VIVIAN KIRKFIELD – Writer for Children

Picture Books Help Kids Soar

VIVIAN KIRKFIELD – Writer for Children

The 2019 #50PreciousWords Writing Contest

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Strike up the band! Sharpen your pencils! It’s time to show the world that:

MAGIC HAPPENS WHEN YOU MAKE EVERY WORD COUNT

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Today is the day, dear friends! Ready! Set! Go!

The #50PreciousWords 2019 Writing Contest 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 three 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. To answer that challenge, Seuss wrote Green Eggs and Ham. 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! The next year, there were 253 entries. And last year, there were 298.

To backtrack a bit, 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. IMPORTANT: 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. But no matter how many other places you want to post your story, make sure at least one of those places is in the comment section of this blog post…and please make sure you put your name in the post because some of you have very creative emails/avatar names and I won’t know who you are. 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 Wednesday, March 6, at 11:59pm. And if you plan to ask me to post it for you, please send it at least the day before.
  7. As many of you know, I am in New Zealand right at this moment on a round the world trip of a life-time. I am hoping to announce the winners on March 16th, but I ask for your patience and understanding in case something comes up and it doesn’t happen that day. Also, although I will be posting the winners on March 16th,  I won’t start awarding the prizes until after I return home, on April 8th. But believe me, these prizes will be worth the wait! 
  8.  When I do start contacting the winners, 1st place will choose whichever prize he/she wants. Then I will contact 2nd place with the remaining prizes to choose from. And so on down the line. And here, for your dining and dancing pleasure are the wonderful prizes.

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  • A seat in Susanna Leonard Hill’s MAKING PICTURE BOOK MAGIC: This is the first picture book writing class I took in February 2014..it was a stellar foundation and it has served me well. Susanna is an amazing mentor and a seat in her class can be life-changing!

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  • A complimentary viewing of Alayne Kaye Christan’s latest webinar: Top Ten Reason’s for Rejections.  
    If you want tips on some corrective action that you might take to improve your chances of submission success, and/or if you would like to deepen your understanding of plot and arc, this webinar is for you.

    http://www.alaynekaychristian.com/

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Alayne Kay Christian is the content and developmental editor for Blue Whale Press and an award-winning children’s book author. She is the creator and teacher of a picture book writing course, Art of Arc. She has been a professional picture book and chapter book critique writer since 2014. And worked as a critique ninja for Julie Hedlund’s 12 X 12 for three years. Alayne is a graduate of the Institute for Children’s Literature and she has spent the last eleven years studying under some of the top names in children’s literature.

 

  • Picture Book manuscript critique from author Lindsay Metcalf

lindsay h. metcalf (credit anna jackson)Photo courtesy: Anna Jackson Photography

Lindsay H. Metcalf is a children’s author, poet, reporter, and former editor for The Kansas City Star. She will debut with two nonfiction picture books in 2020. In the fall of that year, Charlesbridge will release Taking the Mic: Fourteen Young Americans Making History, a poetic anthology co-edited by Lindsay, Jeanette Bradley, and Keila V. Dawson, and illustrated by Bradley. It features fourteen contemporary young activists, each spotlighted by a well-known poet. Subjects include literacy activist Marley Dias, water protector Jasilyn Charger, Scout for Equality founder Zach Wahls, and immigration reformer Viridiana Sanchez Santos. Contributors include Nikki Grimes, Joseph Bruchac, Lesléa Newman, and Guadalupe García McCall. Details about Lindsay’s second nonfiction picture book will be forthcoming. To learn more about her books and paid critique services, please reach out on lindsayhmetcalf.com or on Twitter @lindsayhmetcalf.

