Poetry Challenge #22-SURPRISE!
STOP! Whatever you’re doing right now….STOP! Look! Listen!
Look around you. What do you see that surprises you?
The house plants that have added new leaves and height?
Dust covering a surface you just cleaned?
The red flash
of a cardinal in the leafing tree?
Poetry Challenge #22
SURPRISE!
List as many things as you can and then rearrange them to make a poem.
Think about the order and the sound of the words and what makes it the most surprising poem you can make.
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge at least 2800 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem. Scroll down and click on the comments!
Want the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge sent to your email? Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
What Inspires Me? The King of Swing
May 30, 1935: 712th! 713! 714th Home Runs!
Babe Ruth set a MLB Career Home Run Record in his final appearance as a MLB player.
And they said he was “too old” “washed up” “used to be” …”over the hill. . ..
And then he went and slammed it OVER THE WALL!!!
The Babe’s career record of 714 home runs stood until April 8, 1974, when Hank Aaron slugged his 715th career homer. Ruth came out of retirement to play one game for the Boston Braves at Forbes Field against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Babe Ruth ended the game, and his career, with a triple crown: 3 hits, 3 RBIs, and 3 walks.
For more about baseball and Babe check out the SABR—the Society for American Baseball Research
“On May 26, 1935, at in a game against the Pittsburg Pirates, Babe went four for four, hitting three home runs—No. 712, 713, and 714 to set an MLB career home run record that stood until 1974—and driving in six runs. Number 714 was truly a “Moonshot.” It stands as the first ever hit over the right field grandstand at Forbes Field. The hit was measured to have flown 524 feet. Pirates Pitcher Guy Bush later recalled, “It was the longest cockeyed ball I ever saw hit in my life.” ”
Make that a big 715!
In the July 8, 1918 game against the Cleveland Indians, bottom of the 10th inning, with the score tied 0-0, and Amos Struck on first, Babe blasted a homer into Fenway Park’s right field stands. Because, as Struck touched home plate to score the winning run, the game was technically over, Babe was credited with an RBI and a triple but not a home run.
Friends—Don’t Miss Out!
55% discount on Amazon
That’s right! Right now, The House that Ruth Built is on sale. Limit 4 copies. Free shipping with Prime.
Get yours—and all your baseball fans a copy!
Poetry Challenge #21-UPSIDE DOWN, INSIDE OUT…BACKWARDS
Have you ever had one of those “Duvet” experiences? When after having done something one way, and thinking that was the way, someone comes along and offers up a try this? THAT TURNS THE WHOLE THING UPSIDE DOWN…
Dang duvet cover won't behave...
Gotta love DYI videos! And the folks who take the time to find them--like daughter Lexi, who solved one of the greatest frustrations of my life with the link to one short clip: HOW TO PUT ON A DUVET COVER Thank you Lexi!
WARNING: Not all DYI tips work (neither do all poetry prompts) . . .
Have you ever had one of those “Duvet” experiences? When after having done something one way, and thinking that was the way, someone comes along and offers up a
try this? THAT TURNS THE WHOLE THING UPSIDE DOWN—for the better?
Or not… but often interesting.
Poetry Challenge #21
INSIDE OUT, UPSIDE DOWN & BACKWARDS!
Begin by taking a minute to read through the poems you've already written and select one you think is HORRIBLE! or one you are excited to revise.
First: Giving yourself a pat on the back for having written it!
Now: Mix it up. Pluck a line out of the middle and move it to the beginning; move the last line to the first; the first line to the end, etc. etc. And so forth . . .
Why? Sometimes a poem is like a duvet cover—or a house…You've got to turn it inside out to make it work!
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge at least 2800 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem. Scroll down and click on the comments!
“Upside Down, Inside Out & Backwards” Playlist:
Want the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge sent to your email? Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
Poetry Challenge #19-Zippity Doodle
"Play Time! Before words came letter, before letters came doodles. According to those in the know, doodling, scribbling, drawing taps into your creative brain--the play filled side.
