It seems like just yesterday that I was adding my entry to the inaugural Susanna Hill Valentiny Writing Contest. Here we are at year two (The Second Annual Valentiny Writing Contest). Hurray, it’s becoming a thing!
I will admit that I wasn’t planning to enter this time around. I am currently attending the SCBWI winter conference in New York City, and I wanted to spend my time preparing for and putting my energies into making sure I had a productive experience.
But who was I kidding? As soon as I read the rules – “Write a Valentines story appropriate for children (children here defined as ages 12 and under) maximum 214 words in which someone is confused.” – I was trapped. While I was not paying attention, my brain, behind my back, came up with this.
TOO MANY MANNYS
“Look,” said Manny Mooney. “I found a valentine on Penny Pepper’s desk. It says, ‘For my marvelous Manny. You do the funniest things!’”
“It must be for me,” said Manny Mackey. “I mimic messy monkeys.”
“Or, it could be for me,” said Manny Meany. “I march through muddy muck.”
“No, it’s for me,” said Manny Murphy. “I make myself milkshake mustaches.”
“You forget about me,” said Manny Mitty. “I moo to mixed-up music.”
“And what about me,” said Manny Moony. “I mumble with a mouthful of mini-marshmallows.”
All five Mannys held onto the valentine and performed their funny feats.
Penny Pepper pranced in and was perfectly perplexed.
“What are you doing with my valentine?” she asked.
All of the Mannys answered at once, “I’m proving this valentine was meant for me.”
“Oh,” said Penny Pepper, “this valentine is not for Manny Mackey, Manny Meany, Manny Murphy, Manny Mitty, OR Manny Mooney.”
“But there are no more Mannys,” said the many Mannys.
“If you look closer,” said Penny Pepper, “this valentine says, ‘For my marvelous Mommy.’ I’m bringing this one home.”
Thanks for reading, and go to Susanna’s Blog to read all of the other wonderful entries.
I really like the alliteration. Who would have thought there could ever be that many Manny’s in a class? Well done!
Thank you, Colleen.
Funny! Nice sense of voice (or should I say, “voices”–Manny, Manny of them!)
They are all pretty loud! Thanks, Heather.
Great job!! I love the alliteration and the goofy feats!
Thanks so much, Sam.
HA! Clever…and I bet those funny feats would all make for great illustrations that would make kids giggle!! Have a wonderful time at the conference!
They are a goofy lot. Thanks, Elizabeth.
So glad you entered! Love the voice and the alliteration too. Enjoy the conference. I wish I could have gone too 🙁
I couldn’t resist. Thank you, Tracy.
Fun to read…especially out loud! I loved the many Manny’s…and Mommy.
Thanks, Jill. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
This is a fun read aloud! Good luck!
Thank you so much, Jilanne.
Fun story, David. I like the way those Mannys are hoping they’ll be the one. Good luck in NY.
And none of those poor boys win. Ha.
Very clever! I love all the alliterations and the surprise at the end. Good luck with your entry and at the conference!
Thank you, Kathryn. It was fun to write.
Ha, fab ending! Love the names. Really fun. Good luck!
Thanks, Kathy. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Love the twist and the numerous “Mannys,” What fun. Good Luck
It’s Manny madness! Thank you, Maria.
That’s a lot of Mannys! Fun alliteration and great twist at the end!
Too many. Thanks for reading, Gabi.
Great read aloud, and a very clever tale! Good luck and Happy Valentine’s Day!
Same to you. Thank you so much, Angie.
On my hockey team we had four Greg’s. So I can relate to this story. Good luck!
On my floor in the dorms, there were eight Davids. Three of us in one room! It’s all about the nicknames. Thanks, Greg.
Fun story. I’m seeing a trend…12 Daves, 5 Mannys! Love the mommy switch up.
I hadn’t thought about that. I’ll have to try to keep the trend going. Thanks, Amanda.
Funny story that makes you want to pay attention.
I wish you well with it.
Thank you very much, Lynn.
I love the alliteration in this story David. Made it so much fun to read. It’s also funny which is a win for me. Well done. 🙂
Thank you, Traci. I had a lot of fun with this one.
What great fun, David! Kids would LOVE all of the alliteration…and the twist at the end. Well done!
Thank you, Vivian. I love alliteration myself. Obviously.
very clever. I love stories with wordplay. Cool!
So do I. Thanks, Joanne.
Gosh, David! That Penny Pepper must be something to get all those Mannys so wound up and hopeful! 🙂 Love all the alliteration and the crazy stuff they do – mumbling with mini-marshmallows 🙂 – and love that all the confusion was caused by misreading “mommy”! Tons of fun! Thanks so much for finding time for Valentiny! Hope the conference was great!!!
Thanks so much, Susanna. And the conference was wonderful.
Sooo cute! Poor Mannys, but lucky Mommy! 🙂
Moms should always win in the end!