#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. Rain, Rain, Go Away (50 words)
    by Arlene Schenker

    Rain, rain, go away, we want to go outside to play.
    Can’t ride our bikes when the street’s all wet.
    But we can jump in the puddles and make a big splash,
    And when it starts thundering make a mad dash.
    No reason to pout if the sun isn’t out!

    Liked by 8 people

  3. Such a nifty idea—thanks for the opportunity to contribute!

    *****

    “Syrup Season” board book
    By: Jessica Southwick
    43 words

    The wind goes whoosh! whoosh! whoosh! through the trees.

    The drops go plink! plink! plink! in the bucket.

    The sap goes bubble! bubble! bubble! in the vat.

    The syrup goes drip! drip! drip! on the pancakes.

    We all say yum! yum! yum! together.

    Liked by 11 people

    • Nice job with getting the word count so low and keeping the repetition that little ones will love. We used to have 3 huge maples in our yard in CT when our kids were growing up and several years, we tapped them. I actually ruined a Jefferson Pine kitchen table and chairs because I boiled sap inside on the stove for hours and hours and hours…and the humidity took the varnish off the furniture.
      But the maple syrup was delicious and we gave bottles of it for Christmas presents that year. 🙂
      I’m so glad you shared your story, Jessica!

      Liked by 1 person

      • Thanks, Vivian! I, too, grew up tapping the maples on the family farm (Maple Hill Farm, appropriately, enough). There is nothing like the smell of the steam coming off those evaporator pans.

        And, while I feel the pain of your unvarnished furniture, it makes for a fantastic story! I can picture it, clearly. (I’ll bet your syrup was absolutely scrumptious.)

        Like

  4. Petal and Wing (50)

    Golden sun shines down
    Flowers open up
    Buzzy bees come to visit
    They hover, then hug their floral friends
    Pretty petals and Wavering wings

    Bees fly Home Sweet Home
    To their humming hive

    I spread honey on my toast
    Sweet syrup of bee and blossom
    Golden sunshine on my bread

    Liked by 12 people

  5. Manatee
    by Doreen Lepore

    Swimming slowly, just under the surface, the algae covered sea cow looks for food.

    Her large body casting a shadow on the river bed let the silvery fish know she’s passing by.

    Surfacing for air while she waits for her calf to join her, she spots her sea grass breakfast

    Liked by 13 people

  6. Rebekah Lowell
    lyrical nonfiction
    word count: 50

    MONARCH

    I emerge,
    crawl,
    and nibble
    milkweed.

    I molt,
    and grow
    on the leaves

    until

    I spin a silk anchor
    to grasp
    while I change,
    upside down,
    into a quiet cloak—
    my chysralis,
    where I wait.

    Outside
    I look still,
    but inside,
    I’m lacing together,
    into something new.

    I emerge.

    Liked by 16 people

  7. Hello Lindsay…thank you so much for joining in the fun! I love your story…a tiny dragon…oh my…and you have us right in the palm of your hand with the action and tension and…then he SOARS! YAY! Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Wow! Thank you for your positive words, Ms. Kirkfield. You are doing an amazing thing for the kidlit community. Thanks for creating opportunities and lifting us all up with such positivity and inspiration.

      Like

  8. The train whistle bellowed louder, as it approached the tunnel. But Brady

    couldn’t hear it with his headphones on.

    Faster, faster it sped. Brady tapped to the music playing in his head.

    Finally he felt the rumble. He pressed himself flat to the tracks. Safe. Head on. Headphones gone.

    Liked by 10 people

  9. Just a plain plane (48 words)

    ‘I’d like to buy a plane, please.’
    ‘What kind of plane?’
    ‘Just a plain plane.’

    ‘Red? Blue? Old? New?’
    ‘Just a plain plane.’

    ‘Yellow? Green? Dirty? Clean?’
    ‘Just a plain plane.’

    ‘Black? White? Left or right?’
    ‘Yes! The right plane!
    This is the right plane.
    I’ll take it.’

