Thursday, March 2, 2017

And We're Off to the Races: 50 Precious Words Contest by Kathy Halsey

Say, what? Yes, another contest...it's time for author Vivian Kirkfield's 50 Precious Words modeled off Bennet Cerf's challenge to Dr. Seuss to create a story using only 50 unique words. This was the origin of GREEN EGGS AND HAM. I recycled an old picture book manuscript and shaved it down to 47 words, no easy feat, believe me. 


Let's have a bit of word association before we begin, shall we? There's "feat" and "feet," but in my story we have  a race to the finish with "hoof" versus "paw." Yes, it's Blaze Cheetah versus Giraffe. (Did you know that a giraffe's hooves are as big as dinner plates? Did you know they can cruise at 35 mph? Did you know that we PB writers learn many odd facts?) Onward to our race!

Kalahari Elementary Track Meet

by Kathy Halsey

Blaze's fast,
Always best.
Giraffe laces up,
Cannot rest.

They'r-r-r-e OFF!
'Round the track.
Blaze zooms ahead,
Giraffe bounces back.

Giraffe tangles up.
Legs run amok!

Neck and neck,
Hoof to paw.
Near the half mark,
Shock'n awe.

Photo finish.
Who will win?
It's...GIRAFFE!
Mile-wide grin.

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37 comments:

  1. BoldWriterMarch 2, 2017 at 7:17 AM

    Kathy,
    I love animals stories as you well know and this one is fantastic fun! I also love that you used photos which always make me smile. Well done rhyme!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ptnozellMarch 2, 2017 at 7:17 AM

    LOVE this, Kathy! You've captured the action so wonderfully! And I'm so glad that Giraffe won - I had no idea that giraffes are so speedy nor that their hooves are as big as dinner plates. Love it!

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    Replies
    1. Kathy HalseyMarch 2, 2017 at 8:14 AM

      Patricia, did you do one? I'd love to read it. Yes, giraffes are cool.

      Delete
  3. UnknownMarch 2, 2017 at 7:55 AM

    Great work, Kathy!

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    Replies
    1. Kathy HalseyMarch 2, 2017 at 8:15 AM

      TY for stopping by Michele. It's the exact opposite of NaNO, right?

      Delete
  4. Beth GallagherMarch 2, 2017 at 8:04 AM

    Love it!!!

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    Replies
    1. Kathy HalseyMarch 2, 2017 at 8:15 AM

      TY, Verbena Beth for reading this. Glad you liked it.

      Delete
  5. Vivian KirkfieldMarch 2, 2017 at 8:26 AM

    Kathy! What an awesome job! I love the word choices...and the short phrasing helps me feel like #50PreciousWord fun!

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    Replies
    1. Kathy HalseyMarch 2, 2017 at 8:28 AM

      TY, Vivian. I am amazed yo have kept up w/reading all of these.

      Delete
  6. Charlotte DixonMarch 2, 2017 at 8:41 AM

    Love the story and the facts! You are rocking it, lady!

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    Replies
    1. Kathy HalseyMarch 2, 2017 at 9:37 AM

      TY, Miss Charlotte. I appreciate you all as CPs.

      Delete
  7. AnonymousMarch 2, 2017 at 9:56 AM

    I think I'd be running fast too if I had a Cheetah behind me! I love this story, and you really captured all the action of a great race.

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    Replies
    1. Kathy HalseyMarch 2, 2017 at 10:00 AM

      TY. I appreciate your reading this and commenting.

      Delete
  8. PatMarch 2, 2017 at 10:16 AM

    What a fun read, Kathy! Great choice of words, too!

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    Replies
    1. Kathy HalseyMarch 2, 2017 at 11:20 AM

      TY, Pat. Every response makes me a happy writer!

      Delete
  9. Jilanne HoffmannMarch 2, 2017 at 10:44 AM

    Love it love it love it, Kathy! Great wordplay. Fun images. A kid-friendly competition. You killed it!

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  10. Keila V. DawsonMarch 2, 2017 at 2:29 PM

    So active and fun Kathy! Reminds me of school field days!

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  11. McMarshallMarch 2, 2017 at 5:24 PM

    Kathy I love the language and the race. We need to get our giraffes together! Shock'n awe indeed. I have always loved their grins myself.

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    Replies
    1. Kathy HalseyMarch 3, 2017 at 6:27 AM

      Yup, giraffe love! I appreciate your stopping by!

      Delete
  12. PamMarch 2, 2017 at 10:17 PM

    Love, love, love the action in this. Your language is on point. Great job.

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  13. Anne LiptonMarch 2, 2017 at 11:27 PM

    Fun story with great wordplay, energy, and humor that leaves the reader smiling! Great race!

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  14. UnknownMarch 3, 2017 at 5:46 AM

    Perfect!

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  15. Joanne RobertsMarch 3, 2017 at 7:21 AM

    Tortoise and the Hare flashes to mind. I guess giraffe won by a neck. Thanks for making us smile.

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    Replies
    1. Kathy HalseyMarch 3, 2017 at 7:33 AM

      Joanne, lov your word play. I am so glad you read my story!

      Delete
  16. Gregory E BrayMarch 3, 2017 at 10:28 AM

    My son loves the giraffes at the zoo. So I will read this to him tonight. =) Good luck!

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    Replies
    1. Kathy HalseyMarch 4, 2017 at 6:55 AM

      I am honored that you will share w/your son! TY, Gregory!

      Delete
  17. JanieMarch 3, 2017 at 12:51 PM

    Kathy❤ Photo finish😄

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  18. NorahMarch 4, 2017 at 9:41 PM

    Cute poem, Kathy! Well done. I like giraffe's grin.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Sherri Jones RiversMarch 7, 2017 at 4:23 PM

    This is fun! Love the ending.

    ReplyDelete

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