According to those in the know, doodling, scribbling, drawing taps into your creative brain--the play filled side.
So, what happens if we get into a playful mood first, then begin writing?
Like laughing and jumping jacks, doodling is good for you. Do take my word for it, read The Science Behind Piccles.
“Doodling might seem like a simple activity, but it's actually a powerful tool for enhancing memory, improving concentration, and sparking creativity.”
“Give yourself permission to play!”
as Carin Channing, creator of 365 DAYS OF DOODLING, a book Cindy and I use to find our playground voices.
In other words . . .
"Climb Back into the Sandbox, People!"
Poetry Challenge #19
It's a Zippity-Doodle Kind of Day!
Start with a blank sheet of paper and pencil (or pen). Doodle your idea of zippity. Zippity might be a thing, a place or a feeling. Now write a short poem, no more than 10 words about your Zippity Doodle!
Set Your Timer for 7 Minutes
Start Writing!
Don’t Think About it, Write It!
For more about Carin Channing and doodles, click over to this Writing Barn Interview!
Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge 2800+ days ago. Now we take turns creating prompts to share with you. Our hope is that creatives—children & adults—will use our prompts as springboards to word play time. If you join us in the Challenge, let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole poem in the comments.
Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
7-Minute Poetry Challenge #20-We are the Balloon
Intake! Outtake!
Writing…even poetry… is like taking a ride in a hot air balloon—soaring up! uP! UP!
If we think of the product— the words, the thoughts, the story—as the basket, then we, the creator are the. . .
Balloon
Make it stand out
Which means, due to changes in elevation, exertion, weather…
or maybe a tear or leaky value, we all need a refill.
An infusion of fresh air. That’s why today is . . .
Memorize a Poem Day!
Reading poems helps you feel the rhythm and rhyme (if there is one) and forces you to look at each word more closely. Reading poetry fills you with fresh ideas, fresh ways of writing, of thinking about creating.
When you memorize a poem, you internalize it—really take it inside—like you are sucking in deep, refreshing gulps of fresh air!
Once you’ve memorized a poem, it’s stored in a tiny secret pocket of your brain. You can pull it out whenever you want, recite it to get through a tough time, put someone—maybe yourself—to sleep, inspire, remind…Amazing the uses!
Poetry Challenge #20
We Are the Balloon
Today, instead of writing a new poem, read some favorites and pick a verse or two or the whole thing to memorize.
Say it aloud!
Say it in your head!
Say it while walking or doing chores or waiting in line.
Some of favorite poems—and ones Cindy knows some or all of—include C.S. Lewis’s “The Walrus and the Carpenter”, lots of Robert Frost (“Fire and Ice”, “The Road Not Taken”, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”), Tennyson’s “The Lady of Shallot”, Eliot’s “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.”
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge at least 2800 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem. Scroll down and click on the comments!
Want the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge sent to your email? Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
7-Minute Poetry Challenge #18-Moody Blues
In the mood? Not in the mood?
What gets you in the mood?
It’s sort of a Catch 22 question isn’t it?
Frankly, deciding what will get me in the mood depends on what I want to be gotten into the mood for?
That’s true for most of us, right? You know what else is true…
Our moods can be changed, affected, swayed, moved by tone.
I call this image “Moody Blues.” Get it?
Poetry Challenge #18
Moody Blues
Pick two vowel sounds. Make a list of words that use each sound.
Write two verses of a poem—use one vowel sound in one verse and the other in the second. Try to use that chosen vowel sound it in as many words as you can in the verse.
What mood does each sound create for your poem?
Do you want your end words for each line to rhyme or not?
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
Moody Blues Playlist:
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge at least 2800 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem. Scroll down and click on the comments!
Want the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge sent to your email? Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .
Lights! Camera! Action! Happy Babe Ruth Day!
Happy Babe Ruth Day! Today, April 27th, in ballparks everyone players and fans are celebrating Babe Ruth!
Babe Ruth is all of those names and more. He is the greatest baseball player of all time!
