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/
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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 the new year begins, writers are once again energized.
We've been storing up ideas, revising stories and waiting for the moment to shine. This year there's a new contest, one that is judged solely by kids! I am so excited about it. The Kid's Choice Kidlit Writing Contest is the brainchild of KaileiPewBooks. I has lots of folks within the Kid Lit Community excited to participate - including the judges themselves! There are categories for PB, MG, and YA. The only restriction - 200 words and it must be something a kid would find interesting. I'm a science nerd, so my entry is about the not-often-loved animal, the snake. I hope that kids find it as interesting as I do. Here's the link to the contest: www.kaileipewbooks.com/post/the-1st-annual-kids-choice-kidlit-writing-contest-is-open?utm_campaign=ea69e082-d52e-4e8a-9eff-e30e403591f9&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=6f13cefc-22b9-4902-ab66-4e113365842c Definitely check out the fabulous entries! Below is mine. I hope you like it. I Am A Snake By: Susan Summers WC: 189 Genre: PB Do you see me? Slowly I slither. My belly hugs the ground. I wiggle as rocks and twigs tickle me. No one notices. Do you see me? I swerve and sway. My scales are soft and smooth. Notice the pattern? It is my camouflage. Do you see me? I stop. I watch and wait Is there movement up ahead? A meal to eat? Do you see me? My tongue flicks into the air. This gives me information. Is danger ahead? Or a friend? Do you see me? I rest in shade, cooling down my body. The heat has made me uncomfortable. I must find a place to pause. Do you see me? I meet a mate for a brief moment. Soon I am on my own again. I lay my eggs in a safe place. I encircle them with care. Do you see me? Soon they hatch. One, two, three, four. A quick hello, and then they are gone. Do you see me? Slowly I slither. My belly hugs the ground. I wiggle as rocks and twigs tickle me. No one notices me on my way to my next destination. 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 It has been a while since I have added a post to my blog. In this pandemic world, I have been trying to be actively writing and querying, and occasionally putting forward work for a contest or two. Currently, the #SunWriteFun'21 is going on. In conjunction with the Summer Olympics is the theme of sports and sportsmanship. In addition, the stories are required to be NF or informational fiction, AND only 200 words. No sweat right? Below is my entry. It is based on multiple articles I have read over the years about runners who slow down and aid others, with no regard to their finishing times. Some have even lost their winnings by doing such a thing. It is a remarkable and heartwarming thing to read. Runners rock! Go to the link if you want to check out some other wonderful stories. You won't be disappointed! www.karengreenwald.com/sunwritefun21 A Runner’s Heart By: Susan Summers WC: 192 Thump, thump, thump. Almost there. She smiled as she passed mile marker 26. Thump, thump, thump. Footfalls resounded on the pavement. Paula had worked hard for this race. She ran when it was warm. She ran when it was cold. She ran when it rained. All the neighbors knew her, they’d wave as she started her training runs. Day after day, month after month. Soon she ran at a pace that put her in the elite group, competing against the best. Her dream was coming true! Paula turned the corner towards the home stretch. There’s only one person ahead of me! Just a little faster and I might win this! Straining every muscle, she started to sprint. The other woman stumbled with only 50 meters to go! Paula had a chance to beat one of the best runners in the world. She looked at her rival. I know what I’m going to do. Paula ran forward and caught the woman, holding her up on her feet. “Let’s finish this together,” she said. Together they walked towards the finish line. Paula let her cross first, and followed a step later. A perfect race. Happy April friends! It's time for the annual Spring Fling Kidlit contest. The contest requires each writer to select a spring related gif to go along with their post. My entry is a nod to those amphibians I have come to love - salamanders. This photo came from the MetroParks post about safe spaces for salamanders to use while migrating. Creating a safe environment is so important for these lovely creatures as they journey to lay eggs in the spring. Curious? Read about it: https://www.metroparks.net/blog/the-tunnel-of-love-keeping-salamanders-off-the-streets/ I hope you enjoy my entry. And, don't forget to check out the other entries, you'll be glad you did. ciaraoneal.weebly.com/spring-fling-kidlit-contest Salamander Song By: Susan Summer WC: 115 Plip, plop. Drip, drop. Cool water, lots of water. A puddle here, a puddle there. Combined, they make a bath to share. I mosey down into this pool, then swish and swim; an April fool. Plip, plop. Drip, drop. Cool water, lots of water. The puddle here is like a lake. Lots of room and friends to make. I lay my eggs so nice and round. All safe and snug where water’s found. Plip, plop. Drip, drop. Cool water, lots of water. This springtime pool soon melts away. My eggs are hatched before that day. A mother’s job is done - but then, next year I’ll do it all again. Plip, plop. Drip, drop. Cool water, lots of water. For the past 5 years, Vivian Kirkfield has provided an opportunity for writers to really engage in their craft with a contest that only allows for 50 words. In that word window, writers are asked to write a complete and engaging story that children would enjoy. It is quite the challenge! As all writers know, every word counts; this contest puts them on the line. I suggest taking a peek at all of the fabulous entries. There are loads of wonderful writers out there. viviankirkfield.com/2021/03/02/50preciouswords-2021-is-officially-open/ In case you're wondering, I did enter the contest. Here is my submission, an ode to spring. The Perfect Nest By: Susan Summers WC:50 “A spider’s web?” Asked Robin. “You’ll see,” said Hummingbird. “Grass is better!” Robin harrumphed. “Moss?” Asked Mockingbird. “You’ll see,” said Hummingbird. “Leaves are better!” Mockingbird shouted. “Is she done?” Asked Mockingbird. “Let’s see,” said Robin. Hummingbird was sitting in her soft nest. “Just right. You see?” “We see!” They replied. Every year Susanna Hill allows writer's to get their creative juices flowing with fun contests. This year is no different. It's time for her annual Valentiny Contest. With a 214 word limit, writers are tasked with delivering a Valentine's Day tale brimming with bravery. I hope you like my entry!
Check out the other fabulous stories at susannahill.com/blog/ Valentine’s Day Bravery By: Susan Summers WC: 209 Mom says it’s important to try and like everything. Even if it is hard to do. I’m not sure I agree. I mean really, what’s likeable about a spider? I know they eat bugs and all, but please. Those eight eyes and eight legs make me shudder. And do not get me started on the web in my room. Mom won’t let me clean it off the ceiling. “It’s a work of art, don’t you think?” She says. I do not think. She gave me a job. She asked me to be nice for one day: Valentine’s Day. I’m going to try, but no promises. Usually candy hearts or chocolate kisses are the thing; they won’t work this time. I found the perfect present, even if it is gross. I’m going in. I hope this dead fly makes it to the ceiling and into the web. My aim is pretty good, but I can’t look. RUN AWAY! Mom told me I need to go back in there. There’s a surprise for me. I hope it’s candy. I’m creeping in slowly. With the broom. I don’t care what she says. What’s that? Wow. It is a work of art. THANK YOU! Love, Spidey Okay, maybe I like them a little. |