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. Fingerprints by Suzy Garner Word count: 50

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

    Liked by 8 people

    • I think you have a lovely idea here for a board book or pb, Suzy…wonderful visuals…it would be a super mother’s day story or the intro to a baby book, maybe. 😉 Well done.

      Like

      • Thank you, Vivian. It’s a shortened version of a poem I wrote for a friend when her daughter lost her life after being hit by a car while crossing a street. The driver was texting. She was a young adult, soon to be married. The memories in the poem are shared by every mother who loves a child. I am considering publication for the full version.

        Like

  2. Sitting on a Branch (49 words)
    by Sarah Wallace

    Lucy sits on a branch, leaves rustling, birds serenading.
    Enjoying peace and quiet.
    CRASH! The ball smashes through the leaves.
    ‘GOAL!’ yells Jack
    Scramble, tumble, fall.
    ‘Ouch!’
    Lucy cries.
    ‘Sorry,’ says Jack, ‘I’ll help you up.’
    Lucy climbs back up.
    Sitting on a branch, birds chirruping, sun smiling down.

    Liked by 6 people

  3. WHERE DO YOU FIND AN IDEA? (50 words)
    By: Aimee Isaac

    Where do you find an idea?
    Under a rock?
    In swaying trees?
    Bedtime stories?
    Rushing breeze?

    Yesterday’s memories?
    Tomorrow’s plans?
    Snuggles with mama?
    Tottering fans?

    Watch the young?
    Ask the old?
    Are ideas small?
    Are they bold?

    Ideas are so hard to find!
    I think they’re trapped
    Inside my mind!

    Liked by 8 people

  4. Morning with Mommy 50 words Lisa Morgan

    Ringle-Jingle open door
    Walk with Mommy across the floor.

    Glass case window clean and clear
    Fresh baked goodies oh so near.

    Mommy takes my sippy cup
    Lid comes off, hands it up.

    Beep Hiss Sputter
    Drip-Drip
    Woooooooosh

    Now my cup has whip on top
    Cocoa treat at the coffee shop!

    Liked by 9 people

  5. I have a couple of questions that I’m not sure have been asked and addressed.
    Is the deadline Tuesday the 5th or Wednesday the 6th?
    May we submit more than one entry?

    Liked by 1 person

    • The rules don’t address that specifically. They don’t state you can enter more than one. I would think no just because the amount of entries there would be entered and have to be read.

      Liked by 1 person

        • Vivian answered this question now saying yes you could enter more than one. Glad you didn’t take my advice lol. Good luck!

          Liked by 1 person

            • Sorry all – I know I haven’t been as available as I usually am during the contest time…traveling on the other side of the world has definitely provided me with challenges – especially since I was without WiFi for four days. And it was my fault for not making it clear that more than one story could be submitted…although next year, I will probably have to limit it to one…also, I messed up on the date of when the contest ended…so I’ve accepted all that came in during the time I was without internet from people who had emailed me their stories in hopes that I would post them…which I have. 😉 😉 I’m grateful for everyone’s patience as I work my way through all of your wonderful stories!

              Liked by 2 people

    • I would think no but I saw several multiple entries and Vivian seemed to comment on them, knowing they were from the same person, and didn’t say that they weren’t allowed. ?? Hopefully you can get an official answer, though!

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Holi is here! (38 words)
    By Jyoti Rajan Gopal

    Waiting in the wings
    Silk skirts shimmering.
    Heart thundering
    Feet tapping.
    Then…
    Drums beat a rhythm
    for the
    Festival of Colors.
    Little Veda spins and whirls,
    bangles jingling,
    anklets tinkling,
    bindi sparkling.
    Heart full
    Joyful
    Holi is here!

    Liked by 10 people

  7. The Egg (47 words)

    Sun beat down on the leaf where egg lay. “Warm egg,” said sun.

    Crack! Out wiggled caterpillar. Rumble, rumble went caterpillar’s tummy. “Eat leaves caterpillar,” said tree.

    Fat caterpillar grew sleepy and wrapped itself nice and tight in a chrysalis until, RIP! “Beautiful!” exclaimed everyone.

    Liked by 6 people

  8. My Shadow Friend (47 words)
    By Heidi Vance

    Sometimes you are big
    Other times you are small

    When you are in front of me
    I can never catch you

    When you are behind me
    I cannot run away

    I like it best when you are beside me
    We can walk side by side as friends

    Liked by 9 people

  9. Wipeout by Nadia Ali
    (49 words)

    “SURFS UP!” shouts T.Rex, Bronto and Steg.
    Ducking, diving in waves curling.
    “Bailing!” shouts Bronto.
    “Wipeout!” laugh T.Rex and Steg
    Ducking and diving in waves curling.
    “Bailing!” shouts Steg.
    “Wipeout!” laughs T. Rex,
    Ducking and diving in waves curling.
    “Bailing!” shouts T.Rex.
    Twas the day the dinosaurs got wipedout!

