#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. I’ve been having fun reading all the entries I almost didn’t get mine posted in time. Thanks for another great year!

    Fiercest Creature of All (45 words)
    by Megan Haslem Jones

    A small, fierce creature has tricked my parents.
    They see cute and cuddly. More like smelly and strange.
    Mom says “cuddle bug.”
    Stink bug.
    Dad says “cutie.”
    Cooties.
    “Darling.”
    Disgusting.
    I wanted a dog, not this loud, demanding beast.
    “Bubba?”
    Aww! I love my Sis.

    Liked by 5 people

    • Megan what a great capture – in 45 words! – of the frustration of a new sibling (fierce, smelly creatures) and the growing bond between them. Not necessarily a surprise, but I love how you used “animal” descriptions until the final reveal! Best of Luck.

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      • Maria, thank you for the kind words. It was a great exercise to think from a child’s perspective. New babies must seems so stinky and boring, why do adults make such a fuss about them?

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    • You had me fooled till the very end, Megan. Well done…every kid will relate to this story…this could be a picture book for sure. Great comparisons with the cootie/cutie and others. These will make great side by side illustrations.

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  2. Thanks for organizing this really fun contest, Vivian! My entry is also posted on my blog: https://www.joanmaher.net/single-post/2018/03/06/50PreciousWords-Contest.

    THE LIVING BOUQUET (44 words)
    by Joan Maher

    She picked a flower for her mother.

    It wilted.

    She picked another.

    It wilted.

    So she led her mother to the garden.

    There they stood, hand in hand, watching flowers bend, bumblebees bumble, a hawk circle above, and clouds transform from rabbits into sailboats.

    Liked by 5 people

  3. Grateful for the opportunity to participate in such a fun contest. Thank you Vivian! And thank you to all the generous agents/authors/professionals for donating your talents!

    Sonia on the Slopes
    46 words
    By Debbie Day

    Sonia Snake has just one hope:
    skiing down a snowy slope.
    Creatures mock, “You’re sure to fail!”
    “You don’t have legs.” “You’ll freeze your tail!”

    But with a coat that’s anti-chill,
    Sonia climbs the snowy hill.
    Creatures, shocked, no longer laugh.
    “She’s skiing while she’s bent in half!”

    Liked by 5 people

  4. Thank you, Vivian for fun contests and connectivity to the awesome Kidlit world.

    The Farm Performance

    Cat chorused, “Mew, mew, mew.”
    Cow bellowed, “Moo, moo, moo.”
    Not a sound was heard from bird.
    Bird shivered. Bird quivered.
    Tap. Tap. Tip-a-tap tap.
    Mew.
    Moo.
    Bop-de-
    BOO!
    Tip a tap tap.
    “Music,” they shouted.
    “Cheep”! fluttered bird.
    A musical hatched.

    Liked by 5 people

  5. Shh, Little Star
    By Lily Erlic

    Shh little star
    Up in the sky

    Mama is close
    She’s nearby

    She’ll tell you a story
    And sing you a song

    Shh little star
    Sleeping all night

    Mamas here,
    To dim the lights

    And when your
    Tucked in bed

    All cozy and snug
    Then, a great big hug!

    Liked by 5 people

  6. Hi Vivian, this is my first time to enter your contest. In fact, it’s only the second contest I’ve ever entered! I’ve read all the wonderful submissions you’ve received, and the supportive comments, and decided I needed to send you an entry as well. Thanks for this great challenge!

    BABY SQUIRREL MEETS THE FEEDER by Grace Donnell
    (50 words)

    Sun is shining, gray days are gone.
    Birds are chirping at the morning dawn.

    A feeder in the tree is overflowing.
    Baby squirrel, without knowing,
    takes a leap and crashes down!
    He looks up with a big frown.

    Birds still chirping, sun still shining,
    baby squirrel goes home without dining.

