All six writers received the invitation on the same day and immediately called each other: “Are you going? Will you bring your ingredient?”
As instructed, not one writer told the other what she was requested to bring.
On Halloween night, a round iron pot sat in the center of the library conference table where the writers met once a week. Joellen splashed in two quarts of Diet Coke. Danielle measured and added a tablespoon of vinegar.
Laura stirred in a cup of brown sugar while Denise slowly, hesitantly, added two dashes of hot sauce. Rolling her eyes, being the least compliant of the students, Roxanne poured in a cup of grapefruit juice as Judy added a pint of orange sherbet.
Samantha, the writing instructor, didn’t enter the room until the sherbet plopped in. She wore a pointed fuchsia hat and a long fitted purple dress with a silky red scarf wrapped around her shoulders. With a sanguine smile, Samantha revealed her ingredient – a silver pen engraved with words no one could read.
As she threw in the writing instrument, Samantha intoned: “Make their tongues stop, their fingers loose. Words created with a boost.”
Poof! Steam streamed out of the pot with a swirl that encircled each one of the writers.
Samantha pulled out six sipping cups from her purse, dipped a cup into the potion for each of her students, and warned them: “Make sure your notebooks are empty and waiting.” Joellen, Danielle, Laura, Denise, Roxanne and Judy each showed off their blue-lined white paper, and then accepted the cup Samantha offered.
“The potion of creative power is obtainable only to those who desire. A sip is safe, but the power of words can’t be restrained. To your writing health!” Samantha nodded, and each of her students drank.
“That was surprisingly good,” Roxanne began to say, but she gagged a bit and then picked up her pen, and wrote along with her fellow students with a ferocious fury seen only in tornadoes, hurricanes, and writers who dared drink the potion of literary possibilities.
Red hot chillis
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Wow! That’s some spicy writing you have planned! 🌶
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🙂
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Good morning, Pam. That brew sounds incredibly disgusting, and I’m glad I don’t have to drink it to have the power to write! 😀
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Rumor has it that with the orange sherbet and the chant, as well as the magic writing instrument, the brew tastes like ice cream soda. 🙃🤓
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Yeah. . .well, that’s a problem. I think ice cream sodas are disgusting, too. 🤣.
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Oh, well then…. Besides, you don’t need any potion. You already have poetry magic.
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Thanks!😀
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I might need some of that potion to get through edits before NaNoWriMo. Maybe four dashes of hot sauce would help!
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This potion is a bit too spicy for your books. I suggest you double the orange sherbet, take away the hot sauce and add 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Good luck this month with all of your writing!
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Oh my that tasted crazy! (I did gag just a little bit.) Thanks for inviting us along to the Halloween writer’s group. Now off to furiously write!
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I knew you would love this recipe, Kathy! Happy writing – not that you need any 🧪 potion. 💜
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JUST, how did you get my potion? Been using it for years! Happy Hal!
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Ah HA! That explains how prolific you’ve been with all those marvelous books you have published! 👍
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Marvelous books!
You’re the second person to write that!
I’M THE FIRST!
🙂 ♥♥♥
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😘
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OMG, that which can kill can also cure … ne’er a truer example …
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Haha. Perfect quote for this…. 🙂
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I must admit, rather than gagging, I became intrigued. Wanting to taste – especially after the magic. Well done, Pam!
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That’s the “spirit,” Frank. I think because of the magic, the potion tastes differently according to what each writer likes. (That’s why mine tastes like an ice cream soda…) 🙂
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Yep … while reading, I became curious.
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Yuck! Right now I could use some weather magic, clear skies Saturday night so I can get some good pictures of the full blue moon on Halloween!
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I think your wish will come true. Snowing here now in the Boston are, but clear (cold) skies expected for Halloween night. Moon Magic!
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I would add an elephant clove of garlic and a can of Tuttorossa crushed tomatoes to my brew ! Then wish for my pen to write as fast as my brain thinks!
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Now that’s a unique brew for those who like a fiery story full of zest. Just like you!
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I love this. I would add flamin’ hot Cheetos to the mix
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WOW! That’s some spicy punch for some hot stories, Beth!!! 🙂
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I think the brew sounds magical. I think I would add nutmeg because it’s fall, after all, and a little bit of sweet spice never hurt anyone’s writing.
Stay warm and dry today, Pam! It’s raining here, but supposed to let up by this afternoon. Happy Halloween to you!
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Sweet spice is perfect for this brew! Happy writing. 💙
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Spooky fun!
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You may already have used this book for your book! Can’t wait to read it.
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The title made me stop in my tracks and mentally prepare, ‘Halloween’ and ‘Where is Pam going with this?’
The concoction you describe sounds like the punches I used to make for parties, which included the sherbet on top. Also, women sitting around a large, round pot.
Love “the notebooks are empty and waiting” – my favourite kind of notebook. ‘Daring to drink the potion of literary possibilities’ – the best.
In answer to your question: the other magic I wish for is ‘solitude’.
