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

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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

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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. (Oops, so sorry posting again; typo.)

    Don’t Forget To Duck

    Something tells me that elephant is going to sneeze.
    He may have a cold,
    so I’ll cover his face with a mask.
    And keep him nice and warm.
    Sure enough.
    AAAACHOO
    Something tells me I was wrong.
    Peanut shells were stuck in his trunk.
    And I forgot to duck.

    Liked by 9 people

  3. To the Tip-top!
    By Sarah Meade
    Word Count: 50

    To the tip-top!
    Rabbit first.
    Hip-hop.
    Two horses follow.
    Clip-clop.
    Three penguins next.
    Flip-flop.
    Four billy goats go.
    Trip-trop.
    Five zebras move along.
    Zip-zop.
    Then…
    Rainstorm!
    Plip-plop.
    Oh no!
    Slip-slop!
    One rabbit, two horses, three penguins, four billy goats, and five zebras get up.
    They try again…
    To the tip-top!

    Liked by 23 people

    • Awww…thanks so much, Nicole…I felt badly because it’s the one I posted last year…but I figured lots of people are new to the contest this year and so it would be new to them…and I just didn’t have the time with all of this travel and the conference preparation.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. JUNGLE AFTERNOON TEA
    by Jay Reece
    50 words

    Soon after the rain
    in the jungle had stopped.
    From cozy nest
    a spider family popped.

    The jungle floor has layers
    of bugs, bark, and stems.
    A café for jungle creatures
    with delicious tasty gems.

    Spiders follow creatures
    towards a dining spree.
    All groomed and excited
    for jungle afternoon tea.

    Liked by 15 people

  8. Susan Butler

    Eyes

    Green eyes
    Blue eyes
    Brown eyes

    Bright eyes
    Wide eyes
    Excited eyes

    Winking, Twinkling
    Shining eyes

    Smiling, Laughing
    Loving eyes

    Wiping, Drying
    Teary eyes

    Staring at the moon
    Gazing at the stars

    Tired eyes
    Sleepy eyes

    Blinking eyes
    Rubbing eyes

    Eyes open
    Eyes closed

    Eyes shut tight
    Good night.

    Liked by 15 people

  10. Outer Space Frog 50 words
    by Lily Erlic

    Night-sky filled with star patterns.
    “Where is my constellation?” asked Frog.
    Taurus, Orion, Little Dipper, Big Dipper but no Frog.
    Frog flew to the sky to ask Star.
    “What have you done to earn one?”
    Frog gave her an ice-cream cone.
    “For me? Thanks!”
    Star gave Frog a constellation.
    “Amazing!”

    Liked by 8 people

  11. What’s for Brinner?
    By: Jessica Potts
    49 Words

    We’re having brinner tonight.
    Huh?
    I ask my brother.
    “Think pancakes.”
    Still confused.
    I check the fridge.
    Nothing labeled brinner.
    Maybe a dessert?
    I ask mom.
    “Put your thinking cap on!”
    Well, pancakes are for breakfast.
    But we are having them for dinner…
    Oh! Breakfast for dinner is BRINNER!

    Liked by 13 people

  12. Vivian I’m so excited for #50preciouswords! Here is the link to my site: https://thenightingaletales.com/2019/03/02/50preciouswords-contest-happy-birthday-dr-seuss/
    and here is my story:
    Telephone

    Two soup cans
    butchers twine,
    grab a can,
    pull the line.

    You run there,
    I’ll go here,
    put your can
    around your ear.

    Mouth to can
    I yell, “Hello!”
    and watch sound travel
    to and fro.

    My friend replies,
    “No need to shout,
    I hear you clearly,
    Over and out!”

    Liked by 21 people

  13. HOME
    Mama hen sat on her eggs to keep them warm.
    When the baby chicks pecked their way out of their shells, one looked different.
    A duck egg had rolled into the nest.
    “Peep, peep.”
    “Quack.”
    Mama hen gathered the chicks under her wings.
    “Quack!”
    “Cluck! You, too.”
    Duck was home.

    Liked by 11 people

  14. Pingback: SCBWI WIP Awards, #50PreciousWords and More Cookies – Helen Ishmurzin

  15. SUNSHINE
    by Lori Himmel

    You whispered me awake, “sunshine.”
    Flipped pancakes, poured my juice, so kind.

    Held my hand on the way to school.
    Reminded me of the “golden rule.”

    “Oops!” I dropped a plate, so sad.
    Hugged me tight and didn’t get mad.

    Read my favorite books in bed.
    “Goodnight, my little sleepy-head.”

    #50 Precious Words Writing Challenge

    Liked by 13 people

  16. This story was removed at the request of the author who is sending it out…all good wishes for a successful submission, Arlene!

    Liked by 11 people

  17. LITTLE SEED by Nicole Loos Miller (50 words)

    Little seed, little seed,
    With water,
    Soil,
    And air,
    Look how you grow!

    Little plant, little plant,
    With water,
    Soil,
    Air,
    And sun,
    Look how you grow!

    Little flower, little flower,
    With water,
    Soil,
    Air,
    Sun,
    And bees,
    Look how you grow!

    Little seed, little seed…
    Here we grow again!

    Liked by 13 people

  18. Pearl The Purse

    Pearl the purse, was full of words but had no mouth to speak.

    She searched for one to learn the words. She was meant to teach.

    She found a box and it could talk, but needed words to borrow.

    Pearl blinked in glory of the story both would tell tomorrow.

    Liked by 10 people

  19. The Itch Trials
    By Carolyn Farina

    He must be guilty. His head has bugs.
    See him itch? See him scratch?
    Shave his head before more hatch.
    Buzz.
    Whew!
    Just thinking of those creepy crawlies dancing through my hair makes me itch, makes me scratch.
    Oh no! Did one just hatch?
    Wait!
    No!
    Buzz.

    Liked by 6 people

  20. Ah yes, birthday cakes for mom (or breakfasts in bed) are such sweet endeavors. [Just don’t ever look in the kitchen.] I love how the child turned a “tragedy” into a castle cake – so ingenious. This is a really fun story with so much action and emotion. It’s hard to believe it’s just 50 words. Great use of structure to build this sweet story. 🙂

    Like

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