WHO: Contest is open to “Taffy Heads” (lovers of the book) ages 6-15.
WHAT: Read the book, and then write a 500-750 word “plot summary” essay on what you think the sequel should be about.
WHEN: Contest begins January 11, 2011 and ends 4th of July, 2012
HOW: Send your essay via email to seven@sevenpublishing.com
Here are some things to think about while you craft your adventure.
- You must include our five main characters within your story: Scooter, Gary, Zippy, Jimmy and Jaq. You are welcome to create new characters, but the story must revolve around our heroes!
- Your idea MUST BE ORIGINAL.
- The contest is open to kids ages 6-15. Parents or Teachers may serve as editors for the young writer, but they cannot write the paper for them. Remember, we must lead by example and if you do their work, this is not a lesson we want to teach our children. We are guiding confident, self-starting, and energetic young men and women!
- Your adventure should begin where our story ends in the book.
- You must have at least 500 words, but no more than 750 words in your essay.
- Spelling COUNTS! Show your teacher the essay and ask them to look over your work. This is a HUGE secret to writing…showing your work to others so they can give you “notes” or “feedback.”
- No idea is a bad idea. The most creative and well-written essay will win and potentially co-write the sequel to SALTWATER TAFFY.’
- What is a “plot summary?” Here’s an article on how to write a plot summary.
Good luck with your writing and here’s a big secret to writing; TRUST. Never say, “I don’t know how to write.” Always say “I am learning how to write.” See this difference? One stops your potential, the other encourages it. Always remember, writing is rewriting!
Hi I’m Jazsmin and I’m 13 years old. I was wondering when the 2nd contest was gonna start and end
You were at Mountain View Middle School today and i loved your speech. It was motivational and upbeat. Thank you for coming!
How or were are we suppose to turn in our essays?
What you’re supposed to do is send an email to seven@sevenpublishing.com . That shouldn’t be too hard, considering you wrote a comment and an email address was required. Good luck!
you came to our school today. Helen C. Cannon to be exact, and you were talking about a movie that you were going to make. I know you might here this every day but i would really love to be in that movie. im 13 and im a good, strong, and confident person. i would really love to be in it. i dont really care about the money. but I still want it.. haha.. but i just wanna act in the great movie your going to make!!
i want too me in the movie too ,it would be a great learning experince and plus im a great acttress too!
who dose’nt want to be be in such an action packed movie??
I wrote my essay already but im still thinking of ideas to improve it. The thing is, i have 550 words! I dont know what to do please help! Thanks!!!
Hello Leo! Yes, here at the Saltwater Taffy Network, we understand more than anyone that writing is RE-WRITING. We have a 500 word minimum and a 700 word maximum. Happy writing!
When does the national essay end?
August 7, 2011 Amy!
Hi! I’m 12. You came to MVMS and i got a free SWT book. Do I type my essay or can I send my essay in an email???????
am i allowd to send my essay by mail????????
I’m really really excited about this contest..great idea! I had to buy your book after you came to mountain view the other day. Inspiring. I’m a young writer myself working on my own novel, (yes, I know I’m young, being 12 and all..wow they make that look small xD) and I’ve been looking for some good prompts and it’s like you heard me thinking about it. Anyway, thank you so much for coming and I hope you like me idea..might be a little far fetched, but don’t be frightened by it! I also had a question, would we be able to help with the filming and if so, where would that be?
same here! writing is my life! i always write fiction. do you go to mountain veiw? we have to meet up! =)
Yes, I do! I’m in 7th grade
What grade are you in?
i loved the book! i won it at mountain veiw middle school and i loved what you signed. i remember everyday what you wrote. if you forgot it it is each moment is a new adventure! im going to enter the essay contence. i really hope i win. wish me luck
love,
your fan, athena.
I just relized that Jaq and i have the same personalities! I rarely wear skirts and always wear jeans and pants! Jaq is my fave charecter in the book. I love how she is confidant in her self and stands up to her self. I absalutley LOVE THE END!!!!!!! => so cute!!!
i would love to be in the movie. i hope Jaq is going to be played by a really good actor. i have a ? is the movie going to be a cartoon or live?
Hi, I really like your book. Wait did i say like? I mean love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I cant wait for the movie to come out in 2012. My sister lives in port towsend and her name is jaque too. When i saw the name in the book i was amazed because my sister lives in port towsend and her name is jaque and pepole call her jaq! I wish i could be jaq in the movie, but im only 10 well almost ten. My birthday is in april on the 9th, so i cant really do it but my dad whanted to know if my brothers and i can try out. Thanks anyway, from Mckenna
Yes McKenna…you will be able to audition for the film! We will be doing a national talent scout for the characters, so stay tuned. I’m writing the script now…the good thing is we have time! Glad you liked the story. Make sure you tell your librarian about it and tell 10 friends who don’t go to school with you. Spread the love! Much love, Uncle E
And my dad whanted to tell you that we live close to port towsend and we really whanted to go to the book sighning but we couldnt because my mom had to work i was sad:( so thanks i hope i can see you sometime maby i will try out were is the try outs going to be thanks from mckenna
hi its me again my friend arlene law i told her about the book and movie and me and her wanted to try out for one of the main charaeters what year or month are try outs are going to be.so email me back please from mckenna kelbel.
