#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!!”

  1. ok, Here is my entry! Thanks for doing this! It was fun to try–Joan Leotta
    Five Teddy Bears

    Five Teddy bears came to play.
    One by one they went away.
    One decided not to play.
    One was tired, fell asleep.
    One left to help his mommy.
    One left to find honey for our tea.
    So, last bear and I sat in shade.
    Reading, drinking lemonade.

    Liked by 4 people

  2. Slouchy Snowman
    by Mary Ann Cortez

    One lump.
    Two.
    Three.
    Stick. Stick.
    Button. Button.
    Carrot.
    Pebbles.
    Hat. Scarf. Glove. Glove.
    Perfect snowman made with love.
    Blue sky. Sunshine high.
    Hat rolls. Buttons slide.
    Smile droops. Pebbles fall.
    Carrot gone. Sun shines on.
    Scarf soaked.
    Gloves slip. Lumps drip.
    See you when.
    The weatherman says snow again.

    http://itsthewriteplace.blogspot.com/2018/03/slouchy-snowman-vivian-kirkfields-50.html

    Liked by 5 people

  3. The Things My Fish Saw
    By Tara Hannon

    He was just a goldfish.
    I won him at the fair.
    I put him on the counter,
    and all he did was stare.
    He watched as I snuck cookies.
    And pinched my sister’s cheek.
    It didn’t really worry me.
    Until, I heard him… speak.

    Liked by 10 people

  5. My very first competition, so quite excited!

    Am I Pretty?
    “Mommy, am I pretty?” Millie asked.
    Her Mommy replied, “Millie, you have the most beautiful face I have ever seen!” Looking up at a face covered with blue and pink cupcake icing.
    Millie’s eyes were aglow as she planted a big blue and pink kiss on her Mother’s cheek.

    Word count 49

    Liked by 4 people

  6. I’m posting an entry for Monica Dietrich.

    HAT

    By Monica Dietrich

    “Wear a Hat,” my mother says. “It’s windy today.”

    “No, that’s a winter hat.”

    “A birthday hat is too silly.”

    “Not your crown.”

    “That one’s for Easter.”

    “A cowboy hat will blow away.”

    “Save it for Halloween.”

    “Your father will need his hat.”

    “Your sister’s wearing the Red Sox hat.”

    “Finally!” [Child exits wearing football helmet.]

    Liked by 3 people

  7. Long Day by Ani

    Trudging.

    Up hill.

    Wind fierce, pushing. Grit smacking.

    Branches clap, clickety-clack, snap.

    Squirrels skitter, leaping, tails flapping.

    Birds bundle close, fluffing feathers.

    Hawks soar, riding the wind’s crest.

    Around the bend a glimpse of sun, cloud shaded, welcoming.

    Another step and home, fish dinner in hand.

    Liked by 6 people

  8. Dinosaur Baseball 50 words
    by Lily Erlic

    “Welcome back my friend Kyle!”

    Said T-Rex with a smile!

    Where is your bat?

    Where is your ball?

    Are you going to play at all?

    Kyle shook his head, said no way,

    We lost the game, not my day,”

    You can do it, practice more!

    Practice, practice then you’ll score!

    Liked by 6 people

  9. Too Little

    Gracie’s day was perfect until…

    she wanted to explore the carnival funhouse by herself… coveted her own cotton candy… or itched to ride the rollercoaster.

    “You’re too little,” everyone said.

    But Sissy wasn’t.

    How perfectly horrible!

    Then Gracie spotted something.

    “You’re the right size for ponies!”

    Sissy wasn’t.

    Perfect!

    Liked by 3 people

  10. I Love You, You Love Me
    By Rochelle Evonne Pigman
    Word count 49
    SCBWI Illustrator Gallery link
    https://www.scbwi.org/illustrator-gallery/illustrator-detail/?illustrator_id=53002&savedSearch=q3jpqiEhzzVtDHrGDF8KkvuEk5cC7Ha9

    Mommy and Daddy and Baby make three.
    I love you, you love me.
    Up to the moon and down to the sea.
    I love you, you love me.
    Now sleep, baby, sleep and dream a sweet dream.
    I love you, you love me.
    I love you, you love me.

    Liked by 3 people

  11. I’m posting an entry for Elaine D’Alessandro

    Molly Mae Miller (50 words)
    by Elaine D’Alessandro

    Molly Mae Miller can’t wait for school today.

    She will find her coat hook.

    Read a new book.

    Write her whole name.

    Play a floor game.

    Play Pick Up Sticks.

    Stack blocks and bricks.

    Phew!

