Melissa Johnston Miles

Mom, author, nurse, teacher . . . reading the world around me

Category: Uncategorized Page 1 of 7

Spring Fling Kidlit Contest ’24

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On April 3, 2024

In Uncategorized, Writing Contests, Writing prompts

via GIPHY

I’m participating in the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest again this year. If you’re new to Spring Fling, it’s a fabulous writing contest where you find (or create) a springtime GIF and then write a 150 (max) word story for kids inspired by the image.

For all the rules/details, click here. The community engagement for this contest is great. If you write a story, be sure to read other entries and comment on those as well. Meet new writing friends and make new social media connections. That’s the best part of the contest. Thanks to Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O’Neil for putting this together!

Thanks for stopping by to read my entry this year!

Dandy’s Big A-Choo!!

147 words

One bright spring morning during allergy season,

Dandy stifled a sneeze before school.

On the sidewalk

Lilac, Iris, and Hyacinth stood together,

forming a circle of pink, white and purple.

Dandy hopped over to say hello.

They tightened their ring, whispering,

Weed.

Dandy sniffed.

Tulip and Azalea dazzled in a display of pink.

They linked leaves, muttering,

Weed.

Dandy snuffled.

At recess, Dandy jumped on a swing near Daffodil,

who stopped swinging and hissed, Weed.

Dandy’s stem straightened.

AH—AH—A—CHOOOOOO!!!

Kids ran to her, cheering…

allowing her fluffy white seeds

to carry their wishes away on the wind.

Dandy’s heart soared along with them.

A beautiful white Clover with four perfect leaves whispered,

Some flowers may call us weeds.

But we let children share the deepest

desires of their hearts—

to believe in magic.

What could be better?

Nothing, Dandy thought. I’m fine and dandy!

A Life of Adventure

By

On January 14, 2024

In Middle Grade Fiction, Novels, Old Photos, Uncategorized

As a kid, I loved to read. One of my favorite characters was Pippi Longstocking.

She had freedoms I didn’t. She could dress however she wanted. She was free from the conventions of how a “proper young lady” would behave. Pippi was loyal to her friends and generous. She had a spirit of adventure and so much energy. To top it off, she had bright red hair and freckles all over her face–an instant connection. When I read stories about Pippi, I lived my life vicariously through her.

When I sat down to write my middle-grade novel SAM OF THE SEAS, Pippi was my muse. Sam lives on the RMS Harmonia, where her father is the ship’s captain. On the ship, Sam has freedoms most girls didn’t have in 1908. She can wear pants, visit places around the world and mingle with passengers from a myriad of cultures. She’s always looking for adventure and is easily distracted from school books. Just like Pippi, Sam is a rebel. Of all the characters I’ve written, Sam embodies a younger me.

The ship that inspired the RMS Harmonia was called the Morea, which was owned and operated by P&O (The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company). It’s routes intrigued me. Imagine being a kid who travels to places throughout the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal, India, Australia, New Zealand and more. I ordered photo books featuring ships of this era and read extensively on sites devoted to ships like this. I read dissertations about Lascar crews, and how they were treated. There were stories of these ships transporting political prisoners, entering ports under quarantine flags, rescuing passengers from disabled vessels, and even helped stranded citizens after a massive earthquake in Italy. The possibilities of what a kid living on a ship like this could experience are endless!

One of the postcards featuring the Morea in Port Said. The entrance to the Suez Canal from the Mediterranean Sea. (Photo credit: https://www.benjidog.co.uk)

One thing I also loved about writing a character from this time is the chance to view society through her eyes. The treatment of the Lascar crew members by the passengers and British crew stunned her. In my book, one of Sam’s biggest advocates is the Serang of the Lascar crew. India was still under British rule, a woman had just qualified as a physician in England, but there were still many expectations for how a young girl should behave. Sam wants no part of these rules! I love that about her.

The members of the Lascar crews were mostly Hindu and Muslim, and dressed in traditional clothing instead of the starched uniforms worn by the British crew. Even though they were crucial to running the ship, they were often mistreated and worked under unsafe conditions. (Photo Credit: Wikipedia)

Shortly, this book will be out on submission with editors. It feels like I’m sending out a part of my heart into the world to be trampled. But that’s how publishing works. For now, enjoy the pictures that helped inspire my story. I hope when you get a chance to read it, you’ll love it as much as I do.

I’ll post updates if there are any!

