I’m busting out my cozy sweater, because there is no time that’s better. Fallen leaves and crispy air, no where to go but I don’t care.
It’s Fall! Yes! And that means it’s time for The Fall Frenzy writing contest! This contest kicked off an amazing stream of writing for me last year and I’m hoping it does the same again this year!
The rules? Just a few…but not that many! 200 words, pick a picture to inspire your story and come up with something great!
Here’s the picture:

And here’s the Story!
Halloween in Quarantine, By Jocelyn Watkinson
We’re changing up our Halloween
and staying home to quarantine!
We’ll do our part to slow the spread,
and trick-or-treat inside, instead.
Our house has got some spooky “guests,”
and most nights they are kooky pests.
But Halloween, this year, they’ll be…
handing candy out to me!
The ghost that’s living in the attic,
tends to be a bit dramatic.
His moans are heard throughout the night –
my “TRICK-OR-TREAT!” will set him right.
The kitchen’s where the witch’s coven
brews up potions in our oven.
“No eye-of-newt or dragon feet,
just make me something sweet to eat!”
The skeleton that’s in my closet,
needs to make a treat deposit,
and I’ll collect some sugared grub,
from goblins in the laundry tub.
The werewolf living in the shed,
will serve sweet snacks, so I am fed,
and I’m expecting something sour,
from the zombie in the shower.
The banshee and the growling ghoul,
will have to get out of the pool,
and get me cheezies and some chips
to crunch between my teeth and lips.
I’ll be just fine this Halloween –
‘cause there’ll be lots of sweet cuisine.
So many treats, and here’s the trick…
by staying home…I won’t get sick.
What is it about Halloween and writing that is SO fun!? This year I chose a Trick-or-Treat picture because let’s face it 2020 has dealt us nothing but disappointment and yes, we will be staying home this year to celebrate Halloween but honestly, I think it will be MORE fun than Trick-or-Treating. All that lugging heavy candy around – pass! Pinatas, and candy “egg-hunts” and games! That’s our Halloween this year so we don’t “get it or spread it!”
Thank you to Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis for pulling this together again this year and all the donors who sweeten the already sweet fun we are all going to have!
Oh my goodness, I love this! It might need to be the official anthem for Halloween 2020. Amazing job!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Ashley! As soon as I realized Halloween and quarantine rhymed it just spilled out! 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A perfect poem for our current reality. And so many great ideas on how to enjoy Halloween at home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sara!!!
LikeLike
What a great idea – love it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Sue!
LikeLike
I love the link “My trick or treat will set him right!” Super job creating a piece that’s reflective of our current situation! Good luck to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh thanks so much Molly!!
LikeLike
This is a really fun poem! Love the rollicking rhyme and creative way to describe this year’s pandemic Halloween. Great job, Jocelyn!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Rhys! 🙂
LikeLike
Oh my goodness, Jocelyn, I love this! Amazing rhyme, and it makes a quaratine Halloween sound even more fun than the “regular” way. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you sooo much!! 🙂
LikeLike
So many families will be able to relate. Great entry!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Brittany!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really enjoyed this! My girls will love it too! Good luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh that’s lovely! That makes me happy that I could make some littles smile!
LikeLike
I enjoyed this so much! 😍 It has such a fabulous rhythm and great fun to read! Best of luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh thank you so much! That makes me so happy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not that is how you quarantine on Halloween!! If only all homes were so possessed!! LOL. Good luck.
LikeLiked by 1 person
If only!!! Thank you for your kind comments!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very cute and perfect for this time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Deb!
LikeLike
Lovely job making a haunted house and a pandemic sound fun! Sign me up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kelly!! ☺️
LikeLike
Clever and creative fun on this Halloween 🙂 Nicely done! Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Holy Halloween! THis is fabulous! I am not one for writing or connecting much to the rhyming ones, but this is INCREDIBLE! You nailed it. Spot on. Cheers to you! You deserve all the good candy for this one! Bravo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Omg Melissa you melted my heart – thank you for your kind words!!!
LikeLike
This is fantastic and fun! Great job, Jocelyn.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sarah!
LikeLike
This has been a year like no other, and you captured it perfectly, without making it sound pessimistic. Your meter is flawless, too! Awesome writing, Joyce!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jill!!!! Those comments mean a lot coming from you!!!!
LikeLike
You did a wonderful job of making quarantine trick-or-treating at home sound WAY BETTER than going outside! Such a fun read – especially loved the treat deposit 🙂 Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha – thank you so much! As we are staying home this year, I had to try and find a way to make it sound fun!
LikeLike
Great rhyme and the perfect tie-in for our everyday world at the moment! Good luck!.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much! 🙂
LikeLike
Very timely! In the spring contest, my story was about doing class virtually. I love the way you worked in the quarantine but still captured the fun and magic of dressing up. Good luck!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
This was great! I loved the imagery and the idea of touring all the spooky creatures around my house to get treats while remaining safe and quarantined. What a fun, timely piece!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much!! I had fun writing it! I wish I could have had 50 more words for other creatures!
LikeLike
I thoroughly enjoyed your fun, wholesome, and topical poem, Jocelyn. It conveys a wonderful message by way of rollicking rhyme and meter. You had me at “Halloween in Quarantine.” But—”The skeleton that’s in my closet,/needs to make a treat deposit”? Also genius. @AnneLipton
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Thank you so much!!! Yes skeleton in the closet was something cheeky I snuck in! Lol!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was so much fun, Jocelyn! So timely for 2020!
LikeLike
Aw thank you so much!!
LikeLike
Wonderful job, Jocelyn! I love the rhythm and rhyme, and Halloween in Quarantine is brilliant!
LikeLike
Thank you Jolene! 🙂
LikeLike
I loved this. Good luck.
LikeLike
Thank you!!
LikeLike
Fun, positive poem on how to make a COVID Halloween fun. Snappy rhyme! Good luck.
LikeLike
Thank you so much! Trying to get some positivity into this horrible year!
LikeLike
Thanks so much for sharing this timely story for the fall writing frenzy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kaitlyn!! Way behind in responding to comments 🙂 Hope you’re doing well!
LikeLike
Doing well! It’s been an extra busy month but wonderful overall
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your poem is so clever! Love the rhymes and rhythm, and your imagery is really vivid. What a great house to quarantine in!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Kath! Only good to quarantine in if they are actually handing out candy otherwise I’d move!! 🙂 Thank you for reading and the lovely comment! 🙂 ❤
LikeLike