Time for Susanna Hill’s 100-word Halloweensie story contest. This year, the stories must contain the three words (in any form): potion, cobweb, trick. The 100 word limit does not include the title. And no illustration notes are allowed. I’m a little late to the party, but the clock has not yet struck midnight, so here goes! The word count for my story is exactly 100 words. Looking forward to reading as many entries as I can. Good luck, everyone!
Not This Book
Everyone loves Halloween, right?
NOT me.
I’m hiding here until Halloween is history.
This book will NOT give me nightmares.
Join me?
We’ll see NO witches,
ghosts,
goblins,
vampires,
jack o’lanterns,
or scarecrows with hollowed out eyes….
…Ignore that shadow.
NO spiders,
cobwebs,
beetles,
or bats will get caught in our hair.
NOTHING will tickle the backs of our necks….
…Did you feel…
…just a few shadows, but—
NO potions,
cauldrons,
eyes of newt,
or dinner parties where
zombies eat quivering, warm brains.
Just……
….shadows?
Pssst! It’s a trick! You’re in the wrong book!
Noooooooooo!! RUN FOR IT!!
_____________________________________________________________________________
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Jilanne Hoffmann 
This is great. I love it! Good luck!
Thanks, Corinne!
You really drew me in, until the end when I couldn’t run away! Eeeeek!
LOL, I left lots of room for the illustrator. Happy Halloween!
Love the way you drew me in! Fun! Good luck!
Thanks, Nancy!
Great job putting a different twist on your story! I was afraid it would not end well! Good luck!
Thanks, Colleen!
Such a clever approach with this story! I loved it!
Thanks, Nicole!
What a fun story!
Thanks, Bev!
Fun story, Jilanne. Good luck!
Thanks, Gregory!
Oh no! So, last night we watched Moana, because my daughter was done with Halloween movies… so I get that desire to have a little non spooky break:)
Yes, my son is more a fan of the fantastical than the creepy. And he’s 15!
What a fun story! I enjoyed the suspense you created with single words!
Thanks, Patricia! Now I’ve got to go round and check out PPBF. I didn’t get one posted this week!
Such a fun entry! Good luck!
Thanks, Brittany!
Nicely done Jilanne! Good luck.
Thanks, Maria! So glad I actually got something written.
I feel the same! So happy to habe gotten something down
You were especially busy, weren’t you? Amazed that you’re not comatose. Congrats on seeing your own competition through to its finale!
Thank you, I frankly am too hahhaha. The work that Susanna and her assistants (as well as Vivian) put in for these contests I AMAZING. It makes me appreciate I so much more than I already did❤️
Ha, love it! The ominous feeling then the twist ending, with the great imagery along the way, and your MC’s great personality ❤️ yoi are a lovely wordsmith, my friend, thanks for sharing
Thanks for your kind words, Kaitlyn! I was just happy to get something down on the page. It was an exhausting month. Cheers!
So much ditto
I just yelled, “Plot twist!” Great job.
We live for those twists and turns, don’t we? LOL. Thanks for stopping by!
I love this! So many spooky images and I love the meta aspect. Great job.
Thanks, Rachel! Susanna’s contests are inspirational, aren’t they? Cheers!
Love how you turned the story on its head! Also the spacing and layout is perfect. Best wishes!
Thanks, Angie! Since this contest doesn’t allow illustrator notes, I had to use spacing to relate the pacing for the story. Otherwise, reading those single words in a regular sentence structure would move the story along too quickly, not allowing the reader the chance to fully visualize what is happening. Thanks for your kind words and for stopping by!
It worked very well! 🙂
Super cute! I can see this as a flap book with lots of spooky surprises! Well done! 🙂
Thank you, Bonnie! It was fun to write.
Super fun twist! 🙂
Thanks, Cristina! It’s fun when there’s a bend in the road, don’t you think?
Fun story! I like your word choices and the ominous creepiness throughout.
Thank you! It’s a fun exercise to see what can be accomplished in so few words.
Plenty of room for the imagination to take over. Great story!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Yes, the illustrator can run wild with one, LOL. Thanks for stopping by!
Jilanne, this is so creative, I love it!
Thank you, Jenna!