. This is a heartwarming story, Eileen! You really nailed the voice of your MC and captured the strength of her friendship with Lucy. Beautiful!

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  6. I enjoyed reading your story, sounds like your main character is a good friend.

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  7. What a delightful story, Eileen! Such an authentic kid voice (loved the part about wearing the necklace for Rockin' but not for Native American :) I've been to so many holiday concerts with song selections like that! :) ) And I love the friendship element and how kind she is to Lucy... right down to the extra batteries! Thanks so much for joining in the fun, and Happy Holidays!

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    1. Thanks so much Susanna! And thanks for the contest - I've wanted to enter one for a while now but can never get it together!

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  8. What a lovely ending to a beautiful story celebrating friendship.

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  9. Wonderful story, Eileen...and I love that she not only gave the necklace to her friend, but asked for her friend to get boots...she was kind and observant. A lovely celebration of true friendship and the holiday spirit. ;)

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    1. Thanks Vivian! (And on a completely different and shallow note - I love your profile pic, don't ever change it!)

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  10. Oh, I love this. Talk about voice of a child! My favorite line is "Ten days before Christmas, Mr. Silver said I should put the necklace in my desk until the end of the day." LOL.
    That line is such a good example of good PB writing; it shows how to use sparse text, and let the illustrations (and in this case our imaginations) fill in the whole big scene going on around it.

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    1. Thank you for the hard-fought comment ;) Nancy!
      What would I do without you!!!

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