#50PreciousWords Writing Challenge is OPEN

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TA-DA!

THE 2nd ANNUAL #50PRECIOUSWORDS WRITING CHALLENGE IS OFFICIALLY OPEN!!!

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I am so very excited to read all of the #50PreciousWords entries. For those of you who are visiting here the first time, please let me give you a sentence or two or three about how this all came about.

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March 2nd is the birthday of the incredible Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. Last year I put together a little contest based on Bennet Cerf’s challenge to Seuss to write a children’s book using only 50 words. And the classic Green Eggs and Ham was born. It’s true that the story has over 700 words…but only 50 unique words.

I thought it would be fun to try to write a story for kids with ONLY 50 words. With a beginning, a middle, and an end. I wondered if I could do it. And then I opened the challenge to everyone. Much to my surprise and amazement, there were 128 entries! Ayear has past…and it’s time to DO IT AGAIN.

Please put on your thinking caps and get busy writing. You have until March 6th at 11:59pm to post your story. Here are the guidelines:

#50 PRECIOUS WORDS WRITING CHALLENGE GUIDELINES

  1. Write a story appropriate for kids ages 12 or under, using only 50 words…they can all be different words, or you can use some of them over and over…just as long as the total word count of the story is 50 or less.
  2. It can be prose, rhyme, free verse, silly or serious…whatever works for you.
  3. Title is not included in the word count.
  4. No illustration notes please.
  5. Between March 2nd and March 6th, post your story on your blog if you have one and want to and put the link in the comments of this post. Or copy and paste the entire story in the comments of this post. I ask for the link so that people will visit each other and find new friends in the kid lit community. Please make sure you put your name in the post. If you have any trouble at all posting the link or the story, please email me and I will be happy to do it for you: viviankirkfield@gmail.com.
  6. Deadline for posting the story or the link in the comments is Monday, March 6, at 11:59pm.
  7. Winners will be announced in a special blog post on Thursday, March 9.
  8. Winners? Of course, there will be winners…and prizes, too!

21 winners…21 prizes…1st place takes whichever prize she/he wants, then 2nd place gets to pick, and so on. I will reach out to 

  1. . A critique from my beloved agent, Essie White (some of you may remember that the winner of last year’s contest chose Essie’s critique as her prize…and she subsequently signed with Storm Literary Agency!)

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  1. A seat in author and mentor Susanna Leonard Hill’s amazing Making Picture Book Magic online writing class (the first writing class I ever took and it set me on the path of writing wonderful picture book manuscripts).

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3. A seat in author and nonfiction writing guru Kristen Fulton’s incredible Nonfiction Archaeology online writing class (that was the class that opened the door for me to discover the joy of writing nonfiction picture books).

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4. Coupon for 50% off author Alayne Kay Christian’s ART OF THE ARC online writing class (this is the next class I would love to take).

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5. Or, if you have already taken Alayne’s wonderful class, you can choose a coupon for 50% off an in-depth critique from her (when Alayne says it is an in-depth critique, she isn’t kidding. I had one of those…it is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious).

6. A seat in one of the KidLitCollege webinars (I’ve attended a few and they are FABULOUS!) OR $19.99 off a critique, donated by Jodell Sadler, JCLA Editorial Agent and Founder of KidLitCollege. Winner choses one and will get a special code.

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7. A manuscript or query letter critique from author Rebecca Colby.

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8. A picture book manuscript critique from author Lori Degman.

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9. A picture book critique from author Anna Forrester.

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10. A fiction picture book critique from author Ariel Bernstein

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11. A picture book critique from author Rosie Pova

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12. A book on the craft of writing from Rosie Pova.

13. A copy of Bunny’s Book Club from Annie Silvestro.

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14. A book on the craft of writing from author Maria Marshall.

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15. A copy of Hello, My Name is Tiger from author/illustrator Jennifer P. Goldfinger.

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16. A copy of LIZZIE AND LOU SEAL plus an adorable SEAL NECKLACE from author/illustrator Patricia Keeler.

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17. A copy of CLAMS ALL YEAR by author/illustrator Maryann Cocca-Leffler.

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18. A SUPER HAPPY book prize package from author Marcie Colleen with copies of Super Happy Party Bears Gnawing Around and Super Happy Party Bears Knock Knock on Wood.

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 19. A copy of Mutt’s Promise,  a middle grade dog adventure written by Julie Salomen…donated by author/illustrator Jill Weber.

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20. A signed copy of Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He’s the Favorite from author Stacy McAnulty.

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21. A picture book critique from me and a signed copy of my parent-teacher book, Show Me How! Build Your Child’s Self-Esteem Through Reading, Crafting and Cooking.

