In setting out a short story into verse, I’m finding obvious places where the story doesn’t suit the form. Interestingly enough, I noticed–but ignored–this in the story form as a change in voice, where the imagery and beat or rhythm of the phrasing seemed a bit off. What it came off as and what I suspected at the time that I had changed into a ‘telling’ segment of backstory that while in place within the plot, became an obvious change in tone with the pace of the present. There are parts that become downright awkward and halting, as I find it difficult to break into lines within a stanza (determined by former paragraphs).
What I’m doing is, despite the difference, going ahead and breaking it into lines regardless. What I believe this may do is help highlight the sections that don’t work within the poetic form and revise them to flow smoothly in with the rest. While I may choose not to retain the verse form, it should, even reconstructed into prose, make for a better narrative flow.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology
This is a great exercise to enable you to see your words in a new light, and really plug into the essence of what you mean to say. Whether you keep it in lyrical stanzas or return it to its narrative form, the de- and reconstructing of it will shake out all the inconsistencies and leave you with a nice tight piece.
Exactly. Though this piece held the poetry within it as an obvious force and most of my short stories do not. Have you read it?
I am ashamed to say I have neglected everything except recuperating from vacation. If you’ve ever traveled with 12-16 year olds, no explanation is needed 🙂 I’ll be done with it before tomorrow. XX
The one I’m referring to isn’t the one we’re doing at the meeting so don’t worry about it. Relax & recover!