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

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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. BOYS IN THE KITCHEN
          by Connie Capar

    Clean kitchen, hungry boys.
    Pondering, perusing, and contemplating.
    Chopping, slicing, dicing.
    Tenderizing, pulverizing, and liquifying.
    Adding a dash of this and a pinch of that.
    Sauteing, simmering, and fricasseeing.
    Zesting, drizzling, garnishing.
    Scooping, squirting, and sprinkling.
    Full bellies, messy kitchen.
    Poor Mom.

    Liked by 6 people

  3. Thank you, Vivian, for providing this pick-me-up to break up my winter doldrums! Hope you are having an amazing trip!

    A Step (50 words)
    By Sara Gentry

    I took a step, not knowing where it would lead.
    I took another, knowing one was not enough.
    I took big steps, small steps, sidesteps, many missteps,
    pressing toward the finish line.
    A fulfilling adventure,
    but not my last, so
    I took a step, not knowing where it would lead.

    Liked by 6 people

  4. I had so much fun with this that I came up with two entries! They are posted on my website: http://www.charlotteoffsay.com but I am also including them here:

    BETTER TOGETHER (Entry 1 of 2)
    By Charlotte Offsay

    My brother can
    JUMP
    SWOOSH goes the net.
    I can’t reach.

    My brother can
    TOOOT
    BARRUMP goes the trumpet
    I can’t play.

    My brother can
    RACE
    WHOOSH goes the wind
    I can’t zoom.

    Will I ever grow?

    “Help!” I cry.

    Together…
    we can DUNK
    we can ROCK
    we can FLY.

    MAKE A WISH (Entry 2 of 2)
    By Charlotte Offsay

    Look! A dandelion!
    Pluck.
    I wish I were a cat!

    I climb.
    I pounce.
    I chase.
    “MEEEOOOOWWWW!””

    “Time for dinner!” calls Mama
    “MEOW,” I cheer.

    “Who are you?” She asks.
    “MEOW!”
    “Shoo,” says Mama.

    “Mew,” I cry.

    A dandelion!
    PLUCK
    I wish I were me.

    “There you are!” says Mama.

    Liked by 8 people

  5. Word Count: 42

    Friends?
    by Tonya Lippert

    I see you play hopscotch.

    You see me play four-square.

    We see each other seeing.

    And then we look away.

    I have an idea.

    We can play hopscotch.

    We can play four-square.

    Together.

    Friends?

    Liked by 8 people

  6. Pingback: Bosco – #50PreciousWords Contest – Jose Cruz*

  7. HOLD ON, DAD! [50 words]
    by Kathleen Doherty

    I’m riding.
    I’m riding.
    I’m starting
    to sweat.

    I’m dipping.
    I’m slipping.
    DAD, DON’T
    LET GO YET!

    I’m turning.
    I’m learning—
    and then
    I steer straight.

    I’m whooping,
    and whistling.
    Dad, ISN’T
    THIS GREAT!

    I’m riding.
    I’m riding.
    DAD, LET
    GO OF ME!

    I’m riding.

    I balance.

    I’m flying.

    YIPPEE!

    Liked by 12 people

  8. The Marshmallow Wave

    My mom’s ship comes in today.
    It’s huge.
    It’s taller than a
    T-Rex,
    And longer than an
    Apatosaurus!

    The sailors stand on deck
    all dressed in white.
    They look like rows of
    little marshmallows.
    I wave to my mom and
    she waves back.

    It’s funny to see a marshmallow wave.

    Liked by 9 people

  9. I just posted my story (The Marshmallow Wave) –it’s only 9:13pm in San Diego. I hope I’m not too late to post it!

    Liked by 1 person

  10. The Diver
    Like seals with wings
    Loons are kings
    Underwater.

    Without a splash,
    In a flash
    Underwater.

    Moved by feet,
    Wings don’t beat
    Underwater.

    Feathers tucked tight,
    they fade from sight
    Underwater.

    Catching fish
    So delish!
    Underwater.

    Now you see him.
    Then, he’s gone!
    And you’re left
    All alone
    On the water.

