Welcome to Holly’s world, where I revisit old stories and tidbits I wrote as a child as an adult! Expect to see a lot of off-the-wall things here as you enjoy my unfiltered, unhinged childhood thoughts. (returning Summer 2023)
“Love”
This week, I’m revisiting a very short “simile paragraph” I wrote in my 6th grade journal about love. It’s short, but I’ve got to give it my twelve-year-old self, it’s not bad. I’ve made minimal edits, a rarity for me, but that’s partially because you can see my revision process in writing this on the page itself. May love forever be like the universe. Enjoy!
Original (May 15, 2012)
Love is like the universe. No matter what, no matter when it will be there. There are no boundaries; there is much more to discover. Space is forever, and so is love
Love (revised August 4, 2022)
Love is like the universe. No matter what happens, no matter when it is, love will be there. There are no boundaries. There is always more to discover. Space is forever, and so is love.
“Acorn, Peanut, and Cashew”
I totally forgot about this story until I found it in one of my journals from 3rd grade! This week, I revisit a story definitely inspired by Alvin and the Chipmunks (specifically, Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman, 2000) as this story would’ve been originally written around October 2008. I remember watching that particularly Alvin and the Chipmunk on Disney channel while my little brothers napped and I think I may have even rented it from the library once. It totally terrified me, but I was obsessed! Anyway, please enjoy the original, and then the revision! (Note: This week’s shout out goes to my third grade teacher, Mrs. Katie Barnes, who wrote the “Good story” in the margin!)
Original (October 2008, age 8)
Acorn Penot [Peanut] Cashow [Cashew]
Once there were three chipmonks [chipmunks] there [their] names were Peanut, Acorn, and, Casho [Cashew]. Acorn was the leader. Casho [Cashew] was the brains. And Peanut was the baby. One day the chipmonk [chipmunks] found out that someone wanted to cut ther [their] tree down! They wodd [would] not thet [let] them cut down there [their] tree! So they made the peaple [people] think it was haunted. They scared theim [them] away!
Revision (July 7, 2022)
Once upon a time, there were three little chipmunks and their names were Peanut, Acorn, and Cashew (their mother had craved mixed nuts her entire pregnancy, and decided to honor the Planters brand with such names). Acorn was the leader, Cashew was the brains, and Peanut was the baby. The three little chipmunks lived in a tall oak tree in the middle of the forest, and when they weren’t scavenging for food or running races around the trunk, they were snuggled up in their little chipmunk beds, listening to the sounds of the woodpeckers and bluebirds that would lull them into sleep. One day, the chipmunks found out that someone wanted to cut their beloved tree down! They were not going to let them cut down their tree! So, the three little chipmunks decided to make people think the tree was haunted. They made scary noises, and threw branches at the construction workers when they weren’t looking. The three little chipmunks scared them away!
“The Leaf Dancers”
This week, we’re traveling to November 2011! This was a fun short story to write, as I was playing around with “origin stories,” and I remember really enjoying writing this one. I didn’t change a whole lot in this one, and I really tried to keep it close to what I originally had in mind.
Original (November 28, 2011 – December 6, 1011)
A short story
The Leaf Dancers
November 28, 2011 – December 6 2011
Once in the far away land of Holliness three leafs [leaves] were discussing a very important matter. “I do say, falling so hard on the ground just to regrow the next year is silly!” said Red leaf. “Yes, your [you’re] quiete [quite] correct, Red Leaf.” answered Brown Leaf. “Shh! Here comes a ballerina! Exclaimed Golden Leaf in a whisper. “Bye Mama, I’tl [I’ll] be back in enough time to help with Dinner.” the girl yelled. “Alright Cecile a quick practice though my sweet!” Ceciles [Cecile’s] mother replied. “Yes Mama!”
Cecile then took out a tutu and put it on her waist. She then laced up her shoes and began to dance. She glidded [gilded] across the hill like a boat on smooth water. “Look how she falls she dousn’t [doesn’t] look even like she’s hurting.” smiled Red Leaf. “IN fact I’ll ask her how!” “No!!” cried Golden Leaf, but it was too late.
“Cecile dear help us get off this dreaded tree when fall fall as gracefully as you darling. “Cecile’s mouth dropped was about to scream when brown leaf said “Scream and these acorns will make sure you wounl’t [wouldn’t] ever again!” he was joking but he didn’t want Cecile to know that. “So you want me to teach you how to fly! Or fall in this, case. I only been dancing five years! And I’m only seven!” “Age is not a problem my sweet!” “Okay.” she said happily. “Be her this time tomorrow! That’s an order! I have to go help. I brimg [bring] my friends to help me teach!” “This is our secret now good-bye.” Golden Leaf. And she was off.
“This is Angelina and Rosabella. They will help me. I’m no good as them. They are both 9. “Cecile started. “NO!” said Rosabella. “Why do you think you got in 2 years early!” Cecile attended a dance school and they begin age is 9, However, Cecile was so good she got in early. Now lets begin. Cecil said.