    Liked by 7 people

  10. I hate peas! By Sarah Atherton (44 words)

    Peas on my plate.
    Horrid little green things that I hate!
    Peas on my chair, rolling on the floor.
    Covered in hair.
    Dog says, “No thanks,”
    Mum says, “Eat them. They make you strong.”
    But I throw them in the bin, where they belong.

    Liked by 7 people

  12. WRITE? WHO ME? (48 words) Joyce Uglow

    Write? Who me?
    They think
    I play games
    build forts
    run races

    Pencil ground down
    Eraser now gone
    Paper still ready

    Eyes closed coax
    Pictures from my head
    Words form stories of
    Games, forts, and races

    Author’s Chair
    Friends cheer

    Write? Yes Me!
    I have something to say.

    Liked by 7 people

  13. All the Birds Will Sing

    By Jim Chaize

    Crow sang, CAW, CAW, CAW.

    “You’re too loud,” said Robin. “Next.”

    “Did they pick you?” asked Blue Jay.

    “No,” said Crow, “but we can still sing together.”

    CAW, CHEEP-CHEEP, CAW …

    Crow’s eyes twinkled. “Let’s start our own group.”

    “With no tryouts,” said Blue Jay.

    “Perfect,” said Crow.

    Liked by 9 people

  14. “The Treasure Hunt”
    By Michael I. Samulak
    @MichaelSamulak
    http://www.michaelsamulak.com
    (50 words)

    One summer afternoon,
    Three young explorers
    Ventured fearlessly outdoors
    Searching for…treasure.

    * * * * *

    Dig. Dig. Dig —
    “CLUNK.”
    (Gasp)
    Could it be?!

    * * * * *

    Mooooooommmmmm!!!!!
    LOOK WHAT WE FOUND!
    We’re rich!

    * * * * *
    Fill. Fill. Fill.
    “What does rubbish mean?” asked Allison.
    “EXPENSIVE, I guess…” Ethan replied.
    “That’s what mom called it…”
    “And Mom’s always right!”

    Liked by 5 people

  15. Owl’s Song
    Laurie Smollett Kutscera

    A chill fills the air.
    I lay in bed, hopeful she will appear.
    Listen…

    Moths flutter.
    Cicadas whisper.
    Leaves rustle.

    Whoo-hoo!
    Her playful call swirls into the pale moonlight.

    Whoo-Hoo!
    The sweet song echoes.

    I close my eyes and drift away.
    Together, we soar above the pungent pines.

    Liked by 10 people

  17. The Butterfly and the Frog by Sheri Murphy (50 words)

    A butterfly landed on Froggy’s head.
    “You are rude! I should eat you,” Froggy said.
    “I think we should try to be friends instead.”

    “I do like the way your wings shade my eyes,
    So you may stay, and I’ll snack on some flies.”
    Friendships can blossom from a surprise.

    Liked by 6 people

  18. hmmm, I posted this morning and can’t seem to locate my post so I am reposting. If this is a duplicate, forgive me!

    I loved this challenge and found that I enjoyed conjuring up all kinds of tiny stories throughout my day. I even found some inspiration while changing a diaper! But I’ll keep that one to my self ha! Thanks for the inspiration and loads of fun, Vivian!

    Porcupine Snuggles
    By Tara Hannon
    50 Words

    Porcupine stretches.
    Porcupine yawns.
    He snuggles close to Rabbit.
    Poke.
    Jab.
    Eek!
    Ouch!
    No snuggles today.

    But Porcupine twiddles.
    And Porcupine fiddles.
    He has a brilliant plan.
    Pluck.
    Twist.
    Wrap.
    Voilà!
    A poke free snuggle plan.

    Porcupine returns.
    Quill covers intact!
    He snuggles close to Rabbit.
    Plop.
    Snug.
    Yawn.
    Zzzzzzzzzzz

    Liked by 8 people

  19. This isn’t perfect but it was fun to write and play with. Thank you Vivian to give us the chance to be creative. 🙂

    Zainab Khan

    TO FIND YOU MAMA

    I flew
    above the sun,
    the seas.
    The Earth,
    the worlds,
    the galaxies.

    I hopped
    across some meteorites
    shooting stars,
    the heavenly sights.

    I jumped
    black holes
    and
    ufos,
    asteroid belts,
    radio lobes

    No Mama.

    I lay
    my weary soul
    to bed.

    To find
    you-
    MAMA!

    Loving
    inside
    my
    head.

    Liked by 7 people

  20. The farm kids dressed up scarecrow as a baby.
    “Hmphhh! Not scary.” Teased crow.
    “My dear crow, snatch Farmers jacket. He won’t miss it. Bring pants from the clothesline. No one’s looking. A hat! The farmhand’s snoozing. Thank you. Please feast at my feet.”
    “Aggghhh!!! Too scary!” Cried crow.

    Liked by 6 people

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