8th Annual Holiday Contest for Children’s Writers
The judging criteria for the contest is as follows:
1. Kid-appeal! – These stories are intended for a young audience (ages 12 and under), so we’re looking for stories that children will enjoy and relate to.
2. Holiday Heroism! – the rules state a Holiday Hero story, so it must be crystal clear that the story is about Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or whatever you celebrate, and it must contain a hero and act of heroism in some form!
3. Quality of story – entries must tell a story, including a main character of some kind and a true story arc even if it’s tiny
Entries must not be merely descriptions or mood pieces.4. Quality of Writing: check your spelling, grammar, punctuation etc. If you’re going to rhyme, give us your best
Overall writing quality and use of language are also important.5. Originality and creativity – because that is often what sets one story above another.
- No Longer than 250 Words.
by Lynne Marie
Word Count 249
“Look! This year, there are
more children on my list than ever.” Santa’s brow furrowed.
“Pass me another piece of
cranberry walnut pie, please.”
“Are you sure?” asked Mrs. Claus.
“Why not?” replied Santa. “I’ll need energy.”
Pitter patter. Santa landed on the
rooftop of his first stop.
He’d brought a perfect present for little
Roxy--the best bouncer in the neighborhood. He popped it into his sack and
dropped it down the chimney. He tried to follow.
“Ho, no!” said Santa. “I’m stuck.”
Thump!
Roxy slipped out of bed.
Wiggle. Wrestle. Wiggle.
She peeked up the chimney. “Oh, no! Santa’s
stuck.”
“Too much pie,” Santa admitted. “And I need to
visit all the other children on my list.”
Roxy thought and thought and thought. “I can
help. Santa, did you bring the trampoline I placed on my Christmas list?”
“I sure did,” Santa
admitted.
“I know it’s not Christmas
morning yet,” said Roxy, “but I need to open it now.” She sifted through the sack. “Just a
few minutes while I set this up under you.”
She bounced
and bounced
and bounced.
Finally she sprang up high enough to grab
Santa’s boots. She pulled with all her
might.
Santa wedged free.
They tumbled onto to the trampoline and out of
the chimney.
“You saved Christmas,” said Santa. “But your
trampoline is ruined.”
“That’s OK,” said Roxy. “I got to meet Santa!
No one will believe this story. Can we take a selfie?”
“Ho Ho Ho,” laughed Santa. “Smile!”
*.*.*.*
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Lynne Marie is the author of Hedgehog Goes to
Kindergarten - illustrated by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic, 2011), Hedgehog's 100th
Day of School – illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic, January 2017), The Star of the Christmas Play --
illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books, 2018), Moldilocks and the 3 Scares
-- illustrated by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling, pending) and Let's Eat!
Mealtimes Around the World -- illustrated by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books,
2019) and more, forthcoming. She is an established Children's Writing Mentor,
Critiquer and Editor (www.thepicturebookmechanic.com coming soon). Please feel
free to e-mail her for current rates at LiterallyLynneMarie@Gmail.com.
yay for Roxie... what a clever way to save the day.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteAwww, thanks, Sue! I knew that I wanted Roxy to save the day by sacrificing her own toy, but I really had to rack my brain over a number of them to get one that served the right purpose, but would also be ruined. Glad you liked it!
DeleteI like that Roxy was willing to sacrifice the thing she wanted most for the sake of Christmas. Cute story, Lynne Marie!
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much for your sweet comment, @Candice Conner! I appreciate your stopping by My Word Playground!
DeleteWell who could resist another slice of cranberry walnut pie? Lucky for Santa, Roxy saved Christmas! Enjoyed this funny little story, Lynne! Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by @Desejrobinson! I appreciate your sweet thoughts and wish you Happy Holidays, as well!
ReplyDeleteTimely story and quick thinking on Roxy's part. Enjoyed this story, Lynne Marie!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thanks, Traci! So happy to see you over here at My Word Playground. Good luck in the contest!
DeleteSanta selfie's are the best. Fun story. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you, @Gregory E. Bray. Thanks for stopping by My Word Playground.
DeleteWhat?! She got a selfie with Santa? #bestchristmasgiftever
ReplyDeleteSo glad you stopped by, dear @Lauri Meyers! Always happy to see you here. Love your enthusiastic comments :)
DeleteVery clever and a Santa selfie! Nice job!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, @Nancy Riley! Happy to see you here at My Word Playground!
DeleteOh my goodness, Lynne! You made me laugh :) Roxy is quite the spunky little character with her bouncing. Good thing she asked for a trampoline and was a quick thinker! Love the selfie with Santa at the end so she'll have proof! Thanks for joining in the Holiday fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting @Susanna Leonard Hill! Such a fan of your work and your efforts to pay it forward to the KidLit Community! Thanks for all you do!
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