Here's an easy peasy way to spice up your manuscript and avoid the "snoozer fine". (1 month jail time and 300 smackaroos!)
Stop with the single syllable rhymes! Ok, not completely. It's perfectly acceptable to use flew and do and who and zoo and shoe. But what about sneaking in a little, "hullabaloo" or "overdue" or "miscontrue" or "kangaroo" or "judicial review"?! Ok, that last one may struggle to find it's place in a kids book...but ya never know! Not only will multisyllabic rhymes add some pizzazz to your verses, but it exposes kids to a wider range of words in general, helping expand their vocabulary. One reason editors do not encourage rhyming submissions (aside from being inundated with bad rhyme), is that they are also inundated with predictable rhyme. They've heard it all before, and they can guess how every sentence is going to end. SURPRISE THEM! You'll be happy you did!
One resource to get your creative juices flowing, is the ever helpful
www.rhymezone.com.
They divide their list of rhyming words into syllable count. Try going right to the 3 and 4 syllable rhymes, and see what sticks out to you.
TIP:
If working with these "bigger words" in your rhyme is new to you...try using the multisyllabic word as the first in the rhyming set. It will feel more natural (less forced) than if you use it as the punchline.
Show us some attempts and we'll let you know if you nailed it!
Until next time,
Tiffany & Corey
THE METERMAIDS
Always on patrol.
In rhyme your word choice must surprise,
ReplyDeleteLest the Meter Maids chastise.
To flaunt their rule is most unwise,
They'll ticket you and shout REVISE.
Rhymezone is great, but even they 'cheat' sometimes. School rhymes with cool, but their six syllable suggestion is "preparatory school" Mmm...no.
- Cathy
Cathy, you rock!!! After that, I think we have to officially make you a Meter Maid!
DeleteLove this advice ladies! I need to definitely use more multi-syllable rhymes - oops.
ReplyDeleteHere is a rhyme from my wip:
“I want to go home and not have frustration,
And return to my backyard of pure relaxation.”
Thanks for the help in advance!
-Jen
Hi Jennifer,
DeleteGood words! The meter needs a bit of smoothing out though...
See if you can hear the difference in this:
I want to go home. I'm so done with frustration.
I need my backyard for some real relaxation.
-T
I have to amend what I wrote. See- this is why sometimes you need to walk away from the computer and come back with fresh eyes! (my example to you sucked) :-D
DeleteIt's time to go home and leave all this frustration.
My yard is the place for complete relaxation.
eh. but you get the point. the main issue for me was the unnatural stress on BACKyard. hope this helps!
T
Hi Tiffany, Yes your examples definitely helped me out. I see my stress mess us now. Thank you so much!!!
DeleteThis post was quite helpful, dear ladies of rhyming.
ReplyDeleteIt's not always easy to get the right timing.
The words that one choses must be picturesque.
And that's why I constantly sit at my desk.
Thank you so much...your blog is much enjoyed and the resources you list are great!
Ha, Vivian, awesome! I'm very impressed :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much...if you are very impressed, then I am very very very happy. :)
ReplyDeleteRhyming well is so hard.
ReplyDeleteYou'll get there! Just keep practicing the basics!
ReplyDelete