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Chris Evans and Richard Hammond announce the return of 500 Words, the short story-writing competition for children aged between five and thirteen.

500 Words is BACK for its best year EVER!

The short story-writing competition for kids aged between 5 and 13 returns for its 5th anniversary. Richard Hammond joins Chris for a HUGE announcement about the help of someone VERY special, who's giving us the keys to somewhere VERY special for the 500 Words Final...

Entries open today so head to bbc.co.uk/500words NOW for your chance to be part of something amazingly special.

2 hours, 59 minutes

Last on

Mon 19 Jan 2015 06:30
麻豆约拍 Radio 2

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Mark Ronson, Caroline Quentin, Ross Kemp and the Shires

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500 Words - with Francesca Simon

See all episodes from The Chris Evans Breakfast Show

  • Back for 2015 - get reading, get writing, get inspired!

Music Played

  • Rainbow

    Since You Been Gone

    • And The Road Goes On Forever Vol 1.
    • Debutante.

  • Texas

    Start A Family

    • 25.
    • PIAS.

  • Jon Bon Jovi

    Blaze Of Glory

    • (CD Single).
    • Vertigo.
    • 1.

  • Estelle

    American Boy (feat. Ye)

    • (CD Single).
    • Atlantic.
    • 3.

  • Barenaked Ladies

    One Week

    • New Hits 99 (Various Artists).
    • Sony Music TV.

  • Pretenders

    Don't Get Me Wrong

    • Fantastic 80's - 3 (Various Artists).
    • Sony Tv/Columbia.

  • Bryan Ferry

    Let's Stick Together

    • Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music - Street Life.
    • Eg.

  • JD McPherson

    Let The Good Times Roll

    • (CD Single).
    • Rounder Records.
    • 001.

  • The Monkees

    I'm A Believer

    • Rediscover The 60's-With A Little Hel.
    • Old Gold.
    • 7.

  • Aloe Blacc

    I Need A Dollar

    • Good Things.
    • Stones Throw Records.
    • 1.

  • Conway Twitty

    It's Only Make Believe

    • And The Beat Goes On: 50's & 60's Vo.
    • Debutante.

  • Hozier

    Take Me To Church

    • (CD Single).
    • Island.

  • Showaddywaddy

    Under The Moon Of Love

    • The Best Steps To Heaven.
    • Tiger.

  • Aztec Camera

    Somewhere in My Heart

    • Fantastic 80's - 3 (Various Artists).
    • Sony Tv/Columbia.

  • Madonna

    Like A Prayer

    • (CD Single).
    • Sire.
    • 9.

  • 10cc

    Good Morning Judge

    • The Very Best Of 10cc.
    • Mercury.

  • Doris Day

    The Deadwood Stage

    • A Portrait Of Doris Day.
    • Stylus.

  • The Beatles

    Paperback Writer

    • The Beatles - 1.
    • Apple.
    • 014.

  • Kodaline

    Honest

    • (CD Single).
    • RCA.
    • 001.

  • Mark Ronson

    Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)

    • (CD Single).
    • Columbia.
    • 001.

  • The Mamas & the Papas

    Monday, Monday

    • The Mamas & The Papas - 20 Greatest H.
    • MFP.

  • Bruce Channel

    Hey! Baby

    • Rediscover The 60's - Sealed With A K.
    • Old Gold.

  • Queen

    Radio Ga Ga

    • Queen - Greatest Hits II.
    • Parlophone.

  • Meghan Trainor

    Lips Are Movin

    • (CD Single).
    • Epic.
    • 001.

  • AC/DC

    Big Jack

    • (CD Single).
    • Columbia Records.
    • 2.

  • AC/DC

    Big Jack

    • (CD Single).
    • Columbia Records.
    • 2.

  • Dr. Feelgood

    Boom Boom

  • The Waterboys

    November Tale

    • Modern Blues.
    • Harlequin And Clown.
    • 001.

  • Chris Spedding

    Motor Biking

    • Greatest Hits Of The 70's (Various).
    • Disky.

  • Take That

    Up All Night

    • (CD Single).
    • Polydor.
    • 1.

Pause for Thought

Pause for Thought

From Father Brian D鈥橝rcy a Catholic Passionist priest:<?xml:namespace prefix = "o" ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

It鈥檚 a wonderful opportunity for children aged 13 and under, to let their fertile imaginations run free and tell a story in 500 words. I鈥檝e put the 29th May in my diary already because I鈥檓 certain the final on Radio2, will have fantastic stories brilliantly told. It鈥檚 always one of the highlights of the year.

500 words seem so little yet it鈥檚 often said that a novel is just a story that hasn鈥檛 discovered a way to be brief. Woodrow Wilson, a former President of America, explained the art of effective communication to his children. 鈥淚f I have to speak for 10 minutes,鈥� he said, 鈥淚 need a week to prepare; if it鈥檚 15 minutes I need 3 days; half an hour 2 days; if an hour I鈥檓 ready now.鈥�

So many famous statements, prayers and poems are remarkably brief. Martin Luther believed: 鈥渢he fewer the words the better the prayer.鈥� The most powerful prayer of all, The Lord鈥檚 Prayer, has only 55 words.

The best remembered sermon Jesus preached, the Sermon on the Mount, is like a series of memorable tweets. 鈥淏lessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God; blessed are the merciful, they will receive mercy; blessed are the peace-makers, they will be called children of God.鈥� There鈥檚 effective writing for you 鈥� 10% inspiration and 90% elimination. This generation, more than any other, has mastered brevity through twitter. Just think of what 140 characters can achieve.

Here鈥檚 a tip I got as a young priest and I pass it on today. The secret of a great sermon is to have a good opening, a good ending and to have the two as close together as possible. When I didn鈥檛 stick with that advice I got into trouble. Once, a bored member of the congregation sent me a note reminding me: 鈥淰ery few sinners are converted after 10 minutes.鈥� I headed the hint and so should you.

So parents, teachers and all you gifted under 13s, it鈥檚 time to accept the challenge. Get writing; be sincere; be brave; be brief.

Broadcast

  • Mon 19 Jan 2015 06:30
    麻豆约拍 Radio 2

500 Words 2015

Back for 2015 - get reading, get writing, get inspired!

Farewell Chris Evans: The best bits from his last shows at Radio 2

After eight years of hosting the Breakfast Show, Chris Evans leaves Radio 2.

500 Words

麻豆约拍 Radio 2's story-writing competition for kids.