Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Music or Karaoke?


When I listen to a great song, I am often amazed by the lyrics. Every word counts, works hard, and sometimes does double duty.

Good writing has rhythm, whether the writing is a song or a novel. The reader rides waves of sounds. Achieving this musical quality in writing can be tough, though. If a sentence is not constructed well or is riddled with mistakes, the result could be more clunk than melody. If a sentence is not divided well with commas, dashes, colons, etc., it could hit the ear like bad karaoke.


Echoes in a story can also ruin the music of it. Maybe a character’s name or pronouns such as he and she are repeated too often. Maybe the writer has a tendency to use the some words too much. *Raises her hand sheepishly.*


Too much alliteration can also snuff the rhythm and good writing.


I find that reading my stories out loud is the best way to find those places where the writing loses its rhythm and song. The rough patches hit my ears like gravel poured out of a metal can. Cutting often helps to fix these sound and rhythm issues. If I simplify (the writing not the thought or content behind it), the music sometimes comes back into the sentences.


William Stunk and E.B. White wrote in The Elements of Style: “A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.”


What do you think? Does music come from making every word count? As in

poetry? As in lyrics? When you are reading a novel, how much does the music of the writing affect your reading experience? If you write, how do you infuse music into your work?

31 comments:

  1. Such a great post! Good stories definitely have a cadence. It's difficult, though, when you're writing, because how our mind constructs a sentence is very different than the flow in which we actually read. Like you said, reading our stories out loud can point that out.

    I think in music, every word counts because of WHERE it is placed, not necessarily what it stands for. It's more about flow, sometimes, than meaning. And you may need a "that" or "and" or other such words, just to make the sentence flow well in conjunction with the melody.

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  2. I really enjoyed this post. While I am no poet myself, I do find that reading a lot of great poetry helps me improve my prose writing quite a bit.

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  3. Thanks, Barbara. Great comment.

    Although I don't read as much poetry as I'd like, I agree, Faith. Reading is one of the greatest tools to writing, I think.

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  4. While prose certainly isn't poetry, it really does have a rhythm and flow, like you said! Spot on. I just try to write with a stream of consciousness, urping it all out in a (hopefully) natural flow, and then tidy it up later. :)

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  5. As you know, I believe the music of words is what lends magic to prose. Rhythms and flow add so much to a book.
    (yep, great minds think alike)

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  6. Reading out loud really helps, especially if you read exactly as it's written on the page. (LOL Still working on that part)

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  7. I call it "prose rhythm," and I definitely pay attention to it as I write.

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  8. Reading aloud has saved me many a time. When you stumble you know your word melody is off.

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  9. I work the same way, Carol. I focus more on the rhythm in the revisions.

    I agree, Lynda! Funny that our posts are so similar this week. : )

    Ah, I sometimes have a little trouble reading exactly what is on the page, too, Stina.

    Jenn, your The Secret Year had a beautiful rhythm. Hats off to you.

    Absolutley, Karen. The ear knows.

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  10. Oooooh so true!! I sometimes write by "feel" meaning the way the words flow. And yes, it always feels much cleaner when I've gone through and axed all the extraneous words.

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  11. I'm in the camp with Strunk and White. I used to be more excessive in everything. My style now is a bit more streamlined.

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  12. I agree, rhythm is incredibly important and so is reading aloud to find the spots that aren't flowing. For some reason, I alliterate too often. Thank you for another insightful post!

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  13. It's funny you mentioned this. I've been listening to a lot of Taylor Swift lately (my 14 yo downloaded his music to my iPhone). Her songs are each a mini story, and convey certain moods. Amazing.

    I have to read my work out loud, and even still, I miss stuff that's clunky. Thank goodness for critique partners!

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  14. I read my work out loud. I also have a test reader who is the master of reading rhythm.

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  15. ohhh. Man, you're simile for those rough patches hits the nerve!! I can just hear it! Rhythm is important...it's not one of those things you're conscious of until you hear it either...it's definitely one thing to read your stories in your head, but another aloud!

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  16. Ohhhh!! I gave you a blog award, too!! lol.

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  17. I love that quote about how a sentence shouldn't have unnecessary words like a machine shouldn't have unnecessary parts - how true!

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  18. I love that phrase--"write by feel," Lisa. Absolutely!

    I'm with you, Lydia. I love Stunk and White and I really love that quote.

    Thank you, MG! : )

    Taylor Swift is a great example, Julie. She really seems to make every word count.

    That test reader sounds like pure gold, Alex. Lucky you!

    Ahh, thanks, Ashley!!

    I love that quote, too, Susan. I might tape it over my desk. : )

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  19. I always read my MS aloud when I edit--you pick up so much that way. Music is very important to me--I usually have songs that inspire scenes--even characters. Lovely post.

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  20. I love the connection between music and fiction. I think it's a matter of "having an ear." Sometimes you phrase things differently than strict conciseness would dictate, because a certain rhythm sounds better.

    Marcia Hoehne

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  21. Thanks, Julie. Music is huge inspiration to me, as well. I'm so grateful for that.

    Absolutely, Marcia. It's amazing how much more delicious writing is when there is a rhythm to it.

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  22. I find that some of my least favorite songs have repetitive lyrics (I'm not just talking about the chorus) and poor word variety.

    I also read my manuscripts out loud or have my Kindle read them to me. That's essential when I edit.

    Have a great week.

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  23. As you know, I love music. And I love poetry.
    I do read my work aloud to see how it flows. What I need to do though, is record me reading it and listen to it. I think that would be even more helpful.

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  24. Medeia, having your Kindle read your manuscripts to you is brilliant! Hope you have a great week, too!

    Another great idea, Kelly. Although, I'm not sure I could stand the sound of my voice for too long. : )

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  25. I admit that I only read out loud when I see something that doesn't have a proper flow. If it doesn't sound right when read aloud, then I fix it.

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  26. The rough patches hit my ears like gravel poured out of a metal can. I LOVE THIS! I like to read my stories out loud. I think it helps, or I hope it does. :)

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  27. I love this analogy. Music in writing! When I'm writing particularly dramatic scenes, I find myself switching on some Jim Brickman or some other instrumental music (orchestras are the best), as it seems to help me write better too. :)
    BTW, Come drop by my blog to claim your AWARD!

    nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  28. Interesting, J.L. I love how different writers work.

    Thanks, Maeve!

    I listen to music, too, when I am writing certain scenes, Nutcshell. And thanks for the award! Aren't you nice! ; )

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  29. Great post Cynthia. Love words that sound like music when read aloud.
    Elements of Style is such a good little book too - I'll have to pull it out again

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  30. I love the parallel you've drawn between music lyrics and our works. Thanks for coming by the blog!

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  31. Thanks, Michelle! I love Elements of Style, too.

    Welcome and thank you, Sophia. : )

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