#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. 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 4 people

  2. Sharing Mom’s Necklace

    “Why are you wearing mom’s pearl necklace?”

    SHRUG.

    “Give it to me. It’s my turn to wear it.”

    “No, I had it first!”

    Snatch!

    SNAP!

    “Oops!”

    “Girls!”

    “You had it first. Take your half of the pearls.”

    SIGH!

    “Time to share the truth.”

    “Mom will so happy that we shared.”

    Liked by 3 people

  3. Such fun! I’m letting the cold here in Chicago inspire me. Good luck to all!

    THE SCARF, by Kira Bigwood

    Melvin shook the chill off his quills.

    In his hurry, he’d lost his scarf.

    He searched the sidewalk,
    quizzed the icicles (who knew nothing),
    even checked the trashcan.

    Then, a familiar sight!
    His scarf!
    ‘Round the neck of an old bear, huddled up.
    Melvin “lost” his mittens, and hurried on.

    Liked by 5 people

  4. Thank you for this fun contest! Here’s my entry, inspired by bedtime shenanigans:

    I CAN’T GO TO BED (50 words)

    I can’t go to bed. It’s not even dark!
    I’ll go fetch my scooter. Let’s go to the park!

    I won’t go to bed. My YAWN is too YAWN …

    OK, I’m in bed. Just one last huge hug
    And tuck in my blanket so I’m warm and snug.

    Good night.

    Liked by 5 people

  5. First and foremost, thank you Vivian Kirkfield! I had so much fun creating these, I became addicted. I think I need an intervention 🙂

    Coral Reef by Tori DeLeon
    49 Precious Words

    Turquoise limestone buildings
    Emerald laced castles
    Crimson chandeliers
    Countless windows. Open doors.
    Like a sunken ship’s treasure,
    It lies buried on the ocean’s floor.

    Who dwells in this rare city?
    Groupers, shrimp, and jellyfish
    Lobsters, clams, and crabs
    Swaying to a mermaid’s lullaby,
    What was dead, is now alive!

    Illustration, here: https://twitter.com/DeLeonTori1/status/970719023976665090

    Liked by 5 people

  8. The Truth About Love
    50 words
    #50PreciousWords
    Ingrid Boydston

    I overheard my big sister talking so I know about love.
    First, you go on a blind date.
    If your date falls for you, he gets a crush.
    Otherwise he dumps you!
    If he pops the question you tie the knot…
    until death do you part!
    Truth is… love hurts!

    Thank you Vivian for mounting this event again! I was amazed scrolling through many stories! I couldn’t comment on as many as I would have liked. So much talent! You’ve brought fun and encouragement to countless writers and I am among the grateful!

    Liked by 3 people

    • What would young kids envision when they hear an older sister has a crush on someone? You’ve gathered many of those odd expressions and made a fun story out of them. Well done, Ingrid. And thank you for your kind words. It’s a thrill for me to read the comments…especially those of people who are entering/submitting for the first time ever to anything…I applaud their courage!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Ingrid! Happy to see you here! Your story made me smile. 😊 I can easily understand how kids hearing those words would be of the opinion that love hurts!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. “Reminders”
    by Maria Costa

    Two year old learning to walk:
    “I stand up after I fall.”

    Six year old at baseball tryouts:
    “Too hard but, I won’t stop.”

    Twelve year old listening to others’ mean words:
    “Not worth trying. I’ll never be good enough.”

    Heart whispers reminders:
    “You stood up. You never stopped.”

    Liked by 4 people

    • Wow, so much packed into four stanzas. The tween & teen years (wait – “life”) is hard. I love your heart’s whisper. You perfectly capture this struggle. Best of luck, Maria. 🙂

      Like

    • Maria…I love how you showed us important memories we all have that we should never forget…especially as we travel this writerly journey and face many rejections. Thank you for sharing your precious words with us! And your examples were excellent!

      Like

  11. GRRRRR!

    by, Zainab Khan

    #50preciouswords

    Snuggled under the covers, your eyelids droop when….

    “GRRRRRR.”