Pro players are still chasing records he set almost a century ago!
The King of Swing!
“New York City hosted the first National Babe Ruth Day on April 27, 1947, soon after Ruth's cancer diagnosis. Ruth attended ceremonies at Yankee Stadium to 58,339 fans. In the House that Ruth Built, fans cheered as dignitaries surrounded the Bambino, including Francis Spellman, Commissioner A. B. Chandler, A.L. President Will Haridge, and N.L. President Ford Frick.”—National Day Calendar
“He [Babe Ruth] was an original in every way. He had a librarian’s legs, an oversized head, wrists thick as pipes and a moon-shaped face so ugly it was lovable.”—SportsCentury
While everyone—and I mean everyone—knows the name Babe Ruth, and many know he was a baseball player, I realized lots of us—most of us—me included, aside from movies, have never seen him in action. And so, to celebrate Babe Ruth today, I dug up a gloveful of Babe Ruth movies
“The Babe’s first motion picture, Headin’ Home (1920) in which Babe played a character similar to himself, was filmed mostly at night on at Biograph Studios in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
On August 22, 1920, action scenes were filmed at a ball field made up to look like the Polo Grounds. A crowd of 2000 movie extras as “fans” were in the stands.
While the cameras rolled, Babe Ruth’s character (also called “Babe”) used a bat he supposedly whittled out of a tree trunk to blast balls out of the park and into neighboring houses and yards.
After filming that day, Babe raced back to the real Polo Grounds for a Yankees’ game against the Detroit Tigers. During the “real” game, in 3 at bats, Babe didn’t get any hits, but he did manage 2 BB; the Yankees lost 9-11.”
—excerpt from the book I’m working on now….who’s it about? I’ll bet you can guess…
Why? Name any other athlete so popular he inspired a stadium!
Read about the April 18, 1923 opening day game in my book.
(Of course you need a copy—click on the pic for a link to where to buy)
Babe Movies Playlist: Babe appeared in reels, shorts & movies. Here are a few!
Grab a friend and play a little catch. That’s what Babe would do!
7-Minute Poetry Challenge #16-You Call This Cold!
Thanks for saying YES! to this Challenge! (or at least to looking at it…) In case you have qualms about the value of SSSSSTTTREEEEEETCH read what gazillion-times published author Jane Yolen writes about her ongoing poetry challenge. (BTW: Did you know you could read a different one of Jane's books every day for a YEAR!)
“I started writing a poem a day seven years ago as a personal challenge. I didn’t expect to be happy with any poem on the first draft. But I did it for three reasons: 1. Finger exercises 2. Brain exercise 3. Sales: This was an unforeseen plus. I’ve gotten at least a half dozen picture books out of those poems and sold a hundred or more to journals and anthologies, and used them in books of my own. My writing had taken a huge step forward. I have no plans to stop.”
Poetry Challenge #16
If You Think This is Cold…
Brrrrrrrrrrrrr! If you, like me, are feeling a bit chilly today, when after a few glorious bright spring days, it’s back to gray. It’s time for a refresher.
If you’re not:
Go to the refrigerator
Stick your head inside the freezer compartment.
Now you’re ready!
Write a poem about the cold.
Begin with the line:
“You know it’s cold when…”
Think of all the things that make you know it’s cold. Hope you’re wrapped up in a blanket!!
Set the timer for 7 minutes.
Start writing!
Don’t think about it too much; just do it.
*Cindy Faughnan and I began this 7-Minute Poetry Challenge at least 2800 days ago. We now take turns creating our own prompts to share with you. If you join us in the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge let us know by posting the title, a note, or if you want, the whole dang poem. Scroll down and click on the comments!
Can You Say COLD? Playlist:
Baby It's Cold Outside: Idina Menzel & Michael Buble's Sweet Video
Want the 7-Minute Poetry Challenge sent to your email? Click on Fishbowl link and sign up to receive email notifications from Kelly's blog (aka The Fishbowl):
All who subscribe, comment or share a poem will be entered in . . .