 

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Melissa Stoller is the author of the chapter book series The Enchanted Snow Globe Collection – Book One: Return to Coney Island and Book Two: The Liberty Bell Train Ride (Clear Fork Publishing, 2017 and 2019); and the picture books Scarlet’s Magic Paintbrush and Ready, Set, GOrilla! (Clear Fork, 2018). Upcoming releases include Return of the Magic Paintbrush and Sadie’s Shabbat Stories (Clear Fork, 2019). She is also the co-author of The Parent-Child Book Club: Connecting With Your Kids Through Reading (HorizonLine Publishing, 2009). Melissa is an Assistant and Blogger for the Children’s Book Academy, a Regional Ambassador for The Chapter Book Challenge, a Moderator for The Debut Picture Book Study Group, and a volunteer with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators/MetroNY. Melissa has worked as a lawyer, legal writing instructor, freelance writer and editor, and early childhood educator. Additionally, she is a member of the Board of Trustees at The Hewitt School and at Temple Shaaray Tefila. Melissa lives in New York City with her husband, three daughters, and one puppy.

www.MelissaStoller.com

www.MelissaStoller.com/blog

http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller

http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller

http://www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller

http://www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller

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Born and raised in the Midwest, Amber Hendricks grew up reading everything she could get her hands on- including the morning cereal boxes. That passion melded into writing, and by the age of 11 she was writing and binding her own “books”.  Amber is the author of Sophie and Little Star (Clearfork/Spork 2018) and two yet to be announced picture books.  Amber has worn many hats in her career : Army wife, Mother, Visual Merchandiser, Certified Pharmacy Technician, and most recently, Childcare Professional.  But she has always circled back to her first love of telling stories.  Amber currently resides in Missouri with her husband and two children.

https://twitter.com/ashayhen

  • Picture Book manuscript critique from author Sherry Howard.

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Sherry Howard lives in Middletown, Kentucky, in a household busy with kids and pets. She worked as an educator, and now has the luxury of writing full time. Her debut picture, Rock and Roll Woods, released in October, 2018. And her middle grade NF, Deep Sea Divers, just released. She has quite a few books in the pipeline for publication soon.

Sherry Howard | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 Meet Kuda and Rock and Roll Woods here.

Deep Sea Divers

Julie Abery

Mother. Writer. Teacher of the very young. I live in Switzerland with my partner and Tilly, the Springer Spaniel.

I ❤️ my job (it’s not every day you get to be an honorary five year old!)

I ❤️ chocolate  (I live in Switzerland after all!)

I ❤️  walking the dog (well, I did eat all the chocolate!)

I ❤️  picture books!

If you would like to learn more about me, please visit

http://www.stormliteraryagency.com/our-authors-and-artists/

  • Picture book critique from author Tina Cho.

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Tina Cho is the author of four picture books– Rice from Heaven: The Secret Mission to Feed North Koreans (Little Bee Books/Bonnier Publishing August 2018), Korean Celebrations (forthcoming Tuttle 2019), Breakfast with Jesus (forthcoming Harvest House 2020), and a new sale yet to be announced. Although she grew up and taught in the United States, she currently lives in South Korea with her husband and two children while teaching at an international school.

The Girls Guide to Manners

www.tinamcho.com

 

  • Picture book critique from author Carrie Finison.

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Carrie Finison began her literary career at the age of seven with an idea, a box of markers, and her father’s typewriter. She has been writing off and on ever since, though she has (somewhat regretfully) traded in the typewriter for a laptop. Her poems and stories for children have appeared in Babybug, Ladybug, High Five, and Highlights magazines, and her debut picture book,DOZENS OF DOUGHNUTS, illustrated by Brianne Farley, will be published by Putnam in 2020. She lives outside Boston with her husband, son, daughter, and two cats who permit her to write in their cozy attic office. Find her online atwww.carriefinison.com or on Twitter @CarrieFinson.

  • Picture book critique from Maria Marshall

Maria Marshall photos

Maria is a children’s author, blogger, and poet passionate about making nature fun for children. She was a round 2 judge for the 2018 & 2017 Cybils Awards. And a judge for the #50PreciousWords competition since its inception. Two of her poems are published in The Best Of Today’s Little Ditty 2016 and 2014-2015 anthologies. She is the parent of two amazing adults and lives in the Pacific Northwest with two Pixie Bob cats. When not writing, critiquing, or reading, she bird watches, travels the world, bakes, and hikes. The Picture Book Buzz

 

Website  Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

 