The Morea in dry dock. (Photo credit: https://www.benjidog.co.uk)

Spring Fling Kidlit Contest ’23

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On March 31, 2023

In Contests, Middle Grade Fiction, Uncategorized, writing, Writing Contests, Writing prompts

This is at least my third year entering this great writing contest. Some years I’ve won a prize, some not. But it’s always fun to participate! If you’re new to Spring Fling, it’s a fabulous writing contest where you find (or create) a springtime GIF and then write a 150 (max) word story inspired by the image.

For all the rules/details, click here. The community engagement for this contest is great. If you write a story, be sure to read other entries and comment on those as well. Meet new writing friends and make new social media connections. That’s the best part of the contest. Thanks to Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O’Neil for putting this together!

Thanks for stopping by to read my entry this year!

The Magic of Shared Memories

(147 words)

“Why so blue on this beautiful spring day?” Grandma asks.

“Keisha is moving today.”

Grandma squeezes my hand. “Let’s go find some perfect crafting paper.”

Grandma and I love origami. Magic happens in folding paper to create something new.

Deep in the clearance bin something rustles.

Sweeping away the top layer reveals beautiful blue paper with springtime flowers. “Grandma, look. It’s perfect.”

Back home, my sadness seeps into each fold—sealing special memories into every crease. I only wish I’d made the butterfly in time to give it to Keisha.

Later when I walk Grandma out, something flutters against my hand. I open it, and my butterfly takes flight!

We gasp, watching until it disappears in the direction of Keisha’s house.

Grandma winks. Like she’s known all along.

I picture my butterfly settling into Keisha’s outstretched palm—all the words I hadn’t said soaring into her heart.

GIF from website GIFER.com

How the Elf Wrecked (then Saved!) Christmas

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On December 9, 2022

In Uncategorized

(250 words)

This is my submission for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Annual Holiday Writing Contest. Enjoy!

Quirky Elf twisted her wrench.

WHIZ. An egg zoomed past.

CRACK.  The shell split.

SPLAT. It hit the skillet.

SIZZLE. For 80 seconds.

FLIP. 20 seconds on that side…

WHOOSH. A perfect over-easy egg glided onto a plate.

She pictured herself offering a hearty breakfast to Santa before his long Christmas Eve journey. Until…

“Breaking rules again?”

Ugh. Head-Elf Zillow.

“It’s a breakfast machine. For Santa.”

Zillow checked her clipboard. “Out of bed, unauthorized use of workshop equipment, bringing food into the toy-making bay—”

Quirky fumed. Why bother explaining?

On naming day, Zillow handed out official elf names to the entire class. “Merry, Twinkle, Sparkle, Snowflake.” Then, Zillow’s tone changed. “Quirky.”

The other elves snickered. They’d always treated her differently.

It wasn’t fair! She only wanted to be herself.

I’ll show them all, Quirky thought. I’ll be the trouble-maker they expect.

At dawn, toys littered the workshop floor. Carefully packed bags were upended.

Panic-stricken elves cried, “We’ll never make our deadline!”

Guilt twisted inside Quirky’s stomach. Her sabotage would leave millions of children broken-hearted. Mischief and mayhem didn’t feel so good anymore.

Tears filled Quirky’s eyes.

Then, Santa’s booming voice filled the room. “Quirky Elf?”

Did he know?

Quirky stepped one pointy-toed shoe toward him. “Yes.”

“If anyone can save Christmas, it’s you. Do you have an invention to handle this mess?”

Her heart exploded with joy. “I do!”

With her swifty packer contraption repacking bags, Santa’s eyes twinkled.

“Quirky, you’re a genius! If only I had some breakfast…”

The Tastiest Tea

By

On October 1, 2022

In Uncategorized

Mooncake Festival- Credit: Tehcheesiong for Stock Free Images

I’m thrilled to throw my hat into the ring for the 2022 Fall Writing Frenzy contest.

Special thanks to Lydia Lukidis and Kaitlyn Sanchez for organizing the contest, and to all of the donors!

My entry is 189 words. Enjoy!

The Tastiest Tea

Ginger and Grey gallop off, gathering friends

to celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival—

leaving their mooncakes cooling…

and a huge pot of tasty tea

outside to steep.

As Oolong Otter pedals past,

a rusty screw flies from his busted-up bike.

Sploosh!

Now its rusty tasty tea.

As Matcha Mouse scampers past,

dust flies from her cleaning kit.

Sploosh!

Now its dusty rusty tasty tea.

As Boba Bogey drifts past,

an escaping ghost flies from its grasp.

Sploosh!

Now its ghosty dusty rusty tasty tea. 

