stories

Halloweensie Writing Contest

| Bonnie Kelso

Arrrrrooooh! It’s time for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Halloweensie Writing Contest again.

Here are the rules in case you want to join in. You have until midnight on Halloween to enter.

THE CONTEST: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (children here defined as 12 and under) (title not included in word count) using the words glow-in-the-dark, goosebumps, and goodies.

My story is inspired by my trip to the Crystal Palace roller skating rink last night. Being close to Halloween, there were lots of people in costume. And the black lights really brought out the creepy. (I dedicate this story to my sister who had a less that spooktacular time last night. Love you, Shmee!)

Party Skating GIF By Lolita.

Good luck to everyone entering the contest!

All Hallow’s Eve at the Roller Rink

Glow-in-the-dark ghosts dangle from dingy drop ceilings.

THRILLER thrums through skull-shaped speakers.

A Vincent Price voice commands the session.

“Creatures of the night, take to your wheels and GLIDE!”

Tiny Fairy Princess runs on her skates.

CLICKETY CLUNK-CLUNK CLACK!

Colliding with a wall-hugging werewolf. 

BUMPITY BUMP-BUMP BANG!

Speed-demon Grim Reaper’s tattered black robe flutters. 

Pumpkin-headed gargoyle grapevines backwards.

Skeletons scissor and spin sporadically inspiring goosebumps.

Zealous Zombies dip and moan to the monstrous music.

Goblins gobble down goodies. 

CRUNCHITY CHOMP-CHOMP CRUNCH!

Bone-brittle cotton candy and paprika-peppered popcorn.

HOPPITY HOOT-HOOT HOWL!

It’s All Hallow’s Eve at the roller rink!

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. Her debut picture book, NUDI GILL, will be released in September, 2022. A lover of nature and travel, she can be found wandering about outside with her family whenever a good opportunity to do so presents itself.

April and May

| Bonnie Kelso

It’s Spring, and the kids and I have been rejuvenating our garden by planting vegetables and dusting off the fairy garden. I was also inspired to write an entry for the Spring Fling Kidlit Writing Contest hosted by Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Ciara O’Neal. It had to be 150 words or less inspired by a spring themed Gif. I hope you enjoy it!

Image by Sarah Richter from Pixabay.

(150 words)

April and May

by Bonnie Kelso

Being older, April knew things…

Things May wanted to know.

“April, how can I be smart like you?”

April twisted her hair around her finger.

“Drink rainwater from Tulip, May.”

Tulip was empty.

“April, what’s Spring?”

April rubbed her chin.

“Spring is what makes a bed good for jumping on.”

“April, why do early birds get the worms?”

April chewed a twig.

“Because worms don’t have eyes to see early birds hunting them.”

Thunder rumbled.

“April, what’s that?”

They gazed into the clouds.

“A giant is hungry! Hurry, let’s hide!”

Raindrops splink-splunked.

“April, what would happen if our wings got wet?”

“They’d melt like sugar drops, May.”

May stretched out her hand

and scooped up a drop of rainwater from Tulip.

“April, I’m ready to know things, too.”

Slurp!

“April, ask me a question, anything.”

“Who’s your favorite sister, May?”

“You!”

“See, May, I told you it would work!”

Bonnie

Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave self-expression. She facilitates art workshops for her local community and beyond. A lover of nature and travel, she can be found wandering about outside with her family whenever a good opportunity to do so presents itself.

Seeking Courage

| Bonnie Kelso

By Bonnie Kelso

Finding lost things was Riley’s specialty.

She found Mama’s keys!

A shiny penny.

Her sister’s doll.

“Here it is, Kara.”

Riley and Kara were playing hide-and-seek 

when Riley found Mama wrapped in a blanket.

“I’ve lost my job.” 

“I’ll help you find it!” said Riley. 

Mama hugged her tight.

Later Riley found

a stack of boxes

with Kara’s doll stuffed inside one. 

“We’re moving?” asked Riley.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t find your job.”

“I know moving is scary, Riley,

but we have to find courage,” said Mama. 

Riley looked everywhere,

but she couldn’t find courage.

She wished courage would find her.

At the shelter Riley counted to ten 

and opened her eyes.

She searched for Kara…

in every room,

in every closet,

and on the patio.

Cars zoomed in the street. 

Kara was lost!

Her heart beat faster.

“Kara!”

“We’re in here, Riley,” said Mama.

Kara was safe.

Riley collapsed.

“I can’t find my courage!”

Mama smiled.

“Riley, I found a job!” 

They squeezed each other tight.

In their new apartment they found wonderful things.

Soft blankets.

Friendly neighbors.

Kara discovered a new word, Riley.

Riley decided courage isn’t something you find.

It grows inside, little by little,

like making a friend,

learning new words,

or the feeling of home in a new place.

This story was submitted to Susanna Hill’s Valentiny Contest. The theme was BRAVE and the word count is 214 words (for February 14th).

Wild & Free

| Bonnie Kelso

This is what it feels like to finish cancer treatment! I did it. I survived. I am humbled and ultimately a better person because of it. And, yes, it sucked. I am still a little angry about the whole thing, actually, but just a little bit, deep down where I hardly notice it anymore.