  • Signed copy of book by Laura Sassi

laura sassi

Laura Sassi has a passion for telling stories in prose and rhyme.  Her picture books include  GOODNIGHT, MANGER (Zonderkidz, 2015), GOODNIGHT, ARK (Zonderkidz, 2014), DIVA DELORES AND THE OPERA HOUSE MOUSE (Sterling, 2018) and LOVE IS KIND (Zonderkidz, 2018). She lives in New Jersey with her husband, two children, and a black Cockapoo named Sophie. She is represented by Lara Perkins of the Andrea Brown Literary Agency and you can learn more about her and her books at https://laurasassitales.wordpress.com/

  • Signed copy of THE MASTERPIECE by Shelley Kinder

The Masterpiece - cover image

Shelley lives in Indiana with her family and loves writing for little people. Not So Scary Jerry (2017) was her first picture book. The Masterpiece (2018) is her second. Its original version got eleventh place in Vivian’s #50PreciousWords Contest in 2016

www.ShelleyKinder.com

 

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, Julie Abery, and Diane Tulloch who will be helping me read and comment.

Last year there were almost 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 could definitely learn something from us.

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. I hang my head in shame because I am using the same story I wrote for last year’s post. I hope you will forgive me, preparations for my book launches and trip did not allow me time to write a new one, but I did want to put up an example for those who haven’t participated before. And maybe it will be new to them!

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.

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Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, please email me at: viviankirkfield@gmail

I ask for your patience and understanding if I don’t get back to you right away…but please don’t stress…if you write a story and have trouble posting it, just email me. As long as your email gets to me time stamped before the contest closes, I will make sure your story is entered. Right at this moment, I am in Auckland, New Zealand, participating in library and school story times, reading FOUR OTTERS TOBOGGAN: AN ANIMAL COUNTING BOOK, PIPPA’S PASSOVER PLATE, and SWEET DREAMS, SARAH! How lucky can aa girl get???

And I am so looking forward to reading all of your precious words!

 

3,153 thoughts on “The 2019 #50PreciousWords Writing Contest”

  1. My story is here and on my blog: https://helenishmurzin.wordpress.com/2019/03/05/dinner-dinner-on-the-wall-my-50preciouswords-story/

    DINNER, DINNER ON THE WALL (50 words)
    by Helen Ishmurzin

    Dinner, dinner on the wall,
    ceiling, carpet, window, stool.

    Smeared in baby’s wispy hair,
    rice and veggies everywhere.

    Dad and Mummy scrub and clean,
    More tired than they’ve ever been.

    Baby gurgles happily,
    messy face alight with glee.

    Mum and Daddy laugh and call,
    “Who’s the cutest of them all?”

    Liked by 7 people

  3. THE QUEST (50 words)

    Milo tossed aside the mounds of library books.

    With so many hobbies, how could nothing seem right?

    His tears dampened the pickleball primer.

    His sigh lifted pages of the geocaching guide.

    He liked bits of this and pieces of that.

    Bingo!

    Way past sundown, his newfangled hobby clicked.

    Much better.

    —————————————————
    Super fun challenge. Thanks for offering this!

    I also had 50 words on my mind going into March and set up some of my PB story openings for visitors to rank, as a crowdsourcing experiment of sorts, in case anyone wants to take a look: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XYL6V22 Or email me to do an exchange. Thanks!

    Liked by 5 people

  5. The Noisy Sucker

    By Jim Chaize

    The powerful Noisy Sucker terrorized spiders.

    But when her friend was inhaled by the creature, Sis overcame her fear.

    She found the beast asleep, crept silently into its’ guts, and extracted

    Ty from a dusty trap.

    They dashed to freedom, as the Noisy Sucker roared back to life …

    VROOM!

    Liked by 6 people

    • Really cute! Love all the funny imagery. Now I’m going to think of digging in the guts of a beast every time I have to pull something out of my vacuum, haha.

      Like

    • Okay, as one who “sucks” up big spiders – especially if they move toward me, I found the POV fascinating and a tad bit sympathetic. That is an incredible feat on your part. I do hope the “dash to freedom” took them outside. Nicely done.

      Like

    • What a great story, Jim! I had to read it more than once to figure out who the Noisy Sucker was… I’ve vaccumed up many creepy crawlies…and never considered their brothers and sisters might be missing them…well done!