    Liked by 9 people

  11. ‘Go to sleep, Ellie. The stars are all out.
    The sun cannot sleep with you stomping about.’
    ‘You know I’m not tired!’ she said with great sorrow
    To which Dad replied: ‘You’ll be tired tomorrow.’
    So Ellie slept while Dad stayed awake –
    Her elephant snores made the whole house shake!

    Liked by 6 people

  13. MOLE, AWESOME SAUCE!
    By Cynthia Harmony (#ownvoices)
    WC 50

    On Sundays we tackle secret recipes together.
    Aromas drift, mix and spread through Abue’s kitchen.

    Crusty.
    Burnt.
    Bitter.
    Fizzy flop!

    Bold and brave, from scratch again.
    “Marinate with stories and love,” Abue whispers.
    Saute chiles.
    Stir in chocolate.
    Sprinkle spices.

    Simmer.
    Wait.
    Share.

    Family fiesta follows.
    Fiery.
    Savory.
    Scrumptiously sweet!

    Liked by 8 people

  14. Forever Family (50 words)

    Sitting sadly in the dark
    Wishing to go to the park
    To run and play
    And be loved all day.
    Will you adopt me?
    Big brown eyes look to see
    Blue eyes looking back
    Will you be my dog?
    Adopted at last.
    Time to go home
    With my forever family.

    Liked by 6 people

  15. Stupid Sock
    By Lauri C. Meyers (43 words)

    Tug on sock.
    It’s too tight.
    Slide it left,
    It goes right.

    Pull it up.
    Feeling lumps.
    Press it smooth.
    Full of bumps!

    Stupid sock!
    Start to frown.
    Yank it off.
    Throw it down.

    See it new.
    What about…
    Perfect fit—
    Inside out!

    Liked by 7 people

  16. Manatee’s New Catchphrase (50 words)
    By Jessica Whipple

    Every zoo animal had one.
    When Cayman leaves: “See ya later, Alligator.”
    When Gecko’s excited: “Leapin’ lizards!”
    When Caribou gets nervous: “Deer me!”

    Manatee thought…
    Whoops-a-dolphin?
    Pondered…
    Yikes, dugong?

    Then Zookeeper came.
    Bucket of seagrass!
    Fresh and green!
    Big as a… BATHTUB!?

    Only one thing to say:
    “HOLY SEA COW!”

    Liked by 8 people

  17. EmmieRWerner
    BETTER TOGETHER
    Word count 31

    Peanut butter and jelly
    Hugs and kisses
    Peas and carrots
    Sugar and spice
    Bat and ball
    Salt and pepper
    Milk and cookies
    Sun and moon
    Ham and eggs
    YOU and ME

    Liked by 8 people

  18. Thank you for the opportunity to enter and to read all the amazing entries!
    My story is inspired by the historic quilts of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, whose creators–usually poor women of color–transformed fabric scraps from worn clothing into bright quilt-tops whose beautiful abstract designs predated the abstract art movement.

    CAT ON A QUILT

    New pants,
    new dress,
    new shirt,
    new skirt.
    Pap’s bandana,
    flour sack,
    hobo’s bag
    from across the track.
    Mud
    and ink,
    fur
    and stink.
    Ain’t no such thing
    as good clean fun.
    “You still growin?
    Ain’t choo done?”
    Soap and wind
    Snippin’, stitch.
    New quilt,
    Sunshine warm,
    Makes us rich.

    Liked by 6 people

  19. SENSATIONAL DAY

    Ice-cream
    yum,
    lick
    with my tongue.
    Mmm . . . tastes great!

    Rainbow
    skies,
    see
    with my eyes.
    Wow, what a sight!

    Cactus
    pin,
    feel
    with my skin.
    Ow! Don’t touch that!

    Garden
    rose,
    sniff
    with my nose.
    Ahh . . . smells nice!

    People’s
    cheers,
    hear
    with my ears
    Hearing them shout! Yay! We win!

    Liked by 7 people

  20. CANNONBALL (word count 50)
    by Penny McNally

    Sarah’s finally old enough to take the deep water test.
    She must swim across the bay and back before she’s allowed to jump off the dock
    (and splash her older brothers.)
    Grandpa rows beside Sarah as she swims.
    Breathe, kick, breathe, kick…keep going, almost there.
    Breathe, kick…
    Made it!
    Cannonball!!

    Liked by 3 people

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