1. waitingforzion

    waitingforzion Banned

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2009
    Messages:
    548
    Likes Received:
    60

    Trapped in Sing-Song

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by waitingforzion, Dec 7, 2013.

    Hey guys,

    I am having a serious problem writing. Whenever I try to make my writing poetic, I get stuck in certain sing-songy rhythms, and am not able to vary my rhythm enough to communicate. Sometimes I even try to forget about rhythm, and just write regular prose, but for some reason I can't seem to do that. What I'm talking about is when you write one part of a sentence which follows a certain rhythm, and then only a certain arrangements of words can follow because they must complete that rhythm. My problem is that I don't start with a flexible enough rhythm to have much of a choice about what words should follow. Is there a way that someone can help me? Has anyone else ever experienced this?
     
  2. Wreybies

    Wreybies Thrice Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 1, 2008
    Messages:
    23,826
    Likes Received:
    20,815
    Location:
    El Tembloroso Caribe
    Oh, but yes I have. I'm nowhere near accomplished enough as a poet to give myself too tight of a formula to follow. I wrote a little ditty called Noodle Poodle that started of swell, but then the rhyming scheme and the rhythm soon outstripped my talent. Never finished it. :(
     
  3. stevesh

    stevesh Banned Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2008
    Messages:
    966
    Likes Received:
    651
    Location:
    Mid-Michigan USA
    I'm not sure exactly what this means. Are you trying to write poetry, or ...? An example might help me out.
     
  4. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    ditto that...
     
  5. Mckk

    Mckk Member Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2010
    Messages:
    6,541
    Likes Received:
    4,776
    Then break the rhythm. Not every line in your prose has to be poetic or poetry. Unless of course you have deliberately set yourself out to write prose poetry?

    But if it's just regular prose, your sense of rhythm will help make your writing better. And where it doesn't fit, just break it then lol, or rewrite the sentence to be something simpler. Simple sentences wouldn't lend itself to as complex a rhythm.
     
  6. waitingforzion

    waitingforzion Banned

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2009
    Messages:
    548
    Likes Received:
    60
    I'm talking about prose that has cadence or rhythm, or whatever you call it.
     
  7. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    Perhaps it's the drumbeat you've been hearing in your head all your life: Ta-ta-ta-bum, ta-ta-ta-bum...
     
    Simpson17866 likes this.
  8. Mckk

    Mckk Member Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2010
    Messages:
    6,541
    Likes Received:
    4,776
    Good prose always has cadence and rhythm, but does not have to adhere to the rhythm if you don't want it to. Depends on what kind of prose you're writing - exposition and description would have - and should have - a different rhythm to an action scene. And then dialogue has its own almost non-rhythm (nobody talks in rhymes after all). Your problem is not that you have rhythm, but how to vary the rhythm - and I've already told you. Break the rhythm, or rewrite the sentence - if your rhythm is too strict, then I can only imagine you're not varying your choice of words between the simple and the elaborate, or perhaps you're trying too hard to write one type of work.

    Perhaps reading some poetry - esp modern stuff that perhaps has no meter or a very loose meter - might be helpful in showing you how to break the rhythm, as it seems you've got following one down pat. Sometimes breaking a rhythm can be jarring, which is the exact effect you want.

    If none of this is helpful, perhaps you could help us by posting an example sentence?
     
  9. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    we really can't help you at all, till we can see some of what you are asking us about... why won't you post 2 or 3 examples?
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice