One of my new Halloween traditions is participating in children’s book author Susanna Hill’s Halloweensie contest. Last year was my first time and I had so much fun–plus exercised my writing muscles, and practiced brevity–with all her seasonal contests. (I even won Honorable Mention for Memorable Characters!) It’s called “weensie” because it’s just that, entries max out at 100 words and must include shiver, cauldron, and howl. For all the spooky details, you can check out her site here.
While I was mulling over what my short would be about, Mermaid Girl had Honors Assembly which fell on the same day as Hat Day. As I was going through ALL my pictures (yes, I’m that mom), this one where she’s taking an AR 
test started a brainstorm–the witch hat, the NASA book in her lap… What witch wouldn’t want to ride her broom to the moon?
I hope y’all enjoy!
A Broom to the Moon
Willa was a good witch,
she wore her pointy hat with pride,
her whipping cloak gave shivers
when she hopped on her broom to ride.
She collected crawlies for the cauldron,
nightshade and lost lockets.
But when she looked up at the moon,
Willa also dreamed of rockets.
To fly her broom up to the moon,
it’s what she wanted most of all.
Her aunties howled,
“But there’s a chance you’ll fall!”
Willa had Halloween plans—
she’d build boosters on her broom.
A bit of engineering, a tinkering here and there,
With a BOOM, she zoomed up to her moon!
candice marley conner 
So exciting. A broom on the moon, with a witch attached, of course. What a fun story, Candice.
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Thank you, Janet! These contests are so fun!
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Great entry! I love that it was inspired by your daughter’s photo. Good luck with the contest. This is the first year I’ve seen it so I am excited to enter as well. If you want to check out my first entry: http://katherinebrownbooks.stressedoutstepmom.com/2018/10/27/callie-lorena-make-cookies-a-halloweensie-contest-100-word-entry/
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Thank you, Katherine! I enjoyed reading your entry too; good luck!
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Fun! A very clever witchling. 🙂
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Thank you, Johnell!
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Candice, I love the inspiration for this story & the idea of a crafty witch riding her broomstick to the moon! Dream big!
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That’s right, dream big! Love it!
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Love this story inspiration and fulfillment!
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Thank you, Virginia! It’s awesome all the inspiration I get from the kiddos
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Broom to the moon! Love that she found a way to reach her goal! Good Luck!
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Thank you, Nancy! You too!
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Super cute!
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Love your tinkering, engineering witch. Good Luck
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Cauldron magic only gets this witch so far–science and engineering to the rescue! 😉 Good luck with your entry too, Maria!
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Willa is one smart witch! Good luck!
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Thank you, Jennifer! I love writing smart witches–I think it will be fun to expand her story and really explore what makes her tick
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What a fun spin on a Halloween story! Good luck!
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Thanks, Katie! You too!
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At last a young witch determined to get what she wants. Clever. Good luck with this.
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Yes, Willa is determined–will she fall like her aunties worry?? I have no idea! She’ll think of something though 🙂
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Great job at incorporating STEM into this challenge, fantastic! Good luck and Happy Halloween!
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Thank you! Incorporating STEM is my new jam now so I appreciate your comment! Good luck to your Halloween chicken too!
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I like it; where can I get a broom like that?
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Haha, think of all the possibilities of a broom with boosters!! (Less sweeping??)
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So original, refreshing and fun. I love it.
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Thank you!
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Everyone needs a broom like that. Good luck!
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Right?! Next step for Willa: become an entrepreneur! Good luck to you as well, Gregory!
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Oh, this has huge potential to be a great STEMinist picture book! Good luck!
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STEMinist–I love it! Thanks, Jilanne. Good luck to you as well!
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Very cute!
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Thank you!
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Cute!
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Thanks, Sarah!
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Great story. Love it, and love the story behind it. Good luck
Terry
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Thank you, Terry! Willa’s broom might be useful next time your Wilhelmina makes another batch of her high-flying brew 😉
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Great story, Candace! My entey stars a girl named Willa as well… except I think she’s a wolf. Your Willa is far more inventive then mine! You know what they say about great minds though. 🙂
Ps- Yours is always an entry I search for! Your stories, no matter how brief, never disappoint!
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Thank you for your kind words, Jennifer, that just makes my day!
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This is great! Love the aspiration to blast to the moon!
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Thank you, Amanda!
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I love it, Candice! An engineer witch with big ambitions! Nice way to sneak some girl power into a Halloween story! I’m glad Willa reached her goal through her own ingenuity. And how fun that the story came from your photo! Thanks for joining in the contest!
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Thank YOU for hosting these fun contests, Susanna! Participating is one of my new favorite Halloween traditions! Hope you got lots of chocolate in your trick-or-treat bag!
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What a great idea for a Halloween story. This was such a fun creative story to read. I love the engineering witch…very clever.
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Thank you, Jean! I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
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