What
writing lessons can one take from Christmas carols? T. P. Jagger examined that
question this week on the From the
Mixed Up Files of Middle Grade Authors blog. He suggested five
carols and the writing truths they offer.
If you want to
pull in the reader,
start with a
problem that needs to be overcome.
Do so quickly.
In
the first four measures of Away in a Manger, we are aware of the no crib issue.
Have the
protagonist struggle with
the loss of
something or someone.
In
Elvis’ Blue Christmas, the season just isn’t the same without his
special someone.
Jagger
can only take so much of Alvin and the Chipmunks’ Christmas Don’t Be Late
and thus:
Don’t overdo
dialectical speech in dialog.
A single unique
trait is often enough
to create a
memorable character.
Think
Rudolph.
You never know
when the muse will strike so you need to
just sit down,
start writing, and see what happens.
The Christmas Song (a.k.a.
“Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) was written in about 40 minutes on a hot summer day in 1944.
Readers
to the blog offered other truths:
We Wish You a Merry Christmas
shows the magic of 3s.
Frosty the Snowman embodies magical realism.
Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer is a reminder to include humor.
The
prelude to White Christmas, “The sun is shining/ The grass is green/ The
orange and plan trees talks about sunny, warm palm trees sway/ There’s never
been such a day in Beverly Hills, L.A” is such a contrast to the rest of the
song. Lesson to learn: get your setting right.
If
I may throw in one more bit of writing wisdom, throw in a plot
twist as does the last line of I’ll Be Home for
Christmas.
What
lessons can other carols offer writers?
(This
article also posted at http://writetimeluck.blogspot.com)
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