As Pekoe Porcupine races past,

a lemon flies from her lunch basket.

Sploosh!

Now its zesty ghosty dusty rusty tasty tea. 

As Chai Chipmunk hurdles past,

some pie flies from their apron pocket.

Sploosh!

Now its crusty zesty ghosty dusty rusty tasty tea. 

As Darjeeling Donkey lumbers past,

a clump of glue flies off his carpenter’s belt.

Sploosh!

Now its pasty crusty zesty ghosty dusty rusty tasty tea. 

Everyone gathers to celebrate, nibble mooncakes, and taste the tea.

“It’s nutty!”

“Fruity!”

“Gritty?”

But, in the end—

the nutty fruity gritty pasty crusty zesty ghosty dusty rusty tasty tea….

is the best tea anyone’s ever tasted.

2022 Spring Fling Kidlit Contest Entry

By

On April 1, 2022

In Uncategorized, writing, Writing Contests, Writing prompts

GIF from Giphy.com

I‘ve decided to join in and write a 150-word story for kids inspired by a GIF. To find out more about this contest and its generous creators and prize donors, click here. The above GIF inspired me to write about the Sakura, or cherry blossoms. When we visited Japan, we learned these blossoms are symbolic of beauty, mortality and renewal. Those themes inspired my story, which I hope embodies them all. Okay, without further ado, here is my 2022 entry which comes in at 147 words:

Sakura Snowfall

Last spring, our bench became a magic portal.

“Under this canopy of cherry blossoms, we could be anywhere in the world,” Grandma said. “Tokyo, Paris, Portland, or Washington, D.C.–“

“Can we visit Tokyo?” I blurted.

She laughed and plucked a pink blossom from my hair. “Squeeze my hand, and we’ll go together.”

I did.

“We’re in the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Straight ahead is Edo Castle, built over 500 years ago. Cherry blossoms, or Sakura, dot the water’s edge.”

As she’d painted pictures with her words, springtime Tokyo unfolded before my eyes.

From our bench, we visited ten cities before the last blossom had fallen.

Today, as I approach the empty bench, my heart explodes with memories of Grandma.

I snuggle my puppy Sakura who sneezes as a drifting blossom tickles her nose.

I laugh, and whisper in her tiny ear, “Where should we go first?”

Kidlit Writing Contests

By

On March 9, 2022

In Uncategorized

*Updated 5/23

If you follow my blog, you’ve seen that most of my posts lately have been related to writing contests for creators of kidlit. I thought I’d take a few minutes to write an actual blog post about why I enter so many of these, and why you should consider them if you haven’t already.

  1. Hone your craft. All of these contests have a word limit. Some are as little as 50, and some go as high as 200. Regardless of the number of words allowed, it’s a challenge to create a story with a well-developed plot and a clear beginning, middle and end–in so few words. Also, writing from a prompt is a good skill to perfect, and many of these contests have prompts provided.
  2. Engage with the kidlit writing community. Writing is largely a solitary task, but many of these contests create a ton of engagement on Twitter. It’s fun to read other entries and to share your own. You’ll meet other people who love creating stories for kids and make writing friends–maybe even critique partners if you’re lucky. In fact, to increase engagement, my SCBWI region is hosting two “write-ins” this month to work on our entries for the upcoming Spring Fling Writing Contest.
  3. Get your work out there. One of the biggest hurdles for new writers is sharing your work. It can make you feel vulnerable, but feedback is incredibly useful in helping us become better writers. It’s incredibly satisfying to hear that your story connected with someone, making them laugh or cry. Sometimes in this tough business, it’s the encouragement we need to keep going!
  4. Learn what types of stories hook the judges. Some of the people judging entries are kidlit agents. Some are agented/published kidlit authors. Even if your entry doesn’t win a prize, you can still get something valuable out of the contest. By looking at the entries that were picked by the judges, you see what types of stories resonated. This can be useful when crafting manuscripts to query.
  5. Have Fun! For most of us, writing is a creative outlet. Something about the challenge and brevity of these stories has been just the tonic I’ve needed to get through some of my creative slump during the pandemic. You’ve got nothing to lose, and so much to gain. I hope you give it a try.
  6. Get inspired! I’ve been participating in these contests for several years now, and many of the followers I’ve gained from them are gaining representation and/or announcing books deals. I signed with an agent in January of this year and many of the people congratulating me on Twitter were the ones I’ve been entering contests with. It really does build community.

I’d love to answer any questions you might have about these contests. I’m including some of the ones I’ve entered below.

