Forego description –
Keep it simple, keep it plain,
Always show, not tell.
The character of
A novel, is novelty …
In its characters.
How, when and where lie.
All detectives must live by …
Who did it and why.
His contemplations –
Whimsical musings with a
Thoughtful cigarette.
All that remains of
Those sweet lovers’ dreamings –
High heels and stockings.
The writer’s conceit
Buried under faintest praise –
Wishful thinking left.
The editor said,
You cannot write for toffee –
Chew on that instead.
Comments
steve-r | November 18, 2009 - 22:39
This set of Haiku flowed as sharp and smooth as kung fu.
Agatha Christie
In seventeen syllables
For those that get it ;-)
h jenkins | November 19, 2009 - 12:55
Thanks for the comment. I do like your one too.
It's make me think that it might be worth expanding on the idea so that an entire novel is told in this way. Your contribution would make a wonderful foreword.
Helvigo Jenkins
tcook | November 19, 2009 - 16:22
You might like to take a look at these. We have in the past distilled entire paintings, songs, books and much else into haikus or limericks. Unfortunately the whereabouts of others are unknown to me but I do know where I keep my own examples. Maybe it's time to do this again on Inspiration Point? In any case here's a few examples:
http://www.abctales.com/tcook/lets_make_the_water_turn_black_by_the_moth...
http://www.abctales.com/tcook/mr_and_mrs_clark_and_percy_by_david_hockne...
http://www.abctales.com/story/tcook/hamlet-limerick
http://www.abctales.com/story/tcook/prince-limerick
http://www.abctales.com/story/tcook/where-wild-things-are-limerick
Tell me which you think looks more fun!
h jenkins | November 19, 2009 - 22:42
Tony,
Hope you come back in to see my response here.
The idea I liked best was the one based on Hamlet. It reminded me that I'd written a short poem a few years ago about MacBeth. If I can find it, I'll post it on the site.
I do think that'd make the best IP. Ask for poems which encapsulate the plot of any of WS's plays, as briefly as possible.
The best (and shortest) I've ever come across was one about Othello. What I really liked was that, allowing for the anapaestic second foot, it was in iambic pentameter.
A hell of a fuss about a handerchief.
Helvigo Jenkins