Only then will the magic truly happen ✨
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I responded to this days ago – and yet I find a blank space here. (Maybe the blank space is in my head!!). Ha. But what a wonderful magic to ask for: Solitude. Yes, we writers need solitude to spread our magic through our pen/keyboard. I think if you add a dash of nutmeg to Samantha’s potion, solitude will be included…. xo
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Occasionally, this happens to me, too, Pam. I will respond in sequence, go back and my response is not there. The unexplained…it is a Halloween post, after all. 😊I am all in for adding spices. Fun post! xx
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A great Halloween story!! May you write with a ferocious fury seen only in tornadoes, hurricanes, and those who dared drink the potion of literary possibilities all year long. Happy Halloween. xo
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I LOVE writing with a ferocious fury …don’t you? Ferociously yours, Pam 🙂
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Clearly, you drank the potion Pam. I’m intrigued and in need of a stiff drink along with writing inspiration. Maybe I’ll add some hard cider and a dash of nutmeg to celebrate All Hallows Day to see what happens. Happy Haunting, I mean writing! 🧙♀️
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I must have had a bit too much of this potion, Brad, because I was sure I responded to your comment, yet it’s days later. I think your idea of adding hard cider (I notice you say hard cider, not the sweet light stuff) will add some density to our writing, which is a good thing. 🙂
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Alright, let’s toast. I need something for sure! 😃
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I would love a cup or two of that potion! I’m always intrigued by your creative ideas and ability to make the setting seem so real. I felt as though I was in the circle. Happy Halloween!
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You’re invited to the circle any time! 🎃🤓
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I love the imagery and the message of course!
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Many thanks, John, In my mind’s imagery, I thanked you for your comment five days ago. Hand slapping forehead. I must have had a bit too much of the “potion.” 🙂
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The vinegar was an interesting touch. Lol. Yummy. A fun Halloween story, Pam. I’d put a pocket watch in the potion to give me extra hours in the day! Happy furious writing! ❤
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Excellent addition to the magic potion!
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I think I need a dash or marshmallow to coax out the paranormal.
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S’mores anyone? 😏
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They would work too.
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Very clever. Although somehow I got stuck on thinking about the writer’s pen leaking ink into the potion!
I’d add cayenne pepper to add some zing and cut the sweet. Happy Halloween.
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Ah, you like bittersweet stories I see, Patricia. And those of practicality (I get that from your worry about the leaking pen). 😉
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A fun-loving story on Halloween, Pam. Your imagination in the story is superb.
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Thanks! I should have mentioned that the potion adds a zing to writers’ imaginations, as well. 🙂
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Hmm for sure 👍👍👍👍 welcome
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If I were in charge of making a potion the magic I’d like in it would be: no achey joints. Of course, maybe that exists in a pill called Advil– but a tasty potion would be great and more dramatic. Fun story
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Haha. Advil is boring compared to the zest in this potion, which takes away bodily aches while adding creativity and happy finger joints (for the writing…)
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Thanks for this. Now I know how to find the muse in a sippy cup when I’m in the doldrums. Love the recipe! I might add some grated ginger root.
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Grated ginger root – what a GRATE (I mean GREAT) idea! 🙂 xo
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A marvelous post, Pam. What a wonderful imagination you have.
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The potion definitely added a spark to my imagination, Robbie. 🙂
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Dear Miz Creativity, McBeth’s witches may even gag at your potion in the caldron. However, permit me to pull out the orange sherbet AND the magical writing instrument, and I’ll be all set.
Samantha is a hip writing teacher: “Make their tongues stop, their fingers loose. Words created with a boost.” She has smarts just as you do, dear Pam! 🙂
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Why thank you very much, fellow writer. May I suggest that Samantha is my doppelgänger? 🙂
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I love this potion Pam. Are guests allowed? Next time please take me along to this library. I would add my secret ingredient. 🙂
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You would be a wonderful addition to this writing group, Balroop. You already have poetic magic to add to the potion. As well as that secret ingredient that you mention. 🙂
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lol great creativity, think I may have sipped that potion a few years ago 😉
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I bet you have partaken of the potion in previous years, Kate! Time for more?? 🙂
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no need, it’s effect is life long 🙂
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xoxoxo
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Just what I needed, Pam! 🎃 Great story!
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To lots of vim and vigor in our creativity, Bette. xo
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I might be tempted to take a little sip when I am faced with a blank page and no inspiration.
After staying home, and being less active than I’d like these last months, I wouldn’t mind a potion that could take off a few pounds with just a drink… especially if it had orange sherbet in it 🙂
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Yes, I think I need to suggest to Samantha to add some weight-loss spice in that potion and to keep the orange sherbet low-fat. 🙂
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That sounded surprisingly horrid, Pam! I guess I’d add something to numb the taste buds.
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After the first sip, the front taste buds are so shocked that the back-of-the-tongue taste buds hunger for more! Like I said, it’s a magical potion. 🙂
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Your story brought back a memory from long ago during my college days. Like many college students, my judgment was less than stellar in those days. When my poker buddies and I finished our game as dawn was breaking (Who needed sleep in those days?), we sometimes would challenge our buddies to drink some wild concoction of ingredients (no alcohol). Just about anything else would go into those drinks. One of us (usually the big loser for the night) could recoup some of his lost money by downing an elaborate mixture of ingredients. I can almost hear my parents now, “This is what we sent you to college for?” 😎
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That DOES sound horrid, Pete, because my guess is that the college concoction did not include magic. Magic is a necessity for the potion to go down smoothly. That and a good pen…. ❤ Thanks for sharing the great memory…. or not so great? ;-0 🙂
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My perfect potion would provide a good night’s sleep . . . every night!
