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In this strange time of pandemic, I am especially heartened to have won fifth place (out of 390 entries) in this contest. I chose a rhyming picture book critique with prolific author Lori Degman for my prize. Thanks to Vivian and Lori for making this possible.
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Vivian is running her annual contest now through March 5, 2020. Details can be found here: https://viviankirkfield.com/2020/02/29/50preciouswords-2020-contest-is-officially-open/
Here is my entry: MOSQUITO BANDITO By Jennifer Raudenbush (36 words) The mosquito bandito atop my burrito torpedoed beneath my bench seat-- Oh! The skittering skeeter, a ravenous eater, continued to feast on my feet. Yo! Goodbye, masked mosquito. Flip-flop and finito! I’m sorry … not un poqui- toe! 12/21/2019 0 Comments Update: Winning Contest EntryI was thrilled to be a winner in the Kidlit Fall Frenzy Writing Contest! I won a picture book manuscript critique from writer Joana Pastro: @jopastro, joanapastro.com. Thanks to Joana for the helpful critique and to Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis for running the great contest.
Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez is running this writing contest on her blog: https://mathiseverywhere439319476.wordpress.com/2019/09/30/kidlit-fall-writing-frenzy/. The rules are to "pick one of the Fall Images (shown) and write about it. You can write a poem, a story, a mood piece, whatever comes to mind. Happy, scary, beautiful, grotesque, whatever suits your fancy for any kidlit age: board book through young adult. Maximum length: 200 words. My entry follows.  Jennifer Raudenbush
Twitter: @jenraudenbush Middle Grade short story opening image #11; 197 words MG prize (or PB) United States The Crook in the Lane The sun crept low behind the crooked tree, stealing any traces of warmth. A stinging wind rattled the branches like cracked bones, nipping the crow brothers’ beaks and stinging their beady, black eyes. Their inky bodies cast eerie shadows onto the rumpled blanket of decaying leaves. Maleek sniffed and caught a scent—of old magic and mystery. It was the perfect night for mischief. The carefree whoops of boys playing manhunt carried from around the bend. “Sounds like we have some volunteers for our mayhem,” croaked Krall. From the other end of the crook in the lane, a girl’s humming floated through the autumn air. “Hold on,” said Maleek, raising an ebony wing. “I think a plaything is wandering right toward us.” As Daisy skipped, her footfalls echoed and her braid swished across her shoulders. She rounded the bend to their silhouettes looming against the sunset’s last glowing embers. “Why, hello!” “Caw!” Krall warned, raising a menacing claw. “Screech!” Maleek shrieked, swooping toward her head. Daisy reached calmly into her cloak and … …with a flourish of her wand, poofed the crows into a couple of squawking chickens. After all, it was the perfect night for mischief. 10/8/2019 0 Comments My First Published Poem It was such a thrill to open my mailbox and see my first poem in print! "Nesting" was published in the April, 2019 edition of Cricket children's magazine.
7/8/2019 0 Comments My local SCBWI chapter's blog #Vacation: “Flying on Waves,” a Poem by Jennifer Raudenbush
Posted on July 8, 2019 by EasternPennPoints Flying on Waves By Jennifer Raudenbush Perched atop my boogie board, stomach clenched, I lean in toward the wave that’s forming. Hold on tight! Rolling, foaming, cresting white, I ride the wave. I float. I fly-- shoot across the sea glass sky-- and glide until the surf meets shore. Ocean tugs me back for more! Jennifer Raudenbush is a chocolate-eating, chai tea latte-drinking, yoga-practicing wife and a mom of a middle school-aged boy. Spending time in nature centers her and sparks her creativity, so she and her Scottish Westie walk the Highlands of eastern Pennsylvania each morning. Jennifer enjoys writing picture books, poetry, and chapter books with heart and humor. So many aspects of writing appeal to her: the rhythm of language, the sounds of words, the fun and emotion of story. She brings a degree in English Literature and a background as a pediatric speech-language pathologist to her writing for children. Although she has not yet had a children’s book published, one of her poems was published in the April 2019 issue of Cricket children’s magazine. She was also a winner in this year’s Writing with the Stars picture book mentorship contest (shout-out to the great Cate Berry!) and was accepted into last year’s One-on-One Plus Conference. You can visit her website at www.jenraudenbush.com and follow her on Twitter at @jenraudenbush. https://easternpennpoints.wordpress.com/2019/07/08/vacation-flying-on-waves-a-poem-by-jennifer-raudenbush/  I was deeply honored to be chosen by Cate as her mentee. With the many rejections and downs of this industry, just being picked was a huge affirmation of my children’s book writing dream. It also meant so much that someone was willing to take a chance on me.
