When I went to post my Halloweensie story for Susanna Leonard Hill's 10th annual contest, I realized I hadn't posted anything since the Valentiny one. Which, unfortunately, is an accurate portrayal of my writing life. Since the start of the Covid pandmic, I haven't been able to focus on anything but reality. My creativity is next to nothing. But I'm trying to put myself back out there.
I've been reading Brene Brown's "Dare to Lead," and I'm finding it calling me to "Dare to Write" again. In Part 1, the author quotes Amy Poehler and puts my whole writing conundrum into perspective.
"It's very hard to have ideas. It's very hard to put yourself out there, it's hard to be vulnerable, but those people who do that are the dreamers, the thinkers, and the creators. They are the magic people of the world." ~Amy Pohler, Smart Girls: Ask Amy
So here is a story...albeit less than 100 words. I'm also looking for guidance in revising some of my works in progress. I signed up for a picture book mentor through SCBWI-Midsouth, and I'm anxiously awaiting feedback. I'm staying hopeful for #Pitchwars, and last week I entered #PBcritique fest.
Here's me being a dreamer, a thinker, and a creator. Here's me being vulnerable. Good luck to all the word wizards out there. Keep being magical!
Haunting at Home
By Elizabeth Muster
WC 99
No bones about it, Governor Goblin’s pandemic regulations were tough on every body.
Without ears or a nose, skeleton Kay Daver couldn’t wear a mask in public.
Mummy Dearest desperately needed new dressings, but the mortals had bought out the toilet paper...again.
Their ghoul-friend Ghostie was in quarantine with a temperature of 42.3.
This year the fiends would have to haunt their own houses instead of creeping along the streets.
So Kay, Mummy, and Ghostie spent October 31st on Zoom telling human stories and scaring each other.
It was definitely different, but Halloween 2020 was still spooktacular.
What a great twist from the human side of the pandemic! You are not alone in the writing struggle this year! I've been desperate for critiques since my groups are no longer meeting in public. I've decided to join Inked Voices (they have a monthly pop-up critique), 12x12 has a critique forum and they open up to registration in Dec or Jan. Best of luck in the contest!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am also a member of 12x12. Thank you for letting me know about Inked Voices.
ReplyDeleteI love the premise of your story, especially how you wove the pandemic in with this year's prompts. Great wordplay and terrific character names. So glad you are back putting your work out there, Elizabeth! It is a hard time right now, but creativity feeds the soul, so keep it up. Best of luck in the contest!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading this timely, creepy, and cute tale, Elizabeth. I love that the characters told human stories on Zoom!
ReplyDeleteGreat way to interlace the pandemic with Halloweenie. Love the puns and light-heated spirit of your story. Glad that you are easing back into writing. I had a hard time this time last year when the leader of my rhyming critique group passed away unexpectedly. I didn't have any heart for writing until Valentiny this year. Here's to a better 2021!
ReplyDeleteDo the monsters share their pets over the scary Zoom meeting as well? :D This was a funny take on some of the pandemic shenanigans!
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