Strike up the band! Sharpen your pencils! It’s time to show the world that:
MAGIC HAPPENS WHEN YOU MAKE EVERY WORD COUNT
Today is the day, dear friends! Ready! Set! Go!
The #50PreciousWords 2019 Writing Contest is now OPEN!
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
- 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.
- It can be prose, rhyme, free verse, silly or serious…whatever works for you.
- Title is not included in the word count.
- No illustration notes please.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
- A critique from Storm Literary Agency partner Vicki Selvaggio who is one of the finest agents and loveliest people I know.
- A picture book or chapter book or MG critique with Clear Fork editor Callie Metler-Smith.
- 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!
- A seat in Mira Reisberg’s Children’s Book Academy class on HUMOR – how to find it in your heart and how to write it into your picture books. I have not taken this class yet…but I know I should: https://childrensbookacademy.teachable.com/p/let-s-get-funny-writing-humor-for-kids1
- 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.
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
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.
- Picture Book manuscript critique from author Melissa Stoller.
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.
http://www.facebook.com/MelissaStoller
http://www.twitter.com/melissastoller
http://www.instagram.com/Melissa_Stoller
http://www.pinterest.com/melissa_Stoller
- Picture Book manuscript critique from author Amber Hendricks.
- Picture Book manuscript critique from author Sherry Howard.
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.
- Picture Book manuscript critique from author 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.
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.
- Picture book critique from author Carrie Finison.
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 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 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
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
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.
##
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!
VIVIAN KIRKFIELD - Writer for Children 
Posted around 9PM EST Mar. 6, but now can’t see my entry anywhere in the thread, so I’m taking the liberty of posting it again ~
A SLED FOR KALA
“Baby Kala, it’s your first big snow!”
But Cousin Mishi’s sled is WAY too big. Uh oh.
“Try this pot?”
Maybe not.
“The puppy’s dish?”
I wish…
“My old orange frisbee!”
Oopsie. Whoopsie!
“Maybe just on your bum.”
Hmmm. Umm…
“Never mind,” Mishi sighs,
Hugs Baby Kala close. They SLIDE!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Very cute! I enjoyed the different ideas for sleds.
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Such great sled ideas. I know university students who’ve used food trays, when all else fails. Glad Mishi finally figured it out. Nicely done.
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Thank you! Mishi & her sisters actually used cardboard boxes & duct tape to finally make a sled for Kala – but then that’s another, longer story 🙂
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Sweet friendship story, Annaliese…I love that Mishi wants to give Baby Kala a chance to enjoy the snow.
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Thank you ~ Story within the story: This was 28 years ago, Cousin Mishi has her own new baby now, and Cousin/Uncle Kala will have to make a sled for him! 🙂
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Very cute. loved all the ideas for using as a sled. Great visuals. Nice job.
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Posting this entry for Jennifer Ennion!!! Thank you for your patience, Jennifer…I’ve only just got back from four days without internet access in Rotorua.
THE BOY WHO IS WILD by Jennifer Ennion (Australia) (Word count: 50)
Waves crash.
Bubbles rush.
Skating through puddles.
“You’re so wild.”
Waves tumble.
Bluebottles rush.
Jumping over jellies.
“You’re so wild.”
Dripping.
Stomping.
“I’m not wild.”
Mum squeezes tight.
“Wild is wonderful.”
Waves wash.
Cuttlefish rush.
The boy disappears…
He grabs Mum’s hand.
Diving deep.
Together.
Wild.
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This has such a nice cadence. I love that wild is wonderful. 🙂
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Thanks so much, Katrina. Inspired by my son : )
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Some lovely alliteration use in this lovely vignette.
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Thank you very much. It’s a nice little challenge.
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This is beautiful. Love the repetition, ending, and message. Nicely done!
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Thanks, Danielle. It’s a message I’m trying to teach my son, who is the very best kind of wild.
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Such fun images – “jumping over jellies.” I really love that wild is wonderful and they get to be wild together. What a great ending. Very nicely done.
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Thanks so much, Maria. I adore my wild boy and our ocean life. He does keep me on my toes though.