    Liked by 17 people

  10. THEODOR

    This is Theodor
    Theodor loves to draw
    He doesn’t climb
    But sure can rhyme

    Oh the rhymes he can rhyme
    They’re sublime every time
    And the draws he can draw
    You just cannot ignore

    Read more, see more
    Rhyme more, draw more
    Rhyme AND draw more
    Be like Theodor

    ****
    Thanks again Vivian and fellow kidlit enthusiasts.

    This entry is also posted on my Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/PictureBkSerge/posts/166635550654288

    Liked by 13 people

  12. Are you sure you are a newbie, Tanya? Again I see a great sense of humor here…and lots of alliteration. I wonder what Paws will do with the $10? 🙂 And thank you so much for joining in the #50PreciousWords fun!

    Liked by 1 person

  13. I can see you are the kind of person who jumps in with her whole heart…thank you for working so hard on so many stories for the challenge, Tanya. It’s a great writing exercise in making every word count. And you definitely did! You managed to give Sammy a great personality in only 50 words! Well done!

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Oh, poor Martin. I hope there is something good to eat in Desertland…or perhaps the Martians will fix his GPS. 😉 i like how you played off the two words…dessert and desert, Tanya.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Thanks for the opportunity, Vivian! And good luck to everyone!

    **********************

    If I Ever Get Lost

    by Francis S. Poesy (aka Tim Canny)
    (50 Words)

    Mom said, if I ever get lost,
    I should stay put.
    Look around for her.
    Ask another mom for help.
    Look for a police officer.
    But nobody is up here.
    Maybe she went downstairs.
    When I find her I’m going to tell her,
    this new house is just too big.

    Liked by 18 people

  17. It seems only fair for me to follow Vivian’s lead and also post my attempt at a 50 word story with a beginning, a middle, and an end. [ https://www.mariacmarshall.com/single-post/2018/03/02/50-Precious-Words—The-Cousins-Visit%5D

    The Cousins’ Visit (49 words)

    When she heard her cousins were visiting,
    Abigail practiced badminton, croquet, darts,
    eight-ball, fencing, golf, hang gliding, iaido,
    judo, kendo, lacrosse, mountain biking,
    Nordic skiing, orienteering, paddleboarding,
    quoits, rowing, scuba diving, tennis, ultimate frisbee,
    volleyball, weightlifting, xare, yoga, and ziplining.
    Finally, she was ready for their four-day movie marathon. 

    Liked by 17 people

    • So much fun, Maria~ As if you needed more to do with all you are already doing by reading and commenting on all the stories.
      I’ll join Abigail for the movie marathon, for sure. Thank you, dear friend!

      Like

    • Funny! I like the surprising ending. I’m sure she was exhausted and ready for a movie marathon after all that!

      Like

  18. My Dragon

    By Akilah Picou

    (48 words)

    My dragon ate a lemon from Aunt Lenora’s tree.

    Chomp. Chew. Chomp.

    “Don’t!” I warned.

    Too late.

    My dragon was delighted with the sweet and sour supper.

    She plucked and picked until the tree was bare.

    And now instead of toasting tasty treats, she’s got the perfect pucker.

    Liked by 17 people

  19. Hurray! Thanks for another round of #50PreciousWords, Vivian!

    The Daffodil
    By Sara Gentry
    (50 words)

    Brave bulb buried,
    enduring winter’s siege of snow and icy blasts,
    waiting.

    Memories filled with sweet fragrance,
    warm breezes,
    buzzing bees,
    and green.

    Hopeful thoughts to combat cold’s bleakness.

    Waiting.

    Earth relaxes its frozen grip.
    Fragile shoots stretch, grabbing sunlight,
    growing stronger every day
    into a golden burst trumpeting spring.

    Liked by 14 people

  20. Wow so many fantastic #50preciouswords have been submitted already!!Thanks Vivian, for providing us with this opportunity to put our writing hats on and get busy!!!

    So here are my #50!!!

    A Fantastic Farm of Color and Charm

    We went to visit a farm one day! We saw…

    Big brown cow driving a plow

    Pretty pink pig wearing a yellow wig

    Bright red hen dancing in her pen

    Feathery white duck riding in a truck

    Fluffy yellow chick eating popcorn on a stick!

    What will you see….?

    Liked by 11 people

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