Fall Writing Frenzy — Emily Ramquist

I’m back! I’ve been hoping to restart my blog for a while now and today seems like as good a time as any. It’s a new month! It’s a new season! (Ok, fall actually started like a week ago, but I’m in Indiana and it was 80 degrees yesterday.) But with the calendar turning the page to October, there is no denying it now. It’s time for hoodies, football, leaf piles, and HALLOWEEN!

I wasn’t huge into Halloween when I was younger, but our family goes all out now. For the past 8 years, we have created a family costume, steadily adding to our ranks along the way.

Last year’s family costume: The Ramquist Family Zoo

This year, to kick off my favorite month, I am throwing my hat in the ring with another creative project. Below is my entry for the Fall Writing Frenzy Contest. I was instantly drawn to the creepy final image: an old mansion with glowing windows. I’m in an middle grade kind of mood (I just submitted to Pitch Wars for the first time- Eeeek!) so I think it’s an opening to a spooky MG story. Maybe the start to NaNoWriMo? You tell me!

Escape From Milford Mansion

I tried to tell them not to go inside the old Milford Mansion. I told them even if the rumors weren’t true, it wasn’t a good idea.

They wouldn’t listen.

Maddie had looked at me the way I look at my little brother when he doesn’t want to get on a ride at the fair. “Sounds to me like someone is too scared,” she smirked, crossing her arms, daring me to reconsider.

“I’m not scared,” I answered, but my voice was shaking a little as I tried to get the words out. “I- I’m just smart. You guys are going to get into trouble. Or worse.”

They didn’t listen.

And now I’m standing on the front lawn of the massively terrifying house, armed with only my camping flashlight and my old t-ball bat. The sky is growing dark and clouds begin to gather over my head. It makes the lights inside seem to glow with welcoming warmth, but I’m not fooled.

Somehow, I have to get into this house that I never wanted to be at in the first place. Somehow, I have to find my friends and get them out, before it’s too late.