I’ve recently been enrapt by both poetry and short novels. I enjoy the quick reading of them and how they pack an emotional punch, and how I can see the characters and settings with so few words. How do those writers do that? It’s magical, and I pondered on this for a couple of weeks recently. Why am I so drawn in… and can I write like that?

I’ve decided it’s their concision – they hit you with the good stuff without extra words. I’ve been feeling bogged down by the thought of creating my second draft. I have a lot written, but the story has evolved so much from the first, it’s like I’m writing an almost-entirely-new novel… and it gets me down sometimes.

I was also in a reading slump for a few months. Partly because I was reading the wrong books (for me), but also because those books were taking too long to get to the point. One amazing poetry book and I was floored! How did she do that? Then a short novel and again – wow! Another short novel and a poem that both hit me in the feels and I had to figure this out. Why am I suddenly drawn to these shorter forms? I’m not any more or less busy than any other time in the last many years. But I am drawn, and importantly, I feel the need to write like that.

So on a whim, I decided that I SHALL WRITE MY NOVEL IN VERSE! I have never taken a poetry class, nor have I read any books poetry craft books. Until the last few years, I didn’t even think I liked poetry. I can probably count on two hands how many poetry books I have, against the shelves and shelves of novels and non-fiction books in my collection.

But here I am, giving it a go. What is fascinating is that the words are FLOWING again! By distilling each scene to its essence (feelings, settings, characters), I am writing faster than I have in months. I have no idea if it’s “right” or “good” or if poets everywhere will tell me all the things I’ve done wrong if it ever sees the light of day, BUT! The words are flowing. The story is moving. I know it so well now, in my bones, that I don’t even need the outlines or first drafts or notes. I’m simply writing and it feels amazing.

Tell me (please, for real, I want to know!) – have you read any novels in verse? Epic poems? What do you love or hate about the form? Are there any you’d recommend?