#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. CJ Penko
    50 words

    “GETTING THROUGH”

    Dad took a call when I wanted to talk.

    Dad took a call when we went for a walk.

    Then another when I tried to play ball,

    So I decided to make a call.

    And when he heard my voice on the line,

    Dad heard me for the first time.

    Liked by 5 people

      • Thank you very much Maria. I know this is not really a “feel-good” story but it seemed appropriate to acknowledge that sometimes kids just want to be heard. The saddest part is that they (the kids) sometimes have to come up with unique ways to get adults to listen. I imagine this child had something really important to talk to Dad about, and the child was not going to be dismissed – they were going to “call Dad out” on his behavior and MAKE Dad understand that they knew what he was doing and they weren’t going to take it. If they had to be the adult – they would be. Children are perceptive and smart – listen to them.

        Liked by 1 person

    • WOW…this is too close for comfort for many parents, I think. You hit the nail on the head, CJ…I love how you got to the heart of the problem…your mc realizes how to get dad’s attention. Good pacing that gets your mc to solve her problem.

      Like

  2. Such a fun challenge! Here’s mine

    A TREAT GROWS (49 words)
    By Claire Annette Noland

    Weed patch,
    What to do?
    Pull them out until we’re through

    Prepare soil.
    Plant seeds.
    Water and sun is what they need.

    Up come sprouts,
    Soft and green.
    Vines twist, leaves are seen.

    Flowers bloom.
    Fruits appear.
    Big and ripe, harvest’s here.

    Watermelon-
    Favorite treat
    Hooray! Time to eat!

    http://afieldtriplife.com/a-challenge-vivien-kirkfields-50-precious-words-contest-vivien-kirkfields-50-precious-words-contest/

    Liked by 2 people

  3. BEACH ADVENTURE

    By Susie Sawyer

    Summer day,
    brothers play
    imaginary tales.

    Gliding by,
    mainsail high,
    ship with billowed sails.

    Rain clouds form.
    Sudden storm!
    Ocean comes alive!

    Thunder claps!
    Mainmast snaps!
    Crew prepares to dive!

    Then storm subsides
    to peaceful tides.
    For now it’s time to leave.

    Little boys
    gather toys.
    No more make believe.

    Liked by 4 people

  4. I’m posting this entry for Mary Munson

    Mine or Yours? by Mary Munson
    (46 Words)

    The tree shook, the nest fell. Egg rolled and cracked.

    “Too soon,” said Turtle.

    Cuddle-a-tuck, Rock-a-bye

    “Mine!” said Snake.

    “Not this one,” said Turtle.

    “Mine!” Said Skink.

    “Not this one,” Said Turtle.

    “Mine!” Said Platypus.

    “Not this one.” Said Turtle.

    “Ours,” said Albatross.

    “Yes…this one, ours.”

    Liked by 3 people

  5. More.
    By Kristina Castillo

    Two quarters clank and rattle in my pocket.
    A soda?
    A cone?
    A candy bar?
    I wish two quarters would buy more.
    I’ll save them for another day.
    A day when I’ll have four.
    But then I see someone who could use two quarters more.

    Liked by 3 people

  6. I’m Ornery.
    Don’t know why they call me that.
    I’m all smiles. See?
    Sure, I get cranky. Every buffalo does.
    Prairie dogs crack me up.
    So do grasshoppers.
    Maybe it’s because I get an itch in my hide.
    After a dust bath…
    I’m all smiles.
    See?

    Liked by 3 people

  7. Who’s a Little Dog..
    By Tracy Scaglione

    Who’s a little dog who’s brown and short?
    Who’s a little dog who’ll chase for sport?
    Who’s a little dog that’s short and sweet?
    Who’s a little dog who can’t be beat?
    Who’s a little dog who likes to run?
    Who’s a little dog who has some fun?
    Who’s a little dog who bites my toe?
    Who’s a little dog who wants to go?
    Who’s a little dog who licks my face?
    Who’s a little dog who loves to race?
    Who’s a little dog who steals my food?
    Who’s a little dog who can be rude?
    Who’s a little dog who barks out loud?
    Who’s a little dog who makes me proud?

    Liked by 3 people

  8. Baby One Hundred

    by Christine Rodenbour

    “Baby one hundred,” announced the doctor as he handed me off. “I suspect he’ll be extraordinary.”

    “A preacher,” said the nurse.

    “Pilot,” said Dad.

    “The President,” said Mom!

    “Nope,” I said.

    Everyone gasped.

    “I’m going to be an alien.”

    And that’s exactly what happened. Which I thought was pretty extraordinary.

    Liked by 5 people

  9. Don’t Change

    You be you,
    and I’ll be me.
    We can’t change who we’re meant to be.
    White, brown, yellow, red,
    Stick straight hair or a curly head!
    Indoor kid, outdoor kid,
    quiet or loud,
    be yourself,
    be proud!
    Short, tall
    Big, small
    Let’s pinky swear
    to love us all.

