I’m thrilled to announce that my first spooky short story for middle grade readers is now in print!
“The Reaper” has been published in the January 2022 “Cold” issue of Crow Toes Quarterly. I based it on something unbelievable that actually happened to my grandfather while he was helping out at his family’s funeral home as a boy.
The story is accompanied by an illustration that looks eerily like my grandpa.
Order your copy now–It’s available both in print and electronically.
Here’s my entry for the 2021 Spring Fling Writing Contest hosted by Ciara O’Neal and Kaitlyn Sanchez!
I was inspired by our hamster Peter Van Winkle’s first birthday celebration. Hamsters only live 18-24 months so when Peter’s birthday came around, my three kids wanted to celebrate! We are lucky enough to live near a hamster breeder, so Peter was born in a loving home and we knew his birthdate!
I made this gif from actual video footage of his birthday party.
Hamster Birthday Party 138 Words Sweet little hamster, our beloved pet… How many birthdays will you get? This could be The only one so while we have you here let’s have some fun. We’ll wake you up early (for you, that’s 6 p.m.), take you out, clean your cage, then put you back again to play with your new toys in there. But just for a minute, then it’s time to brush your hair! A trip outside and you will feel the grass between your toes. You’ll enjoy the smell of fresh air with your nose. Finally, the hat and song ceremony. A cake made of seeds, yogurt and blueberry. You’re so sweet to hold, cuddle and handle. Your light shines bright and fast like a birthday candle. We’re glad to have you in our lives and hope you enjoy your birthday surprise!
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I’m excited to participate in #FallWritingFrenzy 2020! Created by Lydia Lukidis and Kaitlyn Sanchez, Fall Writing Frenzy is a fun contest that encourages children’s writers to develop their websites and support one another. For more information, visit:
https://lydialukidis.wordpress.com/fall-writing-frenzy-contest-2020/
Participants are instructed to choose one of fifteen fall images and write a short piece (maximum 200 words) inspired by that image.
Here’s the image that inspired me, and my entry!
The In-Between Place by Amy Watia 199 Words I hid behind a leaf because the neighbor boys, Mark and Matt, were here to rake with us. The only time of year they’d come near a girl’s house in the woods. The Wind rushed, sending auburn precipitation of once-essential parts Trees no longer needed. Trees could let go. One stuck to my hair. I left it there— Nature’s fancy bow. Rake in hand I joined the boys, shadowing my mom. Together we worked. Leaves sailed through air, Filled the truck bed. I moved faster. Had something to prove. The boys hardly noticed, throwing leaves, goofing. I cared. It mattered to me. My place— Still, I fought to belong. Finished, My mom said, “Jump in the truck.” So we did— leaves parted as bodies poured in. We settled in our bed of leaves, staring at each other. Matt’s eyes grew wide with fright. “spider. Spider!” He had to say it twice, the first “spider” barely audible. Mark also bristled. “Just a daddy long legs,” I said. The truck rolled, distracting. Crunching the long gravel driveway, blurring trees as we inched to our roadside, country garden. Tailgate down, we hopped out to blanket the plants with leaves for winter.
Amy Watia 