Edhat Staff
Update by the edhat staff
Happy Halloween! Our panel of spooky judges received some amazing stories from very talented edhat writers, including a class of students from Riviera Ridge! We were very impressed by the quality of writing and imagination by all our submissions.
Let’s meet the judges:
Lauren Bray is the publisher of Edhat and amateur Wiccan. So far the only ghoulish thing she’s experienced is moderating some of the edhat comments, but her new Wiccan powers will cure that soon.
Sue Foley works as an environmental consultant but after a strange encounter with a really dark cloud, can often be found standing at the end of Stearn’s Wharf, holding a scimitar (known to disable ghouls). She is, coincidently, very fond of KitKats.
TV Jane is edhat’s film and movie columnist who enjoys a scary movie and a spooky story. This year she’ll be dressing up as Jamie Lee Curtis.
The judges rated each story on a scale of 1 to 5 and every story has the same beginning and must include the phrases: ghoul, Stearns Wharf, and Kit Kat. This year’s winner received the top combined score to win our annual Edhat Halloween Story Writing Contest.
The Halloween Protest
Jolinda Pizzirani
A dark cloud suddenly forms over downtown Santa Barbara. I shiver and pull a jacket out of my backpack and look around, the tourists milling about State Street don’t seem to notice. I look closer at the black mass above me, it’s gathering at a rapid speed and bubbling with a strange light. I feel a pit in my stomach, this is not a normal storm cloud.
I notice that the dark fumes seem to be drifting up State Street from the direction of Stearn’s Wharf. Curiosity overwhelming my better judgment, I start walking down State. By the time I reach the underpass, my stomach is growling, so I fumble in my pockets, where I find a delectable Kit Kat candy bar to satisfy my hunger.
Careful to find the proper place to dispose of my candy wrapper, I am transfixed by the magnitude of the swirling cloud above me, seeming to grow with every step I take. As I walk down the familiar wooden pier, I see through the smelly smoke that it is coming from the top of the Harbor Restaurant. Is it on fire, I wonder? Should I call the fire department?
But then I see that the source of the disgusting smoke cloud is what looks like a Halloween ghoul standing on the restaurant roof in front of large device that is spouting off the noxious fumes! He is yelling something unintelligible, but as I get closer, I finally make out some of what he is saying:
“Ban the cruise ships from our harbor!” I scan the horizon and see no cruise ships in sight, so I answer, “Okay, but what you are doing is far worse than any cruise ship!”
“We don’t need all those tourists littering and ruining our beautiful streets!” He yells, flailing his arms wildly.
What is this crazy ghoul trying to accomplish, I wonder. Then I hear his next exclamation:
“Tomorrow I will protest the move of the Fiesta parade from State Street to Cabrillo! And get rid of the restaurant parklets! Return State Street to the way it was before!”
I wonder what method of protest he will use for that…a wide-load truck?
I see the Harbor police starting to gain access to the roof. I turn back to the ghoul and ask, “I suppose you are also against the cannabis growers?”
The ghoul stopped suddenly and turned to answer me, smiling, “No, they are okay…”
Congratulations Jolinda! You’ve won a $40 gift card to Blenders in the Grass for all your juice and smoothie needs.
Original Post
By the edhat staff
The spooky season is upon us and we’re back with our annual Halloween Story Writing Contest. Creative edhatters from Santa Barbara County and beyond continue to amaze us with their innovative and eerie imaginations. Whether you’re a longtime submitter or a first-time writer, we encourage you all to dust off that fountain pen, grab a sheet of parchment, and start writing. Plus, we have a great gift card in store for the winner! As usual, we’ve given you a head start.
HERE ARE THE RULES:
This contest is open to everyone, students included! One story per person, please.
Entries can be no longer than 632 words (including the provided beginning), should be suitable for all ages (PG content, please), must include the opening we have provided, and contain the following three words or phrases:
- Ghoul
- Stearns Wharf
- Kit Kat
Your story can be scary or funny or something in between. All entries will be judged by an esteemed panel based on the following criteria:
- Word count (632 words)
- Inclusion of the required beginning and words/phrases (see below)
- If the judges like it
Send your entry to ed@edhat.com by Midnight, 10-26-22. Enter “Halloween Writing Contest” in the subject line. Please include your name. The winner will be announced and the winning story posted on Sunday, 10-30-22. Honorable Mention stories will also be posted.
PRIZE
The first-place winner will win a $40 gift card to Blenders in the Grass!
Ed will decide any ties.
Here’s the beginning of the story…good luck!
STORY PROMPT
A dark cloud suddenly forms over downtown Santa Barbara. I shiver and pull a jacket out of my backpack and look around, the tourists milling about State Street don’t seem to notice. I look closer at the black mass above me, it’s gathering at a rapid speed and bubbling with a strange light. I feel a pit in my stomach, this is not a normal storm cloud.
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