Advice on technique requested

I'm always lost when writing free verse - where to break the line confuses me, but I think I've gotten a handle on it. My question is this: how do you decide that a new stanza is necessary? I'm working on a strange little piece that was inspired by the pack of little dogs my neighbor has - I love to get them going by shaking my keys. It always starts this uproarious barking. Anyway, thanks for any help you can give.

unapologetic said:

I'm always lost when writing free verse - where to break the line confuses me, but I think I've gotten a handle on it. My question is this: how do you decide that a new stanza is necessary? I'm working on a strange little piece that was inspired by the pack of little dogs my neighbor has - I love to get them going by shaking my keys. It always starts this uproarious barking. Anyway, thanks for any help you can give.

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I usually break my lines on a word I want the reader to stand on, for a second, before moving on to the next. I break my strophes where I want a change in rhythm, a new direction in thinking and/or when I need the reader to pause and reflect on the lines that they've read. Many times a new strophe is indicated when a complete thought has been explored or if, maybe, the metaphor has been extended as far as is healthy. I'm sure, since you're writing free verse, you'll be glad to know that there are really no hard and fast rules on format, since that's what's being formulaless is all about.

I look forward to reading about the pack next door.

I break mine the way they sound in my head, or the way I'd speak them
Most times this annoys and perplexes traditionalists but to my ear it sounds right.
Rather than make the last word a pausing point or an emphasis point
i make the first word of the next line like a downbeat in music.
I explained to someone that I started out writing songs and being a singer
so my phrasing and "breath" is much different than a poets would be




but of course the best thing about free verse is that you can do whatever feels or sounds right to you and it's all good.


JMHO

champagne1982 said:

I usually break my lines on a word I want the reader to stand on, for a second, before moving on to the next. I break my strophes where I want a change in rhythm, a new direction in thinking and/or when I need the reader to pause and reflect on the lines that they've read. Many times a new strophe is indicated when a complete thought has been explored or if, maybe, the metaphor has been extended as far as is healthy. I'm sure, since you're writing free verse, you'll be glad to know that there are really no hard and fast rules on format, since that's what's being formulaless is all about.

I look forward to reading about the pack next door.

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This states it really well for me, too. I break lines where I think the last word is important for the reader to stop momentarily and absorb what I've written. I also like to break lines sometimes on an end/beginning word combination that has a double meaning. And like Champ said, I move to a new strophe if I want to emphasize a phrase or idea. If I think it's especially important (e.g., a phrase or line that underscores the theme of the poem, something that expresses the heart of the poem to me), I may set it entirely on its own, between strophes. In poems with repetitions, which I often like for their echoey, chanting quality, I may break between strophes that begin with a repeating phrase. In more narrative poems, I'll break when I'm ready to move to a new part of the "story." To me, that's similar to indenting a paragraph in prose to indicate a new idea is beginning.

Tathagata said:

I break mine the way they sound in my head, or the way I'd speak them
Most times this annoys and perplexes traditionalists but to my ear it sounds right.
Rather than make the last word a pausing point or an emphasis point
i make the first word of the next line like a downbeat in music.
I explained to someone that I started out writing songs and being a singer
so my phrasing and "breath" is much different than a poets would be




but of course the best thing about free verse is that you can do whatever feels or sounds right to you and it's all good.


JMHO

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Does Big Papi know about you?

Angeline said:

Does Big Papi know about you?

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si mi querida

Warning: Gushiness in this post

You all are so giving, and I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate it. From your descriptions, I think I did it somewhat the same way.

I want to do some more editing of the poem, so I won't be posting it any time soon, but your advice helps.

Thanks so much.

Hey I just started a thread inspired by this one-- if you want to come play, here it is:

I break the line


I have always always struggled with line breaks. I will think I have it right, come back in a week and think what the hell was I thinking as I stumble over meaning and emphasis and everything is a mess again.

annaswirls said:

<snip>

I have always always struggled with line breaks. I will think I have it right, come back in a week and think what the hell was I thinking as I stumble over meaning and emphasis and everything is a mess again.

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I do that, too. I never said I get it right the first time.

I fiddle with line breaks over and over until it feels right. And with some poems, two years or more can go by and it still doesn't feel right. It's all a work in progress!

Angeline said:

<snippety> I also like to break lines sometimes on an end/beginning word combination that has a double meaning. And like Champ said, I move to a new strophe if I want to emphasize a phrase or idea. If I think it's especially important (e.g., a phrase or line that underscores the theme of the poem, something that expresses the heart of the poem to me), I may set it entirely on its own, between strophes. </snip>.

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I had forgotten what a playful thing that is, to break on a double meaning or when one words leads into another way of looking at something, and I do it really often in my poems. It's kinda like "Wheel of Fortune" when they have that Before and After thing.

hot chocolate (chocolate) chips...

The line that is pivotal being set on its own is a great device, too. Thanks for reminding me, Ang.

Sometimes we just write and clever breaks happen without concious thought. Questions like these are great ways of remembering and analyzing what we're actually doing.

unapologetic said:

I'm always lost when writing free verse - where to break the line confuses me, but I think I've gotten a handle on it. My question is this: how do you decide that a new stanza is necessary?

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When it feels right. When I'd take a breather reading it out loud.

There's no more mystery to it than that.

champagne1982 said:

I had forgotten what a playful thing that is, to break on a double meaning or when one words leads into another way of looking at something, and I do it really often in my poems. It's kinda like "Wheel of Fortune" when they have that Before and After thing.

hot chocolate (chocolate) chips...

The line that is pivotal being set on its own is a great device, too. Thanks for reminding me, Ang.

Sometimes we just write and clever breaks happen without concious thought. Questions like these are great ways of remembering and analyzing what we're actually doing.

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I think that last bit is especially true for me, Champers. I write poems and, often, friends will say how did you think to do that? And I didn't, not consciously. I believe the more one writes and thinks critically about writing poetry, the more these things become a subconscious process.