#50PreciousWordsforKids2020 is OPEN

Posted on May 4, 2020 by viviankirkfield

What could be more perfect while we are #ShelteringAtHome? Here’s a great activity for the kids…grades K through 12. I’m sure many of them complain when a teacher gives a writing assignment and requires a full page or a word count of 200 or 300. And I’m sure many of them would say it was easy-peasy to write a story in only 50 words or less.

50PreciousWordsforKids flyer 2020revised3b1024_1

A few years ago, I decided to challenge children to write a story with a beginning, a middle, and an end using only 50 words or less – the same guidelines we use for the adult contest that I host in March. Past challenges have brought stories from Singapore, Canada, Switzerland, the UK, and many states across America.

So, girls and boys: your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to write a story in 50 words or less. Please read the guidelines in the flyer. If you love creating graphic novels or cartoons, that works also. Just have your parents scan the page and email it to me. And if you have any friends who’d like to give it a try, please invite them to join in!

Parents and teachers can email the stories to me, I will post all of the stories on Mother’s Day, May 10, and everyone will receive a certificate of participation.

Certificate JPEG (1)

Girls and Boys…Please sharpen your pencils or click on the computer.

Get Ready! Get Set! GO!

There is a storyteller that lives in every child’s heart…and I can’t wait to read all of your precious words.

#50PreciousWordsforKids International Writing Challenge Stories are HERE!

Posted on May 11, 2017 by viviankirkfield

HURRAY! It’s time to unveil the wonderful stories from children all over the world.

Many thanks to the parents and teachers who encouraged their kids to participate.

The guidelines were simple.

I got several requests from teacher friends who asked for a few more days…so I extended the deadline to May 10th.

And the notes I got from parents and teachers were filled with thanks for creating this writing opportunity.

“Best wishes for a fabulous contest. This is a wonderful thing you are doing for kids!”

“My daughter told me she wants to write books like me, and my heart melted!”

“Thanks for hosting such a wonderful contest for young students.”

“Thank you again for organizing this fun event! My students were challenged to keep their stories under 50 words – especially since we’ve been working so hard in second grade to add details to lengthen our writing!”

I also decided to open the challenge to children all over the world—believing that, especially in these times, it’s important for us to come together—with children leading the way as the storytellers.

Each story was submitted by either a parent or a teacher. Teachers were requested to send one story per class. A couple of classes wrote a collaborative story. And one child even drew an illustration for her story.

By Grace, author of Brothers

#50PreciousWordsforKids BY THE NUMBERS:

#57 ENTRIES

#6 COUNTRIES

#15 U.S. STATES

I’ve already had inquiries as to when the NEXT children’s writing challenge will take place. So, I guess I need to start thinking about that…maybe it would be nice to have one in the summer to keep those young minds creating…and definitely one later in the fall.

Hosting this has been a thrill…the diverse topics and creativity are impressive. These are the future writers of our world!

Without further ado, I present the #50PreciousWordsforKids International Writing Challenge stories, listed in the order I received them. Continue reading →

A Writing Contest from Alexandria LaFaye

Posted on March 22, 2017 by viviankirkfield

Yes, it’s me! Here I am again!

I couldn’t help it. Fellow Storm sister, Alexandria La Faye is having a writing challenge over at her blog. And it just look so appealing and delicious, I had to give it a try.

This is what she said:

Who is ready for some creativity calisthenics? Inspired by Kenvin Henkes genius book about the life of a marshmallow chick as a friend, can you share a narrative poem or short short about a food who becomes a child’s friend? (100 words or less folks)

And because a picture is worth a thousand jelly beans, you can also share your story as an illustration.

Can you do it?! Yes, you can! I’d even be willing to send the winner a prize in the food they pick (no caviar, please).

You can post the story to your blog or include the whole story in a comment on this post. The winner will be announced here and on my Facebook community, Sylvanocity

Did you hear that? Illustrators can participate also!

Here’s my silly little story…I guess when I’m given strict word limits, I get more playful…and I think that is a good thing!

A bit of back story: Peppermint Patties were my FAVORITE candy when I was a kid!