It is a new day, a new work week, and a new month – how’s that for new beginnings!
As with any new work week, Rebecca gives us a chance to start using our brain again with her Musing Mondays!
Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about a story format.
How do you feel about books written in a differing format – whether this be journals or letters (epistolary), verse novels, or any other form? Is this something you enjoy? Or do you prefer straight forward chapter prose.
I tend to enjoy different narrative forms because I do believe it forces you to step out of what is comfortable and safe. In so doing, a reader must then focus on just how a format can affect a story. If done correctly, the different format should not prevent you from being absorbed in the story; in other words, it should not distract you from the story itself. The format should enhance the story and make it come alive in a way that may not have been possible in a different format.
That being said, the only story format I will avoid is verse novels or lyrical prose. I made the mistake of requesting and receiving a review copy of a novel self-published by a brand-new author, and it was not until I actually started reading the book that I discovered the story format. I do not like poetry for the fact that it requires interpretation and deciphering. As for novels, I want to be immersed in them. I do not want to have to pause to try to figure out what a sentence means. As long as I avoid those two formats, the actual format of a novel does not bother me at all.
What do you think? Is there one particular format that truly bothers you as much as lyrical prose or verse does me?
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Kris – I think it is something for which you have to be in a certain mood. I would definitely not want to alternate formats all the time.
I don't really like differing forms, they kind of distract me from the story.
Thanks, Nise'! Do you feel that most alternate story formats do detract or are authors pretty good about choosing the right format?
Gautami – I can imagine that poets would love verse in any form. I consider myself verse-illiterate, so I need to avoid it for my own sanity! LOL!
Thanks, Dana! I'm glad to see that I am not the only one who avoids verse. I always feel bad about saying it because poetry is supposed to be the end-all, be-all of literature. It just is not for me, and I do not want it anywhere near my books!
Lori – There is something to be said about everyday reading. Sometimes, you just want what's familiar.
I agree it should not distract you from the story itself.
I love the verse form. Because I write poetry myself.
Mondays: Musings/Mailbox/Whereabouts
Oh, we SO think alike about verse! I don't want to ponder the meaning when reading a story, I just want to be in the story–immersed is exactly right!
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