Spring Fling KidLit Contest

Hello Spring! Hello new picture book writing adventures! After years of teaching, reading, selling, and reviewing children's books, I decided to pursue a dream of writing them! (**Please scroll past my catching up if you're looking for my Spring Fling entry!**) In January I took a course with the fabulous Mira Reisberg at Children's Book Academy and have attended several online webinars and workshops through SCBWI, the Writing Barn, Storyteller Academy, and the Children's Book Insider. There is much more to writing a picture book than you might imagine!! I've joined the 12X12 picture book challenge with Julie Hedlund, have an active and amazing critique group and have pitched book ideas in Twitter pitch events! It's been a whirlwind with so much more to learn as I improve my craft! 

Just last month I entered a 50 Precious Words challenge hosted by Vivian Kirkfield, and now it's time to jump into another writing challenge...the Spring Fling KidLit Contest. Kaitlyn Sanchez, author and agent at Red Fox Literary, and author Ciara Oneal have challenged writers to create a story with just 150 words inspired by a spring-themed GIF. Most picture books have 300-500ish words these days, so writing a story with beginning, middle and end in 150 words is a great challenge. 

The first word that came to mind when I thought of Spring was MUD along with images of running through tall grass. I hope you enjoy the results in MUD PIE MAGIC.  Please feel free to leave a comment. 
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MUD PIE MAGIC

I hear the grown-ups growl, so I take my little sister’s hand.
“Mud pie magic time, Maya!” 
We run out the door, grab our pie pans from the porch, and race down the hill to the apple orchard. 
I can barely see Maya over the weeds as she reaches our favorite tree.
We nestle down on a blanket of green and dig in the chocolatey ground, safe inside our circle of towering weeds.
“Don’t worry, Maya. Sometimes grown-ups talk things out in loud voices.” 
We scoop magic mud into pans mixing in apple blossom spices. 
We sprinkle dandelion wishes for peace on top.
“Thank you, fairies!” Maya squeals. 
I blow on blades of grass. Honk! Honk! Maya giggles all the way home. 
We see mom and dad on the porch holding hands and smiling. 
I squeeze Maya’s hand.
“Mud pie magic,” she whispers.