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Wonderful images you’ve created, Jennifer! Thank you for sharing your precious words.
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Thank you, Vivian. This competition has inspired me to expand on this little piece.
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beautiful images and language. Nice job.
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Thanks very much, Diane. It’s been fun to craft.
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Posting this entry for Kimberly Marcus.
June Bell Baby couldn’t find her bear.
Sad tears fell from her eyes.
“I don’t know where I lost my bear.”
June Bell Baby cried.
June Bell Baby looked high and low
and much to her surprise
She found Bear in the bathtub
Bear was dry so were her eyes.
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Vivian – this one is posted just above. 🙂
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Posting this entry for Sara Ackerman:
Cooking with Sisters
by Sara Ackerman
Sifted flour,
Sammy scattered it.
Measured milk,
Sammy splattered it,
Searched for sugar,
Sammy hid it.
Eggs are smashed.
Guess who did it?
“Sammy!
You’re a pest!”
“I don’t like pancakes,”
She confessed.
“Go watch TV
Until I’m through.”
“But it’s more fun
To be with you.”
LikeLiked by 4 people
This is so sweet and on point!
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This one is posted above too.
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This is adorable. Has a soft spot in my hear because my littles love cooking with my husband and me.
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This is adorable. It has a soft spot in my hear because my littles love cooking with my husband and me.
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Posting an entry for Susan Valli:
Sheepish
‘Mum!
There’s a sheep in my bed,
Right next to my head!’
‘Jess!
Go to sleep! It can’t be a sheep!’
‘Mum!
I’ll move over a bit,
So the sheep can fit.’
‘Jess!
Turn off the light! Goodnight!’
Morning.
‘Mum!
There’s no sheep on my bed!
Just my sweater instead……
LikeLiked by 4 people
Cute title, Susan. Fun that Jess moved over to leave some room for the sheep. Great twist at the end. 🙂
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So hard to get them to sleep sometimes, but I think a sheep in my bed would keep me awake, too. Your twist is great fun. Nicely done.
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Nighttime can definitely play tricks on us and we think we see something that isn’t there. Well done, Susan.
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Very cute. Loved the twist at the end. Nice images too. Nice job.
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Posting an entry for Michelle Kennedy:
Dracula’s Devastating Dinner (WC- 30)
by Michelle Kennedy
Wackula Quackula
Stoker’s Count Dracula!
Blood on his fangs- a treat.
Tasty like wine.
Seeking out victims nigh.
Gastrointestinal
problems arose when he
dined on a duck and a swine.
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Love the dactylic meter, Michelle…and gastrointestinal! Your story of overindulging Dracula made me smile!
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This is a fun poem. These can be tough. Fun use of “gastrointestinal.” I also really liked the silly words – “wackula quackula.” Nice job.
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Great words, Michelle…I remember doing something like this a few years ago for Renee LaTulippe’s Lyrical Language Lab. 😉
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Oh my! Great use of amazing words. Reminds me of something I did years ago and it ended up in an anthology for charity. Nice job.
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Posting this entry for Gabrielle Copeland Schoeffield
Little Bird’s dream
Gabrielle Copeland Schoeffield (50 words)
Squawwwk! Squawwwk!
I dream of singing opera on the stage in the south of France.
My family says keep dreaming you just don’t stand a chance.
I’ll wow the audience with my voice; high octaves I’ll attain.
I’ll hold onto those high notes until the audience complains.
LikeLiked by 3 people
This one’s posted above as well.
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Wacky Week
By Heidi Vance (49 Words)
Sally sang silly songs on Sunday
Maddie made mini muffins on Monday
Tom tasted twisted twizzlers on Tuesday
Wendy washed wide windows on Wednesday
Terri tickled two turtles on Thursday
Fred fed five funny fish on Friday
Sam sipped a sour soda on Saturday
What a Wacky Week
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What fun alliteration. Quite a wild and wacky week indeed.
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This is a wacky week and quite a tongue twister! Tickling turtles was probably my favorite day. Fun entry.