      Like

    • Oh heck you mean they actually crawl inside my vacumn and help each other out! That’s it, it’s a good hard shoe or a length of 3 x 2 from now on. This gave me the shivers. Great job.

      Like

  6. The Woody World
    by Sareen McLay http://www.switchthekettleonlove.com
    45 words

    Oak tree stretching up high towards the sky

    Owlet peeking out in Spring
    Over a carpet of bluebells

    Woodpecker hammering
    Time for Summer’s bright green coat

    Acorns fall in Autumn; perfect fairy teacups
    Leaves changing to brown

    Squirrels crunching acorns
    Gathered for their Winter feed.

    Liked by 6 people

  7. Pingback: 50 Words on Mardi Gras | candice marley conner

  8. Mayfly’s Big Change
    by Lisa Connors

    Giving Myself a Challenge

    Mayfly couldn’t explain the urge. Usually content eating dead plants while safely submerged, she sensed adventure. She struggled to decide.
    Relenting, she replaced her guts with air and floated to the surface. Her body cracked open; wings appeared. Once dry, she soared, embracing her new world, relishing her short life.

    Liked by 9 people

  9. “Loose Tooth” by Barbara Renner (49 words)

    JIGGLE. WIGGLE. WAGGLE.
    Gigi twists her loose tooth.
    “Yeow!”

    TIE. STRETCH. PULL.
    She jerks it with a string.
    “Eeeek!”

    CLAMP. SCRAPE. YANK.
    She pulls it with pliers.
    “Ouch!”

    CHOMP. CRUNCH. SLURP.
    She bites an apple.
    “Mmmmm! Finally, it’s out!”

    FLUFF. PUFF. PLUMP.
    She tucks it under her pillow.
    “Zzzzzz!”

    Liked by 6 people

  10. Nuttin’ But Trouble

    Cashew sneezed and I bloodied my knee.
    Hickory bothered a bee.
    But something much worse
    was losing our nurse—
    Ms. Almond was stuck in a tree!

    Chipmunks were nibbling her toes!
    Pigeons were pecking her nose!
    We repelled the attack,
    carried her back,
    so she could attend to our woes.

    Liked by 4 people

  11. A GOOD FRIEND
    (50 words)
    by Vernon Cole

    One day I drank more water than my bladder could hold,
    and it all came out at the worst time.
    In Art class!
    My friend was so nice.
    He let me borrow his extra pants.
    It was our secret.
    Now, I look for opportunities to be that type of friend.

    Liked by 6 people

  12. ‘Polarizing’ by Judy Sobanski (49 words)

    Mama bear sighs.

    No tundra. No sea ice. No seals.

    Baby cub circles Mama as eyes intrude through glass exhibit walls.

    A sudden snowstorm blankets their rocky habitat.

    Baby cub sits in the deep, white carpet.

    When he rises, he leaves a perfect heart shape indentation.

    Mama bear sighs.

    Liked by 6 people

    • I like how you begin and end with “Mama bear sighs.” It’s haunting, and it makes you really feel for her. I thought it was sweet that Baby cub seemed to be showing his love to Mama – reminds me of how my kids can sometimes detect my sadness and want to make me feel better. Best of luck to you!

      Like

    • I like the wrapped beginning/end and the “eyes intrude.” I wonder, is it melancholy? Or is the second sigh one of love for her baby? Since sighs can be sad or contented. Very thought provoking. Nicely done.

      Like

    • Oh dear…now I feel badly for every time I’ve visited a zoo and peered in at the captive animals. 😦 But this is well done, Judy…you’ve made me think…and reflect…and that, after all, is what stories are supposed to do. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Where Do Rabbits Go in the Snow? (50 words) by Marsha Elyn Wright

    Lacy flakes
    softly still,
    landing light
    on rabbit’s nose.

    Whiskers wiggle,
    joggle, jiggle.

    Fluffy flakes
    whimsy wild,
    dancing down
    on rabbit’s ears.

    Whiskers wiggle,
    joggle, jiggle.

    Heavy flakes
    sticky thick,
    falling fast
    on rabbit’s head.

    Whiskers wiggle,
    joggle, jiggle.

    Time to scurry,
    hop and hurry!
    “Mama! Papa!”
    Safe and warm.

