#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!!”

  3. Patty Sat On A Mat With Cat (50 words)

    Patty sat on a mat with cat.
    Until he spied a big fat rat.
    He raced around the little house.
    He also spied a small brown mouse.
    Patty stood upon a chair
    Cat chased rodents with great care.
    Eventually he made them scat.
    Patty sat on a mat with cat.

    Liked by 10 people

  4. Pingback: The Ant and the Inchworm – Living In the Corner of a Vortex

  6. The Ant and the Inchworm – Vicki Hammond

    Ant went for a walk.
    He met Inchworm.

    “Pardon me,” Ant said,
    “I need to get by.”
    “Me, too,” replied Inchworm.

    They stood and stared.

    Finally, Ant said,
    “If you will move an inch to the right,
    I will move too.”

    Inchworm moved right.
    Ant went on his way.

    also posted on my blog
    willowwritesweb.wordpress.com/2018/03/02/the-ant-and-the-inchworm/

    Liked by 14 people

  7. Such fun writing these fifty words. Thanks, Vivian, Maria and Julie! And thanks to Vicky Fang for the great art!

    Ribbon’s Adventure

    Ribbon’s home is a drawer.
    Squashed, she imagines adventures:
    parties, parades and presents.

    One day, the drawer opens.
    Ribbon soars skyward
    tied to rainbow balloons.

    Dancing, dabbing, dipping,
    silvery and speckled,
    Ribbon’s the life of the party!

    Untangled. Unbroken. Undone.
    When the drawer closes,
    Ribbon is glad to be home.

    Copyright 2018 Brenda Davis Harsham

    Liked by 17 people

  8. IMPATIENT PATIENCE
    by Chris M. Regier

    The hay field was empty.
    “Hey.” Patience bleated.
    They’d been robbed!
    “Hey!” Patience bellered.
    Anxious to alert the farmer, she didn’t notice the bale wagon disappearing into the barn.
    “HEY!” Patience bawled.
    All.
    Day.
    Long.
    Hoarse and hungry, she finally trudged home.
    Into a barn bursting with wispy, wonderful…
    “Hay!”

    Liked by 15 people

  9. Murphy vs the Gophers by Elizabeth Saxton

    Gophers invaded Murphy’s doghouse. He tried to growl them out. He tried to yowl them out. He snuck a plate of beans and tried to foul them out. Nothing worked. Finally, he dug up his treasures and paid an expert. Kitty 1. Gophers 0.

    Liked by 15 people

  10. WHO WE ARE

    I’m Bee and I use she.

    I’m Lee and I use he.

    I’m Jay and I use they.

    We’re all free to laugh and play.

    Friends forever, friends for fun,

    we have love for everyone.

    With new thoughts of who we are,

    we’re changing things both near and far.

    Liked by 11 people

  11. Fiona Finds a Friend (50 words)

    When Fiona flicked her ball over the fence, she knew she wouldn’t get it back in one piece.

    MUNCH

    CRUNCH

    TEAR

    CHEW

    But there was nothing else to play with.
    She peered over the fence.

    Pieces.
    Everywhere.

    Pieces in a puppy’s mouth.
    Now she has a friend to play with!

    Liked by 11 people

  12. The Land of Lost Socks
    By Anne Lipton
    50 words

    Jane pawed through socks,
    not finding a pair,
    She cleaned up her room,
    then slept like a bear.

    Jane became trapped
    in the Land of Lost Socks,
    till her thoughts wandered
    outside the box.

    Jane arched her back
    and lifted her head,
    then followed her cat
    to his sock-piled bed.

    Liked by 12 people

    • I totally can’t believe how many cat stories there are, Ann! LOVE this lost sock one…wish I had a cat…then I’d know where my missing socks were. 😉 Thanks so much for joining in the fun!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Thank you for the kind words and the contest, Vivian! You rock.The opportunity and prizes are amazing.

        Putting on my behavioral neurologist hat, my theory about the preponderance of feline-focused entries this year is that “cat” is the first association most people make with Dr. Seuss. I set out to write a story about lost socks, but a cat stole the show—as well as the socks.

        I really enjoyed your scintillating and creative story about the sun, moon, and stars, too, and I wonder what inspired your tale. Your weekly cookie and craft projects? (Cookies often remind me of the moon.) Or Game of Thrones, perchance?

        All the glitter to you for being such a champion and supporter of other writers. You are a star in the firmament.

        Liked by 2 people

  13. A Day in the Park for Little One

    Sun shines bright.
    Hello, Sun.

    Teeter-totter goes up and down.
    Silly, teeter-totter.

    Swing goes back and forth.
    Giggly, swing..

    Dog barks loudly.
    Hush, Dog!

    Squirrel scurried up a tree.
    Go, Squirrel!

    Popsicle melts everywhere.
    Messy popsicle.

    Tummy growls, time to go.
    Goodbye, Park.

    Liked by 12 people

  15. Nice narrative here! It’s a great story about learning and growing and coming to appreciate things you were scared of.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. I like the humor here, and the fun lesson in the difference between desert and dessert! It’s amazing what you can do with 50 words!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. SPRING WAKE UP
    By Ann Kelley

    Under winter’s frosty bliss,
    Springtime sneaks a teasing kiss.

    One ray, two rays, three rays, four,
    Sunrays warm my burrow door.

    Plink-plop, drip-drop, splash my nose.
    Pooling puddles wet my toes.

    Peek and seek above the ground.
    Robin chirps a cheery sound.

    Good-bye, Winter! Celebrate!
    Scurry through the garden gate.

    Thank you, Vivian, for hosting such a fun contest!

    Liked by 14 people

  18. Soooo. I am posting this story before I chicken out. And also, before we exceed the quota on stories about CATS. (Is it the Year of the Cat, or something?)
    Thanks to Vivian for this contest.

    CAT (50 words)
    by Christy Mihaly

    Meeeiiaaaow.

    “No messy cats inside,” warns Gramps.

    Cat follows him softly, unseen;

    patrols the corners.

    Pounce!

    Mice flee.

    “Smart Cat!” says Gramps.

    Meeeiiaaaow.

    Cat licks her paws.

    “Nice clean Cat!” says Gramps.

    Cat curls on Gramps’s lap.

    “Sweet Cat!” says Gramps.

    When nobody’s looking,

    Gramps plays catch

    with Cat.

    Meeeiiaaaow.

    Liked by 14 people

  19. BROTHER VS. SISTER by Michelle Howell Miller

    Brothers and sisters aren’t always on the same page.

    Brother builds
    Sister bulldozes

    Brother pirouettes
    Sister Kungfus

    Brother snuggles
    Sister roughhouses

    Brother giggles
    Sister shouts

    Though sometimes…

    Brother shouts
    Sister giggles

    Brother roughhouses
    Sister does too!

    Brother Kungfus
    Sister pirouettes

    Brother bulldozes
    Sister builds

    Brother and sister…
    spine to spine.

    Thank you for the challenge Vivian!

    Liked by 11 people

  20. Eyes open.
    ‘Bye bed.

    Sun peeks.

    Pants and shirt.

    Now munch,
    guzzle.
    Help tidy.

    Then
    chase,
    slide,
    twist,
    fumble,
    jumble,
    joke.

    Race,
    roll,
    skip,
    creep,
    wander.

    Glue,
    sprinkle,
    splat,
    crumple.

    Here. Chomp, chew.

    Read. Listen.
    Burrow,
    cuddle,
    nuzzle.

    Scrub. Flush.
    Pajamas,
    pants and shirt.

    Moon gazes.

    Hello bed.
    Eyes drift.

    Liked by 10 people

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