Monday, October 28, 2013

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!


This is the pumpkin I carved with my family. I am definitely a traditionalist.

So my good friend Susanna Leonard Hill holds these wonderful children's story-writing contests on her awesome blog (if you haven't visited, you should) and I never enter. So I mean to rectify that. Here are the rules:

Write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words), using the words spookyblack cat, and cackle. (black cat can count as 1 word and title not included). So here is my entry:

Brewster's Halloween Trick

Brewster, the fat black cat, loved Halloween only second to chocolate. He ate it all the time.

When the witch donned her spooky hat, he shivered. When she whistled for her broom, he quivered. When she chanted her battle cry, he quaked.

"Cackle, cackle, black crow's feet, scaring children, that's MY treat!"

Brewster hopped on the broom. Tensed for take-off.

But the broom wouldn't go.

It hummed and whirred. Rattled and shook. Shuddered and Drooped.

Brewster was too fat.

So the witch kicked him off and zipped into the sky.

"Cackle, cackle, Eye of newt. Eat your veggies and more fruit!"

The End

So wow. Getting it down to 100 words was a fete-and-a-half!

Finally, I wanted to let you know that I will not be around for the month of November. For the first time EVER, I will be doing NaNoWriMo. I'm a touch nervous, but I've outlined until I can outline no more, and I'm excited by the idea, so here's to hoping it all goes well!

For those of you who have done it before, I'd love any hints or suggestions! Otherwise, I will see you on the other side. :)

38 comments:

Andrea said...

I completed NaNo in 2010 and 2012, but only 11,000 words in 2011. I did the rebel route with a memoir type of thing...and I winged it! I think I might have to go for it again this year. My advice would be to try not to fall far behind on the daily goal...that probably sounds like common sense,but it's all I've got...oh and HAVE FUN!!

Old Kitty said...

What a fab pumpkin!!

Have a lovely Halloween and GOOD LUCK with Nano!!!!

Take care
x

Faith E. Hough said...

Great pumpkin (I go traditional grin as well) and delightful story.:)
Good luck with NaNo--you're a brave soul!

DonnaLouise said...

What an enjoyable funny read, Janet. I loved this story! :0)

Anonymous said...

Cute pumpkin. We don't carve them anymore. Nice Halloween story. : )

Best wishes with NaNoWriMo! Be sure to have plenty of chocolate. : )


Susanna Leonard Hill said...

OMG Janet! You made me laugh out loud! Brewster was too fat and she kicked him off! I can't believe you managed a whole entertaining story and a moral, no less, in 100 words. I am impressed! Thank so much for joining in the fun - it was worth the wait :) Hope you have a very successful NaNoWriMo!!!

Robyn Campbell said...

I'm thinking that I make an abysmal showing up against the stuff I've read so far! Fantastical job Janet! :-)

Anonymous said...

What a cute story--and I laughed out loud when the cat got kicked off! Well done!

(Good luck with Nano--I'll tell you my secret. I work on what I need to work on and don't worry too much about making 50,000 words. I mean, you still get a badge, right? :-)

Anonymous said...

Fantastic punch line . . . right after she shoved Brewster off the broom.

Cheryl Secomb said...

Oh, this is so funny! I really enjoyed it. Well done, Janet! And good luck with NaNoWriMo. I did it last year and reached about 53,000 words. It really helped that I planned ahead, so with all your outlining, you should do great! It also helped that I focused on the daily goal. One day at a time. Happy Halloween and Happy Writing. :-)

heatherdent56 said...

Aw! Poor Brewster! Hopefully he'll lose a few pounds by next Halloween :)

Vivian Kirkfield said...

Hello Janet...nice to meet you via Susanna's amazing Halloweensie Contest! Your story is fantastic...love the little refrains and the humor...and the good nature of Brewster.:)
Best of luck with the writing challenge!

Lauri Meyers said...

Nice to meet you Janet! Your name choice here is fabulous- Brewster sounds like a big, fat cat. I like the witch dialogue rhyming- I need to try a story with a little rhyme one of these days.

Anonymous said...

Poor little Brewster! This was so funny! Cute ending! Love the last line.

Anonymous said...

A fat cat called Brewster, sounds just right! loved it and the message in the tail/tale! ;)

Anonymous said...

Hahaha...this was cute! But poor kitty, Brewster :) Maybe next year he will be trim enough to ride.

Buffy Silverman said...

This is delightful! Love your witch's cries.

Joanna said...

Aw, poor Brewster!

Cathy Ballou Mealey said...

Poor Brewster! The chocolate did him in. Veggies and fruit, plus a little mouse-chasing exercise should do the trick!

Wonderful story!

clarbojahn said...

If Nano is as successful as your contest story you'll have no problem. :)

Lily Whalen said...

Great story! Good luck with NaNo. I attempted last year for the first time, but hadn't outlined sufficiently. If you've outlined until you can outline no more, sounds like you're ready!

Anonymous said...

Oh my goodness that is so fun! Well done

Emily R. King said...

Cute little story! I read it to my children and they enjoyed it too. And love the Jack-o-lantern!

Happy Halloween!

Beth Stilborn said...

What a fun story! Loved the word choice. Poor ol' Brewster. Maybe next year...

Good luck with NaNo!

Margaret G. said...

Wow! Fun story! I love the witch's refrain.

Stacy S. Jensen said...

Cute story! I should eat more veggies and fruit too, but never on Halloween. Good luck with NaNoWriMo! See you on the other side.

Unknown said...

Lol, like this alot.. :)

Anonymous said...

Poor pudgie kitty! Best of luck with the writing in November...and beyond!

Michelle Heidenrich Barnes said...

Totally awesome. You have a healthy taste for wicked good fun.

Pamela Brunskill said...

So, so funny! I actually laughed out loud at the end. Nice job!

Author Amok said...

Fun story! I loved the rhythm and wordplay in this section: "When the witch donned her spooky hat, he shivered. When she whistled for her broom, he quivered. When she chanted her battle cry, he quaked."

Anonymous said...

HAHAHA, just one of the many benefits of eating chocolate. Loved it! - Carrie

Jarm Del Boccio said...

A witch in the need of a diet. . .cute! Hope all goes well with Nano. I have too many responsibilities to try it this year. Have fun!

Connie Arnold said...

Love your story, Janet, great job!

Patricia J. Weaver said...

cute story, I have a friend doing Nano good luck

Anonymous said...

Fun story Janet! :)

Melissa Sarno said...

Ooh, good luck Janet! You are a brave soul. I will be cheerleading for you.

Marcia said...

Love that story! Wishing you all the best with NaNo.