#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. Thanks, Vivian, for hosting this contest. I’ve had fun.

    Cake Over

    By Jim Chaize

    “Your cake!” yelled Mom.

    The dog’s face full of frosting.

    “My birthday’s ruined!” shouted Benny.

    Mom checked her watch.

    “Is there time?” Benny asked.

    “Grab an apron,” said Mom.

    Flour flew.

    Sugar slid.

    Eggs exploded.

    The batter baked.

    The cake was candled.

    Benny checked his watch.

    Ding Dong!

    “Happy birthday!”

    Liked by 7 people

    Reply ↓

  2. Vivian! Had so much fun creating the 1st one, had to create another story!

    CLOUD MAKER #50 Word Story

    Skylark was a cloud maker.
    She spun air into
    billowing fluff.

    Then, stirred white wisps
    of whipped cream
    until stiff.

    Skylark stretched
    and folded puffs
    like taffy.

    Nets of golden sun-rays
    were used
    to collect
    glistening dew drops.

    When Skylark’s creation
    looked breathtaking
    she floated it
    on the wind.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply ↓

  3. Love writing and reading! Here’s just one more. Thank you, Vivian, for inspiring us all!

    BABY STANDS UP!

    Bye blocks and teddy. Time to find the others.
    Crayon. Up! Art.
    Shoe. Up! Dolly.
    Man. Up! Army.
    Towel. Up! Cape.
    Ribbon. Up! Wings.
    Puddle. Up! Teapot.
    Crumbs. Up! Snack.
    Mommy. “Me Up!” Tea party time.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply ↓

  4. Pocket Fuzz

    A windy winter day.
    Better put on my parka.
    At the bus stop.
    I fiddle with the fuzz in my pocket.
    Sitting next to my friend.
    Did you do the math homework?
    Coat hung in the cubby.
    Daddy Long Legs slowly climbs from my pocket.
    Happy from the warm caresses.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply ↓

  5. This is an entry from Barbara Gotsopoulos

    My Story by Barbara Gotsopoulos

    Write a story, for kids, she said.
    How can I write what’s in my head?
    Boy met girl, one day they wed.
    That’s the story inside my head.

    It’s too short, write some more.
    That’s all I wrote, I wrote no more.

    Liked by 7 people

    Reply ↓

  6. Pingback: Fishing | simply.cindy

  8. Here is an entry from Donna Ring!

    Good Dog by Donna Ring

    A month passed. No one claimed the dog. If he stays, he needs a name, the parents told their five children.
    They could not agree on a name.
    “He is such a good dog,” the oldest sibling commented.
    “That’s it!” the father exclaimed. “We will call him Good Dog.”

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply ↓

  9. It has been so much fun to read all of the wonderful entries. What competition!

    BULL DOZER
    By Lindsay H. Metcalf

    Bull dozes.
    Catches rays.
    Cows mingle,
    chew, graze.

    Wind blows.
    Clouds tumble.
    Bull dozes.
    Thunder rumbles.

    Friends nudge.
    “MOO!” Storm!
    Doesn’t budge.
    Spot’s warm.

    Dozer stays.
    Rain pours.
    Dam breaks.
    Bull snores.

    Flooded dreams.
    Vrooming sound.
    Real bulldozer
    circles ’round.

    In the way,
    Bull’s asleep.
    ’Dozer lifts
    dozing heap.

    Liked by 9 people

    Reply ↓

  10. Pingback: 50 Precious Words: Clam I Am – Vicky Fang

  11. Horse Sale

    Horses red, horses black
    Horses gray or brown
    Moving by along the track
    There is a sale in town.

    Trucks arollin’ by
    Really loaded down
    Almost seem to sigh,
    “Big horse sale in town”.

    Cars crowd when passing
    Over against the rail
    People there are massing
    Going to the sale.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply ↓

  12. Pingback: 50 Precious Words: Clam I Am – Vicky Fang

  14. Here is my 48 word story. Thanks for doing this Vivian!
    Zainab

    ME HUNGRY

    “Me hungry.”

    “Banana?”

    “Yuck.”

    “Apple?”

    “Blech.”

    “Grapes?”

    “Eeew! Me hungry- not starving.”

    “Then get your own food.”

    “Fine.”

    Sniff.

    Hmmmmm.

    Whirrr.

    Vroom.

    Crunch.

    Thump.

    “What are you doing?”

    “Eating.”

    “Dust bunnies???”

    “Yum!”

    “WHY?”

    “They fill me up.”

    “But those were mine!”

    “Not any more.”

    “Ugh! Little vacuum sisters.”

    Liked by 7 people

    Reply ↓

  15. Thank you for hosting this challenge, Vivian! It was so much fun trying to put together a word puzzle with just 50 pieces!

    Hope Springs
    by Sandy Messina Ferber

    In the symmetry of
    swans soaring home,

    Hope

    In the nighttime trill
    of tiny peepers,
    piping a joyous pondside serenade,

    Hope

    In the blue bursts of crocuses
    and tender shoots of daffodils

    Hope

    In the sweet scent of earth rising
    and shining through my window
    near winter’s end,

    Hope springs.

    Liked by 7 people

    Reply ↓

  16. What fun! Thanks for hosting 50PreciousWords, Vivian! I’ve enjoyed all the entries. The groups creativity is inspiring. Was going through my Disney DVDs when this came to mind.

    A Whopper Of A Tale

    Disenchanted with swimming gazing star ward Bailey again wondered,

    “If an elephant could do it why couldn’t I?”

    Suddenly a seagull swooped by dropping just what was needed.

    Bailey scooped it up.

    Boldly waved it high.

    And that’s how a whale with a feather flew into the sky.

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply ↓

  18. This was such a fun challenge, Vivian. Thanks for thinking of it. I find myself wanting to do more of them… Mary Worley

    AT THE AUCTION

    Fancy boots.
    Mama and me.
    Darn Baby, too!

    Settling in.
    Fussy Baby.
    Busy Mama.

    “Mind the paddle.”
    I’m so big.
    Sit nice and still.

    Bug buzzes by.
    Swish!
    Miss.

    Careful aim…
    Wait…
    Thwack!

    Got it!
    Clapping? For me?
    What’s a bid?

    Oh no!
    Mama crying?
    Darn it!

    Fancy baby boots.

    Liked by 7 people

    Reply ↓

  19. Here’s my try, which for a wordy gal was mighty hard! 😉

    Red Squirrel’s Delight

    Tiny hands clutch their treasure,
    Tongue licks lips. Future pleasure.

    Save to eat after the beach.
    On the counter, out of reach.

    Squirrel sees the screen is bent.
    Through a hole, he follows scent.

    Grabs and gobbles;
    Fat tummy wobbles.

    Where donuts were,
    Only crumbs and fur.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

  20. Being wordy, I couldn’t stop at one! LOL

    A Periwinkle Paints

    A tiny artist,
    dragging his delicately spiraled home,
    paints his magnum opus
    on the glistening salted surface.
    Slow to finish his work,
    he toils on
    as gulls whirl above looking for lunch.
    At last his masterpiece is completed,
    just as the white foamy sea stretches up to wipe his canvas
    clean.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

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