KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy 2020

October 1, 2020

Fall Writing Frenzy 2020

Could you use some writing inspiration? Maybe you’ve hit a slump. Or maybe you’ve lost the joy of writing among the piles of deadlines and deliverables. A unique satisfaction comes from expressing our innermost thoughts through words. A great way to achieve just that is with a writing prompt and writing contest. Today kicks off the annual KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy, where many experienced book lovers donate their time and talent to submission winners. Here’s your chance, and mine, to not only let our hearts, minds, and souls be stirred but to also see what works of art our fellow writers in the #WritingCommunity create. Jump in for all the details!

Below is my KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy entry for 2020 (#FallWritingFrenzy), hosted by Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez (Associate Agent at Olswanger Literary) and Lydia Lukidis (published author). Rules here. Donors here. Submissions here. Contest runs from October 1, 2020 until October 3, 2020 with winners to be announced October 31, 2020. What are you waiting for?!

You can also see what I submitted for and won last year for KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy 2019.

And without further adieu…my 2020 submission:

Fall Writing Frenzy 2020
Kids in Costume – Image 2 Courtesy of Unsplash

Underneath the Costume Veil

See us coming one and all,

Dressing up in time for Fall.

Wearing costumes head to toe,

Adults do it too you know.

We all wonder who to be,

Let’s be us, can we agree?

Underneath the costume veil,

Our view of us we assail.

We are critics, self-proclaimed,

Focusing sights on the vain.

We are critics, looking ’round,

Will we ever become crowned?

We are critics, raw and rough,

How we doubt ourselves is tough.

Doubting seeds they grow until,

Heart and mind and soul do will,

Accept who we are is still,

Good enough and can fulfill.

We are lovely. Kind. Sincere.

Friendly. Caring. We appear.

We should not fear being true,

We are all a vibrant hue.

In the mirror let us cast,

One last glance and answer fast.

My question don’t misconstrue,

Who am I and who are you?

FallWritingFrenzy 2020 Badge
#FallWritingFrenzy 2020 Contestant
KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy 2020
#KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy 2020
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By Rhys Keller

Rhys Keller is a licensed Professional Engineer, writer, and entrepreneur. He helps people overcome life's roadblocks and setbacks through intentional living and a heavy dose of encouragement. Contact Rhys today if you're interested in life coaching services or collaboration.

36 Comments

  1. Reply

    Annie Lynn

    This right here…. We should not fear being true, We are all a vibrant hue.
    Great job Rhys.✌🏼🎶

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Thanks, Annie! I love that line too 🙂

  2. Reply

    Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez

    Thanks so much, Rhys for sharing this empowering poem! So glad to know I’m not the only one who questions these things and so wonderful to be affirmed in positivity

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Thank you for reading it, Kaitlyn, and I’m so glad it resonated with you!

  3. Reply

    Charlotte Sheer

    Your poetry prowess is wonderful…Love the message you evoke!

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Thank you for such a thoughtful comment, Charlotte!

  4. Reply

    mdpwallace

    I love this take! The look at costuming and identity – I enjoyed reading it a few times 🙂

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Thank you! So glad you enjoyed thinking over the poem.

  5. Reply

    melissamiles1

    I loved this image, but couldn’t think of a story. Great job! My daughter literally towered over her peers, so this one immediately caught my eye. 🙂

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Ha! Thanks, Melissa!

  6. Reply

    anneuro

    You deliver so many good vibes and good lines in this pithy, topical, and insightful meditation on masks and identity. “We are all a vibrant hue” really resonated with me. @AnneLipton

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Thank you for such kind words, Anne!

  7. Reply

    Alicia Curley

    Lovely poem, Rhys! A lot of reflection as you read through. Love the idea of a veil that we are really hiding behind. Good luck!

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Thanks, Alicia! What a veil we all wear…if only we were completely comfortable in our own skin…

  8. Reply

    Sarah Meade

    I enjoyed reading this thought-provoking piece. Love the ending line, too.

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Thank you, Sarah! So glad the deeper meanings are coming through.

  9. Reply

    Jennifer Raudenbush

    Lovely sentiment! Good luck in the contest!

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Thank you so much, Jennifer!

  10. Reply

    Kelly Conroy

    Great poem and great message!

  11. Reply

    heatherbell37

    Lovely poem! I love how it delves into the deeper thoughts of being in costume.

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Thank you, Heather, and I’m glad that angle of the poem is coming across. Our daily costumes aren’t easily seen.

  12. Reply

    csheer18

    Not being on Twitter must mean I am not able to participate?

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      You can totally participate, Charlotte! Just go to the rules paged linked above and you’ll fill out the submission form. Your submission story/poem can be posted on your website or in the comment section of the submission’s page on Kydia’s site. I’m rooting for you, you non-Twitter user!

      1. Reply

        Charlotte Sheer

        Thanks for the encouragement, Rhys! Though late to the party, I DID write a story yesterday, posted this morning in the Comments of Lydia’s Entry Form post.

        1. Reply

          Rhys Keller

          Way to go, Charlotte! Way to be bold, courageous, and creative! Hope you win a prize 🙂

          1. csheer18

            Your comment is the ‘highlight’ of my day, Rhys! (WINK, WINK to your blog post on ‘being a highlighter’!)

  13. Reply

    Jolene Ballard Gutiérrez

    Well done, Rhys! And in rhyme, no less–so impressive!

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Aw, thanks, Jolene! And thank YOU for being one of this year’s prize donors!

  14. Reply

    Ashley Chalmers

    Wow, great job! And just clicked over to last year’s entry, hope you’re on a winning streak now!!

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Thanks, Ashley! One can only hope 🙂

  15. Reply

    Brenda Whitehead

    Lovely poem, Rhys! You’ve wonderfully captured the magic and fun of costumes. Good luck!

    1. Reply

      Rhys Keller

      Thank you, Brenda!

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