Everyday. Cecile, Angelina, Rosabella, and the leafs [leaves] practiced. then finally the big day came. “I know you will do good your lessons are over now make your practice in play!” Cecile said. Each leaf fluttered slowly slowly doing everything the leafs [leaves] said. That is why leafs [leaves] dance.
THE END
Revision (June 30, 2022)
A short story
The Leaf Dancers
November 28, 2011 – December 6 2011
Once in the far away land of Holliness three leaves were discussing a very important matter.
“I do say, falling so hard on the ground just to regrow the next year is silly!” said Red leaf.
“Yes, you’re quite correct, Red Leaf,” answered Brown Leaf.
“Shh! Here comes a ballerina!” exclaimed Golden Leaf in a whisper.
“Bye Mama, I’ll be back in enough time to help with dinner,” the girl yelled.
Cecile slipped on her pink tuto, laced up her ballet slippers, and began to dance in the orchid behind her house. She blided across the hill like a boat on smooth water.
“Look how she falls! She makes it seem like it doesn’t even hurt!” said Red Leaf. “I think I’ll ask her how she does it!”
“No!” cried Golden Leaf, but it was too late.
“Cecile dear help us get off this dreaded tree when fall as gracefully as you darling,” Red Leaf said.
Cecile’s mouth dropped was about to scream when Brown Leaf said, “Scream and these acorns will make sure you won’t ever scream again!”
Brown Leaf was joking, but he didn’t want Cecile to know that. He liked to pretend like he was tougher than he actually was, but the truth was, he was just as scared of falling as Red Leaf and Golden Leaf.
“You want me to teach you how to dance?” Cecile asked, looking up the tall tree at them. She grinned. “Well, I guess in your case, fall.”
Golden Leaf frowned. “Don’t be sassy.”
“I’ll do it!” Cecile said after a minute. “But, I’ll need my friends to help me. Be here, the same time tomorrow!”
#
The next day, Cecile arrived at the orchid with two other girls around her age.
“This is Angelina and Rosabella,” Cecile said, pointing to the girls. “They’re in my dance class, but I’m not as good as them.”
“Of course you are!” said Rosabella. “You got into dance school two whole years early!”
Cecile waved a hand. “That doesn’t matter. Let’s begin.”
Everyday, Cecile, Angelina, Rosabella, and the leaves practiced then finally the big day came.
“I know you will do well!” Cecile said, standing under the big tree with folded hands. She smiled at the leaves. “Your lessons are over, and you can put your practice into play!”
Brown, Red, and Golden Leaf all fluttered slowly, slowly to the ground, doing everything the girls had said.
This is why leaves dance to the ground every autumn.
THE END
“A cat, a dog, and a pancake”
This week, we’re throwing it back to August 2011, aka, my first week of middle school! This one is a shout out to my 6th grade English teacher, Mrs. Ware (formerly known as Ms. Crisp), as I actually composed this first attempt at a “real” short story in her class! I have a soft spot for this one, too, as I actually remember writing it. In staying true to my intentions as an eleven-year-old writer, I’ve only revised the opener for now, but I think I may end up revisiting this at some point…
Original (August 2011):
Once there was a cat named Mirra who lived in a big house with a big family. For Mirra every thing was perfect. Well, everything ecept [except] the dog next door, Killer. Killer was a 5 pound chiwawa [chihuahua]. who barked and chase cars. One day Mirr’as family and Killers family decide to go on a trip. “As they pulled out Killer dug a hole under the fence that separate [separate] the houses soon Killer reached the other side. As she came out Mirra soon saw her. “Killer what are you doing you interrupted my appointment.” “Cats have appointments.” “Yes killer we have appointments and you inter”
Revision (June 16, 2022):
Once there was a cat named Mirra who lived in a big house with a big family. Everything was perfect for Mirra—she had a cat playground from Aldi, an endless supply of wet cat food, and all the head scratches she could ever want. The only thing in Mirra’s life that was not perfect was the dog that lived next door, Killer, the five pound chihuahua, who was always barking and chasing cars.
One day, Mirra’s family and Killers family decided to go on a trip, leaving both animals to their own devices. Although Mirra did not usually go outside, she saw it beneath her, the empty rooms of her family home became lonely after a few days. So, she booked an appointment with the cat that lived on the other side of her house, Rikki, who had some cat nip she was willing to share.
Just as Mirra was about to slip through the faded white picket fence to visit Rikki, Killer dug a hole under her side of the fence and slinked under.
Mirra huffed. “Killer, what are you doing? You interrupted my appointment!”
Killer tilted her tiny head that was disproportionate to the rest of her body. “Cats have appointments?”
“Yes Killer, we have appointments, and you interrupted mine!”
“I want a dream”
Today’s installment involves revisiting the “Dream Land” I created when I was nine-years-old. This one is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s worth mentioning that this was the one that really set the stage for me to start working on world building. It’s very innocent, and it’s very sweet, and finding this gem in a notebook was a lot of fun!
