Each year since 2016 Vivian Kirkfield has invited writers to participate in an amazing contest.  Write a story for children, with a beginning, middle and end - using only 50 words! This is quite the challenge. It requires thought for each and every word that is used to tell the tale. 

When she first started this contest, she had only 128 entries. This year she had 586! The entries were amazing: heartfelt, funny, sad, sweet and much, much more. Each one an inspiration to read. Using the link below, read a few, if you're interested in how wonderful these entries were - you will not be disappointed. [Use the comments section, scroll through to locate the different days entries.]
​viviankirkfield.com/2025/03/02/50preciouswords-international-writing-contest-is-open/

I admire Vivian for her work in putting on this contest, and then judging who would win. A daunting task!  After reading those 586 entries - I suspect more than once; along with other judges, she narrowed it down to two categories: honorable mentions and winners. I was honored to be chosen for the winners circle! 
 
You can find my entry: An Octopus' Dilemma here. It was posted on March 2 at 11:51. 
viviankirkfield.com/2025/03/02/50preciouswords-international-writing-contest-is-open/comment-page-9/#comments

Contests can be a scary thing for writers, but in the children's writing community they are a blessing. There is so much support and enthusiasm that even a nervous newcomer will be welcomed into the community of writers. This is one exceptional example of that. 

Thank you Vivian, and the other judges that assisted, for making this event the wonderful experience it is. 

When I first began this journey, I was blissfully unaware of what it meant to be a picture book writer. Sure, I had taken English courses in high school and college; but I didn't dig deeper into what being a writer was all about: especially for children's books.  I naively thought it was an easy process. It isn't.  

As I began to explore this world, I discovered terminology that made me pause. Words like: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action. Then came emotional arc, obstacles, and stakes. As I journeyed further into this world, I learned about genres, word count and rhyme versus prose. What about critique groups and voice?

The list continued to grow - exponentially! And I realized, I was out of my depth. Luckily, I found places where an aspiring writer can go for help. The children's book writing community is a welcoming bunch - and I dove in. 

There are plenty of opportunities to get involved; courses, webinars, and contests to name a few. There is something for everyone and plenty of places to go for support and assistance. 

It's been going on eight years since I started this adventure. I've grown as a writer and a person. I've met many wonderful people, and although it's a long road, writing and getting published, I wouldn't trade it for anything.  

If writing for children appeals to you - dig in! You' ll be amazed at what you discover.

As a writer, I like to stay creative, and there are lots of fun ways to do that. One of them involves contests. These are designed to challenge writers by making them focus on specific elements as part of their story. It might be certain words that must be used or perhaps a limit to the amount of text you can utlize. The smaller the word count, the more of a challenge it is to create an engaging story! Regardless of what they are, each challenge helps to get the creative juices flowing. 

Last December I decided to enter Susanna Hill's 2024 Holiday Writing Contest. Her contests are always fun to participate in, not only because of the wonderful prizes, but because they bring together the writing community in a whimsical way. I wrote my story using the guidelines put forth: only 250 words and it must involve a mystery of some type.  Imagine my surprise when I was chosen as a finalist. It's always nice to be recognized by your peers for your work.  I didn't come in first, and that's okay. It was fun to be part of the process, and equally fun to read what others wrote. So much creativity on display.  

Check out all of the finalists here: 
susannahill.com/2024/12/20/the-2024-holiday-contest-winners/

I'm already getting ready for the next one. One never knows what might come from a sprinkle of inspiration during one of these events - so consider giving them a try.

Ever since I met Jen Swanson at a Highlights Foundation workshop I have been inspired by the work she does and the support she gives to those interested in STEM.  This includes not only writers, but teachers, parents - and most importantly kids.

Not only has she written some fabulous books, she has some great social media on offer too. Her Solve It For Kids podcast with Jeff Gonyea is great fun (do check it out if you haven't - and not just because she interviewed me for an episode), and her STEM Tuesday website is chock full of wonderful information for all those science nerds out there - myself included.

Imagine my delight when I was accepted as a new member for that website! I along with other fabulous writers get to help let folks know about the wonderful world of STEM books for middle grades. And let me tell you there are lots.

I am so excited to be part of the team and look forward to my STEM Tuesday posts.
As Jen would undoubtedly say - Science Rocks!

​And believe me, it does.
​

https://fromthemixedupfiles.com/stem-tuesday-welcome-to-our-new-stem-tuesday-team-members-2/

Vivian Kirkfied offers an opportunity each year for writers to get down to the nitty gritty of their stories, asking them - can you write a complete story for children in only 50 words? A brilliant idea for a contest. Many take up the challenge.

As writers know, children's books are getting shorter, less wordy, so cutting back to the essentials of the story is important!


