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Writing Challenge 50 Precious Words

March 6, 2017 By Claire Annette Noland 6 Comments

I’m always up for a challenge and this one looked especially fun:

Write a story for children using only 50 words.

This challenge was organized by writer Vivian Kirkfield who based it on a challenge that Bennet Cerf made to Theodore Geisel, aka Dr. Seuss, to write a book using only 50 unique words. Dr. Seuss came up with the classic Green Eggs and Ham which is over 700 words long but uses the same 50 words in the entire story.

Now, how hard can it be to write a 50 word story? Well, it is harder than it would seem. Here’s my attempt:

THE GIFT

            Ambrose chose a red, red rose. Willy found a pure white lily. Little Bea plucked a pink sweet pea.

Cyrus picked a purple iris. Maisie carried a yellow daisy and Grace brought a pretty vase.

Each flower, one by one, made a beautiful bouquet – “For you, Grandma. Happy Birthday!”

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Vivian Kirkfield says

    March 6, 2017 at 10:03 pm

    Oh, that is lovely! I really enjoyed how you found names that rhymed with the flowers…and I LOVE your ending. Thanks so much, Claire, for joining in the #50PreciousWord challenge. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Nadine Cranenburgh says

    March 7, 2017 at 6:07 am

    A gorgeous story! Very visual and a whole story in so few words.

    Reply
  3. Katelyn Aronson says

    March 7, 2017 at 7:24 am

    Lovely, Claire. Just lovely! Best of luck.

    Reply
  4. Joan Schoettler says

    March 7, 2017 at 2:54 pm

    Claire, What a great challenge for creativity in character, plot, word choice, and short, tight text! I’ll let you know how the challenge works for me!

    Reply
  5. Lynette Oxley says

    March 8, 2017 at 4:58 am

    The perfect bunch, Claire!

    Reply
  6. evelyne holingue says

    March 8, 2017 at 5:05 pm

    So cool, Claire! Too bad I missed the challenge! Great exercise for tight PB, too. Lovely poem for a grandmother.
    evelyne holingue recently posted…From the Writer’s DenMy Profile

    Reply

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Hello. I’m Claire Annette - reader, writer, teacher, and field trip planner extraordinaire. Here at A Field Trip Life you will find ideas for adventures large and small and the kids’ books that inspire them. Sign your permission slip. Let's go!

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