Imagine the Possibilities

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?