#50PreciousWords 2018 Writing Challenge is OPEN!!

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Today is the day, dear friends! Ready! Set! Go! The #50PreciousWords 2018 Writing Challenge is now OPEN!

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For those of you who have not participated before, let me give you a bit of back story. March 2nd is the birthday of the incredible Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss. For the last two years, I’ve hosted 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.

In 2016, 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! And last year, there were 253 entries. And I hope we have a great turnout again this year because I am passionate about helping others follow their dream of writing for children.

In 2012 I had a dream. I wanted to write picture books. And I wanted to be traditionally published. And one of the most important things I did was to participate in writing challenges like Susanna Hill’s contests. Why was that important? Because it got me writing. It got me revising. It got me submitting. Hmmm….writing/revising/submitting. I believe that if we do those three things enough times, our writing improves and agents and editors get a chance to see our work. And as much as I am thrilled with my own success, nothing makes me happier than to hear about the success of others in our kidlit community.

So, please sharpen your pencils. Fire up your computers. And share your #50PreciousWords with us.

#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. Please post your story in the comment section below. If you have your own blog and want to post your story there also, please do. And let us know your post link.  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 story, please email me and I will be happy to do it for you: viviankirkfield@gmail.com.
  6. Deadline for posting the story in the comments is Tuesday, March 6, at 11:59pm.
  7. Winners will be announced in a special blog post on Sunday, March 11.
  8. Winners? Of course, there will be winners…and prizes, too!
  • A critique from my beloved agent, Essie White (some of you may remember that the winner of the first year’s contest chose Essie’s critique as her prize…and she subsequently signed with Storm Literary Agency and THAT story, plus a sequel to it, will be published next year!

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  • Your choice of ONE of the following from author, mentor, and founder of Sub Six FB group, Alayne Kay Christian: Picture Book critique or Chapter book critique (first three chapters), or Complimentary Art of Arc course.

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  • Picture Book manuscript critique from author Lori Degman.

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  • Your choice of either a picture book manuscript critique from author Karen Valenti or a seat in her Master Course on Picture Book Writing.

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  • Picture Book manuscript critique from author Katey Howes.

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Julie Abery

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  • A piece of original signed art and a copy of LIZZIE AND LOU SEAL plus a silver seal necklace from author/illustrator Patricia Keeler.

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  • Rest & Relaxation package with two picture books and a surprise from author Maria Marshall.

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  • A signed copy of CAT IN THE CITY from author/illustrator Jill Weber.

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  • $15 credit in her TeachersPayTeachers store from Barbara Leyne(GradeOnederful)

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A big thank you to all of our amazing prize donors! Much appreciation to illustrator Vicky Fang whose awesome logo graces our challenge! And a grateful thank you to my dear friends and critique buddies, Maria Marshall and Julie Abery who will be helping me read and comment.

Last year there were over 2000 comments – ALL OF THEM POSITIVE AND ENCOURAGING!  I am so proud to be a part of this amazing kidlit community. Our news stations and politicians should definitely take a lesson from this kidlit community.

And before I leave you to post your stories and comment on those you have a chance to read, I thought it would only be fair if I posted my sample of a 50-word story which hopefully has a beginning, a middle, and an end.

WHY THE STARS TWINKLE (49 words)

It was Sun’s birthday.

Moon gathered paper, paint,

glitter and glue to make a card.

But Wind blew.

Glitter and glue covered the stars.

“Now I have no gift for Sun,” cried Moon.

“Twinkling stars are the best present of all,” said Sun.

And Moon glowed all night long.

The End

Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, please email me: viviankirkfield@gmail.com.

I am so looking forward to reading all of your precious words!

 

1,892 thoughts on “#50PreciousWords 2018 Writing Challenge is OPEN!!”

  3. And I really appreciate your willingness to help this year, Julie! And thanks so very much for donating a critique as one of the prizes. There are going to be a bunch of awesome stories!

    Liked by 3 people

  4. What does my cat do when I’m at school?
    Does he eat with a spoon?
    Or fly to the moon?
    Does he whip up a roast?
    Or drive down the coast?
    Play golf with my pa?
    Or fix grandma’s car?
    What does my cat do when I’m at school?

    Liked by 20 people

  5. “Domestication”

    Heavy rain sends Cat scurrying for cover.
    Under the porch roof, he shakes himself dry.
    He runs when he sees little faces spying.
    But he’s back next time it rains.
    This time a bowl of food waits. He eats.
    He still thinks he’s wild.
    They’ve already chosen his name.

    Liked by 20 people

  6. Pingback: #50 Precious Words – Susan Hodara

  8. As part of Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab course, I wrote a double dactyl poem (well, a pair of them, so I guess this is a double-double dactyl, making its debut)!. I’m excited to share it here! 50 words, on the nose. (And how funny, my story ALSO features a cat. What is that, 4 in a row? HAHA!)

    FICKLE FLOWER PICKING by Jennifer Broedel
    (50 words)

    Pranciful, shmanciful,
    Frannie the fanciful
    frolicked through fields that were
    filled to the brim.

    Finding that flowers, by
    fundamentality,
    frazzled her feline, she
    flung them from him.

