Writer's Block

Wow, $500? That’s more than enough to cover publication costs, Allie thought. Plus, that trip to Hawaii is the perfect Christmas present for mom and dad. I just gotta win that contest!

The flyer read:
Short Story Writing Contest
Open to ages 15-17
First prize: their story published in Young Writer’s Magazine, $500 and a trip for 4 to Hawaii
Second prize: their story published in Young Writer’s Magazine, $250 and a trip for 4 to Disney World in Orlando, Florida
Third prize: their story published in Young Writer’s Magazine and $125
Honorable Mention: $75
Send all entries to lovetowrite@writing.com by October 31st

Allie wanted to become a writer, just like her Aunt Trudy. Allie’s best friend, Emily, was her editor and critic. But, Maggie was who she got most of her inspiration from. Maggie was a character that Allie had made up when she was a lot younger. In many ways, Maggie was anything and everything in her own imagination. She was the perfect lead character for all of Allie’s stories.
“Okay, Maggie,” Allie said aloud, looking at a drawing of Maggie on her desk, “tell me what ya got!” She grabbed her journal and opened it to the newest blank page and reached for her favorite pen, ready to write.

After 30 minutes of non-stop writing, Allie felt confident that she had all she needed to create the best story ever. “Thanks, Maggie!” she said with a smile, blowing a kiss to the picture of Maggie. “I’ll begin writing tomorrow,” she stretched her arms and legs, and let out a long yawn, “Boy, am I tired.” she said, trailing off as she climbed into bed. “Goodnight.”

“Sweet dreams, Allie.” Maggie answered, as she headed back home.
“Hello? Is someone there?” a voice asked.
Maggie stopped and looked into the Forest of Noy where the voice was coming from. She had never heard it before.
“Can someone help me please?” the voice asked again.
“Sure, I’ll help you.” Maggie answered, walking towards the woods.
A beautiful princess stepped out of the woods. Her long, red hair cascading over her shoulders and covering some of her lilac gown. Her green eyes were filled with comfort when she looked at Maggie, as if she had been in terrible trouble and had finally found her rescuer. “Oh, thank you.” she said, heaving a sigh of relief. “I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever find my way home.”
“And where exactly is home?” Maggie asked.
The princess told Maggie about her kingdom and the people that lived there. Maggie had never heard of this place before, and she had been everywhere imaginable, so it was very unusual for her to not recognize a place, or even a person. Her name was Fallon and she had been lost for months. Maggie agreed to help her find her way back home, wherever it was. Fallon was very grateful to her and the two began their journey towards where Fallon had said she had come from.

*****************

Allie awoke the next morning and went straight to her journal and began writing about her dream. She wrote about Maggie and Princess Fallon and even about the kingdom of De Monte, where Fallon was from. “This is going to be a great story!” she said with excitement.
Allie went about her day as usual; school, dinner and homework. She couldn’t wait to work on that story again. She reached for her pen and journal and started writing, but stopped and ripped out the page. “That’s not good enough.” she said and tried again, but stopped and ripped that page out too. “Forget it, maybe I’ll try again in the morning.” she said, frustrated.

Meanwhile, in the Forest of Noy, Maggie and Fallon continued their trek through the woods. Maggie hoped they were nearing the end soon, she felt as if she couldn’t walk much longer. That’s strange… I always have so much energy, she thought to herself.
“Everything ok, Maggie?” Fallon asked.
Maggie took a deep breath. “Yeah, I’m ok.” she answered, managing a smile.
Fallon smiled back. “Good, because we have to keep moving if I’m ever going to get back before my brother’s coronation.”
Maggie sighed heavily and nodded. “Alright, Fallon. Whatever you say.”
Fallon smiled once more. There was a gleam of satisfaction in her eyes as she watched Maggie fall once more into her trap. Soon, she’ll be too weak to fight, and that’s when we’ll attack.

*****************

The days seemed to get worse and worse for both Allie and Maggie. Allie couldn’t think of a single thing to write and even started to fear that she would never get this story done in time. And Maggie grew weaker and weaker as she continued to De Monte with Fallon, fearing that this journey would never come to an end.
Fallon, on the other hand, grew stronger and stronger as the days went on. What Maggie didn’t know was that Fallon was one of the De Monte twins, capable of bringing fear into the lives of those who came in contact with her. She was also able to drain the strength and life out of others, while their strength made her stronger and more beautiful. Her twin brother, Dante, was capable of bringing doubt into the minds of others. Together, they were able to destroy the joy and happiness of imaginations of writers everywhere, discouraging them from writing for good.

*****************

Allie was becoming so upset from the past few weeks events. She decided to email her aunt and explain to her what was happening. Thankfully, her aunt knew exactly what she was going through.

