Susanna Leonard Hill, author, blogger, friend to the groundhog, and lover of chocolate, hosts a writing contest a few times a year at her blog. I've entered a couple of them and find her challenges very...challenging. Because there's a word limit. A teensy-tiny limit.
250 words. She thinks that is better than her Halloween challenge that was 100 words or less.
Yes. 250 words is better than 100. But still. Fitting a complete-ish story arc with a main character-ish into 250 words is a wee bit of a challenge.
I wrote and cut and felt cruel and my poor little story was screaming but I showed no mercy and did the necessary and ended up with a 250 word story. Whew.
Don't you feel inspired and full of Christmas cheer after that?
Happy Christmas.
Travelin' Blues
We’re travelers.
Mom
writes books about different cultures. We’re
home for a bit while we catch up with friends and school work. Then -- off again!
The only time this is a problem is Christmas. Every year, a new place. I just want to be home.
This is how it goes before Christmas:
“Mama, can we go home for Christmas?”
“Not this year, Kels.
This year we’re going to [insert name of faraway country].”
And then we’re off.
I’ve gotta admit we’ve been part of amazing Christmas
celebrations.
When I was seven, fireworks and ice cream in Brazil: spectacular!
Thirteen desserts in France.
YESSS!
A sauna on Christmas Eve in Estonia: interesting?!
Last year, two Christmases.
Iceland in December:
books and pretty fried bread. Perfection.
Ethiopia in January: 4:00
a.m. candlelight procession. Intense.
This year, I’ve had it.
I wanna go home.
We’re in Australia. I
say, with grump:
“Mom. Let’s go home
for Christmas.”
She just gave a tired smile and kept typing.
Grrr.
Today we’re off to wherever we’re going. Don’t care where.
We’re late, rushing to get settled with our flight standbys: earbuds, neck pillows, books. Mom pulls out a gift bag.
“Open it.”
I know it must be her buttering me up for another traveling
Christmas.
As the flight attendant says “...and then straight to the
States,” I read the words “DTW” at the end of the printed itinerary that was in
the bag. Detroit. Michigan.
Home. Heaven on earth.
“Surprise,” Mom says quietly.
Best. Christmas. Ever.
©2017 Rebekah Hoeft
Edited:
I was a finalist!! Out of the 10 finalists, I came in...10th.
😁
I was very happy to recieve a set of "What's the Story" cards from Susanna--thank you!!
There's a desription and pictures of them on her site here. You can order them by emailing her. They would be great for classrooms or for writers who sometimes need a little push to get started. My package also arrived with chocolate, because Susanna.
Oh, what a nice surprise! The opportunity to experience other cultures is awesome, but it's always nice to touch home base along the way. Best of luck to you. =)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jill!
DeleteThere's no place like home for the holidays, as they say. Glad Mom came through! Good luck in the contest!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jilanne! I really wanted to get "there's no place like home for the holidays" into my story, but couldn't figure out what to cut to make it happen. :)
DeleteThe terseness created by your ruthless cutting really works with the story and Kels' character! Too bad we couldn't have more words because I really want to know who or what was waiting for her at home. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was wishing for more words as well---was geeked to be writing a nonrhyming something (gasp!!) And wanted to keep going---but I love the challenge of having to be brief and still tell a story.
DeleteVery satisfying ending. Want to know more. Love all the interesting facts you fit in for the different celebrations. Wow!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I left out the fun Icelandic words and eating KFC in Japan, among others. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
DeletePerhaps Kels should ask for a pair of ruby slippers for Christmas next year. Loved the story. Best of luck to you!
ReplyDeleteOoh, that would have given it some surprise and kid appeal!
DeleteWhat a wonderful surprise! There's no place like home--especially for the holidays. Happy Kels got her Christmas wish. Nice work, Rebekah!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Delfina!
DeleteHome is the best place to be on Christmas. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Thanks, Gregory!
DeleteI'm heading home for Christmas this year and I can't wait! Good luck with the contest :)
ReplyDeleteHave a great Christmas, Christine. :)
DeleteHome for Christmas, always a beautiful thought. Thank you for this insight into a travelling child with just one Christmas wish :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol! Have a very happy Christmas!
DeleteWhat a neat perspective on celebrating Christmas around the world. And I learned about the world OLIO - so thank you for that present Rebekah!
ReplyDelete:) You are very welcome. I'm glad you stopped by!
DeleteLove this story, Rebekah, how you wove in the details of Christmas celebrations in different countries so smoothly - educating whilst entertaining! :) - and as cool as all those other celebrations are, can't we all relate to wanting to be home for Christmas? Thanks for a wonderful entry with such a nice surprise at the end!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteWell done all around. And it also felt so much longer than 250 interesting and carefully chosen words.
ReplyDelete