1. I’ve Found My Big Idea! (But How Big Should My Story Really Be?)

2. Your Life: Like a Watermelon Your Whole Life A Slice: One Year of your Life A seed: A day, a moment, THIS IS YOUR STORY!

3. Why do we write about seeds? It helps you focus your story It keeps your reader interested It let you include only the “juiciest” details It doesn’t sound like a “list” of events

4. What an example? Instead of, “I went to Modesto for vacation,” write about… ◦A pickle eating contest you had with your cousins ◦How your sister got lost at a rodeo ◦When you threw your football in a mean neighbor’s yard ◦How your cousin had a skateboard ramp you were too nervous to go down but then did anyway.

5. Then web ideas to become your seed. Find a subject for your writing. My Summer Vacation (subject) Losing my dog in the Target parking lot Baking a birthday cake for my sister Visiting my grandpa at the hospital Getting in trouble at my First Communion

6. Then web ideas to become your seed. Or find a person to inspire your writing. My Uncle Mannie Took me surfing and we saw a jellyfish Dressed up as Santa for Christmas Built me a skateboard jump and a broke my arm Bought me a remote control car for my 10 th birthday