A Piece of Sonnet Advice.
(Dedicated to MargaretG)
To write a good sonnet is easy and not very hard
If you master the meter and study the works of the bard.
Iambic pentameter's what you must strive to attain
Getting five dee dee DUMS or dee DUMS running into your brain.
When once you have got it, next, rhyming's the challenge to test
Depends on your choice of style, Petrach or Shakespeare is best.
But Milton or Spenser are both worthy poets to trial
The Rhyming Scheme varies a fair bit according to style.
You first choose your subject and then you should give it a go
Making sure all your accents fall right on strong syllables so
You avoid any ugliness, crude or unnatural stress
And your sonnet has beautiful "flow" when it's read - nothing less.
So you see how it's done and your poem, when you've carefully read it,
Just send me the draft which I'll happily critique and edit.
Hugh Wyles July 6th.2004
Author notes
I hope some of the people who tell me they are unable to tackle sonnet form will find this example helpful.
Please note that the above 'couplet rhyming' scheme is NOT usual for sonnets which more often adopt alternate rhyming.
Written July 5th, 2004
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Dear wishintreeUK,
If I can be of any further assistance at any time, please email me at h.wyles@clear.net.nz
Happy sonneteering. Love, Hugh.
Edited on Dec 15, 11:58 because ''. -
This is a humorus and very informative poem Hugh, you make it all sound so simple, I shall keep plodding on with my efforts
~Katie~
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Dear Margaret,
]I have not only 'looked' at your sonnets but have bookmarked and re-read many of them with admiration and pleasure.
It was your sonnets that first drew me to inviting you to become one of my favourites. I have dedicated this poem to you as one of my favourites who least needs my advice.
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh.
Edited on Feb 15, 12:44 because ''. -
I did write that Petrarchan sonnet, but now I remember Milton.
I applaud you again for this great poem.
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Hugh, I agree that it is most pleasing that sonnets have regular meter. I like your anapestic pentameter in this piece. I tend to write according to Shakespeare or Spenser, the latter is quite intricate at times, which just adds to the satisfaction of completing it. I will have to look into Milton, and Petrach also deserves more attention.
This is a lovely, bouncy, and gently humorous look at the sonneteer's art. If you wish to look at mine, I have thoughtfully added (sonnet) to each title.
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I must state at this particular time that Susan and I are now collaborating in a series of WYLEIAN Sonnets. Since writing her above comment, Susan has become a proficient and prolific writer of sonnets and has ably mastered the pitfalls of iambic writing.
Edited on Dec 23 because ''. -
Dear Renee,
As we age it is, unfortunately, not only our participles that start to dangle!! lol.
Thanks for tipping me off on that typo. Of course it's supposed to read "test" in the first line of stanza #2.
You will have noticed that Gen and I are now breaking all the sonnet rules by experimenting with septameter. But one has to master iambic pentameter first or you can get really unstuck!!
Love and hugs, as always and thanks for your applause.XXX Hugh.
Edited on Sep 04, 9:31 p.m. because 'Another typo!!'. -
First line of the second stanza should end in the word "test", so your redundancy dissappears. The rest is solid, making this one of your best. I love to read sonnets but the iambic pentameter always throws me because it is required that the words have a sort of meter somewhat like song lyrics. I can't think, "dee dee dumb, dee dum" and think words at the same time,
brain just malfunctions...
Oh what the heck! Excuses, excuses, I will try my hand at this IP thingy, I always hated those two words and "dangling participle", those two words drive me insane as well.
Thanks for the advice. Excellent way to explain a sonnet to a person who loves to read them but hates to write them.
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Bravo!!!!
this is just loaded with dee Dums and dee dee Dums and rhyme and well just a veritable text on sonnet writing. Now could just climb inside my head and help me figure this accent thing out. I mean kiwi vs West Coast American.... how hard can this be???
Off I go to play some Iambic...
Your forever Gen.... -
To rhyme, no problem, to count the syllables will not be difficult either but the dee DUMS, ah that will give me a headche, and believe it will not come from its sound as I'm used to listen to drums of every kind and in every rhythm. Anyway, I'll try to write one just to scare the ghost out of you
Good advices dad!
Kisses and hugs,
Mariza
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Hugh, this is a very good idea to help people who can't write sonnets. I know I have trouble with them so I will be calling on you for help. lots of love and hugs~Joan
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