CARRIE KARNES-FANNIN
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Spring Fling Kidlit Contest 2023

4/1/2023

16 Comments

 
After a long cold winter, spring is in full bloom!

​And what would a new season be without a seasonal writing contest? A super fun one is the annual Spring Fling Kidlit Writing Contest, hosted by author Ciara O'Neal and agent Kaitlyn Sanchez and open to entries April 1-3.

The challenge:

"Find a gif and write a spring-inspired story. Blossoming flowers? Sure! Easter eggs? You bet! Mothers day? Of course! Anything related to Spring is yours for the telling."

(
You can find more details about the rules and samples here.)


Telling a complete story (beginning, middle, end) within the 150-word limit works all the writing muscles! I enjoyed "borrowing" well-known rabbit characters to use in my piece. Can you spot them all? 

Writing tip: Borrowing (or "intertextuality") is a recognizable echo from another work of literature. It's a great way to pack a lot into a few words, as the reader brings the backstory with them. As someone who writes poetry and humorous picture books, intertextuality one of my favorite devices. 

While contestants aren't required to create the GIF paired with the entry, a lot of them do. I took that on this year as well. It was nice to play with visual storytelling in addition to words. Even though they look a little bit like potatoes, aren't the bunnies sweet?  

I hope you enjoy my 150-word story and homegrown GIF. Are you entering this year? If so, please leave a link in the comments so I can also read yours. Good luck to everyone who entering!

p.s. As anyone who reads my work will notice, I love archaic words. Here are some from the story, along with their definitions:
​
  • Burrow: a hole or a tunnel dug by a small animal, especially a rabbit, to use as a dwelling
  • Cony: rabbit, especially a male (boy) one, usually older
  • Doe: a female (girl) rabbit, deer, ferret, rat, or kangaroo
  • ​Fluffle: a group noun for wild rabbits
  • Kerfluffle: a disturbance or commotion, usually as the result of a dispute
  • Kit: a baby or young rabbit

p.s.s. My blog won't support playing my GIF for some reason, so I had to load it as a MP4. But I do have it as a GIF as well. 

The Fluffle Kerfuffle ~ A Rabbit's Tale



      As was their custom since time out of mind, a fluffle of rabbits gathered to choose the Easter Bunny. They sipped rosehip tea and nibbled carrot cakes while debating this year’s hopefuls.
 
       “What about Peter?”
 
       “Bugs is our bunny!”
 
        “In my day, a pocket watch meant something.”
 
         Lanky, half-grown kits rolled their eyes. The perpetually late white rabbit never let anyone forget his ancient brush with fame. 
 
         Jessica’s cloak flared as she hopped up. “What about me?”
 
         A kerfuffle ensued. “But...but...you’re...”
 
        “A girl?” Jessica’s whiskers twitched.
 
       “It’s never been done!” one old cony gasped. All around, long gray ears sagely nodded. Who could argue with that?

        This doe could.
​

      “When better for new beginnings than spring?” Jessica filled the egg basket and flung open the burrow’s door. “Count on me, gentlemen.”

         With a flick of her cottony tail, she was gone. 
Easter mornings would never be the same.
16 Comments
Christina Shawn link
4/1/2023 09:00:29 am

I love it!
(My favorite line is "In my day, a pocket watch meant something." :)

Here's mine!
https://www.christinashawn.com/blog/lucky-clover

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin
4/1/2023 09:20:39 am

Thank you, Christina! I loved yours as well. "Stars and sky in reverse" was my favorite turn of phrase.

Reply
Jenna Johnson link
4/1/2023 10:16:16 am

I love this, Carrie!! Go #girlpower!!

Mine will be posted shortly.

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin
4/1/2023 10:37:38 am

Thank you, Jenna! I'll keep an eye out for yours.

Reply
Katie McEnaney link
4/1/2023 02:12:05 pm

Ha! Too funny! Excellent allusions throughout (and yes, the White Rabbit is my favorite nod).

Jessica Rabbit, FTW!

Here's the link to mine: https://katiemcenaney.com/a-gift-for-the-spring-springflingkidlit/

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin
4/1/2023 04:45:36 pm

Thanks, Katie! The white rabbit is my favorite, too. I think he wants a story all his own.

Reply
kiran
4/2/2023 12:58:32 pm

Love it! When better for new beginnings than spring! :)

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin link
4/3/2023 09:21:19 am

Thanks, Kiran! Exactly--spring is the best for reimagining how the world could be.

Reply
Kelly Lee
4/3/2023 07:40:32 am

Oh I love this! Great work, Carrie! 💕

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin link
4/3/2023 09:20:18 am

Thank you, Kelly! I'm glad you stopped by.

Reply
Ella English link
4/3/2023 11:18:43 am

This is so charming. I love it. Good luck in the competition.

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin
4/4/2023 09:03:15 am

Thank you, Ella!

Reply
Whitney Myers link
4/3/2023 10:06:29 pm

I love that she didn't wait for the men to agree, she just hopped to action. And the intertextuality is so fun. Well done!

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin link
4/4/2023 09:02:54 am

Better to ask for forgiveness than permission, right? Jessica is my kind of girl. lol. Glad you enjoyed it, Whitney!

Reply
Audrey Lavigne link
4/4/2023 12:01:12 pm

Love this. Beautifully written 👏 ❤️ Good luck 🎊

Reply
Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin
4/4/2023 05:26:23 pm

Thanks, Audrey! Good luck to you as well.

Reply



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