Gotta Question

[Madisonwrites]

OK, some of you may have read a bit about my pirate kitty in SYW's Children's section (Rhyming Pic Book Needs Critique). But things have changed since yesterday. I have come up with a dozen little adventures for Sam. My question is this: Should I try to make them all rhyme, or just write them in a normal format? Which sounds better to you guys? I can prob do it either way, but I want to see what you guys think. Toothpaste, any suggestions? haha :D

[sissybaby]

I'm speaking from little experience, but I've read numerous places that rhyming books are a hard sell. They have to be perfect in rhyme, meter, rhythm, etc. And it shouldn't be forced rhyming, like rearranging a sentence just to make the words come out right. Cant' think of a good example right now, but they're limitless.

I would suggest you write out the adventures as a story. Then if you find you can rewrite them in rhyme without major effort or reaching for words just to make it rhyme, you might want to just leave them in story form. They might be easier for you that way, and just as much or more fun for anyone reading them.

But play around with it and see what you come up with. I like to write in rhyme, but it can be frustrating at times.

Good luck.

[stormie]

Madison, which feels more natural to you when you sit down to write Sam's adventures?

(And yes, it is harder to write and to sell a rhyming piece. But it can be done.)

[MsJudy]

I agree. Unless the rhyme comes very naturally to you, I'd focus on the story version first. You can always include rhyming stanzas within a narrative, or use rhythmic prose but not worry about rhymes.

[Madisonwrites]

Rhyming does not come naturally for me, it's just something I like to finagle around with. But I actually wrote the entire first adventure today: "Sam Becomes Captain For A Day" and it's in regular format and under 600 words. Yeah! Didn't think I could write a story that short, but I did!

Perhaps I shouldn't try the rhyming thing. My meter is way off and I do struggle with it. But we'll see.

[mrockwell]

As a poetry editor, I'd advise against rhyme unless you have a very good ear for meter (most people don't). If it's not done extremely well, it just detracts and distracts from the story you are trying to tell.

-- Marcy

[Madisonwrites]

OK, then I guess I'll stick with reg format. Now I just have to learn how to writing entertaining stories at less than 600 words. Yikes!