H- How can a snowflake help my writing?

Yes, it is the silly season, but what have snowflakes got to do with writing?

In this month’s column, I want to recommend you try the "snowflake" method, get to know the "snowflake" guy, Randy Ingermanson, and browse his site, http://www.rsingermanson.com/

I wrote my first children’s novel, MouseHouse, in what I like to call an "organic" way. In other words, it just grew. I had an idea, a concept, and over time, I added chapters, vignettes, made plot changes, allowed characters to dictate, whatever came to mind at the time. I sweated over that novel for six months.

My second children’s novel, My Brother, the Zoo, had a very different incarnation. Thanks to a member of my crit group, I’d discovered the "snowflake" method and decided to try it as a way of organizing the structure of my novel. I completed the first draft of My Brother, the Zoo, in six weeks.

So what is the "snowflake" method? You can read Randy Ingermanson’s own explanation here : http://www.rsingermanson.com/html/the_snowflake.html

Basically, it’s a ten-step method of designing your novel. You start with writing a one sentence summary of your story which is invaluable later as a marketing tool. Next step is to expand that sentence into a paragraph which later becomes your back cover blurb. Third step is a one page summary on your major characters. Fourth step is to expand your Step Two paragraph into a one page summary of your story. Next steps all involve adding and expanding until you have a finished product.

It’s a wonderful way of organizing your thoughts into a sound, workable structure. Sure, things may change from this design as you proceed through the writing process. That’s fine and, in fact, necessary.

Not only was my second novel much faster to get to first draft stage, but also it was structured from the start to tie in with what needs to be written in query letters, synopses etc. I thought about the main issues and the conflicts right from the start, even though I made some changes to the design documents. The "snowflake" method helped me to organize my thoughts and gave me "pegs" to hang my story from. It worked very well for me and I’ll definitely use it again.

Even if you’re an "organic" writer, I thoroughly recommend Randy’s site to you. There are all sorts of interesting things to read there and you may decide to sign up for his free Advanced Fiction Writing Ezine like I did. This is a great way to learn about Tiger Marketing, and another reason to check out his site.

Here are the guidelines for the 2006 Highlights Fiction Contest:

GUIDELINES
HIGHLIGHTS 2006 FICTION CONTEST CATEGORY: Stories that explore the true spirit of holiday celebrations. PRIZES: Three prizes of $1,000 each. ENTRY DATES: All entries must be postmarked between January 1 and February 28, 2006. CRITERIA: Stories may be any length up to 800 words. Stories for beginning readers should not exceed 500 words. Indicate the word count in the upper right-hand corner of the first page of your manuscript.

No crime, violence, or derogatory humor. Manuscripts or envelopes should be clearly marked FICTION CONTEST. Those not marked in this way will be considered as regular submissions to Highlights.

Enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope with each entry. No entry form or fee is required.

Work from both published and unpublished authors is welcome. All submissions must be previously unpublished.

*Entrants must be at least 16 years old. SEND ENTRIES TO:
FICTION CONTEST
Highlights for Children
803 Church Street
Honesdale, PA 18431

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Have you been to these sites?The Mailbox will pay for teaching ideas with a gift certificate.

Each submission must include a complete name, address, and daytime phone number for ideas to be considered. You will receive a $20.00 gift certificate for each idea accepted for publication. All ideas must be original (developed by you) and submitted to only one publisher at a time. If your idea is accepted for publication, your name and school will be credited as the source. All rights (copyrights or otherwise) contained in the materials accepted for publication become the property of The Education Center, Inc.

If you'd prefer to submit your ideas in paper form, only ideas accompanied by self-addressed, stamped envelopes will be acknowledged and/or returned. If you want materials that are not published to be returned, the envelope must be of sufficient size, with adequate postage. Please print or type your name, address, school, and grade level on each page of ideas and mail to Hope Rodgers, The Education Center, P.O. Box 9753, Greensboro, NC 27429-0753.

If you'd like to email your ideas and attach photos or sketches, send your materials to: preschooleditor@themailbox.com, k-1editor@themailbox.com, 2-3editor@themailbox.com, or intermediateeditor@themailbox.com.

Please allow up to six months for review. Writer's guidelines are available upon request (self-addressed, stamped envelope required).

Ten Speed Press
http://www.tenspeedpress.com/about/page.php3?pg=18 

Allow up to 24 weeks for a reply.   NOVELS FOR YOUNG
READERS: Ages 8 to 12
If your manuscript is in chapters, please submit two
to three sample chapters; otherwise one-third to
one-half of the manuscript is usually sufficient. Also
submit a table of contents or outline.   Please
address your submission to:
The Editors
Tricycle Press
P.O. Box 7123
Berkeley, CA 94707 
Article by Harold Underdown, Getting Out of the Slushpile

Former Editor for Macmillan gives advice to writers.

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Your prompt for this month is to write your writing goals for 2006. Until next month, write on!