Our Chipoupine
Weekly Writing Challenge Winner
is Tracy Dunne-Derrell!


We challenged you to create an inventive story inspired by this picture in 150 words or less. The catch? You had to mention the beautiful, ribbon-adorned skirt she's wearing in your piece. (Afterall, we're skirt! girls right?)


Read the winning entry here:

You don't know it yet, but you will be President someday. Not president of a bank or PTA, though those are certainly worthy, but THE President.
But today, you can revel in little girl-ness, the weight of the world carried by someone else. Despite your tomboy tendencies, you love pretty things, and this will be held against you as you make your way in the world, as if a woman can't be pretty and competent. A belief some won't release, even in your lifetime.
The rain has run its dreary course, leaving behind sunshine. You put on a beautiful, ribbon-adorned skirt. Your mother protests that it's too muddy outside, but marvels at the perfect outfit you create.
You're ready to run about in the sunshine, mud be damned. Your stubborn streak has earned you another win. Someday, you will thank your mother for not squashing that part of you. - Tracy Dunne-Derrell

Here's to Tracy and Beth.....

Our Writer's Group is beginning to garnish some glory. First, Tracy wins a competition on Skirt.com. Not a small feat, for Skirt is highly regarded and the submissions, I imagine, are many. To top it off, the word count was small, making each word count. She wrote a great piece and I'll see if I can post it here.

Now it's Beth's turn as she's in the final count for a new Chicken Soup book, due out towards the end of the year. We know those submissions are many...to get this far is quite an accomplishment. Beth turned in a story very much in her own voice....it's full of humor...Beth's humor...yet spot on honest...very true to who Beth is. With so many trying to get into Chicken Soup, I believe her unique take on the topic...which is health and fitness...made her story stand out. I can't imagine how many, "I lost weight" stories they received? Take a chance...dig deep into your creativity....no matter the immediate out come...whether it's personal or publishing success, it will happen.

Having other people read you work...offer thoughtful comments...as well as encouragement... is a win-win situation for a writer. Taking those comments and making the decision to either change up the story or not, makes for a writer who is willing to take chances, be creative, stay true to themselves and improve how they choose to be expressive. There's nothing like a group working together for every ones benefit.

If you send it out, yes, you stand the chance of having it turned down, but, ahhh....you also have an opportunity of being published. That's a rush for any writer who wants their work out there. Oh, and don't diminish the fact you also end up feeling you've accomplished a personal goal...doesn't get any better than that.

Here's to Tracy and Beth.....