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Lots of fun, Heidi…that was hard work, getting the alliteration right…now you need to take Sunday to rest. 😉
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Great tongue twister and fun images. Nice job.
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Posting this entry for Nina Nolan.
The Shy Peacock
by Nina Nolan
The shy peacock didn’t like showing off.
But his friend loved bright colors so much.
And he loved seeing her happy.
So he fanned out his tail feathers as far as he could.
And shook them.
“Fun!” she said.
“It actually kinda was,” said the shy peacoc
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Fun story of friendship and stretching a bit outside your comfort zone. Sometimes those pesky extroverts can offer a little bit of fun. I like your shy peacock. Nice job.
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Lovely idea to show how we can push past our comfort zone! So glad shy peacock took the chance.
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Really lovely. Stepping outside your comfort zone. Nice job.
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Dear Vivian,
I am amazed at the number of well-written stories and poems people have written and the encouraging responses made by yourself and others which help us see the features more clearly. Your contribution to the world of children’s writing is awesome! Thank you for inspiring creativeness in all of us.
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Thanks so much, Judy…I am blown away at the quality of the stories…and honored to have the opportunity to showcase them!
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Posting this entry for Rachel Hobbs:
Painting a Rainbow by Rachel Hobbs
It was Cloudy’s first rainbow. She picked colors and started to paint. But orange disappeared! It wasn’t on her poofy table. Not behind her floofy Mama. Oh no, the sun started to shine! She peeked under her fluff. There it was. She splashed a dash and the rainbow was glorious.
LikeLiked by 2 people
This one is also posted above.
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for some reason my entry is listed twice. Please disregard this one or delete it. Thanks!
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Hi Vivian, Well, I’m kind of embarrassed. I just realized I posted the wrong version of my 50 Precious Words story called SEASONS. The eighth line should read: Promises of life’s perfume in order to create perfect rhyme. I don’t know if it can be edited after the fact. If it is too late I certainly understand.
I hope you’re having a fabulous trip! Thank you for all you do for the kidlit community. You rock!!! Candace Spizzirri =)
On Fri, Mar 1, 2019 at 9:04 PM VIVIAN KIRKFIELD – Writer for Children wrote:
> viviankirkfield posted: “Strike up the band! Sharpen your pencils! It’s > time to show the world that: MAGIC HAPPENS WHEN YOU MAKE EVERY WORD COUNT > Today is the day, dear friends! Ready! Set! Go! The #50PreciousWords 2019 > Writing Contest is now OPEN! For those of ” >
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No worries, Candace…I’ll do my best to change it before we head out for the day. 🙂
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Posting an entry for Megan Hoyt:
Jingle All the … NEIGH! (48 words)
by Megan Hoyt
“O’er the fields we go,” they said,
laughing all the way.
But what about ME — the weary horse
who pulls their heavy sleigh?
“The selfish brutes!” I mutter,
Then I smell the fragrant hay—
The reins release; the children dash,
They’re throwing ME a Christmas bash!
Yippee-Kie-Yo-Kie-NEIGH!
LikeLiked by 4 people
This one is posted above as well.
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It is? lol.
I love it’s touch of xmas. A nice job.
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So glad that the horse is getting rewarded for his hard work, Megan. Thanks so much for joining in the fun and sharing your precious words!
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What a great way to celebrate the horse! I can just imagine the illustrations for the Christmas bash.
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I love this story of trying to fit in…and in the end, there is a new friendship. Well done…I enjoyed your staccato rhyme, Anna
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Great story using the saying “square peg in a round hole.” Quite ingenious. It’s great that Peg steps up to console and make a friend. Nice rhyming read aloud for little kids.
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I just had a chance to read through all of the entries. I’m blown away with the talent I see! Huge congratulations to all those who took Vivian’s challenge in the #50PreciousWords 2019 Writing Contest!
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Yes I agree Cathy the standard was exceptional. I can’t believe I managed to get through them all. It’s an amazing contest and I think this year Vivian has exceeded her past numbers of entries. Congrats to all who took part.
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Great unique story. Good luck.
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