This contest shows that it can be done, based on all of the wonderful entries.
Check them out here: viviankirkfield.com/2022/03/04/50preciouswords-2022-official-contest-post/#comment-249931

I decided to give it a try myself. And, let me tell you, fifty words is not a lot!
I hope I accomplished what the theme and spirit of the contest asked for.
​What do you think?

One Happy Child
WC: 49 

One dress sparkles in the light.
Two shoes slide on excited feet.
Three bracelets twinkle and twirl.
Four necklaces shimmy and shine.
Five seconds fly then the curtains open.
Four rows of faces smile.
Three songs are sung.
Two bows are taken.
One happy child is living his dream.

​

Happy Valentine's Day friends!
Again this year, Susannah Hill has offered writers a fun opportunity to share their craft with others. We must write a kid-friendly story, using no more than 214 words,  in which someone feels proud.  As always this contest is fun to enter, but more fun to read what other writers have posted! This year will be no exception.  Check them out!
susannahill.com/2022/02/11/with-prideful-heart-the-7th-annual-valentiny-contest-is-here/comment-page-4/#comment-81264

My story is one about a little star who wants to shine but isn't ready yet. Will he find his glow? Read on to find out! 

Little Star’s Wish
By: Susan Summers
WC: 207

Little Star looked around the sky and announced,
“I want to shine like Sirius! I love how she twinkles and twirls.”
“It’s not time yet,” Mother said.

After thinking for a moment, Little Star said,
“I want to beam like Betelguese! He has the best shimmer and swirl.”
“It’s not time yet,” Mother replied.
“When will it be my time?!” He cried.
“You’ll know.” She answered with a wink.
 
Little Star watched others light up the night.
They blinked, winked and zipped through the sky. 

“When will it be my turn?” He wondered.

“Twinkle, twinkle, little star,” sang a child’s voice.
Little Star swirled. 
Where was that coming from?

“Look at that face. So sad.” He thought.
“Maybe I can help.”

With a wiggle and a waggle, he began to glow.
Using all kindness and love in his heart, he pulsed out the brightest light possible. 

“Look Mommy! I see a bright red star in the sky!” Shouted the child.
“I see it too. Was it there before?”
“It’s like a beautiful valentine. So pretty,” she smiled.

Little Star was so proud, he pulsed a little brighter.
“You found your glow,” said Mother.
“Beautiful like Betelguese, steady like Sirius,” said Little Star.
“It’s my time to shine.”

​

​
​As a writer, there are lots of fun opportunties to create something new and different as part of a writing contest. 

Susannah Hill has great contests for writers at different times of the year. Her halloween one; however, is a favorite of mine.  For this contest, she challenges writers to use only  100 words to create a story that is engaging and complete while also requiring the writer to use three words that she chose to be included in the story. 

This year she chose - goosebumps, glow-in-the-dark, and goodies.  It was a fun challenge to be sure!

Below is my entry, which I was delighted to discover won an honorable mention. It was inspired by a camp song - I wonder if you'll recognize it.  Sing along if you like!
Below are the links to the contest and the list of winners.

Enjoy friends! 

A Witchy Potion
By: Susan Summers
WC: 95

Great green gobs of granulated gerbil toes,
goodies ground with chocolate goo,
and a pile of monkey poo.
Stir and swirl –
into a glowing witchy brew,
just for Halloween.

Last year’s potion wasn’t gloppy, didn’t stick.
Needed lots more oomph and ick –
so that kids would leave right quick!
This one here –
has the stuff to do the trick.
Bring on Halloween!

Add some goosebumps from a little scaredy-cat,
with a toasted toady tail,
scoop a bunch into the pail.
Grab my broom –
up into the air, I sail.
Happy Halloween!
​
susannahill.com/2021/11/12/the-2021-halloweensie-contest-winners/
susannahill.com/2021/10/29/the-11the-annual-halloweensie-writing-contest-aahhhrrrooooooooo/comment-page-3/#comment-75452

Jen Swanson and Jeff Gonyea have a wonderful series of STEM inspired podcasts for kids that are bound to interest any science nerds out there. Including us adults.

If you have a science question, you probably can find the answer there. Not only that but to get the answers,  they interview the experts to get their answers.  The interviews are fun to listen to while your brain learns some new cool stuff.

I can only say I was thrilled when I was asked if I'd be willing to speak about my previous career as a zookeeper, and answer the question: how do you keep zoo animals happy? I jumped at the chance! 

I hope you enjoy listening to the podcast as much as I did doing it.  And afterwards, check out some of the others, you'll be glad you did!

solveitforkids.com/podcast/episode-73-how-do-you-keep-zoo-animals-happy