Fall Writing Frenzy

It's been a minute since I've blogged. That's what happens when you are querying two books and drafting a third. Also, there's work, and family, and you know, Blog Inertia (it's a Thing, check WebMD.) So, I'm sending a big shout-out for the creative kick in the butt from the Fall Writing Frenzy Contest, hosted by literary agent, Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez. The gist of this fun event is to get inspired by a beautiful photo, create a story in just 200 words, then share, support, and connect with other bookish folks. In other words, it's a total blast. If you want to find out more about it, check out all the contest info here. Fall Writing Frenzy 2023 – Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez

So, here's my entry and the photo that inspired it. Happy reading and good luck to all of the participants!

The Wanting Game

It's been six days since the Wanting Witch took Anna. Seven days will seal the deal.

Now Sarah stands in Anna’s place.

Witch warns, “No magic can turn wanting into getting. Day always turns to Night, Life to Death. Dare you play my Wanting Game?”

Witch will cheat. We must be ready this time.

I smuggle seeds, sponges, my strongest scarf. “Bind yourself tight, Sarah. Never lose hope.”

The Wanting Pendulum swings madly between two trees. Sarah and Witch climb aboard.

Witch calls for her Crows. They claw to unseat Sarah, but when she drops seeds, they frenzy away to feed below.

Witch unleashes Drowning Rain, but Sarah’s sponges soak it in. The added weight shifts the Pendulum Sarah’s way.

Witch beseeches Hopeless Fog. Despair shrouds everything. Under ghostly cover, the Pendulum grinds to a halt.

A scream, then sudden stillness.

I chase my galloping heart across the field.

The Pendulum is empty. Only my binding scarf hangs there, twisted with red hairs yanked from Sarah’s skull.

But, wait. The hair is gray, stained red with Witch’s blood!

Sarah and Anna skip into the sunlight, smiling.

What magic hangs in the balance between wanting and getting? Nothing more than trying.