April 2026 Creative Writing Challenge – 40th Anniversary Series

May 14, 2026

🏆 Grand Prize Winner Catherine Chandler

Selected as the Grand Prize Winner of Scriptwriters Network’s April 2026 Creative Writing Challenge, part of our 40th Anniversary Writer Development Series.

Project Title: The Fortune Teller

Bio:

Catherine Chandler is a former attorney and web designer, originally from the East Coast. She has been writing and taking classes on and off for many years and is now determined to focus on writing full-time. She enjoys writing comedy features and sitcoms. In her free time, she loves music, travel, and cooking international cuisine.

Submission:

Carol, a well-dressed, middle-aged woman carrying a small bag, approaches the front door of a small, rather dark and dilapidated house. A sign says “Keep the door closed because the dog will try to run out.” She knocks timidly.

She can faintly hear someone yelling from inside. Finally, the door opens. Hilda, an 80 year old woman from Poland dressed in a Bohemian long skirt and peasant blouse, opens it and silently motions for her to come in quickly. Baklava, a taffy-colored terrier, runs to the door but Hilda manages to close it just in time.

She beckons Carol to follow her to a round table covered with an old dark tablecloth decorated with moons and stars. A large crystal ball sits in the middle as well as some tarot cards, candles and other fortune-telling objects.

Carol looks nervous. She had read the brochure so she knew there would be no direct communication during the session and naturally was curious. She wished somebody could demystify the process.

She came looking for answers on how to change the trajectory of her life. She looks back on her past with reproof and misgivings. She is hoping she can find joy again.

Hilda nods at Carol’s bag so Carol starts to pull out the odd items that Hilda had requested. The first item was her favorite shampoo—Suave, strawberry scent. Hilda opens it and inhales the scent deeply.

Carol pulls out the second item: a bag of edamame. Hilda pulls out three pods, opens them and drops the beans on the table. She studies the arrangement of the beans.

Carols pulls out the final item: Yahtzee, the dice game. Hilda opens it and takes out the dice. She hands them to Carol and indicates that she should roll the dice.

Carol rolls the dice and Hilda writes down the numbers on a notepad. She indicates that she should roll again, so Carol does so. Hilda writes the numbers underneath the first row, starting a grid pattern.

Carol rolls for a third time. Hilda writes down the numbers and then Hilda rolls the dice and notes them as well. She studies the results, then picks up the tarot cards.

Hilda shuffles them and deals three cards: The Sun, The World and the Empress. She smiles to herself.

Hilda then puts her right hand on the crystal ball and motions to Carol to do the same. They both stare into the ball. Although hazy at first, a beautiful scene emerges: Bright sunshine over a storybook house with a white picket fence and a handsome smiling man waving to her. She is overjoyed and starts crying with happiness. She hugs Hilda and pulls an envelope out of her purse containing the $100 fee.

She retrieves her shampoo and Yahtzee game and heads to the door. Hilda picks up Baklava so he won’t run out. They wave goodbye and Carol opens the door to her new life.