For me, verse is all about atmosphere. I don’t know why other authors choose to write in verse, but I choose to do it because it helps me to create an atmosphere I can’t get with regular prose.
It also allows me to get to the emotional truths of the story, and to accentuate them.
My strength is not beautiful, flowery prose. At times, I wish it were. I seem to do well trying to convey scenes, thoughts, emotions, etc. in a sparse, poetic way. I have always loved music, and in some ways, writing a novel-in-verse feels like writing a giant song to me. The rhythm and the flow and trying to say a lot in a few words – it’s challenging, absolutely, but my brain works well that way.
I didn’t choose verse as much as it chose me, and with each book I’ve written in verse, it added to the story rather than detracted from it. Not all stories are going to work in verse. In fact, I’d probably argue, most stories won’t work in verse. But when it does, it’s a beautiful thing, I think!
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The giant song. I can see that. As far as verse choosing you, that’s an amazing thing. When I read novels in verse, I’m always swept back in my chair because of all they DO say, in so few words.
Agreed.
“Atmospheric” is a great word for Lisa’s books! Also: “awesome.” I’m really enjoying the multicultural voices in verse novels lately. It works well for me as a reader.
I love Lisa’s verse novels and yours, Caroline. I think they work when the story has a cadence to the way it wants to be told, and I’m fascinated by Lisa’s comment about atmosphere. That’s really fitting.
As someone who loves to write haiku but has only played around with verse novels, I may have to give it a go sometime.
Tricia, go for it! There’s nothing to lose.
Irene, I’m reading New Found Land right now and am enjoying it for the same reason.
I love your comment that verse choses you! How wonderful to have that connection to your books.
Lisa, you are so right about verse being all about atmosphere. And you certainly capture it well in your books!