What Tara Doesn’t Know…
by Karma Wilson
Shhh…don’t tell Tara, but she’s become one of my biggest inspirations. More specifically, her alphabetical list of 365+ Things Kids Like has become one of my biggest inspirations. In fact, I never would have guessed that a blog entry could become so central to my writing process.
Whenever I sit down to write children’s poetry I have two websites up at all times. One is a rhyming dictionary and the other is Tara’s list.
I scroll down the list and I try to come up with one poem for each item.
For me, when writing poetry, it is often the basic idea that eludes me. Sometimes all I need is a word or a thought and WALA, presto-chango, alakazam—a poem finally makes its way into my befuddled brain matter! I used to ask my kids, “What should I write a poem about?” But now, instead of harassing my “couldn’t care less” tweens and teens I just click open Tara’s list.
Here’s an example of a poem inspired by the first entry…acrobat.
AcroBat
He flies through the air
With greatest of ease
He flies and he doesn’t
need a trapeze!
He dips and darts
through the darkest of night
he doesn’t needs nets
and he doesn’t need lights.
He hangs upside down
for hours, no less.
Who is this gymnast?
Who? Can you guess?
He sees with his sonar
imagine that!
The amazing, stupendous,
Acro Bat!
So, if you’re just desperately thirsty for an idea I’ve found Tara’s list a wellspring of inspiration.
Karma Wilson is the author of more than 20 popular picture books, including Bear Snores On, Baby Cakes, A Frog in the Bog and a new volume of poetry called What’s the Weather Inside?
Karma is generously giving away one of her books as part of PiBoIdMo! (Your choice: Don’t Be Afraid, Little Pip or Mama Always Comes Home.) Please leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. A winner will be randomly picked at the conclusion of our month-long idea extravaganza. Good luck!
So how’s it going today?
35 comments
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November 8, 2009 at 9:05 am
Sheryl VanVleck
Thanks, Karma. Love your name.
I had not seen that list before. It’s great.
November 8, 2009 at 9:35 am
Corey Schwartz
Oh, well… I already OWN almost all of her books, but I’d still like to win (is it a signed copy?) She’s my idol!
November 8, 2009 at 9:38 am
Southpaw
Ah, the list. Thanks for the direction. I think I will need today, since I am not doing to well. My head is slow to wake up. LOL
November 8, 2009 at 10:23 am
Kara
I hadn’t seen the list either. I’ll have to add it to my list of inspirational links!
I love when rhyming pieces are as well written as the one above. It’s so frustrating to read to your child and have to stumble over poor writing. It’s so much fun when I’m reading to my son and the rhythm and rhyme are so spot on that he can anticipate what’s coming.
November 8, 2009 at 10:53 am
Sheri Dillard
Thanks, Karma! (And thanks for the list, Tara!) 🙂
November 8, 2009 at 10:55 am
Rebecca C
Thanks for the heads up on Tara’s list. I think the list of 79 Things Kids Don’t Like was equally useful for idea sparkers.
November 8, 2009 at 12:43 pm
redheadedstepchild64
Thanks for the list! It has already helped me expand on one of my ideas from a previous day!
November 8, 2009 at 1:01 pm
KatherineR
That is a great list! Thanks for the link. Andy Gutelle was my mentor at Chautauqua.
I’d love another Karma pb!
November 8, 2009 at 1:14 pm
tammi
I too am a big fan of that list. And of Karma!
November 8, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Dana
Can’t wait to check out the list.
The AcroBat poem is fantastic. Rhyme, rhythm and great images popping into my mind as I read it. Hope it’s going to be illustrated!
Thanks for a great post.
November 8, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Bonnie Adamson
Thanks for the reminder about the list, Karma–I believe I’ve found PiBoIdMo #8!
And thank you for the list AND this fabulous challenge, Tara.
November 8, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Heather Burnell
Thanks Karma, I didn’t know about Tara’s list. This blog is full of great stuff!
November 8, 2009 at 8:23 pm
Beth Coulton
Ah, Karma Wilson – my hero! I love her stuff, and at each book fair at our elementary school library where I work I buy one or more of her books, just for me. I didn’t know about the list on Tara’s site- awesome!
