Susanna Hill’s Thanksgiving Contest

22 Nov 2011 31 Comments

by Patricia Tilton in Thanksgiving, Writing Contest Tags: ,

They were supposed to go to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving, but the blizzard came in fast.  The wind howled.  The tree creaked.

Papa stockpiled wood inside the burrow.  He stomped his feet and bolted the door.

Papa looked at his shivering brood of three.  “I know you are disappointed, but we are safer in our burrow.”

“What about Grandma’s acorn pie, ” asked Sammy.  His pudgy cheeks quivered and is large glossy eyes brimmed with tears.

“We have plenty of nuts, berries, fruit, seeds and grains to feast upon,” said Mama.  “Why don’t you do your chores.  Be thankful that we’re together.”

Sammy, Teddy and Rose tidied up their nests and swept the burrow.  Sammy wondered what they could do to make Thanksgiving special.

Then Sammy spied a twig resting against the wall inside the burrow.

“Hey Teddy and Rose, I have an idea,” said Sammy.  The three siblings huddled and whispered.  Rose jumped up and down.   The rest of the morning they worked in a corner of the burrow on their idea.

Mama worked all morning preparing their feast.  Papa tended to the fire so that the burrow remained warm.

Sammy carefully placed their centerpiece on the table.

“It’s beautiful!”  Mama gasped.

“It’s our thankful tree,” beamed Sammy.  Tied to the branches were acorns, pine cones, and dried leaves bearing the names, Mama, Papa, Grandma, Sammy, Teddy and Rose.

They heard a rustle in the tunnel and a voice called out,  “Acorn pie anyone?”

“Grandma,”  they chirped.  “We’re thankful you’re here!”

Susanna Leonard Hill is sponsoring a Thanksgiving Writing Contest.  Here are the rules: Post your 250 (or fewer) word kids’ Thanksgiving story, beginning with “They were supposed to go to Grandma’s for Thanksgiving, but the blizzard came in fast…” and add your link to the link list.  The last day to submit is November 24th!  Add your own entry at http://susannahill.blogspot.com/2011/11/oh-excitement-thanksgiving-contest.html.

 

Copyright (c) 2011,  Patricia Howe Tilton, All Rights Reserved

Third Platform Builder Campaign Challenge

22 Oct 2011 28 Comments

by Patricia Tilton in Platform Builder Campaign Tags:

This is the final Platform Builder Campaign Challenge, and it has been great fun meeting new writers and making new friends.  Thanks you Rachael Harrie for this wonderful opportunity to connect with writers of all genres.

The Challenge: Show not Tell

Write a blog post in 300 words or less, excluding the title. The post can be in any format, whether flash fiction, non-fiction, humorous blog musings, poem, etc. The blog post should show:

  • that it’s morning,
  • that a man or a woman (or both) is at the beach
  • that the MC (main character) is bored
  • that something stinks behind where he/she is sitting
  • that something surprising happens.

Just for fun, see if you can involve all five senses AND include these random words: “synbatec,”  “wastopaneer,” and “tacise.”   (NB. these words are completely made up and are not intended to have any meaning other than the one you give them).

Home

A sliver of orange appeared over the horizon, as if the clouds were pulling the sun out of the sea.  She jogged down the empty beach for many miles, her breath steady and even.  She stopped when she reached the rocky shoreline.

She leaned over and breathed deeply, taking the salty sea air into her lungs.  Her bare feet sank into the sand as the waves  lazily lopped over her ankles.  She already felt free from the demon that imprisoned her.  A grin crept across her face.  She was grateful she had been so thorough in her planning.

From behind her a strong odor stung her lungs and made her eyes water. She jumped and turned to look.

“Red tide again,” she coughed.  “I must stay calm, and leave no sign.”

Her eyes scanned the shoreline until she spotted the marker she had left in the rocks.  She started climbing and yanked a bag from its hiding place.  She opened it and removed a long silver rod.  She pointed the shiny rod at the cliffs above and hissed “tacise…synbatec.”   She landed with a thud on a bed of pine needles high above the water.  She smiled as she tightly grasped her escape route.

Rapidly, she slipped into a pair of khakis and a navy  shirt.  She shoved her feet into a pair of loafers.  The sun was a nice rosy glow, as it climbed into the sky.  She glanced at her watch and tapped her foot.

“It’s time to leave this world,” she thought.

She carefully made her way to the large boulder.  She stood looking out over the sea.  A dark mist rushed towards her as she cried out, “wastopaneer – home.”

“That’s a wrap for today,” yelled the director.  He looked up, but she was gone.

I entered the contest late, so my number is #99 .   According to my count, I am at 300 words.

Copyright (c) 2011,  Patricia Howe Tilton, All Rights Reserved

 

Writing and Art Contest for Teens and Adults with Downs Syndrome

15 Aug 2011 2 Comments

by Patricia Tilton in Writing Contest Tags: , ,

Woodbine House is holding a contest for talented  teen/adult writers and artists  with Downs Syndrome.   Woodbine House says that “many teens and adults with DS are incredibly talented and don’t always receive the recognition they deserve.”   Winners will receive an award and have the opportunity to see their work published in a high quality, full-color book.

Participants must be over 12 years of age, residents of the U.S., Canada or Mexico.  Entries may be submitted in many different categories that include fiction writing, poetry, song lyrics, cartoons, painting, sculptures, embroidery, weaving and other mediums.     For details on contest submission go to http://www.woodbinehouse.com/DScreativecontest.asp.    The deadline for entries is Dec. 31, 2011.

If you are a parent, teacher or an interested teen/adult with DS, please pass along the contest formation.

I became familiar with Woodbine House after reviewing a special series of books titled Off We Go!  last April.   I discovered that Woodbine House is a leading publisher of books for children with special needs.  Many of their employees have a personal connection to someone with special needs — a winning combination for all involved.  You can view their books for children, parents, teachers and professionals at: www.woodbinehouse.com.

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