#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. Rise and Shine Little One

    Shine, peep…
    shiver, chatter, brrr…
    hush…
    clatter, creak…
    pitter-patter, pitter-patter, pitter-patter…
    hush…
    tiptoe, gallop, dash…
    hush…
    peep, tap, jump, thump…
    mumble, grumble…
    giggle, laugh…
    rustle, snuggle…
    snore…
    Hush.

    Liked by 4 people

      • Thank you. It’s totally written in onomatopoeia…. the story of an early riser getting into mummy and daddy’s bed in the morning. I appreciate your comment!! 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    • What fun, Rachel. I was one of those kids that wanted to crawl into my parents’ bed…they sent me back to mine…so I crawled in with my big sister. 😉 Great sound words that led us through the story. 😉

      Like

      • Thank you for your feedback *blushes*. There are so many amazing stories that have been submitted… so humbling and inspiring!!!

        Like

  2. Thank you for this challenge. It was harder than I thought it was but invigorating. I’m a preschool teacher, and this story is based off the many interactions we have when we get new all-day (11 hour) kiddos.

    Sun Goes Down (48 words)

    What is this place?
    Who are these people?
    “Mommy’s going to work, love.”
    One kiss. One hug.
    Mommy left!
    “No, Mommy! Go car seat!”
    My face is wet.
    “Where’d Mommy go?”
    A hug from my teacher.
    “She come back?”
    “Yes, your Mommy comes when the sun goes down.”

    Liked by 4 people

  3. Hi Everyone,
    Thanks for this challenge, i decided to give it a try. And it was indeed harder than i thought. But i revamped and old work—hope you all like it.

    Title- I woke up this morning sad- (50 words)

    I woke up yesterday morning sad.
    I felt like crying.
    So….I cried at my mum saying hello.
    At breakfast, while going to school, at the playground.
    When it was bedtime…. I still cried until I fell asleep.
    Because crying yesterday was such hard work,
    I woke up this morning tired.

    Liked by 4 people

    • I’m so glad you joined in the challenge, Ibiere. It is lovely to meet you. You gave us a story that is probably true for many children…life is hard…painfully hard for many. And when we expect all happy stories, we are fooling ourselves. Children actually need to see that sometimes people are sad and need to cry and that it is okay for them to do so. Well done!

      Like

  5. TRY (25 words)

    Struggle
    Struggle
    Try
    Try again
    Again
    Again
    Cry

    Struggle
    Struggle
    Why?
    Try again
    Cry again
    Sigh

    Again
    Again
    Fly!
    Fly again
    High

    Flying high?
    Cry

    Liked by 5 people

    • Love your sparse journey of if you don’t succeed, try try again. Good pacing…is he crying at the end because he is flying so high, it is scary? Thank for sharing all of your stories…glad you are enjoying the challenge, Serge. 😉

      Like

      • Thanks Vivian. Yes, I have definitely enjoyed the challenge. Thanks again for the inspiration.

        I’ve deliberately left this story open to various interpretations, both literal and figurative. My own preference for the last “Cry” is tears of joy for having overcome the struggle and not only accomplished the goal, but having excelled.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. LEOPARDADOO
    Deborah Weed

    Lenny Leopard
    Waves his magic wand

    Hocus-Pocus
    Leapardadoo
    Make my spots
    Be removed

    Woosh
    Swoosh
    Zing

    Lenny, now spotless
    Takes a bow

    Well-groomed cats
    Go wild

    Lenny’s special talent
    makes him famous indeed

    He owns a dry cleaner
    Stylish felines go to

    His guarantee
    We lick spots … magically

    Liked by 4 people

  8. So enjoy writing these 50 Precious Words stories. Thanks for the fun, Vivian.

    The Dawn Chorus (50 words)

    By Jim Chaize

    “Everyone ready?” cawed Crow.

    “Robin’s missing,” tweeted Sparrow.

    “Oh, no!” chirped Cardinal.

    “I’ll take her place!” shrieked Blue Jay.

    Crow frowned. “You’re so loud sometimes.”

    “Sun’s almost up,” whistled Chickadee.

    Crow nodded to Blue Jay.

    The Dawn Chorus sang.

    Joy stirred in all who heard.

    “Beautifully done everyone,” trilled Crow.

    Liked by 3 people

  9. Thanks for putting on one of my favorite contests again, Vivian!.

    TIMELY TREASURES
    By Derick Wilder
    50 Words

    Moments stand still,
    but seconds sit up,
    and minutes crawl around.

    Blink
    and hours hopscotch by,
    days dash past,
    and weeks dance away.

    Breathe
    and months march on,
    seasons scamper to campus,
    and years walk down the aisle.

    Turn
    and generations gather.

    Time flies,
    but I still miss you, Daddy.

