Maryna Doughty
Writer + Former Teacher + Christian
MY PASSIONS:
-Expressing myself through writing fictional stories
-Helping teachers instill a passion for reading and writing in their students
-Discussing relationships & Seeking biblical truths about dealing with dysfunction
-Serving my husband who is the absolute love of my life
-Being a stay-at-home mom so I can raise my two sons
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
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
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
Favorite Books
NON-FICTION:
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:
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
MIDDLE-GRADE:
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
CHAPTER BOOKS:
Wild Fairies series by Brandi Dougherty
Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish
PICTURE BOOKS
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
An Easter Egg Hunt for Jesus by Susan Jones
BOARD BOOKS:
Bunny Breaths by Kira Willey
The Little Blue Truck series by Alice Schertle