Susanna’s contest rules:
The Contest: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words), using the words spooky, black cat, and cackle. Your story can be scary, funny or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words (you can count black cat as one word) and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!) Get it? Halloweensie – because it’s not very long and it’s for little people 🙂 [Note: of you choose to use cackle as a verb, any form is acceptable – cackles, cackled, cackling…]
Here’s my submission…hope you enjoy!! Let me know what you think.
The House on Spooky Lane
There was one house on a hill at the end of Spooky Lane. The windows were cracked, the door crooked and the paint chipped.
“A witch lives in that house.” announced Josh. “Her loud cackles heard every Halloween.”
“Let’s go back!” begged Emma.
“Let’s go to that house.” urged Josh. “You wanted to come and Mama said to stay with us.”
Suddenly Emma’s dog broke off leash to chase a black cat, the kids followed.
When they got to the house, they found the dog. The house was vacant.
“I want to come back next year!” exclaimed Emma.
Josh sighed.
I can’t wait to see what happens next year when Josh is braver!
LOL Both may just be a little different next year!
Keila…so nice to meet you! I love your story…I want to hear MORE!!!! Your words and characters really drew me in.:)
Nice to meet you too Vivian. So glad you enjoyed the story. Appreciate your feedback.
Thanks for your feedback Doris. Much appreciated. Going to read the other stories now.
Fun story. It is hard to fill in all the details in 100. Your story is not finished until you say it is. I know you wrote it for the contest but keep playing with it and see where it goes. I was always afraid as a child so I can really relate to Emma. Just so you know, the story I posted, I rewrote 10 times. Other stories I’ve finished years after completing the first draft. Consider this a start, not an end.
Thanks for the feedback Doris. 100 words is certainly a challenge!
Oo, lots of tension here!
🙂 Yes!
Cute!
Kids, dogs, black cats and haunted houses make for a fun and spooky Halloween tale. 🙂 Emma and Josh seem like fun characters. I’d like to learn what happens if they do come back. Cute ending! Nice job, Keila!
So happy you enjoyed Cheryl. 🙂
Nothing scarier than an empty house to me–*shivers* (but the dog saved the day!) 🙂
Yes indeed!
Thanks Penny, appreciate your input. 🙂
Nice entry. It is so hard to write a story with only 100 words. But you got in some scare and tension. And of course she’s not home 🙂
Keeping with in the limit of 100 words was not easy. Staying together is the safest way to go!
Agree!
Leave it to the little sister to muddy up the outing 🙂 Poor Josh when there was no witch after all, and how relieved Emma seems 🙂 It’s lovely to meet you, Keila, and I’m so glad you entered the contest! Thanks for joining in the Halloweensie shenanigans! 🙂
Nice to meet you too Susanna. Happy to give it a go. Brothers! Always trying to scare little sisters and certainly do not like them hanging around, especially on Halloween. 🙂
You captured a great brother/sister relationship very well!
Thanks Carrie. 🙂
You bring back memories of that one house in my neighborhood that no one wanted to visit either. Nice job!
I’m like Emma – I would be the one begging not to go to that house 🙂
Actually had my daughter in mind when I wrote this…she scares easily. 🙂
I liked your story. I know what happen and it is just right for Halloween.
You said, “I need a class in character development using only 100 words. :)”
The truth is you are not alone with wanting a class in character development using only 100 words. If you find one, shoot me an email. I will sign up as well. I need to learn how to do it as well.
Not so easy writing anything in 100 words, eh? LOL
And what will happen next year ??? 😉
Can’t wait to find out what happens next year when they go back! ;0)
Me too!
Great story. I am always amazed at these 100-word stories.
Thanks Stacy. Agree, I am enjoying them all. Great inspiration. 🙂
I can just imagine Josh’s disappointment and Emma’s relief that there was no witch!
Exactly what I was shooting for Beth!
I need a class in character development using only 100 words. 🙂
I’m right there with you! On the flip side, it does let the reader fill in the gaps with his/her own imagination!
So glad you’re joining in! You make me want to find out more about Emma!