#50PreciousWords Writing Challenge is OPEN

Posted on by

TA-DA!

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

dr-seuss-stamp

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.

green-eggs-and-ham

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!)

essie

  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).

mpbm

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).

kristen

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).

art_of_arc_v3

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.

kidlitcollege

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

rebecca-colby

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

headshot

9. A picture book critique from author Anna Forrester.

anna-forrester

10. A fiction picture book critique from author Ariel Bernstein

ariel-bernstein

11. A picture book critique from author Rosie Pova

this-headshot

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

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

headshot

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

maria-marshall

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

tiger

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

lizzie-and-lou-seal-cover

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

clams-all-year

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.

marcie-and-books-1-and-2

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

mutts-promise-cover

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

fuzzbuster-cover

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.

stackofbooks

 

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. What a great challenge, and so many wonderful 50 word stories. Who knew so much could be said with so few words. This is my first time here and first writing entry EVER. Inspired by a play date happening as I wrote this. Gotta love 7 year olds!

    Play Date

    Build with blocks, construct a tower.

    Scissors, paper, make a flower.

    “My idea is better, see?”

    “No it’s not, come play with me.”

    Play doh sushi, lego car.

    Dancing contest, be a star.

    Mom is here, time to go.

    “Let’s all hide, she’ll never know.”

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply ↓

  2. My kids at the school I work at expect the newest in the ongoing story on my blog posted tomorrow. Thus, I must squeeze in my entry link today. I’m Paula Mowery and felt similar to some people posted above – after reading the challenge, I was a bit obsessed with coming up with this little story. Please visit my link for my entry – http://www.getkidswriting.blogspot.com
    Thanks Ms. Kirkfield for hosting this fun challenge!

    Paula was concerned that some of you might not find her story which follows the series post she is writing for her classes…so here is Paula’s fun story…although I urge all of you to hop over and check out Paula;s awesome website.

    Maddie’s Loose Tooth by Paula Mowery

    Maddie’s tooth wiggles.
    It needs to come out.
    Biting an apple; tying a string
    But the tooth held stout.

    Maddie danced on the porch
    One very rainy day.
    Though grandma warned
    Maddie didn’t obey.

    Down she splatted
    Flat on the floor.
    She should’ve listened
    But her tooth was no more!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply ↓

  4. A Baby What?
    Kim Syvertsen

    I’m having a little baby!
    My mommy said to me.

    A baby what? I wondered,
    A puppy or a bee?

    A penguin or a kitten?
    (I hope it’s not a flea!)

    Mommy hopes the baby looks
    Just Like Me!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply ↓

  7. Teddy fell from Lucy’s bike
    And was left alone in the park
    He tried to find his way back home
    Searching until it was dark

    But it was just too difficult
    He cried “I’ll be lost forever!”
    Lucy arrived with her mum and a torch
    Thank goodness she was clever

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply ↓

  8. Forty One
    By Suzie Olsen

    Quarter, Dime, Nickle, Penny
    That’s forty-one and plenty
    Take away the Penny
    And you have got forty
    Goodbye Nickel
    That’s thirty-five
    Subtract the Dime
    Count twenty-five
    Give away the Quarter
    Zero is left after
    You had wherewithal
    But then spent it all

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply ↓

  9. WHEN I GROW UP (50 words)
    By: Stephanie Austin

    When I grow up I’ll seize the day
    Pick what to eat
    Choose where to play
    When I grow up I’ll see it all
    But who will catch me when I fall
    Who will tuck me in at night
    Hold me close and squeeze me tight
    Actually…Growing up can wait

    Liked by 8 people

    Reply ↓

  12. PRINCESS (CAT) AND THE FLEA

    Princess is bothered
    And should be.
    Something is biting,
    Won’t let her be.

    Scratching in pantry,
    Under the couch,
    Upon the bed,
    Still there’s an…OUCH!

    Little voice says,
    “Let’s be friends.”
    Princess smiles down.
    All biting ends.

    “You stop nibbling.
    I won’t scratch.
    We’ll compromise.
    Think we’re a…MATCH!

    Liked by 6 people

    Reply ↓

  14. This is my first ever children’s submission. Thanks for the opportunity–it was so much fun!

    Tea Party for Two
    by Sheila Alford

    “Wake up, mommy
    I’ve set the table.”
    Blue tea cups and saucers

    “I will when I’m able”

    “Oh, it’s lovely… cakes and linen”
    Pinkies in the air, like two royal women

    “I’ll be the Princess, you be the Queen”
    Dressed in finery fit to be seen

    Let the party begin!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply ↓

  15. The Giraffe Who Caught a Cold
    by Sharon Dalgleish

    A sore throat is no joke,
    For a sensitive bloke,
    With his head in the top of the trees.

    So the warning is clear,
    Look out everyone near,
    When giraffe starts to shake at the knees.

    Startled birds fly away,
    Monkeys scramble… Don’t stay!
    Because here comes the jet-propelled sneeze.

    Liked by 8 people

    Reply ↓

  20. Here’s an entry from Doris..

    PUPPY FUN by Doris Fisher

    My little, brown, and furry pup
    slurps me every morning
    with a kiss that says, “Wake up!”

    “Time for breakfast and backyard fun.
    Dig a hole, and run, run, run.”

    “Back inside through doggy door,
    I’ll dance and jump into your lap,
    cuddle close, and take a nap.”
    –

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply ↓

Leave a reply to viviankirkfield Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.