Hope I win! lol we’re all saying that….
November 8, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Auntie Flamingo
I love Bear Snores On and Bear Wants More! My son used to have me read them over and over again. Now, I get to look forward to reading them to my daughter.
Thanks for pointing out Tara’s list. What a great resource.
Thanks for a great blog entry Karma and Tara.
November 9, 2009 at 4:32 am
Sarah
Oh no 😦 no I’m going to have to make my way through that list
But yay! I’ve been writing poems like that for my little girl and haven’t been daring enough to give them the light of day – part PiBoIdMo has been me coming up with more poems for her and illustrating them 🙂
Thankyou so much
me want book – for the 4 yr old of course 🙂
November 9, 2009 at 4:33 am
Sarah
Opps forgot to add the follow up email thing so adding another comment – its too early in the morning – sorry!
November 9, 2009 at 10:31 am
Diandra Mae
I am so grateful to Karma for directing me toward those two lists. Not only have they helped me with my PiBoIdMo list, but I can easily use them for inspiration on new portfolio pieces! 🙂
November 10, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Kelly Fineman
What a great compliment to you and your list, Tara! And how terrific of Karma to share one of her poems (and write such a thoughtful essay as well)!
I remain on track this month. I still have to come up with an idea or two for today, but at this rate, I’ll easily exceed 30 ideas – I’ve got 22 in my hot pink marble composition book thus far, some of which completely stink, but some of which may just prove workable!
November 11, 2009 at 12:53 am
AZ
Wow Tara – congrats on your insprationalness… inspirationality… inspirationalitude… Congrats on your list. How cool to imagine your blog entry as a permanent fixture on Karma Wilson’s desktop?!?
November 11, 2009 at 8:16 am
tara
Thanks, Aaron! It is a pretty cool feeling! I’m very flattered!
November 11, 2009 at 6:58 pm
IllustratorErin
Love this list (and Karma’s books!). Besides providing sparks for writing and illustrating, it also jumpstarts my mothering! And on a day like today, with two sick kids home for the third day in a row, I could use all the help I can get generating new ideas to keep them busy and happy! Thanks Tara!
November 12, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Gail Handler
Loved your poem Karma! I’m going to open that list right now!!!
November 17, 2009 at 2:19 pm
Jennifer
Thanks for the list, Tara. Just what my sluggish brain needed to jolt it into creating idea #17. And great inspiration from Karma. On to #17…
November 18, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Lori Degman
Thanks Karma and Tara for this incredible list!!
November 18, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Debbie Austin
Thank you, Karma. Love this idea! And thanks for the list, Tara.
November 28, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Winning Readings
Thanks for the tip – and what a great poem!
We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2009/11/karma-wilson-book.html
janemaritz at yahoo dot com
November 28, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Julie L
Thank you also for the list-my daughter loves to write 🙂
November 29, 2009 at 12:46 am
Wendy M
I love the list and how you use it for ideas.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net
November 29, 2009 at 10:26 am
Milka
Please count me in for the giveaway.
milkavainamo@lyseo.edu.ouka.fi
November 29, 2009 at 10:57 am
Ticia
I can’t wait to read through this list. Sounds fun.
November 29, 2009 at 3:31 pm
Patti Bright
Please include me in this contest 🙂 thanks
plb8156@aol.com
November 29, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Natalie
My daughter absolutely loves “Where Is Home, Little Pip?” I would love to win a sequel. Thanks for this giveaway.
November 30, 2009 at 12:28 am
Lynn Bemis
The list, what a great idea. Having lived with bats when we did a barn remodel, I found the poem delightful. Best to you, and count me in.
Lynn~~
November 30, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Deb K
Please enter me~I would love to win this book! Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
deb55106{at}gmail{dot}com
December 1, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Yaya
I have been so inspired by all that I’ve learned from this exercise that I think I shall have fifteen books published by next week. LOL. I love everything that has been shared. It has been an incredible month.
I do hope I still have a chance in the drawing for one of your books.
~ Yaya
Yaya’s Home