Spellbound
“Ethan, wake up!” Shawna whispered to the lump of covers.
“Go away,” came his muffled response.
She nudged him. “It’s here! Our favorite holiday!”
He threw the quilt off his head.
Shawna bounced with excitement. “Mom’s making newt stew.” She poked her brother with a broom handle. “I’m gonna be a witch, like mom. See, I get to borrow her spare broom.”
Ethan rolled his eyes. “I’m thirteen. Trick-or-treat is for babies.”
Shawna narrowed her eyes and pointed the broom at his forehead. “I swear; if you don’t go with me, I’ll have mom turn you into a bat.”
~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-~~~-
So, here’s the deal. Halloween really isn’t my thing…but writing is 
Nancy at Spirit Lights the Way told me about a writing contest and it looked like so much fun, I had to do it. That’s the story about this 99-word story!
Susanna Hill created the following contest – the winning prize being 5 autographed children’s picture books (how cool is that?) Here’s the challenge:
Write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words), using the words witch, bat, and “trick-or-treat“. Your story can be scary, funny or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!) Get it? Halloweensie – because it’s not very long and it’s for little people
So, Happy Halloween and stuff!!!
Yay! You did it! And I love it . . .
As the mother of two, I’m sure you understand Shawna’s desire to turn Ethan into a BAT. But, surely, her mother would never stoop to that. Even on Halloween.
Great entry and Nancy I love your stoop pun.
Thanks, Catherine! I’m glad you stopped by to read it
Thanks, Nancy! I couldn’t not do it
Surely their mom wouldn’t do that, but it is Halloween after all…you never know!
Hmmm…I wonder if Ethan will choose trick or treating or turning into a bat?
That’s an interesting question, Heather. At that age, he might prefer being a bat for a bit.
You may be right, Nancy!
Well, he is thirteen, and a bat is a really good costume…Perhaps he’d be more willing to trick-or-treat if she threatened to have him turned into a Disney Princess?
Great Halloween challenge!
Thanks so much for reading, Rebecca! Hope you had a happy Halloween
Had a great one. I hope you did too.
All good here…kiddos are still on a sugar high.
Sounds like the start to a great MG novel!
Wow, thanks! I hadn’t thought about there being more (especially since I don’t write children’s fiction) but it might be fun to explore. I appreciate you stopping by to read my story, Julie
I love it, Janna! Great story.
Thanks, Clar! I haven’t seen you around these parts for a while…glad you stopped by
I agree, this could make a great opening to a book for older readers.
That’s an interesting possibility to explore, Carrie. Thanks so much for reading!
Cute story! We’ve all had to resist those urges at some point!
Oh there were times growing up I wished I could turn my older brother into something…he picked on me quite a bit! Glad you stopped by, Julie!
What fun, Janna! I’m with Heather – wondering if Ethan will go trick-or-treating or get turned into a bat! I’m so glad you found the contest and entered – you because of Nancy because of Vivian which means I get to meet 2 new wonderful writers today!
And I love that you have all your partners in crime in the sidebar – they are all precious!
Thanks again for hosting such a fun contest. I’m enjoying reading the entries, which makes me wonder how you’ll ever narrow it down to three! I appreciate you stopping by – and I’m glad you liked my furry family members
Those 99 words are terrific! I want to know what happens next!
I’m glad you liked the story, Cathy! I just might have to play with this to see what happens next
Very fun. I enjoyed this! I, too, am wondering whether he will give in or be flying around the attic!
Thanks, Penny! I appreciate you stopping by to read it and I’m glad you liked it. I don’t know…being a bat might make this Halloween more fun for him
GOOD for you! Halloween isn’t exactly my favorite holiday, either, but you’ve got a cute and well-written little story here. I love Shawna’s spunk!
I had fun with the story (unlike the Halloween festivities at work….let’s just say I had a lot of cubicle alone time today
) Shawna is a feisty one…if mom won’t turn him into a bat, she just might! Thanks for reading, Debbie.
Well, you did that handily! Good job, Janna. Do you find that you go over and have to pare it down, or do you measure your words as you go?
Thanks for reading, Patti! This story just ended up the right length…I wrote it quickly with few edits. Usually I end up writing long and have to trim (especially those 33-word challenges!)
If only for the food, I have no desire of being a witch.
I hope you get the 5 autographed picture books, Janna.
This is a charming story though, my newt stew prejudice aside.
Hahaha! Yeah, newt stew sounds pretty gross. That might help me lose a couple pounds, though
I had fun writing this, but I don’t think I’ll get the picture books. (I’ve read several entries so far and they are really good!) Thanks for reading and overcoming your newt stew prejudice, Imelda.
It’s a cliffhanger! This would be such a fun story to develop, Janna!
Thanks for your nice comment, Renee. I didn’t write this with the idea of writing more, but it might be fun.
I love it, Janna! I don’t think people realise how difficult it is writing such a short story and getting the characters and theme across. Well done!
Thanks for reading it, Dianne. I’ve gotten so used to these short ones, it’s harder to do novel length
Bodacious job here. Do I smell a chapter book beginning here?
Sweet! Love the stoop wordplay. *high five*
I’m glad you stopped by, Robin. I don’t normally write for kids, except one story I wrote for my son, but it might be fun to try it out
What a wonderful story. MMM, newt soup. I’m never tried that.
Thanks for stopping by.
I appreciate you reading my story, Gail. I haven’t tried newt stew either, but the witches say it’s delish
This is such a fun idea! It could make an awesome chapter book for upper elementary kids too!
Thanks, Carla! It is fun to think about expanding the story, since it wasn’t in my mind when I wrote it
Happy Halloween 99 word storyteller.
Thanks, Patty! Right back at you, patient cheese maker
Oh my goodness, Janna! Great story…love the newt stew (lots of stews stewing around this contest). I’m so glad you entered because, as Susanna observed, now we get to meet even more awesome writers/people.
Thanks for your kind comment, Vivian. There were so many good stories and everyone was so nice, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed this Halloween
Seems Shawna is well connected.
She sure is, Carl! She knows how to get the job done (or who can get it done for her
)