    Liked by 7 people

    • This has a nice rhythm to it! Love the repetition of “Whiskers wiggle, joggle, jiggle.” Great job!

      Like

    • I love your wonderfully lyrical descriptions of snowflakes as they land on rabbit. I live in the south and don’t see snow very often-just ice, and you put me in the middle of a beautiful snowfall. Nicely written!

      Like

      • Thanks, Grace! Kansas just had two weekends of snow dump! Shoveling snow and seeing cottontail footprints in the drifts gave me inspiration.

        Like

    • Yay, I found yours! And as usual, you do not disappoint. Sweet little rabbit, lovely snow. Maybe you can expand this one? I’m ready for more.

      Like

      • Hi, Rhett! What a fun, challenging contest! Of course, driving home today through snow slush, I rewrote my last line: “Safe and snuggled.” I was struck by the “safe and warm” cliche, which sadly didn’t smack my mind until today. LOL The life of a writer.

        Like

  14. I have posted this a second time because my previous entry seems to have disappeared!

    Where’s Lunch? By Suzy Garner Word count:48

    Sonja! Sonja!
    Whatcha got on ya?

    Looks like it’s your lunch!

    Spaghetti and beans?
    Smudged on your jeans

    Splashed with strawberry punch!

    Noodles and jelly
    Smeared on your belly

    And what’s that in your hair?
    Is it a dish
    of canned tuna fish?

    People are starting to stare!

    Liked by 7 people

  15. TESS MAKES A MESS
    By PJ Taub
    50 – words

    Here comes Tess.
    Her tummy rumbles.
    Thump. Thump. BUMP!

    Head to the kitchen.
    Jump on the counter.
    CRUNCH, CRUNCH, MUNCH!
    Tess thinks, “I need a drink.”
    Slurp. Slurp. BURP!

    Where’s Tess?
    Under the mess.

    Power up your tail.
    Ready. Set. Go.
    Clean-up time.
    Sweep.
    Swish.
    SPLASH.

    Oh, no, Tess.
    Another mess.

    Will post on my blog.

    Liked by 5 people

  16. NATURE’S CIRCLE (by Shannon Stocker)

    Drip,
    Drop,
    Drip.

    Springtime coaxes snow away from winter’s icy grip.

    Drip,
    Drop,
    Dry.

    Summer’s swelter calls the water back into the sky.

    Drip,
    Drop,
    Drop.

    Autumn twisters beckon storm clouds, pitter, patter, plop.

    Drip,
    Drop,
    Drift.

    Winter closes nature’s circle with a frosted gift.

    Liked by 15 people

  17. Suzy Garner Word count: 47
    This one seemed to be missing after I previously posted it. Sorry if it shows up twice!

    Fingerprints

    Tiny fingers
    patterns on their tips,
    captured in salt-dough impressions
    and
    spattered paintings.
    Puppy-licked fingerprints
    tracing letters in the sand,
    and
    winging butterfly shadows across a wall.
    Sticky sweet fingertips
    kissed and loved.
    Tiny fingerprints
    uniquely yours,
    always and forever
    pressed
    into a mother’s heart.

    fb: C. Susan Garner

    Liked by 6 people

  18. WHAT DO CATS EAT?
    by CJ Penko (49 words)

    Cat couldn’t remember.
    “What do cats eat?” asked Cat.

    “Dirt,” said Mouse.
    “Too dry!” spat Cat.
    “Pinecones,” said Rabbit.
    “Too crunchy!” spat Cat.
    “Rocks,” said Bird.
    “YOUCH!” spat Cat.

    Cat saw another Cat.

    “What do cats eat?” Cat asked Cat.
    “Rabbits, mice and birds.”
    “…I’ll be right back.”

    Liked by 12 people

  19. Poem by Patricia Wood (50 words)
    A Day For Mommy

    What to do?
    How to express
    The perfect “I love you”?

    Don’t have money.
    Can’t buy things.
    Sit in the grass to ponder.
    Into my vision, it springs.

    Small in size
    But aplenty,
    Precious purple jewels.

    Gather them
    behind my back,
    Super-sneaky surprise.

    My love-
    It trickles from her eyes.

    Liked by 5 people

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