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WOW! That is some list of prizes! What a generous Kid Lit community we have! I’m grateful to the prize donors…I hope you all visit their websites, buy their books, and review them on Amazon. Did you know that when a book gets 50 reviews, Amazon helps promote it?

And now, before I invite you to post your stories, I wanted to share my #50PreciousWords with you. Hopefully, my story is a good enough example…with a beginning, a middle, and an end (and what an end!)…that is kid-friendly (well, remember those Grimm’s Fairy Tales)…that is 50 words or less. I hope it makes you smile.

 

WHY PIGS LOVE THEIR LITTLE FEET (50 words)

Everyone made fun of Pig’s little feet.

An invitation arrived.

                   Please come to Coyote’s feast.

Rooster knew the invitation was for him.

Cow disagreed.

They hurried to Coyote’s den.

 Pig followed.

By the time his little feet got him there, the feast was finished.

And so were Rooster and Cow.

 

I always loved Aesop’s Fables and folktale type stories when I was a kid…I guess I was inspired by those.

Dear friends, please share this around your social media…the more the merrier… #50PreciousWords.

If you have any questions or need clarification, just email me: viviankirkfield@gmail.com

.Are you excited? I am!

Remember…THE MAGIC HAPPENS WHEN YOU MAKE EVERY WORD COUNT!

And I just can’t wait to read all of your precious words.

2,135 thoughts on “#50PreciousWords Writing Challenge is OPEN”

  1. Luna the Caterpillar

    Luna had an appetite,
    munching everything in sight.
    When full grown she worked magic
    weaving leaves with silky fabric.
    A cocoon! Then trick number two.
    She stayed inside until wings grew.
    She emerged full of pride,
    spread her wings until dried.
    Then Luna moth took flight,
    flitter-fluttering all night.

    Liked by 7 people

    Reply ↓

  2. This is Stephanie Salkin’s entry.

    Tree Entreaty
    By Stephanie Salkin

    Chickadee,
    Sit with me.
    You see,
    I’m hopelessly
    Stuck in your tree.
    Poor little me.
    Wait! Don’t fly away!
    What can I say
    To make you delay
    Your get-away?
    Phoo! You took flight.
    Now you’re gone—out of sight.
    I’ll be stuck here all night.
    What now?
    Descend? How?
    Meow!

    © Stephanie Salkin

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply ↓

  4. Pingback: Dog’s Tale – 50 words – The Seashells of Life

  6. Thank you for the 50 Words.

    Hide & Seek – NOT
    By Marjorie David

    By a tree, Arnie stands
    10
    With eyes covered, backward counts.
    9
    Along the sandbox BJ squashes.
    8
    Behind bushes Juan squishes.
    7
    In the doghouse Toby crouches.
    6
    Against the tree Arnie slouches.
    5
    Through sandpiles BJ plows.
    4
    After bugs Juan prowls.
    3
    With the dog Toby tumbles.
    2
    Close by Arnie slumbers.
    1

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply ↓

  7. Trust

    “Mom, will Spot die someday?”
    “Yes.”
    “Will we all die someday?”
    “Nobody has ever lived forever.”
    “And when we die? ”
    “Nobody really knows.”
    “Mom, are you sure that there’s a God?”
    “No, that’s a belief. Have I made you sad?”
    No, Mom. I’m happy because I can trust you.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  8. Good morning, Vivian,
    What fun and what a challenge for me to pare anything down to fifty words! But here goes…

    Fledglings

    “Our nest is too crowded.

    It’s time we are gone.”

    So Brother plopped down

    while Sister clung on.

    “I’m scared and I have a tummy ache.

    My head is spinning. My legs might break!”

    Then Sister saw Kitty

    crouched, slinking below.

    She took a brave leap,

    squawking, “Danger! Let’s go.”

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply ↓

  9. The sea turtle journey
    by Rita Antoinette Borg

    Your limbs slice the sea as your ancestors did in ancient times towards ancient shores.
    Seek your birthplace until
    You cry, “I’ve returned!”
    But few listen and fewer care.
    Inelegant Mother Turtle in sand,
    nestle your eggs of promised children, you’ll never get to see.
    Then, return to open sea.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

  10. Make-Believe a Story
    By Rita Antoinette Borg

    Dragon drew.
    Rabbit wrote.
    Red met Wolf, wandering the forest.
    Red gathered flowers. Wolf dashed to grandma’s; jammed into pajamas and hid.
    Red tiptoed into Grandmother’s hushed house. Wolf waited until………
    Granny sprung from the cupboard, shouting…
    “Pajama Party Surprise!”
    They hullaballoo-ed until they snoozed.
    Dragon imagined… Rabbit created… STORY.