Hi, I have ALWAYS wanted to be in a movie, so I hope I will be in it. I was also wondering when you would make the movie, and if it will be made in the summer time or winter. I know it will be in 2012 though. I’m going to be about the age of Jaque because I’m 10 now , and in 2012 I’ll be 11 ,because my birthday is in December, on the 4th. Hope I can be in it, Arlene Law
Hi, i’ve always wanted to be in a movie so i really want to audition for it. I know it will be in 2012, but when will it be shot at, and in summer or winter time? Also, i will be almost the same age as Jaque because i’m 10 now, and on December 4 th in 2011 i’ll be 11. Anyway, I hope that i can be in the movie!
Arlene L.
Hey Arlene,
What season does the Saltwater Taffy story take place?
Have you read the book yet?
Auditions will be a national talent search, so they will take place everywhere!
How do we send in the essays?
You email it to seven@sevenpublishing.com
Hi, sorry again. I have been hearing about this movie that everyone is talking about. What is it?
Film will be shot during the summer…2012
When we are writing the essays, is it supposed to be a summary of the sequel?
This contest is awesome! I love the book Saltwater Taffy, and I love to write, so its the perfect mix!
What is the essay supposed to be about? Is it a synopsis of the story, or what happened right after the book ended?
Hi,
I am really sorry for writing again but I have another question. I really want to enter the national essay contest but I live in Canada, would that be all right?
Yes….you can be part of the contest….we love Canadians too!!!!
What is the age limit for auditions? Just wondering!
How do I know if the auditions are near where I live?
Hey Sarah…
The auditions will be a national talent search! Remember now, we don’t go before cameras until next summer, so….stay tuned. Talent will audition in key cities, and small cities can still submit through a casting director. Details will be flushed out, but we think the process will be awesome! You’re going to love it!
Uncle E
can you explain a national talent search?
hi uncle e. thanks so much for the stickers and the sighned poster some of the stickers i put in my room and then the others are on our cars and right when i got the stuff from the mail put the posters up right away well i was just thank you love mckenna:) p.s. i cant wait intell i get to try out for the movie well onec again thank you:)
When my mom bought the book I started to read it right away and LOVED IT so much that when I heard about the essay contest I nearly yelled yes!!!! to my mother.L.O.L.
What city are you from, Daniel? How’d your Mom find out about the book?
Where do we sign up for the treasure hunt??For the essay contest,do we also need to sign up for it too??How do we send our essays to you ,Eric?
The online treasure hunt goes live in September…stay tuned. The essays should go directly to my office at seven at sevenpublishing dot com Good luck and make sure to check your work!!!! Spelling counts!
And also what is that movie everyone is talking about??Do we have to write our essays with paper and pencil or type it on the computer??
The movie everyone is talking about is the movie that we’re making out of the book. Your essay should be written on the computer and emailed.
Hi, I saw the book at a store in Port Townsend. After I read the book, I bought it. After I started to read it, I couldn’t stop reading. I finished it in three days, maybe? I saw the insert aboust the contest, and knew I had to enter because I absolutely love to write! Then I read all the comments here and am now extremely excited about the movie as well. I think it’s amazingly cool that you’re not picking people who are already actors and actresses, but giving other kids a chance, too.
You rock!
Sydnee
Welcome to the Taffy Club, Sydnee! Glad you loved the Saltwater Taffy adventure! I am busy writing the script for the movie. We will be shooting next summer!!!! Have a SAWEET day!
Do I have to also have a chapter title and/or chapters too??
How about thinking of a sub-title for your piece. For example: SALTWATER TAFFY: The Mystery of the Hidden Key
Is Fatman spaced between Fat and man because when I typed Fatman on the computer it shows this red line.
Not to worry….that’s WORD telling you that you have a spelling error, but you are the master of the story, not WORD. Ignore the red lines when you make up words like FATMAN.
Ok. Thanks again!
Can the essay be a little bit more than 750 words? I’m not really done with the essay and I’m already on 743 words. Please reply.
I’m reading the book and loving it! The movie sounds fun! Can’t wait!
hey its mckenna i cant wait till the movie and also for tryout and i was wondering to people get to try out for jaq or are there professional because my dad was wondering thanks:)