    Tickledy, prickledy
    Felix McFickledy,
    sick of each flickering,
    fluttering bloom,

    Dug up the daisies, a
    disciplinarian,
    cursing the crocus for
    taking up room.

    Liked by 17 people

  9. “What’s Black and White and Green All Over?”

    A penguin ate a pickle.
    It gave his throat a tickle.
    He saw it when the keeper dropped it.
    Straight into his mouth he popped it.
    The odd addition to his lunch
    Disappeared, munch munch munch.
    He didn’t like it in the least.
    ‘Twas not the hoped for fishy feast.

    Liked by 22 people

  10. What fun! Thanks for the contest.

    My story–titled “Magnify Me!”–is nonfiction and also in verse. It can also be found on my website at http://www.heatherkinser.com/inspiration/50-precious-words-challenge-2018

    *****

    Mallard swims and braves the weather
    in a raincoat made of feather.

    Feather? What a silly coat!
    Can it really help him float?

    …Magnify me!
    What do you see?

    Tiny branching barbs and hooks
    offer more than handsome looks—
    trapping heat and blocking wet.

    …How much closer can YOU get?

    Liked by 22 people

  11. Pingback: Mister Joao and Dindim the Penguin #50PreciousWords Challenge 2018 | Little Red Story Shed

  12. I just LOVE this contest! Thank you, Vivian! My entry titled, Vroom – Vroom can also be seen on my website listed below. Good luck everyone!

    https://chattytcp.wordpress.com/2018/02/20/monster-trucks/

    VROOM VROOM (49)

    Monster trucks roar.

    Monster trucks rumble.

    They turn on their engines

    and get ready to tumble

    V V

    R R

    O O

    O O

    M M

    they’re off.

    Hold your ears.

    Big tough trucks

    are shifting gears

    V V

    R R

    O O

    O O

    M M

    Loud thundering sound,

    leaping up and over

    that humongous dirt mound.

    Crash – Smash to the ground!

    V V

    R R

    O O

    O O

    M M

    Liked by 18 people

  13. After the Rain (50 words)

    It’s red and orange
    It’s yellow and green
    It’s the most mystical thing
    That you’ve ever seen!

    It’s blue and violet
    It arcs in the sky
    It appears after rain
    But it’s almost shy

    It doesn’t stay long
    Where does it go?
    Why did it come
    and give a show?

    Liked by 17 people

  14. Why I’m No Longer a Cowboy (50 words)

    It’s harder than I realized, to drive cattle without getting caught.
    We made it halfway to the ranch; I guess it was just too hot.

    My cows are stuck in the shade! I’ve heaved, pushed and prodded.
    They won’t budge a single inch, and when I gave up they applauded.

    Liked by 20 people

  15. Love this contest!

    STUCK

    “Mom! My rocket’s stuck in the tree!”
    “Throw something at it! Mom yelled.
    I tried a stick. It got stuck.
    I tried my football. It fell back on my forehead.
    I tried my baseball bat. It broke the branch,
    No rocket…
    I picked up the cat.
    Mom came running…FAST!

    Liked by 19 people

  16. How to Survive a Piano Recital (49 words)

    Practice
    Memorize
    Practice
    Memorize

    Backstage butterflies
    Beast waits, open-jawed

    Take a seat
    Deep breath
    Music download, brain to fingers
    Breeze through tricky passage
    Get stuck

    Rewind, try again
    Nope

    Heart pounds
    Think
    Breathe
    Improvise
    Big chord
    Grand finale

    Smile
    Bow
    Woohoo!

    Next spring
    Start again
    Practice
    Memorize
    Backstage butterflies

    Liked by 20 people

  17. Count with Me! (50 words)

    One! Two! Three!

    Sang teeny-tiny flea.

    Four! Five! Six!

    Barked puppy-dog mix.

    Seven! Eight! Nine!

    Oinked pink-piggy swine.

    Ten!

    Crowed rooster to hen.

    Ten! Nine! Eight!

    Grumbled alligator’s mate.

    Seven! Six! Five!

    Buzzed the bees by the hive.

    Four! Three! Two!

    Cooed joey kangaroo.

    One!

    Growled cheetah on the run.

    Liked by 19 people

  18. BABY SMILES
    By Rachel Funez
    49 words

    Baby smiles;
    She wants to play.
    Mamma tickles.
    Mamma seeks.
    Mamma lifts the sheet and peaks.

    Baby cries;
    She’s feeling sad.
    Mamma hugs her.
    Mamma sways.
    Mamma wipes the tears away.

    Baby sighs;
    She’s tired now.
    Mamma cuddles.
    Mamma sings.
    Mamma rocks, and walks, and swings.

    Night, night, Baby.

    Liked by 15 people

  19. This is a nod to Alexander’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. By Judith Viorst

    Eli’s Day

    First,

    I spilled cereal on my favorite pants.

    At circle time,

    no one sat next to me.

    Then I skinned my knee,

    without a boo-boo kiss.

    And squiggles danced around the page,

    teasing me.

    But stepping off the bus,

    a hug was waiting.

    Liked by 18 people

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