The temperatures are warming, the birds are singing, and that means the Spring Fling Writing Contest is now in full bloom! Requirements are simple: write a kid-friendly spring-themed story (inspired by a spring-themed gif) with a beginning, middle, and end in 150 words or less. Thank you to Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O'Neal for creating another wonderful opportunity for writers to write, revise, and submit! If you would like to learn more or read all the amazing entries, check out their Google site here. Below is my entry, followed by a little behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration for my story. Enjoy! Susie and the Daffodil 150 words Daffodil lifted little green arms to brush aside earth’s blanket. This was it – her first growing season. Susie bounded out of bed and took the stairs, two at a time. This was it – her first gardening season. Daffodil peeked at her new world from behind silken petals. So big. So cold. She shivered. Then … loud footsteps - A dark shadow! She shrank back. Susie’s eyes widened with worry. Why was her daffodil drooping instead of dancing? She tried water. GLUG-GLUG! Ugh. Too fast! She tucked in more dirt. Uh-oh! Too much! She sang Grandma’s favorite growing song. LOUDLY. Still, her daffodil hid. Susie sank to the ground. Daffodil tasted salty water drops. She peeked out at the wilted little gardener who cared. Leaning forward, she brushed soft petal against small hand. Susie looked up. Daffodil gave a golden smile. Brave little daffodil, Brave little gardener – Learning to grow together. I am always fascinated by the "story behind the story," so if you are too, here is a behind-the-scenes look at my contest entry. First, a confession: I've always had a bit of a black thumb. But I'm also a perennial optimist. When my husband and I bought our first home, I may or may not have had visions of singing to all the plants, sprinkling magic fairy dust on their leaves, and twirling around in fields of flowers like that iconic scene of Maria in The Sound of Music. In reality, my gardening journey had a rocky beginning. I watered the plants too much, or too little. I forgot to fertilize. I gave them bad haircuts. I begged them to give me another chance. The first plant to survive my many gardening disasters was a Pothos houseplant. I love that plant. Somehow it decided to give me a chance, and it thrived in spite of my enthusiastic (albeit misguided) efforts. That resilient houseplant gave me the courage I needed to keep trying, and growing. I even have rose bushes now. And a hydrangea! Thinking about my gardening journey, I wondered - what if a plant feels just as nervous about blooming for the first time as I felt about gardening for the first time? I love "what if" questions. There is always a story to be found in the asking. And in my question, I found a story of firsts ... a story of finding courage ... and a story of friendship.
34 Comments
Liz
4/18/2019 09:44:56 pm
Daffodils are my favorite Springtime flowers. (Until the tulips come out. And the irises. And bluebells. And...) I also have a black thumb, but daffodils are awesome because they come back anyway, no matter how I treat them.
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4/19/2019 09:05:02 pm
Thank you so much! Haha, yes, my daffodils have put up with A LOT. They are very forgiving!
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Candice
4/19/2019 04:52:19 am
I loved how we saw both sides of the exchange and your point-of-view specific descriptions, like "the wilted gardener" so sweet and poignant. Good luck in the contest AND your garden :)
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4/19/2019 09:11:05 pm
Thank you for your encouraging words, Candice! "Good luck in the contest AND your garden :)" - that made me laugh. Thank you! I'll take it!
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Monica Acker
4/19/2019 06:40:54 pm
I love the parallel story. Daffodils say spring is here! Great job.
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4/20/2019 11:33:46 am
What a creative story that matches well with the GIF. I like how the story through the relationship between the Daffodil and the girl develops. Good luck in the contest!
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4/22/2019 07:26:11 am
Thank you so much, Colleen! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
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Ashley Congdon
4/20/2019 12:19:20 pm
I always enjoy the story behind the story. I think it’s the most interesting part. Gives a whole another layer to the story. And it shows that a book isn’t just a book. I enjoyed your story. The tension and anticipation you built with a surprise ending. Good job and good luck!
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4/22/2019 07:25:31 am
Very true! Thank you so much, Ashley. Loved your story, too! So cute, funny, and child-friendly!
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4/22/2019 09:10:07 pm
Thank you so much, Laura! Personification is one of my favorite literary devices 😊. I was absolutely captivated as a child by stories that brought things to life and made me see them in a different way. So good for imagination!
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4/23/2019 12:35:46 am
This is lovely! Such a sweet story. You've left a lot of space for the illustrator's immagination. I can picture this as an educators resource about the environment.
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Rebecca Heller
4/23/2019 12:11:52 pm
Lovely story! I love that you wrote the backstory too. (Between you and me the only plants alive in my house are Pothos. Thank goodness for their hardiness!)
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4/23/2019 07:50:02 pm
Thank you so much, Rebecca! Haha, those Pothos houseplants are the best!
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4/24/2019 12:33:41 pm
Sweet story! I love the behind the scenes glimpse. I've always had a bit of a black thumb. Hopefully not forever! :-)
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4/25/2019 07:28:15 pm
Thank you, Leah! Haha, yes, there's hope for us yet!
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Kathi MorrisonTaylor
4/24/2019 02:38:02 pm
I really like the idea of Susie and the daffodil growing TOGETHER. I think I feel a little bit like this when I plant seeds in the garden. It's a sort of maternal feeling waiting for the seeds to sprout and then waiting for leaves, and hoping that everything will go well. But at the same time, a part of the process is totally out of our control.
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4/25/2019 07:30:36 pm
That is so true! Thank you for your kind words, Kathi!
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4/25/2019 05:00:29 am
Oh, Danielle, I adore everything about this. The first likes gave me the happy/excited chills ,love the multiple perspectives and as a fellow not-so-good-at-gardening friend, I definitely understand how you feel and I busted up laughing when you shared you dream (as I dream like that too) of singing to your plants, priceless! Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story amd for being such a supportive part of this community
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4/25/2019 07:36:15 pm
Thank you, Kaitlyn! Your kind, encouraging words mean so much to me! I'm always happy to find another not-so-good-at-gardening friend too ;-) We can do this haha!
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Ciara O’Neal
4/25/2019 02:14:08 pm
I love the dual perspective. And in 150 words? You go girl! Sweet theme too!
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4/25/2019 07:38:43 pm
Thank you so much, Ciara! It was definitely a challenge, and I thought I was a little crazy, but once I had both of their voices in my head I couldn't help but try to tell their story together! So glad you enjoyed it :)
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4/25/2019 04:27:04 pm
Love this with all my heart. It's one of those stories that makes writers wish they would have written it.
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4/25/2019 07:42:08 pm
Oh wow, you have made my night. Thank you for those kind, encouraging words, Robyn! They mean so much to me!
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4/26/2019 09:29:13 am
I love the alternate POVs, Danielle--especially Daffodil and the language you use with her. So well done. and such an beautiful story of growth, but physically and emotionally. Good luck!
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4/30/2019 06:30:04 pm
Thank you so much for your kind, encouraging words, Jolene!
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