Today is the day before the Lenten season begins for Christians. Known as Shrove Tuesday, and sometimes Fat Tuesday, the day is full of merriment and festive happenings, as well as lots of eating. When we have special days like this, writers need to focus on how they can use the events of the day in their writing.
Perhaps an article on the history of the Mardi Gras festivites in New Orleans and other southern cities. Or why women in Liberal Kansas run down the street flipping a pancake in a frying pan. Articles like this can work in a children's magazine or one for adults. Any such article would need to be submitted several months earlier. Write it now while these events are happening and save it to submit a few months down the line.
Mardi Gras is a well known event. A huge, gala celebration with parades, costumes, food, drinks, more food and music. And huge crowds. This Fat Tuesday party began as a way to enjoy all the foods and drinks we love before the fasting period of Lent. Not a full blown fast, of course, but people gave up eating and drinking things they loved. So, on the day before Ash Wednesday (tomorrow), they feasted royally.
A lesser known event takes place in two cities in the world. One is Liberal, Kansas and the other is Olney, England. Several women in each town compete in a Pancake Race. The competitors run 415 yards down a main street of each town while flipping a pancake in a frying pan. This race has gone on for 70 years with Liberal winning 40 times and Olney 30. The race has grown over the years as other events have been added to the day. Pancake Feeds, for sure and other things the townspeople can enjoy. Who will win this year? We won't know until later in the day. Newspapers and magazines have published stories on this annual race. Did you ever try running while flipping a pancake in a pan? I'm not sure I could do it standing still!
When special days like this one come along, take advantage of them and write something--a poem, a story, a personal essay, a factual article.
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