The winners have been chosen for the No Bears Allowed photo caption contest and the Who Will? Will You? What’s in Lottie’s Wagon? writing contest.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the fun. We have some great caption entries. Most of them are funny and one is sweet. They are all creative. And the stories for What’s in Lottie’s Wagon? are all entertaining, and some are very touching. Each writer did an excellent job with the limited word count of 100 words. And then trying to fit in the required words the contest rules listed on top of that? Wowza! Hats off to you all.
We’ll start with the caption contest winners and then move on to the writing contest winners. But before I move on, I want to wish everyone a joyous holiday season. May 2020 bring each of you all that your heart desires.
Also, I want to share an old-old blog post from 2013 Just Say No to New Year’s Resolutions. It offers up a perfect way for writers, artists, or anyone really, to end a year and begin a new one.
PHOTO CAPTION WINNERS
First place goes to . . .
Pamela Courtney
Pamela has won a pre-release proof (hardcover) of No Bears Allowed and a fifteen-minute “first impressions” critique from me (Alayne) via Skype or telephone.
Winners who placed second through fourth will each win a softcover copy of No Bears Allowed. If outside of the U.S., the prize will be an e-ARC
Second place goes to . . .
Ciara O’neal
Third place goes to . . .
Tara Cerven
And fourth place goes to . . .
Katie Williams
WHAT’S IN LOTTIE’S WAGON WRITING CONTEST WINNERS
I must say, the judges struggled to choose the first place winner. If there could have been a tie, we would have had one. You can read the winning stories at the end of this blog post. Spoiler alert! I give away the ending of each story in the prize announcements. If you want to read the stories and be surprised by the ending, jump to the end of the blog post and then come back to see where each story placed.
First place goes to . . .
What’s In Lottie’s Wagon?
By Mona Pease
In Mona’s story, Lottie’s wagon is filled with found treasures, love, hope, and dreams. Lovely story.
Mona has won a pre-release proof (hardcover) of Who Will? Will You? along with a picture book critique from the author of the book Sarah Hoppe, PLUS a fifteen-minute “first impressions” critique from me (Alayne) via Skype or telephone. If outside of the U.S., the prize will be an e-ARC and Alayne’s critique will have to be Skype or written.
Winners who placed second through fourth will each win a soft cover ARC of Who Will? Will You? If outside of the U.S., the prize will be an e-ARC
Second place goes to . . .
Lottie’s Little Treasure
by Kristen Reinsel
In Kristen’s story, a sea turtle is in Lottie’s wagon. A creative and poetic story filled with imagery.
Third place goes to . . .
Precious Cargo
by Linda Staszak
In Linda’s story, Lottie’s aging dog is in her wagon. A very touching story.
Fourth place goes to . . .
The Mystery of the Missing Sandwich
by Kiley Orchard
In Kiley’s story Lottie’s wagon holds mysterious bread crusts, a beach pail, and one sandal. A humorous ending with a twist.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Please come back in 2020 for more giftaways and informative blog posts. And visit Blue Whale Press to see what’s coming next year.
AND JUST IN CASE YOU’RE CURIOUS, HERE ARE THE WINNING STORIES
What’s In Lottie’s Wagon?
By Mona Pease
98 Words
Lottie felt sad. It was almost Christmas. Mom and Dad were deployed. Grandma tried to help make things special. Still, nothing felt right.
No snow.
No live tree.
No Mom and Dad.
Gazing toward the horizon, Lottie’s mood lightened. “Come on Pup. Let’s walk along the beach and fill our wagon with treasures.”
Afterwards, she decorated Grandma’s shrub with shells, sea glass, driftwood.
Then, Lottie took her rarest finds from the wagon: blue glass, wishing rock, and large shell that whispered sea songs.
Lottie listened. Mom and Dad felt close. Grandma listened. She smiled. What songs did that shell whisper?
Lottie’s Little Treasure
by Kristen Reinsel
88 Words
Lottie gently pulled her wagon
Toward the shore with urgency
She knew her precious cargo
Was indeed an emergency.
She found this little treasure
In a surprising sort of spot
While on a beach vacation
In the hotel parking lot!
Green and gold, yet hidden
In the grass nearby their space
Her helpful pup ol’ Rufus
Was quickly on the case.
Placed in her wagon with great care
For it was lost and lured to roam
Away from sea, toward the lights
A baby turtle… far from home.
Precious Cargo
by Linda Staszak
90 Words
Lottie tugged on her squeaky wagon. She inched her way down the beach, walking past the rainbow shells and sparkly stones.
The wagon was hard to move through the deep sand.
“Do you need help?” a lady asked.
“No thank you,” Lottie said. She dragged the wagon close to the water and sat next to it.
“You liked the beach when you were a puppy,” she said to the wagon.
A tail thumped. Lottie gently patted her old dog’s head.
“I thought you’d like to be here one more time.”
The Mystery of the Missing Sandwich
by Kiley Orchard
100 Words
“Lottie, I found another clue!” Pup dropped two bread crusts into the wagon. SOMEONE had eaten Lottie’s sandwich—but who? Pup considered the clues: bread crusts, a beach pail, and one sandal.
“Maybe our thief doesn’t like crusts,” said Pup.
“Crusts are gross,” said Lottie.
“And was on their way to the beach,” Pup continued.
“Just like us!”
“And they’re probably only wearing one sandal.”
“Great thinking!” said Lottie. Pup was so helpful!
Pup looked down. “Um, Lottie…”
“Yes, Pup?”
“You’re only wearing one sandal.”
Lottie looked at her feet. “Hey, Pup?”
“Yes?”
“I just remembered… I ate my sandwich!”
Alayne Kay Christian 