Like I said, it’s contest season! Below you will find my contest entry for Susanna Leonard Hill’s 7th Annual Holiday Contest. Much like Halloweensie, the rules were clear and simple, but that’s where the similarities ended. For the Holiday Contest the rules were:
1. Each entry must be about a holiday surprise
2. 250-word limit
What did I tell you? Simple, right? Deceptively simple actually. The judging will be on: Kid-Appeal, Holiday Surprise, Quality of Story, Quality of Writing, Originality and Creativity. I had even more fun with this contest than Halloweensie. It definitely took work, a few rounds or revisions and a lot more feedback from a couple dear friends. The story was inspired by the ornament that you see as my featured image, except I quickly realized that in this story, she was a she, and not a he. Her name is Ginger, and she led the story, as characters do when you give them the proper time and space. So now, without further ado, I give you, in 249 words…
GINGER’S GIFT.
Ginger was Melody’s favorite ornament and always snagged the best spot on the tree. This year, even with all the holiday decorations, she could see that Melody’s eyes didn’t have their usual sparkle. Ginger knew this first Christmas in the new house would be tough for Melody. She wanted to help.
One day, she watched Melody gloomily flip through the pages of the toy catalog. She stopped only once, to stare at a picture of a guitar. Right then, Ginger knew what to do. She shared her idea with the other ornaments and the entire tree rustled in agreement.
That night, when Ginger gave the signal, the Nutcrackers near the fireplace tip-toed over to the catalog and dragged it to a spot under the tree. Ginger took a deep breath and pulled her hook straight. She tumbled from one branch to the next and landed under the tree with a soft THUD. Ginger quickly and quietly found the page with the guitar and laid down next to it.
The next morning, Melody’s mom saw Ginger on the ground. As she picked Ginger up, the catalog caught her eye and the corners of her mouth twitched into a knowing smile.
On Christmas Day, Ginger watched from her branch as Melody ripped the wrapping off the final present. Instantly, Melody was jumping around the living room screaming, “A guitar! It’s perfect! How did you know?” Melody’s mom gave a smile in Ginger’s direction, and said, “I had a little help.”
There it is! Best of luck to everyone who’s participating; I’ve read some of the entries already and they are fantastic. (Susanna and her team of judges have their work cut out for them!) Don’t forget to check out yesterday’s Paper People Interview and Giveaway with Jodi McKay, author of WHERE ARE THE WORDS? The Rafflecopter link for the giveaway is tucked in the interview, and will run until Friday, Dec 15.
That’s all folks!
Thanks for reading, come back anytime!
-JP
Great job my friend! Here’s to luck from the other J!
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Thanks pal!! I wish you were doing this with me, but then I guess you wouldn’t have had time to critique it 157 times.
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Love the ornaments rustling the tree in agreement – great image! And what a fun perspective shared by the ornament! Great work!
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Thanks Amanda! That’s one of the ‘darlings’ that almost didn’t make the 250 word count cut… I was determined to leave it in though because I love it too! I hope you guys are gearing up for a great Christmas.
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How sweet of Ginger to help Melody out! Love how you created a wonderful world of animated ornaments. Great job!
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Thank you my friend! I enjoyed your story tremendously and was excited to see it garnered attention on Facebook for you. Happy Holidays!
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awwwww….sweet story, Jennifer!
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Thank you my friend! I love the way it turned out.
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Way to go Ginger !!! 🎄
WAT TO GO JENNY !!! 🌲
I love love love your creative spirit 💛
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Such a sweet story with the loving and thoughtful ornament. I’m impressed you were able to convey such a full story in such few words! Good luck!
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Thanks Candace! The extra 150 words this time around sure helped. I loved your story! We had snow here in South Louisiana too! My kids made snowmen and snow angles, something I told them would never happen ‘down here’. That was definitely a wonderful, real-life holiday surprise!
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Mother’s little helpers are everywhere it seems…even on the Christmas tree. Unique story about helping one another. Good job! and best of luck to you, Jennifer. ~Vicki
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Thank you, Vicki! I figured if toys can come to life, why not ornaments? I appreciate your kind words. Happy Holidays!
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A lovely Christmassy story, Jennifer. It captures all the magic that children believe in 🙂
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Thank you, Ann! That’s what I was going for. I cherish the moments when my own children are lost in Christmas magic, I’m happy you feel I captured it well!
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How original! I never would have thought to write a story in “first-person ornament.” Love the magic, creativity, and surprise. Well done, Jennifer!
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Thanks Delfina! I’m hoping that helps my chances, at least in the ‘Originality and Creativity’ category. I appreciate your kind words 🙂
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What a lovely story, Jennifer! Just the right amount of Christmas magic! Love that Ginger figured out a way to help Melody (great name for a girl who wants a guitar 🙂 ) and make her move to a new home easier. Thanks for a sweet entry!
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Thank you, Susanna! I had a great time with this contest, too. Hope your holidays settle down soon!
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Such a sweet story and I love the MC’s name!
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Thank you! I love choosing characters names… the name was actually in place before the guitar made its way into the story. Sure worked out well!
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