Cate was warm, generous, accessible, and fun. She’s a teacher of picture book writing, so she brought many gifts and strengths to the mentorship. Most of all, she impressed upon me the need to bring a sense of play to writing. For instance, she had me reading fifteen minutes of poetry each day and doing both poetry and free writing exercises. This helped boost my imagination, creativity, and language. She also helped me get in touch with my senses and emotions, which translated into richer picture books. Cate encouraged me to read and analyze many picture books in-depth. I really hit the jackpot with having Cate as my mentor! During the internship, we emailed, texted, and spoke on the phone. Once per month, Cate critiqued several of my manuscripts and reviewed my picture book analyses and writing exercises. She gave me frequent recommendations of picture books and craft books to read, as well as new picture book structures to try. Cate also challenged me to query. Widely. It was a privilege to work (virtually) alongside and get to know Cate as a mentor and friend. She expected a lot from me, but I was enthusiastic to soak up as much from our time as possible. What I loved most was how Cate kept telling me in a dozen different ways how much she believed in me. Her faith instilled greater confidence in my abilities. As I told Cate, now that I know I have the skills and talent, I will never give up!  For the first time I participated in National Picture Book Writing Week or #NaPiBoWriWee. Created by Paula Yoo (website https://paulayoo.com, twitter https://twitter.com/paulayoo), it’s a challenge to write seven picture book drafts in seven days. Guest authors share daily inspirational posts on her blog, participants cheer for each other on a Facebook page, and Paula awards prizes. It’s also an opportunity to flex some serious writing muscles. I succeeded in meeting the challenge with seven rough (some very rough) drafts. But, it was tough! I do write and revise most days, yet also juggle a family and part-time job. In order to complete this challenge, I had to write some of the drafts at night when I was seriously tired. Sometimes, the creativity just wasn’t there. As expected, these drafts weren’t my best work. However, the challenge helped me take risks I ordinarily wouldn’t take. For example, one of my drafts was a humorous meta alphabet book—definitely a stretch for me—and one I hadn’t considered before. One picture book morphed into an extended poem. And, under the pressure to create, I finally executed a manuscript idea I’d been pondering aimlessly for weeks. I also learned I can force myself to write when I don’t feel like it. At all. Writers have deadlines, of course, so this is an essential skill for my future professional writer self. Although it was difficult at times, especially over a busy family weekend, I’m glad I participated in #NaPiBoWriWee this year. It’s always good to shake things up, try new things, and take more risks. I also made some new writing friends in a supportive writing community. And as one of my critique partners says, no writing is ever wasted … except maybe that story about the goat! Categories: NaPiBoWriWee, picture book contests, challenge
Vivian is leading her annual contest at her blog: https://viviankirkfield.com/. Contestants can write any story in 50 or fewer words. Below is my entry:
Ice Dance by Jennifer Raudenbush http://jenraudenbush.com/blog.html The snowflake floats, an icy ballerina pirouetting round and round through sky-- tilting, twisting, spinning-- her white skirt billowing, twirled by the wind, as she leaps toward the ground’s crystal stage... to her final bow. 12/12/2018 0 Comments Update on Halloweensie contestI'm happy to have earned an honorable mention (and an awesome craft book) -- "Honorable Mention In The Competition As A Whole: (all-around well-written stories we loved)."
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