Time Passages

Quinn · Mar 31, 2009

I typically don't write poetry or childrens books but my muse made me do it! I think I need some help...

I was suddenly inspired and wrote a childrens story in 40 quatrains of iambic pentameter. The big problem I have is that near the end, there is a passage of time. How can I denote this in the manuscript?

The text is clear that there has been a passage of time, but the transition is sudden and may trip the reader. Is there an accepted way to insert a break and show that the story/poem continues in the next day?

If this is more appropriate to ask in a children's writing, I apologize.

poetinahat · Mar 31, 2009

In a children's book, the illustrations themselves can indicate the passage of time, but the text should at least make that possible - i.e. it should not impede the reader's understanding that time has passed.

An example of time passing, from the world of song lyrics: Cat's in the Cradle, by Harry Chapin. From the lyrics, we understand - without being told - that time has passed.

Similarly, although in a more abstract vein, Where Have All the Flowers Gone? and Sunrise, Sunset manage to do the same.

Dichroic · Apr 7, 2009

And even then it's not universal - I would say that time doesn't pass during Sunrise, Sunset - the whole song takes place during a wedding, but different verses are sung from the POV of different speakers. Some are looking back ("When did she get to be a beauty / When did he grow to be so tall?"), some forward ("Is there a canopy [chuppah, or wedding canopy] in store for me?").

alexruseell · Apr 17, 2009

Interesting topic. But I didn't know about this.

Time Passages

Quinn

poetinahat

Numbers are beautiful

Dichroic

that's di-CROW-ick

alexruseell