Maryna Doughty

Writer + Former Teacher + Christian

My Writing Accomplishments

1st Place in Vivian Kirkfield's 2020 #50PreciousWords Contest

Dance for Daddy 

By: Maryna Doughty

Word Count: 50

Daddy always whispered, “Dance your heart out.”

He said it every year.

But this recital was different.

When the music played, I…

chasséd our memories,

pirouetted around the pain,

pliéd it away,

and leapt go of a kiss.

When my dance was done, I…

peered up at heaven

and curtsied.

6th Place in Susanna Leonard Hill's 2019 Halloweensie Contest

Ghost’s Pest Problem

By: Maryna Doughty

Word Count: 98

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Ghost peeked out the window.

GHOST: Ahhhh!!!

He picked up the phone and dialed the number.

WITCH: You've reached Lotions, Potions, and Other Solutions, how may I help you?

GHOST: I've got a pest problem!

WITCH: Okay, I'll send the exterminator.

Later...

Knock, knock.

Ghost opened the door.

GHOST: Finally, you’re here! They're all over the front porch!

SPIDER: It's that time of year. Halloween always brings them out, especially to haunted houses.

GHOST: You're sure the traps will work?

SPIDER: Oh yeah, they always get caught in them.

Ding-dong.

GHOST: They’re here! Quick! Spin the cobwebs!

“Trick-or-treat!”

Winning Entry in Lydia Lukidis and Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez's 2019 Fall Frenzy Writing Contest

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Superstitious

By: Maryna Doughty

Word Count: 200

Image #5

People call me a scaredy cat, but I’m not.

I just don’t like bad luck.

On Halloween, I take precautions to ensure a safe night—or year. Or seven years.

“Wendy,” I say, “no mirrors in the house.”

“But I’ve never broken any before,” she says.

“Quick! Bring me your broomstick. We need to knock on wood.”

Surely, I get into the Halloween spirit.

I decorate…

“What are you hanging up?” Wendy asks.

“A rabbit’s foot,” I say.

“So spooky!”

“Wendy, wait! Don’t walk under my ladder!”

I bake delicious treats…

“Mmmm…cookie dough!” Wendy squeals.

“Hold on, it needs a pinch of salt. Could you pass me the—”

Clunk.

“Oh no! Wendy, quick! Toss some over your shoulder!”

I even help Wendy get ready…

“Glitter?” I say. “You can be a sparkly witch.”

“But I’m that every year. Can’t I be something else?”

“No, Wendy. Then you’ll want to see what you look like.”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Mirrors, Wendy. We can’t have any.”

“We need one.”

“Why?”

“It’s important you know what you look like. It’ll help you stop being such a scaredy cat.”

“I’m not—”

“Here, look…”

“Ahhh! A black cat! Why didn’t you tell me?!”

THE END

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Favorite Books

NON-FICTION:

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Boundaries by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend 

Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud

The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin de Becker 

Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe by Gavin de Becker

The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

The Reading Zone: How to Help Kids Become Skilled, Passionate, Habitual, Critical Readers by Nancie Atwell and Anne Atwell Merkel

Readicide by Kelly Gallagher

THRILLER:

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The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine 

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MIDDLE-GRADE:

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Murder Is Bad Manners by Robin Stevens

Chasing Secrets by Gennifer Choldenko

The Stepmom Shake-Up by Niki Lenz

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed

The Wide-Awake Princess series by E.D. Baker

Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney

The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey

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CHAPTER BOOKS:

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Wild Fairies series by Brandi Dougherty

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Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish

PICTURE BOOKS

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I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

Summer Color by Diana Murray

It's Not Hansel and Gretel by Josh Funk

The One-Stop Story Shop by Tracey Corderoy

A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale by Penny Parker Klostermann 

I'm Sorry! By Barry Timms

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An Easter Egg Hunt for Jesus by Susan Jones

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BOARD BOOKS:

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Bunny Breaths by Kira Willey

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The Little Blue Truck series by Alice Schertle

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