Imagine the Possibilities

One of the best things about a Chinese dinner is the fortune cookie. Allan and I traditionally get Chinese take-out on New Year’s Eve, and this year I had to smile when I read my fortune: Choosing what you want to do, and when to do it, is an act of creation. I smiled because “create” was my OLW for 2017, and it was the last night of 2017. As I reflected on my year, I realized that I accomplished some of the things I had planned to do based on that word. I wanted to make sure that “create” found its way into many areas of my life. I continued to try to create a passion for writing with teachers, and I took many new steps that will help lead me to creating stories for children. I created new friendships, new understandings, and tried a few new creative projects at home. It was probably one of the most successful OLWs I’ve chosen over the past few years. Things got done, but I also said no to things I didn’t really want to do, giving me more time to create space for the things I really wanted to do. Which brings me to 2018 and my OLW (drum roll, please):

MOMENTUM

Keep going. Keep moving. Keep creating energy. There is still so much for me to learn in the world of picture book writing, but I’ve jumped in, so I need to keep forging ahead. It is easy to let self-doubt and fear hold me back, but I’m determined to keep the momentum going.  Momentum is defined as “the strength or force that allows something to continue or to grow stronger or faster as time passes.” In 2018 I hope that my writing, my relationships with friends and family, and my understanding of the world continue to grow stronger. Hello 2018.

When I was about ten, I entered a writing contest in a children’s magazine. The task was to write a story ending. All I remember was that the story was about some kids who went to school one day and found that it was closed. I was sure I had the “right” answer. What else could it be but that they forgot it was Saturday?

When the issue with the winning entries arrived I raced to the door as soon as I heard the mailman, then practically ripped the pages of the magazine getting to the right section. I quickly scanned the names…then checked again…and again. Mine was not there, and a feeling of deep disappointment fell over me. I was sure I was “right.” Then I started to read. Some of the entries were realistic, but some were pure fantasy. I remember one in particular that explained the reason for school being closed was that it was National Worm Day (explained to the kids by a worm, of course). I clearly remember not understanding why that was considered a better story ending than mine. Creativity was obviously something I had not yet learned to appreciate.

I think I’ve come a long way as a writer since then, but rejection is still hard to take. Because I’m trying to stretch myself as a writer, I decided to enter a holiday story contest a few weeks ago – a story of 250 words or less that had to include a holiday surprise. I struggled a bit, then finally got an idea, wrote what I thought was a fairly good story, then mustered up the courage to send it The feedback I got on it was enough to make me hopeful, although I tried to convince myself that being named one of ten finalists in a field of about a hundred entries was a long shot.

So, last week, I was that little girl of ten again, except that this time my email brought the news. I knew it was coming and kept checking all day, then finally just before I was about to go to bed there it was. I quickly scanned through the finalists…then again…and again. Mine was not there. Oh, well, I thought. It was a good reminder that writing is full of ups and downs, failures and successes. We just have to keep going.

Then this morning I learned that my story received an Honorable Mention for Great Kid Appeal! Yea! I truly am humbled and ecstatic, because that’s what I want to do – write stories with great kid appeal. And that little girl of ten? I think she finally gets it.

I’m participating in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Holiday Story Contest. The task – tell a holiday story in 250 words or less that contains a surprise. Here goes!

Christmas Chaos (243 words)

by Rose Cappelli

        ‘Twas the week before Christmas and jolly old St. Nick had a doozy of a cold. His head felt as stuffed as a Thanksgiving turkey. But, the kids were waiting to whisper their wishes, so off he went to lend his ear.

Johnny wanted…a pair of snakes? Suzy requested…some jelly? Nellie clasped her hands together and wished for….a boring cook? Finally there was Timmy who simply asked St. Nick to choose something from his vest. Really?

By Christmas Eve St. Nick was feeling better, so down the chimney he bounded with his pack…and two snakes, a bowl full of jelly (that shook when he laughed like his own big belly), and the chef from the TV show “What’s Cooking?” (now that’s boring!). He filled all the stockings, and when he got to Timmy’s he reached in his vest and pulled out…reindeer treats…a lump of coal…ah… some magic dust.

By morning the house was in chaos! The snakes had slithered into the jelly and were sliding across the floor where the cook was trying to catch forty winks and everyone was suddenly awake and Timmy was trying to get to the bottom of his stocking where luckily he found… the magic dust.

“OK everyone! No whispering! Shout your wishes as loud as you can when I throw the dust! Now!”

In a flash things were almost back to normal. There were skates instead of snakes, a jelly-belly dolly, and a story book complete with…recipes?