Original (May 12 2009):
I can’t rember [remember] any of my dreams but I have a dream I want to have. I wish I would dream of a place that is peaceful and pretty. I would wish for mountains of chocolate rivers of pink lemonade. The grass made out of ice cream, animals that don’t sting. Nobody in jail nobody doing anything bad. I would be paridise [paradise]. I would call it dreamland. You could dream anything you want. Rides, clowns, pools and good food. Books everywhere, but they would be specil [special]books you say what you want to read and, poof! That’s what your reading. You would love it. Ther [There] would be a person that controls th [the] elctrist [electrician] he would be call The Elictriconader. Th plant would be divide in four part each one a season. Each one would have a ruler. Springs Queen will be Queen blossom Winters Mr. frosty. Fall Mrs. Pumpkin, summer Queen Sandy this way if people like the warmth or coldness…problem soleve [solve]. But they would be like presdants [presidents] to keep it fair. You would have to have a heart of a kid to enter. These are so adulat [adult] that would enter…my daddy my mommy, Mrs. barnes Melissa and my cats and dogs. Every body that has a heart like a kid is welcome. My qeston [question] for you toaday is will you enter Holly Brantleys specil [special] world. Will you?
Revised (June 9 2022):
I actually do remember a lot of my dreams now, and usually what happens is I’ll wake up, frantically write something down in the notes app on my phone (cleverly titled “Fever Dream”) and pass right back out . But, I have to say my dreams at nine were a lot more fantastical. I would absolutely LOVE mountains of chocolate and rivers of pink lemonade. To this day, I really love pink lemonade, and it totally tastes better than real lemonade. I’m not sure grass made out of ice cream would work, though.
I like no stinging animals, and rides and pools and good food sound fun, but absolutely NO CLOWNS will be allowed. Nine year old me didn’t know this, but a few months later at the Spring Hope Pumpkin Festival parade, I’d be traumatized by a clown (long story). At the end of the day, you just can’t trust clowns. They have something to hide.
A book that always knows what I want to read when I pick it up? SIGN. ME. UP. The only card I’ve ever maxed out was a library card, and I live with no regrets.
The idea of the Elictriconader sounds promising, and I love that I thought to include an electrician in my dreamland. Also, can you tell I loved Tinkerbell by having the leaders of four different seasons? Also, the fact I wanted a democracy still? Iconic. Love to see it, little me.
At the end of the day, I think I’d still be welcome in my nine-year-old dream world, and there’s not a whole lot I’d change.
“Angry Pluto Letter”
For my first post, I will be revisiting a letter I wrote to the man who took away Pluto’s planetary status. I wrote this letter around 2010, when I was about ten years old, and it was right after I learned what happened to Pluto. Needless to say and as you’ll see, I was not happy.
Original:
Dear Mike Brown,
How dare you! In this country it’s only American to root for the underdog. By getting ride of Pluto, not only are you telling young children that size does matter, but that just because your far away, you can’t make a difference.
You of all people, Dr. Brown, should want to encourage the future generations of American children to explore the world and stand up for what they think is right! Shame on you! Who cares if he’s not as big! Pluto was made a planet and that should not be taken away from him. Thats like saying We’re going to take away your doctorate because someone else (aka the people who want to bring Pluto back) are smarter then you. Shame on you, Dr. Brown. Shame on you!
The reason I am so passionate on this subject is because I cannot stand the thought of my younger brothers and one day my children growing up without a Pluto or at least not a Pluto that is not Mickey Mouse’s dog. Is this how you want to be remembered, Dr. Brown, as the man who crushed children everywheres dreams? Think about that for a while and decide if your decision was worth it.
I expect to see Pluto’s reinstatement as a planet soon.
Sincerely,
Margie Holladay Brantley
(a Pluto enthuseast)
Revised:
Dear Mike Brown,
I would just like to say first off that I’m still greatly offended my mother never let me send that letter I wrote twelve years ago because I stand by every statement. I see that you’ve written a book about killing Pluto, one I will not plug here, mind you, but I do appreciate your humor and how you’ve embraced the role of “Pluto Killer.” As much as it pains me to say it, I actually do understand why Pluto should no longer be a planet, but I still think the whole thing was wrong. The heart wants what the heart wants, you know?
I’ll be honest, Pluto was definitely my favorite planet just because it had the same name as Mickey Mouse’s dog…and also because the “Interplanet Janet” song from Schoolhouse Rock just doesn’t sound right without the Pluto part, but here’s the deal, Mike, people are obviously still upset about this Pluto thing because it’s still prevalent in pop culture. In USA’s Psych (2006-2014), Gus, one of the main characters, has a running gag involving Pluto’s planetary status (“You heard about Pluto? That’s messed up, right?”). More recently, a parody of the Encanto song, “We Don’t Talk about Bruno” has been spoofed into a “We Don’t Talk about Pluto” by Youtuber Jon Pumper.
At the end of the day, Pluto has not been a planet since 2006, sixteen long years, and for those sixteen years, you have been hated by many schoolchildren. As I said twelve years ago, I hope your decision was worth it.