Happy Halloween!
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Ohhhh yes. I could use that magic also. 😴 💤
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What magic would each of us wish for in a potion? That’s an awesome question.
And an awesome story!
Happy Hallowe’en Pam!
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But you didn’t answer, Donna. I’m guessing maybe you would say the magic to travel as far as you wanted. 🙃
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I’m going to need some of that tomorrow morning when I start tapping out my daily 1667 words for NaNoWriMo. Great story, Pam!
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Good luck! Two sips should do it. 😃
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Definitely in need of some of that potion!
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These days, a magical potion is needed for so many of us! Just don’t forget the orange sherbet… 🙂
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I absolutely LOVE this story!! Oh for that potion. Do you think that’s what some writers are looking for in the bottom of their bottles? I’d bet Elizabeth Gilbert would have included this recipe in her book “Big Magic.” 🙂 I could use a good dose of it right now. Happy Halloween!!
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You always make me smile. Perhaps Elizabeth Gilbert would like me to collaborate with her for her next book. I’ll provide the potions. 🙂 Yes, I’m afraid that some writers think they need an alcoholic boost to loosen them up. Point of fact, it does the opposite. What’s the great quote? Something like writing is more about being AWAKE during the day .. and observing and BEING. (I made most of that up, but you know what I mean…) 🙂
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So true about what alcohol does to the writing mind. I want to go to sleep after one drink, not write a book. 😉
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Hey there. Much of humanity needs to imbibe a potion that induces kindness and common sense (among other things).
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Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could concoct such a potion? In reality, kindness and common sense should be so easy. Sending a kind thought to you right now.
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Thank you.
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I’m thinking that potion has to startle the tastebuds which nudge and encourage the writing hand while the aromas swirl around the thoughts that spill out to put it all together!
That was fun!
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I’m thinking you’re right, Dale. I mean, if we writers sipped a smooth glass of cabernet, we’d soon be sleeping instead of writing! 🙂
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Especially if that one glass turned to two or three 😉
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It sounds like fun. Who knows, it might even taste good. The question is: Did it inspire the writing they all hoped for?
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Well, two of the writers wrote a novel in 6 straight hours; the rest finished their novellas. 🙂
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I’ll have some of what they’re having. :D:D 😀 Perfect story for halloween and writers!
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Right? No matter how it tastes (and I always add an extra dab of orange sherbet), I believe in a weekly dose of potion. 🙂
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lol – I wonder what it would taste like with a dash of plain yoghurt?
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Blah? 🙂 Gotta keep things spicy.
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lmao – I guess garlic is out of the question?
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Absolutely no garlic! 🙂 🙂
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Awww…so healthy. 😉
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I wish I can have a sip of this concoction. More hot sauce to keep me awake! I enjoyed reading this.
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A dash of hot sauce works for those who want to burn the midnight oil as they write. 🙂
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The magic of calmth and zen right now! 🙂
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To get away from the craziness, I’ve found that WRITING is the best escape into ZEN-land. 🙂
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Great story – no talking allowed, just writing.
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You noticed that the instructor added that to her potion jingle, huh? Based on experience. Haha. Less talking more writing!!
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I definitely did. Though, when I would get children to write, we’d usually spend a bit of time talking first to get the ideas flowing. It’s difficult sitting in front of a blank piece of paper when you haven’t got an idea. 🙂
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I’ll have what she’s having LOL 🙂 xx
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You are so clever — and I’ll make up a batch right now. 🙂
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Lollllllllllllllllllllllll 🙂
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Beautiful! I need some of that portion 😊😊
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Just combine the ingredients and start writing – it works! But don’t forget to add the black pen…and the chant. 🙂
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😂😂i will try that
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Ha! I love this post, Pam. I really want some of that potion. I’d love to have that magic. Happy November. Hugs on the wing!
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I assumed you drank this potion every week, Teagan. You write magical and “spirited” stories all the time! ❤
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Wow, this potion would be good enough to get me going for hours. I hope they have some left for me. I might try using the same ingredients because they all look delicious individually! ❤ 🙂
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Nice piece of. Wiccan literature
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Thanks for finding me here and reading my fun fiction. I didn’t think of this story as Wiccan literature, but can see how it might be perceived that way. I just close my eyes and let my pen show me what’s going on. 🙂
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Cooking writing magic, to never ever stop having fun when I cook, and to be able to transfer that to my family and readers!!! I believe magic is all around us.
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What a wonderful potion you have concocted! You must deliver magic all of the time. ❤
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Sometimes potions just have to taste yucky to do a good job! I could do with a little bit of that right now…
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Bittersweet = sometimes that equals into a really good story, huh?
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count me in for the magic potion! ❤️🤗
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