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My quick writing entry for the Halloween Contest

10/28/2017

16 Comments

 
The following is the link to Susan Hill's web site contest.

https://susannahill.com/2017/10/27/the-7th-annual-halloweensie-contest-aahhhrrrooooooooo/

​I found out about the contest this morning and thought it sounded like too much fun, not to play. Also, when given the words that had to be included this rough draft almost wrote itself. Please note this is the first version and that I had to include certain words and could only have 100 words plus a title. See the site for full rules. Also, I am an illustrator. What fun this will be to paint!

​My idea stems from my day job as the EL teacher in Florence, OR. I work with students from all different cultures and we usually have conversations in October about the differences between Day of the Dead and Halloween. This story is more about Dia de Muertos, because my students need more children's stories for them. Part of my job is teaching them to write, and I love encouraging them to write stories about their traditions. Someday I hope several of them will write children's books from their perspective.

In the mean time here is my attempt:

On Halloween Night


 We’ve been preparing,
for Day of the Dead isn’t for scaring.
They’ve tricked or treated gathering candy
but, I’m spending November second with Granddaddy.
Our celebration has no monsters it’s true
though, I also like scary parties with you.
There’s a picnic with sugar skulls treats,
not  just candy corn but traditional sweets.
My families in the cemetery to play, to dance,
to honor relatives this is our chance.
After weeks planning our altar display,
we’ll gather around it, tell stories, or pray.
Dias de Muertos isn’t a shadowy meeting,
instead it’s a remembrance though too fleeting.  

16 Comments
Jilanne Hoffmann
10/28/2017 01:19:37 pm

Pretty awesome for a last minute entry! Thank you for taking the time to participate. It's so much fun reading everyone's entries. Good luck!

Reply
Corine Timmer link
10/28/2017 02:52:16 pm

Kassy, I enjoyed your story. I love reading about how other cultures celebrate Halloween. You weaved the three compulsory words into the story well. I am Dutch but live in Portugal. In Portugal, November 2 is Dia de Finados (Day of the Dead). This is the day that they pray for the souls of all of the dead. A couple of days before family members clean the graves and on November 2 thousands of people visit the graveyards and take food to eat at the graves of their dead.

Reply
Cathey Nickell link
10/28/2017 04:19:30 pm

That's a really nice spin on Halloween to focus instead on Day of the Dead! Great job, I love that. And, good luck!

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Rene` Diane Aube link
10/28/2017 06:29:56 pm

Neat story for the contest and to teach about different cultures. :) Best wishes to you in the contest!

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Candice Conner link
10/29/2017 06:42:00 am

Wonderful job including the Day of the Dead in this Halloweensie contest!

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David McMullin link
10/29/2017 07:53:55 am

Terrific! Thanks for sharing these traditions.

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Charlotte Dixon
10/29/2017 11:08:41 am

Family traditions are the best. Thank you for sharing :) Good luck!

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Vivian Kirkfield link
10/29/2017 04:13:06 pm

WOW...I love this, Kassy. I did some research for my entry and was blown away by how many countries celebrate the holiday as a remembrance and time to honor the spirits of departed loved ones. What a fabulous job you did with the rhythm and rhyme and packing all of that info in a wonderfully narrative way. Well done!

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Maria Marshall link
10/30/2017 12:31:39 am

I love that you brought the Day of the Dead into the competition as well. Great job with the lyricism and imagery. Best of Luck.

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Gregory E. Bray link
10/30/2017 11:00:10 am

My son just learned about this in school.. I'll read your story to him tonight. =) Good luck!

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Sherri Jones Rivers link
10/30/2017 02:19:46 pm

Oooh, sugar skulls treats. How's that for an appetizer? A unique idea for the contest.

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Kathy Halsey
10/31/2017 11:58:05 am

Dia de Muertos is so misunderstood. TY for this fun, instructive story. I live din Phoenix AZ for a few years and learned so much. Good luck. This is one of my faves.so far.

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Vicki link
10/31/2017 12:10:53 pm

A wonderful retreat of a read. thanks!
best of luck to you

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Alissa link
10/31/2017 07:22:44 pm

Loved the cultural spin on this! Great idea!

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Delfina Salimbene
11/1/2017 06:31:59 am

Ooh, this would be beautiful to illustrate. Have fun with it!

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Susanna Leonard Hill link
11/7/2017 11:49:06 am

Nice job, Kassy! I love that you wrote about Day of the Dead! Fun and educational at the same time :) Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun and would love to see your illustration!

Reply



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