Spring Fling Kidlit Writing Contest

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Spring Fling Kidlit Writing Contest

My blog is a new story for the Spring Fling Kidlit Contest.

Maximum 150 words, spring-theme and .gif-inspired. This contest is generously hosted by Ciara O’Neal and Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez. More can be found here. Thank you, Ciara and Kaitlyn.

http://gph.is/1wzBCUw

Fall Into Spring

by Rosanna Montanaro
150 words

“Springtime is a kaleidoscope of colors!”
My tongue-twisting opening line in a school play.

Weeks of rehearsal.
At school.
In the shower.
My closet.

Am I ready?

Heart-hammering,
Hands-shaking.
Wrapping the cape around my shoulders,
I try to find a part of me that’s steady.

Showtime. 

Butterflies delight a garden.
Performers delight an audience. 

I clutch Pa’s monarch butterfly charm, 
searching for him in the crowd.

Breathe.

“Springtime is — ”

My toe catches the cape.
SNAP!
I trip and fall.
My charm
drops.

My two lips land …
in the tulips.

Gasps. 
Giggles. 

Weeks wasted.
Get up! 
Why did I even try?
Get up! 
Perfection ruined.

But oh, how my heart fills up on stage …

Shedding my cape, 
I emerge from the tulips
into the spotlight.
Picking up the charm and my line …

“… a kaleidoscope of colors!”

My Pa.
Delighted.
The first to stand, he cheers for the butterfly. 

10 Comments on “Spring Fling Kidlit Writing Contest”

  1. This is beautifully written, Rosanna! I love the way you’ve packed so much emotion into it all the way through, and the way you show the relationship with Pa – brilliant!

    • Aww thank you so much, Claire! I really appreciate it! 🙂

  2. Aww, I love this so much! You truly feel your character’s struggles and arcs. So happy for them at the end!

  3. Stunning 💖 how you did so much with so few words shows me you’re meant for this industry. Thanks for sharing your talent with us for the spring fling Kidlit contest

    • Kaitlyn, thank you so much for being so generous! I appreciate your contests more than you know. There’s so much talent – it’s so inspiring and a source of joy. I’ve been learning so much from you and the kidlit community over the past year. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

    • Appreciate it, Ciara! Loved the opportunity to enter your contest! 🙂

  5. This is a beautiful story Rosanna – you take us right into the character’s heart and action, and I love the transformation at the end! xo