Now is where the fun part begins. I get to live again. I might not be base jumping any time soon, but I’ve started moving my body fast enough to feel my heart-beat again. This is a quality of life improvement that I am ready to fully embrace.

Continue reading →

Happy Halloweensie!

| Bonnie Kelso

This Halloween I decided to enter a writing contest (frenzy) for fun. Below is my entry. It had to be 100 words or less, which was a challenge. My shortest story yet!

(Here’s the link to the contest info, in case you are curious.)

Halloween Forever!

Harper, the witchling loves Halloween!

            One cobweb,
            six candy corns,
            a sprinkle of dust-everlasting.

She sips and waits…

Knock, knock!
Children shout, “Trick or treat!”

As they leave more appear.
“Trick or treat!!”

On and on it goes…
Harper grows weary.
The children line up down the street
and around the corner.

“I must sleep,” yawns Harper.
Slam!
Lights off.

Bang, bang!
“TRICK OR TREAT!!!”

Frantic, Harper stirs a new potion.

            Two cobwebs,
            three candy corns,
            a sprinkle of normal-essesnce.

Gulp!

Knock, knock!
Peeking out…
Empty streets!
The sun rises.

“Whew, maybe Halloween is better once a year.”
Harper collapses.

###

True As Blue

| Bonnie Kelso

Deep in my heart I’ve been wanting to write a Children’s Picture Book about global climate change and our role as stewards of this beautiful planet we live on. I’ve been waiting for a story to come to me ever so patiently. Then, just yesterday it appeared! As I sat in my backyard and wrote in my journal next to my favorite tree, the words came through my hand and I don’t even really know how. I believe it may have been from a source outside of myself. It felt like an out of body experience. I love it when that happens!

Continue reading →

Reading and Writing

| Bonnie Kelso

As a writer I find it embarrassing that I was never an avid reader as a kid. I was much more interested in going outside. It didn’t really matter what I was doing, as long as it was outside. Mostly, I wandered. I looked at things, smelled flowers, tried to talk to the birds, and when I felt really brave, I would lift up a rock and see what I might find hiding underneath. I didn’t really become a recreational reader until I graduated from college.

Continue reading →

My friend, Karen

| Bonnie Kelso

Today I want to tell you about a friend of mine who passed away ten days ago. If you didn’t know her, I have a feeling you will find her story inspiring. If you did know her, then together let’s take a moment to remember her and celebrate her amazing art and resilient spirit.

Welcome
“Welcome To My Garden,” by Karen Wheeler

This is one of Karen’s recent works. It is titled “Welcome To My Garden.” I remember talking to Karen about this piece quite a lot. It was a challenge for Karen in many ways. First, it was very difficult for her Continue reading →

Meet Kelly Moore: SuperStar 5MinuteCreator

| Bonnie Kelso

I first met Kelly Moore, talented and innovative musician, through the help of an Angel. I wrote a blog post about “How Angels Work,” and something in my sharing of that story connected me with Kelly who luckily read it. I am a believer that we connect with other people for a reason. There is something we must learn from one another. There may even be a way we will help each other along in our journeys. So, when someone like Kelly pops into your life, pay attention!

KellyFeather0118
Artwork by Kelly Moore.

Kelly was one of the first people to sign up for my 5 Minute Creator Facebook support group. Since joining back in January of this year, he has delighted me by sharing a bounty of creative expressions through this informal and easy going portal designed to do exactly what it is doing. It allows us to connect with others interested in creating art and gives us a safe and supportive environment to share our creations (especially our 5 Minute Creations). I thought Kelly’s story would be inspiring to others who might like exploring their creative gifts with the group as well. So without further ado, I’d like to share my short interview with Kelly here with all of you now.

Bonnie: Hi Kelly, I’m so glad you are willing to talk about your creative life with me. I think the people who follow my blog will find your story inspiring. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Kelly: Thank you, Bonnie for your kindness and interest.

Bonnie: Could you please introduce yourself to the readers by saying a little about who you are and what you do?

Kelly: I’m a musician, film music composer, arranger, orchestrator; former theater and TV Lighting Designer and Director, TV and film producer, director, singer, dancer, and humanitarian; and currently budding artist. I’ve lived in Philadelphia, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachussetts, Nashville, Atlanta, Kansas City, North Carolina and now in California.

That only partly answers who I am. It answers what I do with who I am. Who I am, like everyone, is a spirit living in this human body, experiencing the difficulties of such, but also the incredible joy of being a human on this beautiful earth.

KellyFlowers32618
Artwork by Kelly Moore

It’s not easy, but recognizing the profound beauty of our spirit-selves and appreciating the sights, sounds, smells, feelings, and experiences as a human being is incredible. This is who I am and get to be. And in whatever way I can, I get to be someone who can help to relay this understanding to others, in music, in art, in simply just being who I am.

Me: You mentioned to me that your mother was an artist. Can you describe what it was like growing up with a parent who nurtured your creative talents?

Kelly: Both my parents were and are very supportive of my artistic choices, from theater, TV and film to music and now also in art. They allowed me to follow my muse. Looking back I can’t really say that I knew that was going on at the time. It just happened.

I never actually knew that my Mom was an artist and only recently discovered Continue reading →