Just Bob
27th March 2006, 02:08 PM
On rare occasions when the story actually calls for it, I have to write a bit of verse or rhyme and, in general, I suck at it. As a result, I usually avoid that stuff.
Having poems/song lyrics at the start of chapters a la Pern, to add a bit of depth to the cultural setting or subtly illustrate an aspect of the society, is a nice idea. I've seen sci-fi authors put 'news reports' at the start of chapters, and comedy writers begin chapters with a silly quote for similar reasons, and it can be pretty effective. However, anything closer to the story should ideally either be fitted into the real prose or made into a whole piece of verse that stands alone, and not bother linking it to the plot. Btw, if you know it's really about you, then you should leave it out. It will only dilute your fiction and distract from the plot.
Having poems/song lyrics at the start of chapters a la Pern, to add a bit of depth to the cultural setting or subtly illustrate an aspect of the society, is a nice idea. I've seen sci-fi authors put 'news reports' at the start of chapters, and comedy writers begin chapters with a silly quote for similar reasons, and it can be pretty effective. However, anything closer to the story should ideally either be fitted into the real prose or made into a whole piece of verse that stands alone, and not bother linking it to the plot. Btw, if you know it's really about you, then you should leave it out. It will only dilute your fiction and distract from the plot.