#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. Pingback: Ribbon for #50PreciousWords | Friendly Fairy Tales

  2. Here is mine….

    “IIIII bbbyyyyyeeee you.” Sadey squeezes out the words.

    “I bye you?” Sadey’s mom doesn’t understand.

    “IIIII bbbyyyyyeeee you.” Sadey repeats.

    “Sadey, I still don’t understand.” Mom explains.

    “IIIIII bbbyyyllloooovvvveee you.” Sadey says slowly.

    Mom nods. “Sadey, I buy you every day.”

    Liked by 9 people

  3. Oooooh! Good one, Amanda. Love the perception of the puddle. Creative woman. I’d love to see your artwork that goes with it!! v-

    Like

  4. Spring
    Rhonda Leet

    My winter coat is finally off, I am lighter.

    I graze a newly green pasture.

    I will grow a new coat for the coming winter.

    My wool is spun to warm others.

    Mittens, hats, and scarves it will make.

    I share my wool with the world.

    Who am I?

    Liked by 8 people

  5. Happy Birthday

    Read his quirky book
    Curled up in a nook.
    Underneath the little bed,
    Quietly. Watch your head!

    You’re little. Ah, a bigger brother,
    You say one line.
    He, the other.

    Smile big. Mouth wide.
    Shake your head. Side to side.
    Eyes big. Tongue loose.
    Thank you, thank you, Dr. Seuss!

    Tina Hudak 2018

    Liked by 7 people

  6. Chicken’s Baby (50 words)

    Chicken waited for her egg to hatch. She saw Henrietta’s hatch; cute, fluffy and sweet.

    Chicken was anxious to see her baby’s cute yellow feathers, soft and downy.

    Shake, crack, pop.

    Chicken’s baby hatches.

    Wait, green skin, hard shell?

    You’re not a chicken.

    I still love you, my baby turtle.

    Liked by 9 people

  7. The Dinosaur Picnic (50 words)

    One spring day,
    During May,
    Dinofamilies gathered to play.

    Steggy, a plant-eating dinosaur,
    Exclaimed, “I am an herbivore.”

    Triceratops used his horn,
    To roast some yellow dinocorn.

    Baby Rex from his highchair seat,
    Cried, “We’re carnivores, we only eat meat!”

    Dinotag with dinofriends,
    All wished the day would never end.

    Liked by 7 people

  8. Hi Vivian. Thank you for creating a fun contest. My title may look odd but it does have parentheses. It is not a typo…LOL Here it is:

    Univers(al) by Nadine Poper

    Oriole on my new shiny swing set
    Pigeon on her rusty squeaky one
    Marsh wren singing sweetly in the reeds beside my backyard pond
    Starling foraging garbage in busted concrete at her curbside trash pile
    Hummingbird in my nearby park
    Hummingbird in hers as well
    Where we jump rope together.

    Liked by 5 people

      • I teach in a high poverty, high crime city school and wanted to write about the little girls or boys who don’t have all the comforts and pleasantries that other children have BUT nature and friendship show no boundaries.

        Like

        • Nadine, you succeeded. The last line made it clear to me and a second read showed me the contrasts. This would be wonderful with illustrations. Wonder if you can think of a few other birds & expand it for a PB? Best of Luck.

          Like

  9. RAINING PICKLES (50 words)

    Wake up. Loud sound.
    Dark green sky.
    Pickles raining
    from up high!

    Pickles piling
    in the street.
    Pickles squishing
    under feet.

    Parents staring
    at the sight.
    Children playing.
    Pickle fight!

    Pickles wafting
    on the breeze.
    Pickles deeper
    than your knees.

    Pickles rolling
    to the shore.
    Floating pickles.
    Now no more.

    Liked by 7 people

  10. Pingback: My#50preciouswords | libraryinspirations

  11. Such a fun contest Vivian, thank you for organising. Here’s my tiny story:

    My Invisible Friend
    49 words by Hazel Knox

    I have a friend called Cooper.
    Daddy couldn’t see him. But then Cooper got lost.
    Daddy said Cooper was on the couch, but he wasn’t.
    Daddy said I should sleep with Bear, but I couldn’t.
    We looked everywhere. When Daddy looked as hard as me he found my friend.

    Liked by 6 people

  12. BE LIKE A CHILD
    Deborah Weed

    I eat chocolate cake
    With just my face

    Headfirst
    Gooey frosting
    Up my nose

    I take a big bite
    It tastes like love

    Everyone sings joy
    Because it’s my
    Happy first birthday

    Daddy says, “make a wish.”

    I wish…
    I never have to use a fork

    Liked by 9 people

  13. Pingback: Cossette the Climber: Short Story Entry in Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words Contest – Cynthia Mackey

  14. Cossette the Climber by Cynthia Mackey

    “Where’s Cossette?” asks Daddy.

    She scales the fridge.

    Playpen prison.

    She pouts like a puppy…

    Freedom!

    Cossette scrambles up tiny tree.

    Back to jail.

    She cries like a kitten…

    Daddy doesn’t notice.

    Cossette clambers out;

    gathers bits of wood…

    Measure. Saw. Hammer. Tap.

    Cossette and Daddy construct a…

    Climbing Wall!

    https://authorcynthiamackey.com

    Liked by 6 people

  15. Hello, world
    by Erin Ball

    in the warm dark
    two hearts thump-thumped.
    small eyes blinked
    their first time

    and spied a bead of light peeking

    a wet nose nestled,
    then nudged.

    soft steps tiptoed toward
    the spotlight
    growing brighter and w i d e r ,

    opening smells and sights.

    little heart thump-thumped?
    big heart thump-thumped.

    jump

    Hello, world.

    Liked by 8 people

  16. The Carnival (50 words)

    By Jim Chaize

    William aimed and threw.

    “That’s a winner!”

    “A giant lollipop, please.”

    William opened wide, wedged it in.

    But couldn’t wiggle it out.

    Fear pounced.

    DING!

    The strongman!

    William ran.

    Instead, a strongwoman flexed.

    “Pease hep,” William mumbled.

    She yanked.

    Muscles swelled.

    The lollipop popped out.

    A cheer erupted.

    “Thank you.”

    Liked by 8 people

  18. During my nightly story a plump spider crept up my book.
    I went to
    swipe left…… wait, wait!
    Slinking closer, it hovered over the word
    EIGHT
    Did she mean ate?
    Ate my most hated mosquitoes?
    Spiders munch them like Doritos.
    Thank you for your eating.
    We kept on reading.

    Liked by 5 people

  19. Spider spins her web,

    A magnificent display.

    Delicate and fragile,

    yet strong in every way.

    She doesn’t get discouraged

    when her web gets knocked down.

    She builds it right back up again,

    and doesn’t even frown.

    She weaves and spins all day.

    Waiting, watching patiently,

    She finally gets her prey.

    By: Sherry Fellores

    Liked by 8 people

  20. BOOGIE BOARDING
    by Mary Warth (50 words)

    Waves crash around me,
    salty, sparkly, wet.
    My board feels the pull.
    But I’m not ready yet.

    Tide’s getting higher,
    big waves rolling past.
    Reach, push off, paddle.
    I’m surfing, flying fast!

    Gripping, shifting, turn,
    slicing through the sea.
    Ride up on the shore.
    No wave’s a match for me!

    Liked by 7 people

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