If you decide to enter, good luck and have fun! Happy Writing!

Here are a few of my entries that have won prizes:

The Accusation

Mac’s Stage Fright

Trapped

The Show Must Go On

Links to some wonderful contests:

Spring Fling Writing Contest

50 Precious Words

Fall Writing Frenzy

Halloweensie Writing Contest

Valentiny Writing Contest

Kids’ Choice Kidlit Writing Contest

The Show Must Go On

By

On March 5, 2022

In Middle Grade Fiction, Uncategorized, writing, Writing Contests, Writing prompts

I decided to enter Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words contest this year. Read all the details here: https://viviankirkfield.com/2022/03/04/50preciouswords-2022-official-contest-post/#more-25735

Please find my story below, coming in at exactly 50 words! Hope you enjoy it.

The Show Must Go On

Two minutes till showtime.

I peek through the curtain. Again.

Still…

Her empty seat glares back at me.

Rows full of faces.

Moms, dads, aunts…so many others.

Just not my person.

Lights dim.

Mom hurries in. Dressed in her work scrubs.

The crescendo of the orchestra perfectly matches my heart.

Other Halloweensie Contenders

By

On November 4, 2021

In Uncategorized, writing, Writing Contests, Writing prompts

I’ve already posted my entry for Susanna Hill’s annual Halloweensie kid lit contest this year. But, I had so much fun writing stories of 100 words or less using the words goodies, glow-in-the-dark, and goosebumps that I thought I’d create a post for the runner ups that I wrote. I could have entered multiple times, but I decided to just pick my favorite–which you can read here.

Below are the 2 other stories I wrote using the contest guidelines. Both of these come in at exactly 100 words. I hope you enjoy them!

Truth or Scare

On Johnson’s Farm, Jack-O-Lanterns flickered, dimmed, and finally darkened.

Goody wrappers littered fields.

Dried leaves became tumbleweeds.

Inside the barn, Gary Goose, Sam Sheep and Penelope Pig huddled in an empty stall for their annual “Scaredown”—repeating gossip overheard from humans.

“Junior wants a glow-in-the-dark wool hoodie,” whispered Penelope.

Sam shuddered, imagining the buzzing sheers.

“Grandma wants a new down pillow,” she added.

Gary shivered, remembering those awful goosebumps after plucking.

“What’ve you two got?” asked Penelope.

Gary and Sam gulped, and exchanged glances.

“You win.”

They simply couldn’t tell her about the weekend’s breakfast menu…

Sausage biscuits with gravy.

The Best Costume Ever

“Is my costume ready?” Lilly called.

Her mom made the best costumes. Last year Lilly was a glow-in-the-dark robot from outer space. The year before she was a ghastly ghoul that gave everyone some serious goosebumps!

This year, Mom had a new baby—and a whole lot less time.

Lilly tried to understand. Mom was tired and busy. But sometimes Lilly missed having her to herself.

“Ready!” call Mom.

When they set out for trick-or-treating, Mom’s hands were free for taking pictures, and holding collected goodies.

Lilly’s costume was the best ever.

A kangaroo…with her baby brother in her pouch.

And that’s a wrap for Halloweensie 2021! Thanks for stopping by and reading.

Halloweensie 2021

By

On October 29, 2021

In Uncategorized, writing, Writing Contests, Writing prompts

I won a prize in the fabulous Fall Writing Frenzy Contest earlier this month, so I decided to enter the amazing annual kid lit contest Halloweensie again this year. It’s hosted by author and blogger Susanna Hill. The rules are to write a 100-word Halloween story, using the words goodies, glow-in-the-dark, and goosebumps.

Thanks for stopping by! Here is my entry:

Title: Home for Halloween

Author: Melissa Miles

Word Count: 99

Sis and I decide to decorate our home for Halloween.

We cover the door with some Spanish Moss littering the curb. Spooky.

Someone’s discarded glow-in-the-dark stickers beautify our windows. Creepy.

Our woven plastic bag welcome mat is colorful. Cozy.

“There,” we say. “Not bad.”

We know the costumes we’ve created from clothes in our shared suitcase won’t give anyone goosebumps, but hopefully they’ll score us some goodies.

“I’m proud of you girls,” Mom says. “I promise it’s not forever.”

We set off hand-in-hand, leaving behind the parking lot’s glaring lights.

Hoping next year, our home won’t be the car.

*****UPDATE! I received an honorable mention for this story. Thanks to Susanna, and all the others who helped make this contest possible.

The Badge I received along with a gift card. Very nice surprise!

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