#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. BE HOP-PY! #50 Word Story

    Go!
    Kangaroo hopped faster than Grasshopper.
    Leaves crunched,
    dirt flew,
    underneath Kangaroo’s hind paws.
    Grasshopper leaped up,
    landed on a branch,
    then rolled up into a ball.
    As planned,
    friend Hare
    held onto the branch,
    pulled backwards,
    then let go.
    Grasshopper catapulted through the air.
    Sadly,
    right into Kangaroo’s pouch!

    Liked by 8 people

    Reply ↓

  3. I had so much fun with this contest (even though I drove myself a little crazy) that I had to write two. Here’s the first:

    Fightin’ Words

    My brother’s a squid-face.
    My sister has fleas.
    He’s noisy!
    She’s sticky!
    He smells like grey cheese.
    She frizzles my toothbrush.
    He tickles the cat.
    Yesterday morning she called my knee fat.
    Please mail him to Iceland–
    No wait, we’re not done!
    Don’t say that it’s bedtime,
    This argument’s fun!

    You *could* say that I fudged a bit with this second one, since the title also works as the first line–but I just couldn’t let this idea go.

    The Biggest Sneeze That Ever Was

    (Belonged to Zachariah Fuzz.)
    He rocketed into the sky,
    Australia, Asia hurtled by.
    America, both North and South,
    Whizzed underneath his open mouth.
    Antarctica appeared below,
    He passed an African plateau,
    He spotted Europe, headed down,
    Alighted in a Spanish town.
    The population wasn’t rude:
    They all politely called “Salud!”

    Liked by 12 people

    Reply ↓

  4. I’m learning more and more about drafting picture books, and this 50-word challenge came at a perfect time. Thank you! Here is my entry, inspired by the refugee families we shared community garden plots with.

    ISHAAN’S GARDEN
    Candace J Andersen
    http://www.candacejean.com

    ————

    India is far away, Ishaan.
    This is home now.
    It is safe.

    Here; some earth to make your own.

    Onions
    Tomatoes
    Cauliflower
    Potatoes.

    Rain.

    New school; strangers.

    Sun.

    New places; rules.

    Patience.

    Finally…
    a
    little
    sprout.

    Summer.

    New friends; sharing.

    Familiar scents, tastes.

    This is home now.
    It is safe.

    Liked by 13 people

    Reply ↓

  6. BABY BAND
    By Shanah Salter

    Baby is noisy. Like an orchestra!
    Grunting and snorting like a tuba.
    Blowing raspberries like a kazoo.
    Screeching like a violin.
    Kicking like a drum.
    Squeaking like a clarinet.
    Wailing like a saxophone.
    Babbling like a cuica.
    Gurgling like a trombone.
    Laughing like a piccolo.
    Lucky I love music!

    Liked by 10 people

    Reply ↓

  7. Pingback: #50 Precious Words Writing Contest | Beverley A Baird

  8. Thank you, Vivian, for running this challenge! I enjoyed writing my short biography and it’s fun to read the other wonderful entries.

    Pulitzer’s Prize
    by Robin Brett Wechsler

    Born in 1847, Joseph Pulitzer sailed from Hungary to Boston to fight against slavery.

    After the war, Joseph headed to St. Louis with little.

    His English improved. He published the most circulated newspaper.

    He strove for truth and sincerity; crusaded against corruption!

    The Pulitzer Prize honors Joseph for his courage.

    Liked by 9 people

    Reply ↓

  9. Here’s my entry:
    Climate Change??

    Spring has sprung

    Too early.

    Birds flying home

    Too early.

    Shoots poking through

    Too early

    Temperatures too high

    Too early

    Temperatures too high

    Why now?

    Too much rain

    Why now?

    Too much snow

    Why now?

    Floods, tornadoes, blizzards

    Why now?

    Uncertainty, extreme events

    Climate change??

    Evidence is clear

    Climate change.

    (https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/2017/03/02/50-precious-words-writing-contest/ )

    Liked by 8 people

    Reply ↓

  11. Here is my 50 word story.
    Rules Unbroken by Deborah Holt Williams

    “No Picking!” said the sign.
    “I want that rose for Mama,” said Charlie, “but Mama says ‘Follow the rules.'”
    “My Nana loves roses,” said Olivia. “But that rule…”
    “That lovely rose would delight my wife,” said the old man. “But rules are rules!”
    That night, hail destroyed the unpicked rose.

