This prompt is a little different. Read the first step, follow it, then read the second step follow it, and then read the third step.
Step 1
Write a ten line narrative poem. (A narrative poem is a poem that tells a story.) It should tell a complete, or mostly complete story.
Step 2
Add ten more lines to that poem. You can add them at any point, they can be interspersed throughout, or together in one section. However they cannot all be at the end of the poem.
Step 3
Remove eight lines from the poem. These lines can be taken from any point in the poem.
Should we post all three steps/drafts? Just asking,
Up to you. Only the finished one is needed (#3).
Do we post the three steps?
I’m gonna have to come back to this one. I drew a blank…….just pretty much flatlined
at the thought of having to remove whole lines, my muse ran screaming from the room
hahaha post it & i’ll cut 8 lines for you 🙂
LOL, how sweet, thank you. I will remember your offer for the next time the muse starts to ramble and forgets to focus. 🙂
Loved this prompt, but it took me longer than an hour. My next poem will have to be a haiku.
Step 3 was most difficult. I tend to be sparse with my words anyway. Eliminating them interrupted the narrative. That’s why I published all 3 steps so you could see what might have been. I was pleased with Step 2; yet in some places, it was better in Step 3.
I understand editing a narrative but the poetry, the meter and metaphor were lost with entire lines getting cut.