We've written how-to poems on Yellow Pencils. How about a how-to story?
What's a how-to story?
Think of doing something silly. Then imagine telling your best friend how to do it. - Wrestle a chimpmunk
- Pick a peck of pickled peppers
- Invite a zombie to dinner
- Live on the bottom of the ocean
- Teach an alien how to play the ukelele
- Give a salamander a bath
Got the idea? Pick one, or make up your own.
In your writer's notebook, make a list of steps you would take to tell someone "how-to." Then connect the steps with words like "first, then, next."
Here's my how-to story:
How To Invite a Zombie to Dinner
First, find some really nice stationery. Zombies are fussy.
Next, write your invitation in red ink. Zombies aren't too smart. They'll think it's blood.
After that, put your invitation in a bright red envelope. Blood again.
Then, put on a stamp. One with a head is good. Zombies like heads.
Next, write on the envelope: "To the Zombie." Don't worry. Letter carriers always know where zombies live.
Then, walk to your mailbox at night. But be careful. A hungry zombie may not be able to wait for the invitation.
Last, run home and plan your menu. Red food is good. Bon appetit!