    Monster. Must…stay…still…to…hide. You quiver.

    “ROAR.”

    “Ma-mama’s sleeping here,” you squeak.

    “PRUUUU!”

    You slowly slip the blanket above your head.

    Too late. It pounces.

    You thwack.

    “MEEE-OWW!”

    “Kitty?”

    Phew! He saved you. Even if he sniffles.

    Purrr-roar. Pruuuu!

    Liked by 4 people

  12. THE HAIR SCARE (50)

    Walter trimmed some more…

    ‘Till most of his hair fell to the floor.

    He didn’t know what to do.

    First, he used some glue.

    That didn’t work,

    So, his next plan

    Was to water his head with a watering can.

    It didn’t grow,

    He was wet.

    Walter was rather upset.

    THE END

    Liked by 5 people

  13. Toes
    (47 words)

    Laces loosened. One boot. Two.
    Wedging, wrestling. Off with you!

    Thick knit socks! They’re next to go.
    Bunched up blobs – two balls to throw.

    There they are. Ten twitching toes
    poised to end their winter woes

    in a barefoot dance of spring –
    a muddy, puddly spinning fling.

    Thanks for all you do, Vivian!

    Liked by 6 people

  14. TWELVE MONTHS OF ME!
    By Frances Kalavritinos

    January nose
    snuffling cold
    February tongue
    catching snow
    March hair
    whipping wind
    April legs
    racing rain
    May fingers
    braiding flowers
    June mouth
    whistling grass
    July back
    floating water
    August toes
    wiggling sand
    September teeth
    crunching apples
    October hands
    gathering leaves
    November eyes
    counting stars
    December ME!
    Hugging YOU!

    Liked by 7 people

  15. Pingback: #50PreciousWords – Magnolias & Manuscripts

  16. Tommy’s Two Wheels.
    (50 words)

    “It’s broken, buddy.”
    “My training wheel? This is the worst day.”
    “Want to try riding without them?”
    Tommy’s stomach flipped.
    “Two wheels? But, will you help?”
    Dad smiled, “Foot on the pedal.”
    “Don’t let go!”
    “Push!” Wobble.
    “Don’t let go!”
    “Pedal!” Wobble.
    “Don’t… let…”
    “Go!”

    “This is the BEST day!”

    Vivian! This was an astonishingly tricky undertaking. Thank you for helping to push me outside of my comfort zone. Like so many others have said, this was just the motivation I needed to get fresh ideas out on paper. Kudos to everyone who entered, especially those who did so in rhyme.

    My story is loosely based on a series of true events, here’s a link to my blog if you want to know more!

    #50PreciousWords

    Best of luck to everyone!

    Liked by 4 people

  17. I have so enjoyed reading all of your wonderful stories! I thought it was time to throw my own hat into the ring. 🙂 Thank you, Vivian, for giving us such a wonderful opportunity to hone our writing skills.

    Butterflies Soar (22 words)
    By Amber Hendricks

    Crunch, crunch, munch.
    Caterpillars lunch.

    Knit, knit, weave.
    Chrysalides on leaves.

    Stretch, stretch, curl
    Drying wings unfurl.

    Flap, flap, more!
    Butterflies soar.

    Liked by 4 people

  18. Constellations
    (49 words)

    Georgianna frowned at her arms, scratching at her freckles.

    A sigh. A scowl.

    “Like spattered mud,” she groaned.

    “Stupid freckles.”

    “…huh?”

    Georgianna grabbed a pen and started connecting dots.

    “A heart!”

    “A cheeseburger!”

    “The Big Dipper!”

    A deep breath. A smile.

    “Like stars in the night sky,” she said.

    Liked by 5 people

  20. Here is another one Vivian. Thank you for doing this!

    ORCHESTRA IN E MINOR

    by, Zainab Khan

    Crickets pluck and strum their strings
    Bats go swooshing with their wings

    Rattlers crick and crack their tails
    Cats go clacking with their nails

    Branches flip and flop in trees
    Grass is whistling in the breeze

    Playing notes and songs of praise
    For the morrow and today.

    Liked by 6 people

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