Susanna Hill’s 7th Annual Halloweensie Contest

/ candicemarleyconner

Have I mentioned yet that Halloween is my favorite holiday? The weather’s sometimes cooler, you don’t have to clean cobwebs out of ceiling corners, and if you don’t feel like brushing your hair, a green wig is perfectly acceptable.

And the candy…peanut butter cups are a balanced breakfast, right?

I also love contests. So when I heard about children’s author Susanna Hill and her Halloweensie Contest, I couldn’t wait to write my entry.

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The rules: Entry must have a 100 word count or less, and contain the words candy corn (counts as one word here), monster, and shadow. And be for little ghouls and goblins.

Here’s my entry at exactly one hundred words (that’s harder than it sounds, people!):

The Candy Corn Craft Monster

Bean’s best friend Jilly said he was a monster when it came to crafts. A complete mess. He’d get glitter up his nose. He’d glue his fingers together.

So Bean hid in the shadowiest corner.

Miss Ann found him. “Halloween’s tonight! Come make spooky art.”

“I’ll just make a mess.” Bean hung his head.

Miss Ann led him next to Jilly. “That’s okay. Messes mean you’re being creative and learning.”

Bean looked at the candy corn and had an idea. He got to work.

Jilly squealed, then giggled. “It’s Bean the Candy Corn Monster!”

He grinned as he gnashed his candy corn fangs.

 

59 thoughts on “Susanna Hill’s 7th Annual Halloweensie Contest”

    • Thanks for reading Rene! In teaching myself to work on brevity in my picture book manuscripts, I’m focusing on downplaying all the details that the illustrator would fill in. It’s hard for me because details and things like setting are usually their own characters when I write MG and YA, so I’m glad you were still able to picture Bean in all his monstrous candy corn glory!

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      • Well, you did a great job! It IS difficult to go from being descriptive to non-descriptive, in a detailed sort of way, and then reversing back again, too. YIKES! I’m struggling with the same thing with some of my writing, so I get it! 🙂 Anyway, well done!

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  16. You might be onto a small series with Jilly and Bean! At the very least there is a natural sequel to candy corn.
    I love the glitter in the nose and fingers glued together– I’m raising that kid…

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  23. Being judged keeps many people from trying their hand at creativity. I love how your story encourages it and has a positive ending. Well done Candice!

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  27. First, Candice, anyone who thinks peanut butter cups are a balanced breakfast is clearly my twin separated at birth, so I’m so glad to finally meet you! 🙂 Second, love your cute story, most especially the message that messes mean you’re being creative and learning! It makes me feel a lot better about my office 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!

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  28. Pingback: Susanna Hill’s 7th Annual Holiday Contest! | candice marley conner

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