Here in Illinois, tulips and daffodils are poking their way through the soil. Once again, our weeks are filled with the typical gamut of weather experiences – frost in the mornings, rainy days, high winds, and temperatures that fluctuate between 23 and 80 degrees. One of my favorite parts of this transitional time between seasons is the gentle sound of raindrops on our roof as I fall asleep at night and how clean and refreshed the world looks when I awaken.
Another favorite spring event is author Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words Writing Contest. I find this one the most challenging of all the writing contests for children’s authors. Entries must have a complete arc (beginning, middle, and end), be child-relatable, and have no more than 50 words.
Authors may submit any genre for children – fiction, non-fiction, poetry, free verse, or rhyme. Ms. Kirkfield has lined up some fantastic prizes for the winners, including critiques from authors and publishers, writing courses, and free books. The prizes alone are a huge draw to participants, but being able to write a story in only 50 words is the draw for me. It’s much more complicated than you might think.
My entry this year is a lyrical piece about Rain and watersheds, at 49 words.
Rain Dance
By Julie Lerczak
As we dip and dash from cloudbursts,
a trillion tiny droplets tip-tap far and wide.
They boogie-woogie into brooks,
slide toward bigger streams,
waltz across the land,
rock-and-roll in one mighty river,
then lunge toward the sea,
a wonderous world of twirling, swirling currents,
a pulsing raindrop celebration.
Whether or not I win any prizes doesn’t matter, although it would be nice. I am just thrilled that I was able to convey a story in so few words poetically.
If you’d like to read more entries and follow Vivian’s blog (Vivian Kirkfield: Writer for Children), check out the following link:
https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/10397717/posts/5141006197
There are so many wonderful entries and talented writers participating that you’ll surely want to pour a cup of coffee and treat yourself to this diversity of brilliant expressions.
This month, you can check out my review of Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls, illustrated by David Litchfield, under Recommended Reads. See my Blown Paint Rainstorm project under Activities for a fun, rain-themed art activity.
Little Seeds Read 