Writing contests can be intimidating, especially for newer writers. It’s easy to assume your work isn’t ready, that other writers are more talented, or that there’s little chance of being selected. Yet contests offer something valuable regardless of the outcome: a reason to create, finish a piece of work, and put it into the world. In 2019, I entered the KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy, a picture book writing contest built around visual prompts and strict word-count limitations. The challenge encouraged creativity, brevity, and experimentation. While the contest itself has long since ended, I wanted to preserve both my entry and the experience because it represents an important part of my growth as a writer. To my surprise, the submission was selected for a picture book manuscript critique prize. More importantly, it reminded me that opportunities often come from simply showing up and participating. Below is the original contest entry exactly as submitted.
Here is my KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy entry for 2019, hosted by Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis.
**UPDATE** – The contest ended and here are the Winners for the KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy 2019! Guess what!? Dun, dun, dun! I was selected as a winner for a picture book manuscript critique with Korrie Leer! Thank you, Korrie! And special thanks to Kaitlyn and Lydia for creating such a wonderful event. Keep reading below to read my submission.
**UPDATE 2** – Be sure to check out the KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy 2020 contest too!
- Image Selection: Number 13
- Word Count: 87
Don’t Let Go
One by one the green leaves change,
Summer hues all rearrange.
Time has come to say goodbye,
To familiar sights of earth and sky.
Don’t let go!
The fallen yell,
But it’s too late,
Time will tell.
Don’t let go!
Neighbors shout,
But muscles ache,
They’re all worn out.
Don’t let go!
Hang on still,
But none can make,
Brand new will.
Lonely now with vision clear,
Wind has blown away the fear.
Just let go!
The old leaves chant,
But one new leaf replies,
I can’t.
What This Contest Taught Me
Looking back, the biggest lesson from this contest had nothing to do with winning.
It had to do with participating.
Creative people often wait until they feel ready before sharing their work. They wait for more experience, more confidence, more validation, or a stronger manuscript. The problem is that readiness is often discovered through action rather than preparation.
Writing contests create useful constraints. They force writers to work within specific limits, make decisions quickly, and finish something that might otherwise remain unfinished.
This particular challenge also reinforced an important lesson about picture books: every word matters. When space is limited, clarity, imagery, rhythm, and emotional impact become even more important.
Most opportunities in creative work come from showing up consistently, sharing your work, and being willing to participate before you feel completely prepared.
Sometimes the greatest reward isn’t winning.
It’s becoming the kind of person who submits.
writersideup
October 29, 2019Rhys, this is so beautifully written and so perfect for fall! Congrats on your win 😀 😀 😀
Rhys Keller
October 29, 2019Thank you so much for such a thoughtful comment! I had no idea people would even enjoy it. I just wrote what came to mind, did a little revision, and submitted it! The biggest hurdle was overcoming the fear of rejection, the fear of losing, and the fear of what people might think. Clearly, we should all be courageous more often!
writersideup
October 29, 2019I agree! I never win contests, including ones that require a LOT of work, but was inspired by this one because the prizes were fanTASTic AND it was only 200 words. It was fun! 😀
Winners for the Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy 2019 – Math is Everywhere
October 28, 2019[…] Rhys’ rhyme and meter were bang on in this piece, which isn’t an easy thing to accomplish! The lines were short and snappy, and moved the story along in a lovely way. If you haven’t read Rhys’ piece yet, check it out here. […]
Kathy Halsey
October 13, 2019Rhys, this is so meaningful and inspiring. love a good gal poem. Good luck.
Rhys Keller
October 14, 2019Thank you, Kathy! I wish I could say all the meaning was their while I wrote the poem but most of them only began appearing after I finished.
Liz Tipping
October 12, 2019Lovely poem – and so much meaning layered in just 87 words!
Rhys Keller
October 13, 2019Thank you, Liz!
Cathy L. Murphy
October 12, 2019Nicely done, Rhys! Dare I say I’m blown away? 😉
Rhys Keller
October 12, 2019Ha! Thank you 🙂
aisasami
October 11, 2019What a beautiful poem! I like how you gave a refreshing perspective on autumn and leaves falling. It is almost human-like. Good luck in the contest!
Rhys Keller
October 11, 2019Thank you so much for such a nice comment!
Glenda Roberson
October 10, 2019Lovely rhythm and perfect ending. I enjoyed it!
Rhys Keller
October 10, 2019Thank you, Glenda. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
anneuro
October 10, 2019How original to write from the perspective of the fall leaves. Very creative! And your story plays very well off the image you chose. I especially like your line, “Summer hues all rearrange,” and boy, am I rooting for that last leaf to hang on! @AnneLipton
Rhys Keller
October 10, 2019Thank you, Anne! Sometimes we want to go with the crowd but every now and then we find it impossible.
rosecappelli
October 9, 2019Wow! You had me from the opening lines:
One by one the green leaves change,
Summer hues all rearrange.
Time has come to say goodbye,
To familiar sights of earth and sky.
Beautiful images! Good luck in the contest.
Rhys Keller
October 10, 2019Thank you so much, Rose!
Kidlit Fall Writing Frenzy 2019 – Lisa Voisin
October 9, 2019[…] all started with this great post I found by Rhys Keller on twitter, pointing to a writing contest on his blog. Turns out […]
melissamiles1
October 9, 2019Great job! I enjoyed your entry, and I might never look at a tree the same again. 🙂
Rhys Keller
October 9, 2019Thank you so much, Melissa!
Carole
October 8, 2019Love the poem and the beautiful photo 🙂
Rhys Keller
October 9, 2019Thank you, Carole!
Susan Drew
October 8, 2019Sweet! I love that one last leaf hanging on.
Rhys Keller
October 8, 2019Thank you, Susan!
Jennifer Parker Raudenbush
October 8, 2019I was just talking about “release” today, as it’s so embodied in the release of each autumn leaf. I love that you went deep with this.
Rhys Keller
October 8, 2019Thanks, Jennifer! Appreciate the note.
teacherwriteracker
October 7, 2019This was so lovely with a very peaceful swaying loll to it.
Rhys Keller
October 8, 2019Thank you! Some wise author told me there is magic in a repetition of 3…glad you enjoyed it!
gayleckrause
October 7, 2019Very nice interpretation of the photo prompt. Good luck in the contest! 🙂
Rhys Keller
October 8, 2019Thank you!
brittanypomales
October 7, 2019“But muscles ache,
They’re all worn out.”
Geat line!
Rhys Keller
October 7, 2019Thank you, Brittany! So glad you enjoyed the poem.
Jolene Gutierrez
October 7, 2019So much fun, Rhys–beautiful language, great rhyming (I’m always envious of that), and I love the twist at the end. 🙂
Rhys Keller
October 7, 2019Ha! Thank you, Jolene! Because I’ve seen Detective Pikachu, every time someone says something is a twist, I read “That’s a twist. That’s very twisty.” In Pikachu’s, er Ryan Reynolds’ voice.
Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez
October 7, 2019Wow that was beautiful AND had a twist ending! I loved it. Thanks so much for sharing and entering, good luck, my friend!
Rhys Keller
October 7, 2019Thank you, Kaitlyn, and thank you for all your hard work creating and managing the KidLit Fall Writing Frenzy contest. It’s not just a lot of fun, it’s very helpful in connecting people in the bookish community.
Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez
October 7, 2019You’re welcome and thanks so much for saying that. Those are definitely my goals!!?