    Molly Mae Miller will have a busy day.

    Molly Mae Miller’s a new teacher today.

    Liked by 5 people

  12. I’m posting an entry for Ellen Leventhal.

    Firefly
    By Ellen Leventhal

    Looping a figure eight in the dark,
    Flittering, glittering sprite
    Alights on the tree, then flickers away
    Leaving its halo of light.
    Winking and blinking its way through the night,
    Firefly dances with flair.
    He twirls and he flips with such beautiful grace,
    And then disappears in the air

    Liked by 4 people

  13. What a fun contest! Thanks Vivian 🙂

    Here is my entry:

    A Pirate’s Life For Me
    By Kari Gonzalez

    “Bath time? Didn’t I have one last week?”
    Splish. Splash. Sploosh.
    Maybe adventure awaits… sailing the soapy seas.
    I search for treasure with my unpatched eye,
    Argh Matey! It’s a pirate’s life for me.
    “What’s that? I’m clean?” A pirate would never throw in the towel.
    “Five more minutes please!”

    Liked by 4 people

  14. Abram I am, (Title)

    ABRAM I AM,
    BLUE EGGS AND yams?
    PLAYING BASKETBALL,
    ABRAM I AM,
    THE BALL GOES IN,
    BOUNCING THE BALL,
    LUNCH MOM?
    BLUE EGGS AND SPAM?
    STROLLING IT IN,
    I MAKE A PLAY,
    THE BALL GOES IN,
    THE NET!
    MOM, BLUE EGGS AND LAMB?
    DRIBBLING THE BALL,
    ABRAM I AM!

    Liked by 3 people

  15. Wow, Vivian! I finally found a pencil. Haha. I am so impressed by this contest and all the awesomeness that’s you!!! Thank you. 🙂

    FAERY DRAGON (48)
    by Sue Frye

    Moonlight shines against the cliff
    where Rupert lives alone.
    Nowhere is safe for a dragon
    in a world of steel and chrome.

    In the moonlight beneath the stars,
    he’s free to romp and play.
    So he frolics in the dark of night,
    And hides in light of day.

    Liked by 5 people

  16. Chit Chat Kitty Cat

    by Ani

    Out back

    Cats chat.

    Kitty cats chit-chat.

    Chity-chat kitty cats,

    Meow, meow, meee-oww.

    What’s that?

    Howl? Yowl!

    Cats spat.

    Scratch. Growl.

    Yeowl, YEowl, YE-OWL!

    Clap, clap.

    Stop that!

    Don’t spat.

    See lap.

    Come nap.

    Purr, purr, Purr.

    Liked by 6 people

  17. PEAR OF HOPE

    Annie picked the largest pear. It was smooth and round like her bald head.
    Crunch!
    Juicy and sweet.
    A pip?
    She pressed it into the soft soil.
    Sprinkle, sprinkle…
    Day after day…
    A green shoot…
    A tuft of hair…
    A sapling…
    A ponytail…
    A tree…
    A new pear…
    Hope.

    Liked by 5 people

  18. I’m posting this entry for David McMullin.

    MAKING A STINK by David McMullin

    When Stink Bug and Dung Beetle sat down to dinner,
    the other bugs swarmed away.
    “You’ve ruined our meal,” chirped a cricket.
    Stink cried. “I wish I smelled like a honey bee.”
    “What you exude makes my heart buzz,” said Dung.
    He knelt down. “Marry me. It’s you I o-dor.”

    Liked by 7 people

  19. I’m posting this entry for Carmen Gilbert.

    IT’S A PEARL! (48 WORDS)
    By Carmen Castillo Gilbert, PhD

    TIPTOEING ALONG THE BEACH,
    PAIL AND SHOVEL IN HIS REACH
    WIGGLING TOES IN THE SANDS
    MANY SHELLS IN HIS HANDS
    SOMETHING BROUGHT IN BY THE TIDE
    POP IT OPEN. WHAT’S INSIDE?
    IS IT A TREASURE?
    A PLEASURE?
    WATER SWIRLS, WATER WHIRLS,
    OH, MY GOODNESS!
    IT’S A PEARL!

    Liked by 5 people

  20. I’m posting this entry for Jean Richardson.

    THE MUCH TOO BIG DAY
    by Jean Richardson

    As Amelia’s big day inched closer, she exclaimed, “It’s gonna be big!

    The bigger the better.”

    All of Amelia’s friends began to wonder how could she out-big BIG?

    To beat bigger with bigger had become much too big.

    On her birthday Amelia was stuck in bed with a big headache!

    Liked by 5 people

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