    Liked by 3 people

  10. Hi all! Maria Bostian here and this is my #50PreciousWords Story:

    How to Pick a Pet

    1. Create a list of 199 options.
    2. Cross off ones with drippy fangs, sharp claws, and enormous appetites.
    3. Cut any that can’t be bathed in your bathtub.
    4. Visit the shelter. See every animal at least twice.
    5. Pet the pups, kiss the kittens, and hug the hamsters.
    6. Mr. Turtle for the win!

    Liked by 4 people

  12. I hope the grandchildren appreciate their whimsical grandpa. Thanks so much for playing along with so many stories, Tanya. YOU are a Ninja when it comes to turning out #50PreciousWords!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. This is my first time participating, so I hope I’m doing this right! Thank you for this amazing opportunity! So much fun reading everyone’s stories. Such incredible, creative people in this community. Here’s mine:

    THE TOUGHEST JOB (50 words!)
    By Rebecca Gardyn Levington

    Love rises early, grabs his checklist.
    He inspects each chain, each gear,
    each ding and dent.
    “Low fuel!”
    Not good, Love thinks.
    He cuffs his sleeves.
    He breathes.
    “I can.”
    With willful strength, Love cranks
    the stubborn wheel inside Earth’s core.
    And the world spins ‘round for
    one more day.

    Liked by 4 people

  15. Thinking of writing a story about this phenomena, thanks Vivian!

    THE THAW
    by Eileen M. Washburn

    While groundhog slept
    and bear snoozed
    woolly-bear thawed her Halloween fur
    in the golden sun of
    this unusually warm January moment
    while trudging over gritty sidewalk
    through not-yet-crimson clover
    on her way to somewhere
    before the re-freeze from the approaching storm.
    Her presence? Quiescence.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. I love your brilliant imagery, Laurie. Wonderful rhythm to your story and the rhyme is excellent. And I enjoyed being taken through Anita-Alexa’s entire day, from morning till night. Well done!

    Like

    • Thank you Vivian. I don’t often write in rhyme- but I had the first 2 lines floating in my head for almost a year. It was nice to see where it went! Every time I read it out loud my “ALEXA” started glowing and playing music! LOL. What a delight to be here!

      Like

  17. I’m posting this entry for Leigh Anne Carter

    The Great Mango Escape (49 words)

    by Leigh Anne Carter

    Mango was caught.

    It tried to fall, bounce, and roll away.

    But Mango was re-caught.

    “How can I escape?”

    Mango tried to look rotten.

    Didn’t work.

    “Doesn’t everybody else look tastier than me?”

    Didn’t work.

    Mango needed a better idea!

    Mango turned into a Brussels sprout.

    “All is well!”

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Reading Together (50 words)
    by Geoffrey Hyatt

    “Mommy, what is on your phone?”
    “It’s…facebook…it’s, well, it’s nothing, dear.”
    “Why are you looking at it?”
    “I…don’t know. I’m sorry. Let’s read. Pick something.”
    Reading, snuggling, laughing, smiling.
    “…the end. What did you think?”
    “Mommy, I don’t like your facebook, but I love your book face!”

    Liked by 4 people

    • You’ve put your finger on a big problem in the world today, Geoffrey. There is such a disconnect with so many people head down fingers furiously tip tapping. I love the child’s observations…and book face is priceless! Nicely done!

      Like

  19. Thank you so much Vivian Kirkfield, writer for children. This is a delightful challenge. So grateful.

    No Squirrels!

    It is a fine Spring day.

    The backyard fountain burbles.

    Hummingbird hovers.

    Goldfinch perches on the edge and sips.

    Wren splashes and fluffs.

    Dog lazes.

    Squirrel creeps close. Her tail twitches.

    WHOA! No squirrels!
    Dog leaps up and gives chase.

    Squirrel escapes.

    Job done, Dog lies down.

    The sun shines.

    Liked by 4 people

    • Ahh! A lovely spring day! I can sense everything you described, and it makes me anxious for spring’s arrival. (even more so since we’re awaiting the arrival of a nor’easter and 12″ of snow!) Good job!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Yes, I see they’ve already closed most of the schools around here in Southern NH. Good thing I don’t have to go out tomorrow. I’ll be home, reading these wonderful stories. 😉

        Like

    • I’m so glad you joined in the fun with your lovely story, Stephanie. I enjoyed all of the animal action. You started us with the peaceful scene and then the drama built. Well done!

      Like

  20. Entry removed as per request of author – sending positive vibes for this funny story to find a good home!

    Liked by 4 people

    • I love how universally relatable this tale is. I can feel every bit of it: the ease, the shock, the hustle and the sweet success. It’s all here. No sweat! Funny.

      Good luck!

      Like

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