    Liked by 9 people

    Reply ↓

  12. Thanks for hosting this challenging contest. What fun!

    Grand Central Coop
    By Nina Q. Haines
    Harriet Hen danced late into the night, till her legs wobbled.
    Cock-a doodle-do! Cock-a doodle- doo!
    “Rover Rooster,” Harriet Hen moaned. “Five o’clock, my eyes were shut.”
    Cluck! Cluck! She forgot the early hens lay extra large eggs today.
    Quiet! Work in Progress! Harriet Hen posted on her coop door.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply ↓

  13. Thank you, Vivian, for running this contest again! I love seeing what everyone does with their fifty words. Here’s my entry.

    CRRREEEEAK!
    By Sara Gentry

    Creak.
    Squeak. Creak.
    Austin sat up,
    waiting, listening, watching, anticipating.
    Creak. Squeak. Thump. Bump. Creak.
    He buried himself under the covers.
    Creak. Squeak. Thump. Bump. Tap, tap, crrreeeeak!
    Austin peeked out. Through the window
    leaves swirled, trees swayed. Crrreeeeak.
    The wind. He relaxed.
    Back to bed.
    Sweet dreams.
    Until
    crrreeeeak…

    Liked by 10 people

    Reply ↓

  15. I am so excited for another contest! I learn so much from all the other submissions! Wow! 50 words — amazing what can be done!

    Oooooooooooooo!
    By Kathy Elstad

    The moon did not shine.
    It was too dark to play.
    So, what could 2 little ghosts do
    At the end of their day?
    They could turn on their glow,
    Fly through the night sky,
    Giving children a fright,
    As they quietly passed by 🙂
    Ooooooooooooooo!

    Liked by 7 people

    Reply ↓

  16. Whew! What a fun challenge. I whittled it down from 80 words and even that many didn’t seem like enough to go from conflict to resolution. But here it is, a literal and figurative inner journey.

    Akira the Acorn
    Clung to a tree
    Held on for her life
    The wind it did seethe

    Long did she fall
    Down with a plunk!
    Standing in waiting
    A smelly ole skunk

    Skunk ate her up
    Akira gave a great shout!
    Took a long journey
    Til Skunk pooped her out

    Liked by 9 people

    Reply ↓

  18. Vivian, I’m having fun reading the diverse range of stories. And I love your cheeky, grim tale. Thanks for organizing this challenge. Here’s my quirky entry.

    FLUORESCENT FLO

    No-one knows why Flo glows.

    Classmates stare.
    “New kid alert.”
    “Strange.”
    “Bizarre.”
    Flo’s cheeks flush fluorescent.

    Blending in, impossible.
    Making friends, unlikely.
    Whispers whirl.

    But then,
    An invitation
    To the darkest room?

    Flo glimmers like a lonely moon.

    Until …
    Surprise!
    From head to toe,
    All classmates glow.
    Just
    like
    Flo.

    Liked by 9 people

    Reply ↓

  19. Inspiration comes from an Irish farm where 2 grandchildren live. Thanks for this contest.

    HOW IRELAND GOT SKIM MILK
    By Virginia Rinkel

    Plink, Plank, Plunk…
    Cows agree
    Give more milk
    To the King’s decree
    Coffers are low
    Grumbling is high
    King’s sight’s sore
    ‘Puss n’ Gloves’ gets more
    With a moose,
    a polar bear,
    and some penguin plastic,
    They turn white flying fuzz
    Into “Irish Skim Cream Magic”

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply ↓

  20. Fun stories! Here’s Mine

    Sunrise, Surprise

    Sunrise
    Surprise
    Falling snow
    Let’s go!
    Zip coat
    Wrap throat
    Cold, white
    Snowball fight
    Red nose
    Frozen toes
    Roll a ball
    Build it tall
    Skate? Ski?
    Sled? Whee!
    Scream, grin
    Go again
    Sunset
    Cold, wet
    Chocolate hot
    Hits the spot
    Sundown
    Night gown
    Close eyes
    Tired sighs
    Heartfelt,
    “Don’t melt.”

    Liked by 10 people

    Reply ↓

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