RHYME AND METER - What's the Secret?

CLUES to the SECRET of RHYME and METER? by Margot Finke. https://www.margotsmagic.com/2019/11/margots-books.html https://www.underdown.org/finke.htm   -  [email protected]

Why do people with no clue about rhyme and meter insist on writing stories in verse? I often receive such MS - some I can work with because their story idea and plot are fun and focused. Rhyme and meter come easily to me, and I can usually fix or adjust it.

However, some MS have no real plots, rhyming words that do not fit well into their story, and meter that is anything but repetitive, smooth flowing, or pleasant to read.  These manuscripts sometimes work better without the rhyming. Or if the writer is prepared to learn the craft of rhyme and meter, and how to set up a great storyline from a beginning to the middle, and then a satisfying ending.

For THOSE Writing Picture Books - In Verse or Plain Prose.

* Characters kids can identify with and root for. *A simple and intriguing plot. * Mastery of Rhyme and Meter (or Plain Prose). * Good pace and action.

CLUS to REMEMBER when creating stories for young children – either in rhyme or plain text:

* FOCUS on setting your story up with a beginning that introduces the characters. A middle where the plot and action peaks. And a satisfying finale` that ties up all the loose ends.

* Keep your plot clear and simple. * Create characters that kids will identify with and root for. * Turn your verses into active scenes that draw kids into the story.  NOTE - “Telling” is just BORING!

*Avoid long, compound sentences. Kids get lost in them!  Kids have short attention spans. They lose interest FAST! * Dialogue needs to be age-appropriate and kid-friendly. *Always have the kid-characters solve their own problems.

The TRICKY PART: This comes when you must seamlessly weave your terrific story together, using verses that feature rhyme and meter. Use your first perfected verse as a Template. Print it out and keep it handy. Make sure every line in each new verse has the same meter.

ICING the CAKE - Writing Stories in Rhythm and Rhyme - by Dori Chaconas. https://www.dorichaconas.com/Icing%20the%20Cake%20page.htm

*This article is the perfect lesson on how to write stories in rhyme and meter.

* Your rhyming lines must flow seamlessly with the story.

* Read verses aloud. If they sound jerky, the flow is bad.

* Use a Rhyming Dictionary: https://www.rhymezone.com/

BASIC WRITING RULES - work for all genres` with a little commonsense adjustment when writing picture books and for younger kids.

SECRETS of WRITING for CHILDREN - Lots of help here. https://www.margotsmagic.com/2019/11/secrets-of-writing-for-children.html

FOCUS - Focus means knowing where your story is going and keeping it on track. Focus is not allowing paragraphs or pages to develop a life of their own and wander far from the main plot. NOTE: Keep track of the small details. Make sure you take a character from point A to point B before you have them pop up with dialogue. Always get to the point via the shortest route and the least number of words. Choose your words for their power and evocative content. When descriptions and scenes go on too long, readers lose the thread. FOCUS on the details of your plot, and avoid being sidetracked.

STORY ELEMENTS - Plot and Character Development go hand-in-hand with Focus. Before you begin writing, have a rough idea of where the plot will take your characters. Get your main POV (point of view) character set up fast. Your POV needs a distinctive "voice." This means the way he talks, the way he moves, and the way he interacts with others. Give him foibles, or mannerisms that make him stand out as unique. Get to the meat of the story ASAP. NOTE: Always think kid! Editors (and kids) want actions, reactions, and great dialogue.

SENTENCE STRUCTURE - Sentence structure needs clarity above all else, plus appropriate grammar and punctuation. Great writers use words to paint pictures. You never have to read their sentences twice to grasp their meaning. Sentences need to be smooth and natural - like they came from the mind of a real person - dialogue likewise. Active and powerful verbs are a writer's best friend. Use a good thesaurus to find new, fresh, and evocative adjectives. Be wary of adverbs - they mostly prop up weak verbs.

 NOTE: Your sentences need to draw your reader in, and show what is happening with absolute clarity.

TIGHT WRITING - Tight writing is partnered with Sentence Structure. Never use ten words when 5 will do the job. One wonderful adjective, plus a strong verb, will give you a powerful sentence. Weak verbs, held up by an adverb or two, plus a wishy-washy adjective, give you nothing an editor will bother to read. If the sentence, paragraph or page, does not move the story forward, CUT it, and then write one that hits the mark! NOTE: Overwriting is common. This happens when you use too many words. Paint a clear word picture and then move on.

*Waffles are for breakfast, not for books!

CHARACTER ENRICHMENT - This means letting the reader into the heart and soul of the POV. Do this by his actions, his dialogue, and his inner thoughts and angst. Let him have faults that he overcomes. Let him grow as a person. Make sure he has a distinctive "voice,": one that remains constant throughout the story. Your reader wants to root for, and identify with, your lead character. NOTE: Rich characters have layers of interest. These layers are built up chapter by chapter - a dab of information here, a little background there, some dialogue that lets out a few secrets, etc. Dialogue that is overheard by your POV can inject interesting facts or back- story into the plot. Adding actions and reactions also work. Beware of the "information dump." This is when a huge chunk of detail or information is dropped onto a page. Personal thoughts are a wonderful way of getting into the head and heart of your POV.

THE ART OF THE "HOOK" - Hooking your reader is simple. Plenty of action, dialogue, and pace. You lose your reader when the story wanders away from the action for too long. Build tension by seeding hints and clues. Offer portents. Keep your writing tight. Especially in a mystery. NOTE: End chapters with a hook - a cliffhanger thought or event that lures the reader into turning the page. Make it so they can't resist.

PACE & TENSION - Overwriting (waffling) is the enemy of Pace. A slow build-up of tension gives a good pace. Dropping hints and clues build tension, which in turn moves your story along. Short, punchy sentences give a better pace than longwinded lines.  NOTE: Shorter chapters (5-7 pages) give a feeling of faster pace.

For Easy Readers, approx 3 pages per chapter.

Two FINAL SUGGESTIONS - Make the local librarian your friend - they love to help writers. Your librarian can recommend a classic, as well as just-published books by authors who have the genre down cold. Dissect the plots and the characters in the books you love, and you will discover what makes them work so well.

JOIN WRITING GROUPS - Facebook , Linkedin and the like, have many writing, illustrating, and self-publishing groups. Research for ones that fit your style, genre` and needs. Join! Then pick the brains of those who are experienced and established. Ask questions. Learn from the mistakes and knowledge of others. 

Margot's Magic - Books - Content Editing and Writing Guidance. https://www.margotsmagic.com/2019/11/margots-books.html - [email protected]

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