Poetry is a double-edged sword. You learn to use language at its most intense - but this is far too intense for prose fiction. I've been teaching myself to progressively strip the 'poetry' away - the bulk of The Architect is told in very simple prose.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Poetry uses intense language that can hinder clarity in prose fiction.
- In plain terms
- Poetry is too intense for prose so I strip it away.
- What can you take from it?
- Use simple prose for clarity in fiction writing.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you balance beauty and clarity?
- What style suits your goals?
Another view
Poetic language can add beauty and depth to prose when used sparingly.
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