    Liked by 5 people

    • Derick, I love how you show the growth and milestones of youth/adulthood while never mentioning a person until the very end. It’s so true that you blink and turn around and that adorable toddler is in grad school. 😦 & 🙂 This is so poignant and lyrical. I think it would make a beautiful picture book. Best of Luck!

      Like

    • Full of emotion, Derick…that’s what this story is. I love your word choices for the different lengths of time…and your last line touched my heart. So glad you enjoy the challenge…we enjoy reading your stories. 😉

      Like

  10. Great fun! Thanks

    DON’T DO THAT
    by Linda Staszak. 43 words

    Tiptoe, tiptoe,
    Boo!
    Eek!
    Waaaaaa.
    Don’t do that.
    Sneak, sneak, jump,
    Boo!
    Waaaaaa.
    Don’t do that.
    Creep, creep, pounce,
    Boo!
    Waaaaa.
    Don’t. Do. That.
    Slither, slither, leap,
    Boo!
    Waaaaa.
    To. Your. Rooms.
    Waaaaa.
    Waaaaa.
    Popsicle and outside,
    Both of you!
    Yay! (High five)

    Liked by 4 people

  11. What a fun challenge! Thanks!

    FROG ON A LOG
    by Linda Staszak. 49 words

    Little frog sat on a log and ate some juicy flies.
    Along slithered snake who decided to take
    A nap while he dreamed of fruit pies.
    Snakie wiggled, froggie jiggled.
    Snake got tied in a knot.
    Frog’s back on his log beside the bog,
    Dreaming of a peaceful yacht.

    Liked by 5 people

  14. IT’S TACO TIME! (48 Words)

    By: Sherry Fellores

    Meat and cheese
    With beans and rice.
    Chips and salsa
    Would be nice.

    What could be better?
    Holy Moly,
    Give me Queso,
    Or guacamole.

    Piled so high
    Onto my plate
    Hurry up
    I just can’t wait!

    It’s taco time,
    get in my tummy
    Delicioso,
    You are so yummy!

    Liked by 5 people

  15. I admit that writing a story in 50 words is challenging–but the thrill of seeing the right word count when the story is finished is huge!

    THE FATE OF THE SHIP OF DREAMS

    On April tenth, of 1912,
    Titanic sailed to sea.

    Five joyful days led to the night
    the lookout sent his plea.

    “Iceberg, straight ahead!” he said.
    His eyeballs bulging wide.

    Despite the Captain’s change of course,
    Titanic did collide.

    The ending isn’t pretty, but
    my words must stop at fifty.

    Liked by 6 people

  16. Story #2 – continuing the cat theme!

    The Window Seat
    – Two Tonkas –

    Silently she springs
    to the sun-filled window seat.
    She sinks and settles,
    prodding and pulling herself
    into a puddle of purr.

    She sleeps.

    Outside, feeding birds
    fuss in the berry-filled bush.
    They bounce on branches
    that bend and brush the window.
    Startled awake, she springs. Thunk.

    Liked by 3 people

  17. One more entry, just because it’s so much fun.

    JACK AND JILL REVISITED
    by Linda Staszak. 48 words

    Jack and Jill went down the hill to get a pail of water.
    Clumsy Jack will never learn, he tripped over an otter.
    Jill pulled her brother to his feet, “This task is doomed to fail.
    Let’s just use the faucet”, and with that she pitched the pail.

    Liked by 7 people

  18. I’m loving the challenge Vivian! Thank you.

    LOVE MAIL TO MAMA

    Blow a kiss into your palms

    Clutch them tight and close your eyes

    Rub your fists upon your heart

    Catch the hug you feel inside

    With my name upon your lips

    Let the breeze catch that kiss

    Watch it sail across the stars

    Reach me on the other side.

    Liked by 4 people

  19. “Cone or Cup” (45 words)

    Vanilla is my favorite,
    so creamy on my lips.
    My sister eats so messy,
    but my dog will lick the drips.
    I eat mine on a cone.
    My sis should have a cup.
    So when hers hits the floor.
    My dog will mop it up.

    Liked by 4 people

  20. This is a great challenge! Thank you, Vivian!

    I’m thrilled you enjoyed it, Anita…and thank you for participating. I’ve removed the story from the site so you can send it on another journey. All heartfelt wishes that it finds a good home.

    Liked by 3 people

    • You had me enthralled to the end – stuffed animal choice? clothing? Why does a buckle on bear matter? Great ending. Even the title is ambiguous, but excellent once you reach the end. Fun story. Good Luck. 🙂

      Like

    • Oh, this is delightful, Anita. I can see this as a picture book about a carousel. I can remember wanting the up and down horse, but being a bit terrified I’d fall off and so when I was really young, I opted for the bench seats. Your story gave us lots of drama…and a great ending!

      Like

      • Thank you for your feedback, Vivian! I do hope to expand this into a picture book. I like the bench, too. 🙂 But not my twins; they always race to find the perfect ride on the carousel. It’s so fun to watch them!

        Like

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