Spring Fling Kidlit Contest 2023

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.