I love entering competitions like this, where there is the challenge of a prompt (sometimes an image – in this case words) and a limited word count. By limiting the endless possibilities (that feeling of a totally blank page) I find that they make it easier to get started and be inspired, and I find the challenge aspect really fun!
Anyway, here’s my entry for the 10th Annual Halloweensie Writing Contest, run by Susanna Hill (@SusannaLHill). It had to be no more than 100 words and contain the words skeleton, creep, and mask (or any version of those words, e.g. crept). It also had to read like a story (rather than a mood piece) and be for kids.
A big thank you to Susanna Hill for organising this fun competition! You can read more about it and read all the other fantastic entries here: https://susannahill.com/blog/
image: istock.com/MartaOrtiz
The Trick or Treat Cheat (100 words)
Skeleton, skeleton, where are you creeping?
I’m off trick or treating – I’ve done enough sleeping!
I’ve woken up hungry and coveting candy
(and eyeball-shaped sweets come in ever so handy!)
Skeleton, skeleton, why look so gloomy?
I’m worried the children will all see straight through me –
they’ll notice I’m real and they’ll run away screaming,
and soon put an end to my Halloween scheming!
Skeleton, skeleton, try these for size!
A mask and a cloak? That’s the perfect disguise…
…as long as you promise you won’t go and snitch –
so take off your mask…
Whoa!
ARE YOU A REAL WITCH?!
Claire Lewis 
That’s brilliant, Claire! Best of luck with it x
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Thanks, Jenny! x
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Very fun! Good luck!
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Thanks, Jamie! Yours is great fun! (I’ve just left you a comment)
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I love it!
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Thank you for reading and for your kind comment, Colleen!
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Good luck!
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Love the refrain of ‘Skeleton, skeleton’. Good luck!
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Thanks for reading and for your kind comment – I appreciate it!
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So good! I really enjoyed it.
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Thank you very much, Melissa!
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So clever and I like the ending twist!
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Thank you for your kind comment, Colleen!
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This story is fantastic, Claire! I love the set apart lines as a refrain that propels us to the surprise ending. Best of luck in the contest!
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Thank you so much for your kind comment, Jill!
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Fun! This is a delightful story and sounds great aloud.
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Thank you, Sarah – I appreciate it!
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Great story – love the refrains and the unexpected ending. Good luck!
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Thanks, Laura – the best of luck with yours too!
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Ha! Well done! I love the line about the eye-ball shaped sweets! You weave such a fun to read, spooktacular narrative!
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Thanks Kristy, I appreciate it!
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Absolutely love this. Super structure, rhyme and story. Good luck.
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Thanks for reading and for your kind comment, Roo!
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Claire – I loved this so much! The rhythm and the word play and the concept. What a great read. My kids are going to love this! Well done!! Rosanna
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Thanks for your lovely comment, Rosanna!
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Fun format! I like the reveal at the end. Hope they go together & get lots of candy. Good luck.
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Thanks for reading, Maria, and for your kind comment!
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Love the back and forth in this. Great entry, good luck!
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Thank you, Brittany, good luck with yours too!
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I like the unusual rhyme scheme, with a funny twist. Good luck!
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Thank you very much, Jilanne! I appreciate it!
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So well done!!! Good luck!
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Thank you for your kind comment, Monica!
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Cute and quippy! 🙂
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Thank you, Chel!
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Love it! Now to add some great music and turn it into a Halloween song!
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Hee hee! Now there’s an idea…! Thanks for reading and commenting!
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Really fun!
Reminds me a bit of the Brown Bear Brown Bear rhythm, it flows so well.
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Thanks for your kind comment, Katie!
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Brilliant! This is so well written and the ending made me laugh out loud. Well done, Claire!
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Thanks, Helen, I appreciate it!
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Great story!
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Thanks, Diantha!
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Very cute and great kid appeal.
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Thanks for reading and for your kind comment!
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Mwahahaha! A devilishly delightful Halloween treat. I love how the sing-song refrain conjures up a children’s game, as well as your brilliant witch-switch ending. Bone-us points for using two of the three required words in the first line! @AnneLipton
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Hee hee – ‘bone-us’ points! Great comment – thanks very much, Anne!
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Awww! This is so cute! I can just see him sticking those candy eyes in. I love the cadence of it. It only needs music now. Good luck with the contest!
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Thank you for leaving such a nice comment, Bonnie!
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I love the ending
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Thank you, Dana!
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