    Liked by 4 people

      • This is totally fine, Grace. I am so happy you joined in the fun! I must go to sleep now…it is 2:30am…but I will read yours and the rest of the stories in the morning. 😉

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    • Oh my, poor baby squirrel…I hope his mama has some nuts for him. I love how you set the story up…setting the scene and giving us drama as baby squirrel takes a flying leap.
      I am so very thrilled you’ve joined in the fun here. One of the things I love most of all about this kidlit community is how supportive and encouraging everyone is. Welcome to #50PreciousWords, Grace…and to kidlitland…we are here to make beautiful stories to entertain, educate, and empower young children. 🙂

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      • Thank you for the warm welcome, Vivian. I read Melissa Stoller’s 3-question interview with you and enjoyed what you had to say so much that I had to look up your site. Writing is still pretty new for me so I was hesitant to enter your contest, but I saw how supportive everyone’s comments were and realized there wasn’t anything to be afraid of–I could only learn and grow as a result of the experience. I really appreciated your comments on my story. (BTW–Baby squirrel would have gotten some food courtesy of the birds because of their bad manners, if I could have used more words!) I stay entertained with the squirrels and the birds in my backyard. Thank you for being so committed to your writing, your contest, and your readers.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. HA! Oh does this have some great illustration possibilities. Echo talking about Cow? Cow faking an echo? Or something else. Reminds me of the humor in SHEEP in a JEEP. Might want to think about turning it into a PB. Good Luck.

    Like

  9. Beautiful poem, Laurie. Having camped in Arches & the Four Corners area, I love your palette and descriptions. I can just feel the desert heat. Great job. Good luck.

    Like

  11. My neighbors are too friendly
    Cheerio and cheery-me
    It’s always pother bother when they
    hop the fence for tea.
    What can I put on the trolley
    for unwelcome company?
    …
    Cookies keep them coming
    Crackers crumble in a mess
    But pickled squid might help me rid
    my home of pesky guests!

    I hope the time zone is PST 🙂

    Liked by 5 people

    • No worries about the time, Valerie…wonderful stories are always welcome here! And with time zone stuff…and internet issues that sometimes crop up, I’m happy to give some leeway to the deadline. 😉 Your story is so full of humor…I can definitely relate to it…and I love your line about the pickled squid helping to get rid of unwanted guests. Well done!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Thank you, Vivian. What a fun challenge and I am loving reading the entries here. So many wonderful story ideas!

        Like

  14. I loved this challenge – although I fear I may have missed your deadline.

    Baby Bear’s Big Day Out
    by Joan Longstaff

    Baby Bear opened his eyes
    YAAWWWNN
    stood up
    STTRREETCH
    and crept from the den.

    Baby Bear tumbled down the hill
    WEEEEE
    into a tree
    OOOOCH
    and shook off the snow.

    Baby Bear wiggled his nose
    SNIFFF
    found squirrel’s nut store
    MMMM
    and gobbled them up.

    Baby Bear twitched his ears
    GRROWWLLL
    quivered
    HOWWLLL
    and ran back to the den.

    Baby Bear snuggled up to Mummy Bear
    HUUUGGG
    closed his eyes
    YAAWWWNN
    and snoozed until Spring.

    Liked by 5 people

    • No worries, Joan…a great story is always welcome. I loved your circular tale…bringing Baby Bear back to his den to sleep again. And your sound words were perfectly placed…this has pb potential…lots of illustration opportunity…Nicely done!

      Like

      • Thank you for the kind words Vivian. It was such a great challenge and I enjoyed participating! Please could you take this story down now as I am thinking of submitting it to an agent (maybe with a few tweaks). Thanks in advance.

        Like

  16. Little Bird’s Wish

    Bird wanted to be a bee.

    She loved their buzzing in the tree.

    She tried to buzz but only could hum,

    She wanted to be just like them.

    She tried to be a pollen collector,

    Instead she drank nectar.

    Perhaps, I am no bee.

    A hummingbird, that must be me!

    Liked by 3 people

  17. Pingback: 50 Precious Words Writing Challenge – Dear Heart

  18. Posting this entry for Lynn Davidson.

    When my daughter was four years old, she played this game with me and I never forgot it.

    HELLO ME! by Lynn Davidson (50 words)

    I peek around the corner. The floor creaks. Mama turns to see who is there. I stick out my hand.
    “Hello hand!” says Mama.
    “Hello foot!”
    “Hello other hand.”
    “Hello other foot.”
    I jump out.
    “Hello ME!” I shout.
    “Oh! Hello you!” says Mama as she hugs me tight
    .

    Liked by 3 people

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