Sometimes I’ll rewrite a story so many times I’ll forget how much it’s changed.
That was certainly the case with my story Harold’s Hat. As I mentioned on this blog, Harold’s Hat was published in the July issue of Highlights for Children. And because the folks at Highlights are lovely, wonderful people, they gave me permission to reprint a PDF of the finished story! Here ya go:
I just adore Harold’s crazy eyes in that last illustration.
This isn’t the only version of Harold’s Hat floating around. An embryonic draft of HHappeared on this blog in June 2013, which I wrote for one of Susanna Leonard Hill’s awesome writing contests. Both versions share many of the same story beats, but otherwise they are two very different animals.
Here’s your chance to win an official Mike Allegra custom made doodle!
But first, a word from Giddy Happy Mike:
This is the cover of the July 2015 issue of Highlights for Children.
Isn’t it great? I especially like this part:
That’s my story!
“Harold’s Hat,” is in the latest issue of Highlights (which is awesome)! And the editors decided to promote it on the magazine’s cover (which is awesomer)!
The issue arrived in my mailbox on Saturday. My son took one look at it, turned to me and said, “You are so cool.”
Best Fathers’ Day Present Ever.
The entire magazine is fantastic, by the way (Highlights is always fantastic). So be sure to pick up a copy for the little ones in your life. OK?
Thank you for indulging me. Now where was I? Oh, yes…
THE WIN A DOODLE CONTEST!
IF YOU WIN, I WILL GIVE YOU A DRAWING OF WHATEVER YOU WANT!
Don’t believe me? Then just take a look at these recent doodle commissions!
Sarah wanted a Caffeine Gnome, so I gave her a Caffeine Gnome. (Click to enlarge.)Sue wanted a Great Dane protecting some puppehs. So I gave her a Great Dane protecting some puppehs. (Click to enlarge.)Jenion wanted a cyclist. So I gave her a cyclist. (Click to enlarge.)Pam wanted a writer in the sunshine in a yoga pose petting an angel dog. So I gave her a…well, you get the idea. (Click to enlarge.)And the less said about this salamander, the better. (But if you must know…)
So, yes, your doodling wish is my command.
There is one exception, however. I will not draw whatever you want if whatever you want is pervy. I am a children’s book author, bucko, so take your dirty, filthy business someplace else!
HOW TO WIN
The winning name will be drawn at random. The draw-er is this guy.
He is apparently a fan of gritty AMC dramas.
HOW TO ENTER
To get your name in the drawing, all you have to do is leave a comment below answering ONE of the following questions:
What was the best vacation you’ve ever had?
or
What was the worst vacation you ever had?
If you choose to describe your worst vacation (and I really hope you do!) please provide some detail to illustrate all the awfulness, OK?
HOW TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING
Want me to stuff the ballot box in your favor? OK. I’ll add two more ballots if you announce this contest on your blog and link back to this page. That’sthree chances to win!
Don’t have a blog? No problemo. Then you can get one extra ballot if you announce this contest on your Facebook page or Twitter feed.
PRIZES (PLURAL!)
As I mentioned, the Grand Prize-Winner will get a custom made, one-of-a-kind, Mike Allegra doodle (suitable for framing or lining birdcages).
But I have other prizes, too! Our esteemed judge is going to draw two more names from the hat!
I love to take part in flash fiction contests because they force me to push my mind in new and unexpected directions. So last year, when Susanna Leonard Hill announced a “Fourth of July Mystery” writing competition, I was eager to give it a go.
The timing of the contest also turned out to be excellent. I was in-between projects and was stumbling around trying to figure what to work on next. So, a Fourth of July Mystery it was! Even though I was less than eager to tackle another holiday story, I figured that, at the very least, it would be a fun writing exercise.
My first instinct for a Fourth of July Mystery was, The Mystery of The Missing Fingers (Spoiler Alert: The Cherry Bomb did it!), but I came to my senses. Instead, I submitted a story titled Harold’s Hat. Want an elevator pitch? Here ya go:
“Mwah-ha-ha!” This year the ever-inventive Harold is definitely going to beat Betsy Lominzer in the Fourth of July Patriotic Hat Contest. His creation has it all: flashing lights, a siren, megaphone, music, battery-powered flag waving action and shooting sparks. How could Harold possibly lose with something that awesome? Here’s one way: He could lose his hat! With only minutes before the competition begins, can Harold find his creation and get to the town square in time to square off against his hat-making nemesis?
I was pretty happy with the result, so I decided to revise the story and attempt to sell it somewhere.
About three seconds after finishing said rewrite, I stumbled upon the theme of the 2014 Highlights Fiction Contest: “Holiday Stories.” This, I figured, was too big a coincidence to ignore. So I didn’t.
And I won!
When the Highlights editor wrote to tell me, she said that she was “eager to announce my win to the world.” She followed up this statement with a “Mwah-ha-ha,” which I found pretty hilarious.
Needless to say, I am so very grateful to Susanna — who is the very definition of wonderful. Just one look Susanna’s blog proves it; every post – every single freakin’ post – is designed to help her fellow writers succeed. That was certainly true in my case. If it wasn’t for her contest, I never would have come up with this story.
When I rewrote Harold, I asked several talented bloggers for feedback. Cathy Ballou Mealey, however, deserves to be singled out for special praise. Her thoughtful critiques inspired me to push Harold in new and considerably more exciting directions. I believe that if it wasn’t for Cathy’s comments, Harold’s Hat wouldn’t have won a darn thing.
What I’m trying to say is that my writing is so much richer now that I am a part of a blogging community. This win proves it. Thanks, everybody. I am so very grateful.
Sometimes I’ll rewrite a story so many times I’ll forget how much it’s changed.
Hey, Look! A Writer Fellow! 