Lauri Meyers .

I’ve been meaning to write this post for about a year. But… Well, I suppose writing it meant accepting a reality I wasn’t ready to embrace. Until now.  I used to write in the guest bedroom. I had a huge table to spread out all sorts of piles. I had a hutch with a rollout keyboard tray that stored mountains of binders. But more than all that, I often had a few blessed hours of peaceful quiet. When Covid hit, my husband got the guest room (you would have to call it office now as it no longer services guests) to set up shop when he started working from home. I’m not jealous or anything; he is the one supporting the family. I became a transient writer who floated from space to space trying to find comfort. I avoided the bedroom for some time, even going so far as to start a construction project to delay the inevitable.  Demolition Day!  My “Book Nook” reclaimed that hidden space in the attic of the first floor Eventually I settled in the bedroom. In October I decided I ...

Ciara Oneal and Kaitlyn Sanchez are hosting a Spring Fling gif challenge: 150 words of less story for kids inspired by a gif (y'know one of those little picture video doo dads) I've been working like a dog on a home improvement project (a more physical creativity perhaps) and could use a writing exercise to keep me in shape, so here goes! Here's my gif and 150 word story.  Muddy Monster By Lauri Meyers  A muddy monster trekked inside, With dirty pies to host a feast. Showed the gift, but Mommy cried, “Get out! Get out! You vicious beast!   Mother shooed it down the hall. Confused, the creature ran away. Stopped to hear the mother call, “Where’d my darling daughter stray?”   The monster looked at slimy feet, Considered grimy dripping shirt Normal self was clean and neat- But… a bit more dirt can’t hurt.   She dug a mine for worms and gold, Cooked a pot of mud and stewed, Ignored her name while hours rolled Until her belly growled for food.   She squelched u...

 Love is in the air (along with viruses and snow, but let's focus on the love!) With Valentine's weekend here it is time to celebrate with S usanna Hill's annual Valentiny contest .  The Contest :   since writing for children is all about “big emotion for little people” (I forget who said that, but someone did so I put it in quotes!) and Valentines Day is all about emotion, write a  Valentines story appropriate for children  (children here defined as ages 12 and under)  maximum 214 words  in which  someone feels brave ! You have until a minute-to-midnight on Valentine's Day to enter. Here is my entry in 204 words about an armadillo bravely telling his true love how he feels, sort of.  I couldn't find any armadillo clip art, so I had the *bright* idea to draw some. But all the colored pencils were trapped in rooms with zooms, and all I could find were crayons, and also I can't draw very well, and well, maybe this wasn't my brightest idea ...

 The tree is decorated, the house is lit up, and far too many cookies are in my belly-- the holidays are here! I hope you are all staying healthy and finding ways to make new memories in this weird time. One of our favorite traditions is making gingerbread cookies. Even though I am a perfectly smart, sensible, scientific young lady, I can't help but open the oven carefully every year just in case a gingerbread comes to life and runs amok. Which brings us to this year's annual holiday contest from Susanna Hill.  The challenge: Write a 250 word story for kids about the holidays with the theme of a Holiday Helper. To see the entries click here .  Gingerbread Girl to the Rescue   By Lauri C. Meyers   “Who wants to make gingerbread?” Ella asked. “I’m shopping,” Mom said from the couch. “Reading the news,” Dad said, not looking up. “Ugh, lame,” Charlie grunted while tapping his screen. Ella frosted dozens of gingerbread girls in colorful dresses with p...

Susanna Hill is hosting her annual Halloweensie Contest! To play:  write a  100 word Halloween story appropriate for children , using the words  skeleton, c reep , and  mask and enter it here . My 100 word story is Puppywolf. Happy Halloween! Puppywolf By Lauri C. Meyers   “I can be a werewolf for Halloween!” Puppy woofed.                “You would need a mask ,” Cat replied.   “I can sharpen my teeth on this  skeleton !”              “You mean your chewy bone?” Cat asked with sass. “I can howl at the moon. A-woo! A-woo!” Puppy howled. “Sounds like a screech owl.” Cat covered her ears. “I can stick up my ears and growl.” “That ear is still floppy.” Cat laughed. “I’m a werewolf,” Puppy said. “And I smell cat!”               Cat hid under the couch. “I can creep in the shadows, finding my prey, and… pounce!” Cat hissed....

 The Fall Frenzy picture prompt challenge is here. The event is cohosted by Lydia Lukidis and    Kaitlyn Sanchez .     The challenge is full of fun fall pics, any of which could inspire a good sprint of writing to warm your fingers as the chill of fall sets in. The 200 word limit is a good reminder to keep your writing tight.  This one inspired me to go YA, a bit unusual for me, but we all need some change :)  Image 1, courtesy of  Unsplash Waiting By Lauri Meyers   Fuzzy socks. Wool blanket. Coffee. I leaned against the porch railing, not letting some cool air keep me from finally seeing Tommy Hendricks on his morning run. Actually, I saw him every morning, but from the safety of my couch peeking through the bay window. I was turning 14 tomorrow, and it was time to pull down the curtains. Today, Tommy would see me. A yawn slipped out, and I saw my breath. I pulled the plaid blanket over my legs, careful not to hide my perfectly...

I was scrolling through old pictures today looking for a certain picture of a mushroom, and it occurred to me that I like a bunch of totally random stuff. You may call it "eclectic" or just cut to the chase and call it geeky... but with this many things that interest me, I'm rarely bored. Things I like to learn about in no particular order... Shells (I have another box too) Butterflies  (& tangentially butterfly gardens) Gardening (and making zucchini bread when the harvest is good. And taking pictures of my harvest shaped like smiley faces. Also, have you eaten zucchini flowers before?) Astronomy Bugs Cows (And statues of cows) Mushrooms Lichens * totally different from mushrooms, but equally weird Birds (also birds on things. It just always cracks me up when a pigeon lands on a statue's head) Trees & Identifying trees. Also trees that have grown around things/eaten things/overcome things. Nature amaz...