Guidelines for Writing in Verse: One Editor's Hierarchical Preferences

Writing in verse is no easy feat. In my experience, it requires much more thought and provides me with a much lower yield (assuming yield is measured in word count, at least). At its most basic level, to write verse requires some level of understanding of language (grammar, usage, style and so forth), but it also requires some kind of understanding of music (or at least rhythm). 

Like with any form of writing, there is no right or wrong way to write in verse, but this post is designed to help you think about the elements that often go into written verse. For the sake of organization, I’ve arranged them in the order I think they benefit written verse most.  

Top Priority

Rhyme — In a very strictly technical sense, meter perhaps should be the most important element when writing verse. However, if you ask me, rhyme is actually more important, as it more obviously denotes to readers that what they are reading is verse. Verse without rhyme will tend to feel like bad prose, with the meter drumming along monotonously in the background; with good rhyme schemes, the meter is elevated to become musical to the ear. One of the best examples of this comes from Gary Provost, who wrote a famous blurb about the importance of varying sentence length when writing. Although his first half isn’t in a true metered verse, the same principle applies (perhaps even more so) when each line is literally the same number and pattern of syllables, not just the same number of words.

Middle Priority

Meter — Only slightly less important than the rhyme is the meter the rhyme is supporting. Ending each line in a rhyming word signifies that you are indeed writing in verse, but if you aren’t paying attention to the meter, you’ll end up with clunky lines that prevent your audience from slipping into a musical, lilting, rhythmic pattern as they read. To me, it’s a feeling in the same vein as a heart palpitation or an audience member who isn’t clapping on beat. To really nail the meter, you are going to have to count syllables and re-write lines to re-phrase ideas. 

Low Priority

Structure — This is, in my opinion, the least important element of writing in verse. A very strict structure (such as, writing specifically in the form of a limerick, a sonnet, or some other common convention) can be a great way to utilize your audience’s pre-conceptions to help them find the rhythm of your verse. But I don’t think it’s particularly important to always have a set structure or keep returning to a specific rhyme scheme. When your individual lines have good meter and good rhyme, it’s much less important to stick with a specific number of lines per stanza. 

Conclusion

But, at the end of the day, these are just my opinions. Some of the greatest poems in history have no set meter, no rhyme, and variable structure. I’ve even written poems like this myself. The most beautiful thing about writing is that you don’t need anyone else to validate what you are doing as long as it’s what you want to be doing. As with all my posts, I want to hear from you. If you think this is helpful for you, let me know why. If you think this is a garbage take on poetry and written verse, let’s talk about it!