#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. Vivian you rock! Thank you for the “big” fun.
    This is a reverso -read top part for one POV. Read second part for another perspective using the same words in reverse order -just different punctuation.

    New at School: A Reverso
    by Janie Reinart

    Heads turn,
    our hearts beat together,
    staring.
    You walk in.
    Grin.
    Try to fit in.
    Longing for a friend.
    Look my way.
    “Sit with me!”

    “Sit with me?”
    Look my way.
    Longing for a friend?
    Try to fit in.
    Grin.
    You walk in,
    staring.
    Our hearts beat together.
    Heads turn.

    Liked by 19 people

  2. This was inspired by the last stanza, which my father taught us to chant while we were fishing with our bobbers.

    Fisherman’s Prayer

    Fishy, Fishy,
    swimming past,
    I am the king,
    beware my cast.

    Fishy, Fishy,
    see my worm?
    Watch him wiggle,
    a tasty squirm.

    Fishy, Fishy,
    wants to play.
    Nibble nibbles,
    then streams away.

    Fishy, Fishy,
    bite my hook.
    You be the king,
    I’ll be the cook.

    Liked by 15 people

  4. I’m A Book (50 words)

    Hi, I’m a book.

    I never break.

    I never wear out.

    I never need batteries.

    I never need wi-fi.

    I never need sleep.

    I never need food.

    I only need you.

    Open me up anytime.

    Take me anywhere.

    And if you like me, guess what,

    I have a gazillion cousins!

    Liked by 9 people

  5. REX & BILBY. AGAIN.

    “That pesky marsupial is back. Get him, Rex!”

    Rex creeps through the doggy door, sniffing for Bilby’s scent.

    Rex pounces, barking furiously.

    Bilby flees. Again.

    “Great chasing, Rex. Have a scrummy treat.”

    Disappearing under the veranda, Rex greets Bilby with a big, wet, sloppy lick and shares his reward. Again.

    ****

    This entry is also posted on my Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/PictureBkSerge/posts/166596443991532

    Thanks Vivian for setting up the challenge and the writing inspiration. Also great to read through so many other wonderful entries.

    Liked by 11 people

  6. Little Sparrow is Hungry
    by Kaye Baillie
    49 words

    Little Sparrow chirped for a crumb.
    Mama brought a crumb.

    Little Sparrow chirped for a cake.
    Mama fetched a cake.

    Little Sparrow chirped for a pie.
    A gigantic apple pie!
    Mama pushed and dragged …

    Little Sparrow chirped for Mama,
    to have first bite.
    Mama cuddled and kissed, Little Sparrow.

    Liked by 10 people

  7. Thanks for this great challenge!
    After the first few lines I realised that it could be acrostic, so I went with it 🙂

    Frosty by Louise Booker

    Frosty the bear cub cries
    Icy tears on his face
    Flying snowflakes, all is white
    The storm has hidden Mama!
    Yowling, where has she gone?

    Worried Mama hears him calling
    Out near the Grizzly’s den
    Run Mama Bear! Found him!
    Don’t wander in the storm
    Stay with Mama now, Frosty

    Liked by 10 people

  8. I love how you captured the moment when you discover that something you feared or dreaded is actually amazing. This does have lots of illustration potential and fun twist on a circular ending.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Pingback: For Writers – #50PreciousWords – Elza Kinde

  15. Such a fun challenge! Thanks Vivian for the opportunity.

    Let’s Draw a Monster (50 words)

    One boy.

    One girl.

    One paper.

    “Let’s draw a Monster!”

    “No, a fairy!”

    “Snow monster?”

    “Unicorn!”

    “Sea monster?”

    “Mermaid!
    Will we ever agree?”

    “I dunno.”

    “What’s an Idunno?”

    “I’ll show you.”

    “That’s not an Idunno, that’s a monster!!!”

    One boy.

    One girl.

    One monster… with fairy wings and a tutu.

    Liked by 14 people

  17. Michele Thorne
    50 words

    A Window Into You

    I sit,
    I watch,
    breathe it in.

    A glimpse,
    a gift,
    this window in.

    You’re present,
    you’re pleasant,
    eyes lock mine.

    Your soul,
    your spirit,
    simply divine.

    You’re quiet,
    you’re calm,
    speaking clear.

    Fleeting,
    fading,
    it disappears.

    Sitting,
    waiting,
    to see it again.

    A glimpse,
    A gift,
    that window in.

    Liked by 18 people

  18. There once was a boy,
    Named Thomas.
    During recess,
    Thomas saw some girls,
    Playing with dolls in the sandbox.

    But Thomas didn’t think
    They would let him play.
    So he just watched.

    The girls
    Saw him watching.
    So they
    Brought the dolls to him,
    And they played
    All recess long.

    Liked by 8 people

  19. COCKADOODLETOOT

    Mary Vander Plas
    45 words

    Cockadoodle TOOT!
    Rooster feasts on beans
    Up turns his beak
    When offered chicken feed.

    Lima, pinto, navy
    Lentils and legumes
    Waking up the homestead
    With Cockadoodle FUMES

    So here’s a little warning
    It’s kind of gross-not cute
    Plug your nose and listen
    For Cockadoodle TOOT!

    Liked by 18 people

      • Thank you! Sort of… I grew up on a farm and vividly remember the chickens happily pecking away at the fermented corn silage we were blowing into the silos. They honestly acted a bit tipsy. Not good material for a children’s book, so this is a different angle. I have (grown) boys who still think this particular bodily function is hilarious…always have. I was recently asking them about their favorite books as kids and Captain Underpants & The Day My Butt Went Psyco top the list. They are both Communication Arts Majors in college now so I’m happy they fell in love with reading/writing at a young age!

        Liked by 1 person

    • This is hilarious, Mary! And I love the list of beans…I can actually see this as a picture book…but definitely wouldn’t want to smell it. 😉 Thanks so much for joining the fun with your second story!

      Like

      • Thank you for your kind words and for this unique opportunity! Love all the stories 😊

        Like

    • Ha ha ha ha ha! Thank you for the fun. I giggled, and my son had to know what was so funny. He didn’t giggle, he guffawed. Thank you for brightening our day!

      Like

    • Much appreciated, Maria! Rainbow is an actual rainbow! A rainbow has 7 colors (red, blue, yellow, violet, green, indigo and orange) – each feeling/action in the story is represented by one of the seven colors, excluding the opening line and the last two lines 🙂

      Like

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