Lara D. Elliott - Inspirations

Someone in my picture book critique group decided to make an Instagram account, and the rest of us sort of trickled along to join her. I didn't know exactly what to post. I'm not the selfie type. One day I had the idea to draw a little bird, inspired by one of my picture book stories. In the caption I said how one day I  would like to have the time to learn how to be an illustrator. Someone commented, "Why not now?" Hmm... A couple years ago, I told my mom that I had started writing seriously again. She told me that she always thought I'd write and illustrate my own books. I was shocked she had this image of me. To be fair, I did a lot of poetry when I was younger and took a lot of art classes all the way through college. I was really into both. But I hadn't written stories since third grade. We wrote and illustrated a lot of our own stories in that class. I probably still have all of mine in a box in the basement. Anyhoo, long story short, I've st...

Below is my entry for Susanna Leonard Hill's Valentiny Writing Contest , a contest where writers must write a children's story in 214 words or less. This year's theme is "curiosity" so I wrote a mystery!  A Paper Heart Mystery 214 words Cora woke up and discovered a red paper heart by her pillow. “What a special Valentine’s Day surprise!” When she got dressed, she found another heart in the closet. When she brushed her teeth, she found another on the bathmat.  Mama came into the room, little Neo panting at her feet. “Thank you, Cora, for the lovely paper hearts you left me in my room,” she said. “But I thought  you  were the one who put them in  my  room.” “That is very curious,” Mama said. Cora thought for a moment. “Do you think a leprechaun left them?” “Leprechauns are for St. Patrick’s Day,” said Mama. “What about the Easter Bunny?” Cora asked. “Easter is not for weeks.” “Santa?” Mama chuckled. “I d...

I posted on this blog several entries to writing contests recently. My first attempts--the Fall Writing Frenzie and Halloweensie contests--were fruitless. Boy was I dissappointed. It affected my confidence and my motivation to write. I lost Nanowrimo partly because of it. But I plodded on and then entered Susanna Hill's Holiday contest. Twice. The finalists were announced on a Monday. It was a snow day here in WV, so I was chasing after my kiddos all day and completely forgot about the contest until I checked my email that afternoon and got the blog post notification. My heart beat wildly. I clicked on the link. I slowly read through Susanna's introduction. Finally, I got to the first finalist. Is that the title of MY story? I don't believe it. Surely someone else titled theirs the same by coincidence. I read the first line of the story. It was MY STORY!!! My eyes prickled with tears, but I held it together. Now readers got to vote. Luckily I had a concert and exams f...

Below is another entry for Susanna Leonard Hill's Holiday Writing Contest . Enjoy! Photo by StockSnap from Pixabay The Scrumptious Tale of an Allergic Kid 146 words Mom rings the doorbell and I tug at my itchy collar. The door opens and we are greeted by the noise of Christmas music and grown-ups chatting. “Matthew, this is my coworker, Mrs. Archer.” I wave. “Welcome!” Mrs. Archer smiles at me. “Follow me to the kitchen. I want to show you all the goodies.” “No thanks,” I say. “I’m not hungry.”  “Oh, but a little elf told me that you could only eat special things, so several of Santa’s little helpers whipped up a bunch of treats that were allergen free.” My ears perk up. The door to the kitchen opens and there’s a full array of glittering cookies and scrumptious looking snacks. Mrs. Archer gestures to the table. “I double and triple checked. Everything here is okay for you to eat.” I look at Mom. She nods. I lick my lips. “I’m starving!” ...

Below is my entry for  Susanna Leonard Hill's Holiday Writing Contest . The challenge is to write a children's holiday story about a holiday treat in 250 words or less. This story was inspired by my family's love for gingerbread cookies (super special delicious family recipe). Enjoy! Photo by annca from Pixabay Gingerbread Family 227 words The warm scent of ginger and cloves tickled Isabel’s nose. “Mami, the timer’s going off!” “Okay, stand back, Isa. It’s hot.” Mami pulled the pan out. “Oh no!”  “What’s wrong?” Isa climbed up on a stool to get a closer look. The cookie dough had spread! All the little gingerbread men were plump and lopsided. Mami put her hand on her hip. “They’re ruined. We can’t serve these.” “Why not?” Isa licked her lips. They still looked yummy. “Christmastime with family is special. I want everything to be perfect.” “Can we make new ones?” Isa asked. Mami shook her head. “We don’t have enough ingredients.” “Can w...

This is my first time entering the Halloweensie Contest and I am so excited! The Halloweensie Contest is a writing contest run by Susanna Leonard Hil. The challenge is to write a children's Halloween story in 100 words or less using the words potion, cobweb, and trick. Enjoy! Maggie Mermaid’s Halloween Bash by Lara Elliott Photo by Mysticartdesign on Pixabay For Maggie Mermaid’s turn to host The Halloween Big Monster Bash,  She didn’t know just how to make  Her underwater bash a smash.  Jack-o-lanterns wouldn’t light, Candy melted in a lump, Her costume of a spooky ghost Became a saggy, soggy frump. “Instead of pumpkins, happy clams Will surely work much better here. Seaweed, just like cobwebs, draped To make a spooky atmosphere. “Ocean potion ‘stead of punch; A pirate’s patch for me to wear; Instead of candy, pearls and shells Become the trick-or-treaters’ fare.” The friends swam in and had a blast At Maggie’s...

Here's my submission for the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy. It's a short story inspired by the photo below. Don't know what I'm talking about? Find out more  here ! UNICORN CANDY  This is the bestest time of the year when the unicorns come out to play! If we’re lucky, we might get to see one. The best way to do it? Unicorn candy! Unicorns love unicorn candy. You mean you’ve never heard of unicorn candy? Unicorns only love the sparkliest, most purpliest candies. Look at these that I got. See how the sugar sparkles! And so many different shades of purple. I’m sure to attract a unicorn this year. I just know it! Once we have our unicorn candy, we have to put it outside so they can see it. There has to be sun so the candy really glitters. And there has to be white puffy clouds that look like cotton candy. Unicorns love cotton candy too. And now we sit and wait.  Shh. Don’t scare them away. Be patient. Keep an eye out. Wooooow!  ...