Dearest Allie,
Sounds like you’ve got a pretty bad case of writer’s block. I suggest that you warn Maggie to watch out for any phonies in that little mind of yours. You can’t let her fall into the trap, otherwise, you might never feel like writing again. Be strong and courageous, Allie, I know you two will overcome this.
Love,
Aunt Trudy

Writer’s block? Allie thought. She slapped her forehead. “Of course!” she said aloud, “That explains everything!” She ran over to her desk and grabbed the picture of Maggie. “Maggie. You’ve got to listen to me. Remember that Princess Fallon you met a while ago? Yeah, she’s trying to get you to fall into a trap. Don’t listen to her, Maggie! We can’t let her win!”

A trap? Maggie looked over to Fallon and realized what had been happening. “You tricked me!” she yelled, glaring at Fallon.
She let out an evil laugh, “Too late, Maggie, you’ve already come too far.” A figure came out of the trees behind her. “Meet my brother, Dante.”
The figure removed his hood, revealing a dark and sinister face. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, miss.”
“Sorry I can’t say the same for you.” Maggie replied, anger rising within.
Fallon tilted her head and began to shake it slowly, “Now, Maggie, don’t be mad at us, you brought this upon yourself.”
“Doesn’t mean I’m going to let you get away with it!”

“Come on, Maggie!” Allie cheered as she sat at her desk. “You can do it!”

The Forest of Noy quickly became a battlefield as the De Monte twins attacked Maggie. Hours passed by before Maggie was able to catch her breath for a bit. “Allie, you gotta help me. I can’t do this alone.” she said into the sky.

Meanwhile, in her room, Allie heard Maggie’s cry for help and felt it in her heart--she knew what she would have to do. She nodded and grabbed her pen and opened up to a blank page. At first, she was afraid to write because she was afraid that it would be terrible. But the words of her aunt reminded her that she had to overcome this, and she wasn’t alone. With a smile, Allie began writing. She didn’t care what she wrote, as long as she kept writing.

Back in the Forest of Noy, Maggie began to feel herself getting stronger and stronger. She grinned, ready to fight once again.
“What?” Fallon said, astonished. “This isn’t supposed to be happening!”
“That’s because you’ve messed with the wrong girls, Fallon.” Maggie answered, standing tall. “Leave now and I won’t destroy you.”
Fallon looked over at Dante and they both knew it was a lost cause to try and fight. “Alright, we’ll go.” she replied with a sigh.
“But let me warn you,” Dante began, placing an arm around his sister, “this isn’t the last time you’ll see the De Monte twins. We’ll be back, and next time, we will win.” he said with a grin.

Allie finally finished writing and sat back in her chair to relax. We did it, Maggie. We overcame writer’s block. Allie grinned and began reading what she wrote. Without realizing it, she had actually finished the story. She looked over at her calendar--October 29th. “Not too bad, Maggie.” she said as she opened her email. “But next time, let’s not wait till the last minute, okay?”

Maggie chuckled. “Okay.”

Allie sent the story to Emily first, so she could look it over and critique it before sending it off to the contest.

*****************

It wasn’t long before she received a reply. Allie grasped the envelope in her hands, knowing it was from the contest people. She took a deep breath, squeezed her eyes shut, and prayed that she got at least honorable mention. With a quick rip, the envelope was open, and inside was a letter along with a certificate.

*****************

Christmas morning came and Allie waited for her parents to open the envelope from the contest people. “I wanted to win first prize for you guys so we could go to Hawaii, but I guess I’m just not that good of a writer.” Allie said with a sigh as her eyes went back to the floor. She didn’t win first prize, but she did come in second.
Her parents smiled at one another before her mother put her arm around Allie saying, “Sweetie, you are a good writer. In fact, you’re an excellent writer!”
Her father nodded, “Your mother’s right, Allie. I’ve never read such amazing stories like the ones you’ve written.”
Allie smiled. “You really mean it?” she asked them.
They both nodded. “Besides,” her mother began, “Disney World is way more fun.”
“And we can go visit Aunt Trudy while we’re down there.” her father added.
Allie’s mother looked through the contents of the envelope once more. She took out the certificate, the letter saying Allie won second place, and the tickets. “Hmm, what are we going to do with this fourth ticket?” she questioned, a hint of sarcasm in her words. “Perhaps, Emily should come along?”
Allie’s smile widened and her face brightened up at the suggestion.

*****************

A week later, Allie, her parents and her best friend, Emily, were on a plane to Orlando, Florida to spend the rest of their Christmas vacation with Aunt Trudy and to go to Disney World. Sure, it wasn’t the way that Allie had wanted to end her Christmas vacation, but it definitely was the perfect ending.

-Erika
Age 17