    Thank you , Vivian again this year!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  11. 50 Precious Words contest Entry

    Boomer the Bullfrog is Big Stuff
    By Hope Rethman

    Plop! Swoooosh!
    My cannonballs rock! I’m big stuff!
    Show off!

    Snaaaap! Gulp!
    With my lightning-fast reflexes, flies don’t stand a chance!

    Bragger!

    Crooooak! Splash!
    Look at those ripples. Too bad it makes the pond skater bugs crash.

    Bully!

    Swoooosh! Snaaap! Crooooak!

    Did ya see that?

    Did ya?

    I’m sorry.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  12. This is an entry from Angelique Pacheco.

    Garden Snail. by Angelique Pacheco

    Small little garden snail,
    What do you see?
    I see the daisies smiling at me.

    Small little garden snail,
    What do you see?
    I see the daisies eaten by me.

    Small little garden snail,
    What do you see?
    I see a lady frowning at me!

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

  13. I am having too much fun to stop. Thanks, Vivian.

    Phoebe Sees the Ocean

    By Jim Chaize

    Phoebe floated from the car.

    Salty air swam up her nose.

    The rhythmic crashing of waves

    drifted into her ears.

    She fished out her bags,

    and sailed into the house.

    Happy thoughts bobbed.

    Her swimsuit on,

    she plunged off the steps.

    Phoebe froze mesmerized.

    The ocean was shiny and alive.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

  14. The Princess

    Laila dons her princess gown.
    Stuffed lions guard her palace.
    Dolls rush to do her bidding.
    She has bears and kitties to tea.
    When the King comes to escort her to dinner, she dances on his toes.
    Her subjects return to their posts.
    The Queen gives a kiss.
    Sleep tight.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  15. Thanks, Vivian, for sponsoring this cool contest. I had so much fun with this!
    Here’s a link to my entry, and I’ll append the entry itself below. It’s titled “Leprechaun Marathon.”
    Happy St. Patrick’s Day (a bit early)!
    ~Michele Blood~

    http://www.kidlittidbits.com/leprechaun-marathon/

    The Magical Men Marathon

    Drew smart, speedy, strong leprechauns

    “I’ll train and I’ll try

    And I will qualify!”

    Soon Chris reached the top echelon

    Winners were highly esteemed

    But here all was not as it seemed

    Chris removed her false beard

    Every smile disappeared

    “Surprise, boys! The name is Christine.”

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

  16. Make-Believe a Story
    By Rita Antoinette Borg

    Dragon drew pictures;
    Rabbit wrote words…………

    Red met Wolf, spying the forest.
    Red gathered flowers. Wolf dashed to grandma’s, jammed into pajamas and waited.
    Red tiptoed into Grandmother’s silent house. Wolf hid until………
    Granny sprang from the cupboard, shouting…
    “Pajama Party Surprise!”
    They hullaballoo-ed until they snoozed.

    Story creation done.

    I tried it again, added different words.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  17. This is an entry for Marty.

    What’s For Breakfast? by Marty Bellis

    “I’ll have purple eggs with jam”
    said the hungry little clam.

    “No purple eggs today, madam.
    Would you care for orange or tan?”

    “Sorry, no,” sighed clam and swam
    off to hunt for purple yams.

    Purple eggs? Purple yams?!
    Perfect food for purple clams.

    PS. Don’t forget some jam.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply ↓

  19. For the love of dogs
    by Rita Antoinette Borg

    Dakota, the collie,
    truly loves me.
    Sweet Toby, the rescue,
    rescues me,too.

    Together they howl,
    Together they growl.
    Together they fight,
    All day, all night.

    Ma says,”Choose one!
    You can’t have two!”

    I say,”Choose one?!,
    What should I do!”

    I got Ma earmuffs,
    Goodbye, huffs and puffs!.

    .

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

  20. “Almost, Autumn!”
    by
    Monica P. Stoltzfus

    Mommy and Autumn were always late to school. Because…

    CLICKING, CLACKING…
    “Ready?”
    “No.”

    SWISHING, SWOOSHING…
    “Ready?”
    “Maybe.”

    JINGLING, JANGLING…
    “Ready?”
    “Almost.”

    But not today.

    “Let’s GO!!!”

    RRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM.

    Mommy jumped out of the car and yelled, “WOHOO! We finally did it! We made it to school ON TIME!!!!!!”

    On a Saturday.

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply ↓

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