The Snowflake Chronicles

August Fantasy Newsletter (August 6, 2018)

Editors Picks

1. Magic
2. The Final Frontier
3. The Last Neanderthal
4. Trapped in Time
5. Still Learning
6.
7.
8.
9.

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Dilemma: Rewriting Fantasy Poetry

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When do you rewrite?

Hook

The story poems are finished. Do I need to rewrite?

About This Newsletter

Beware!
Cleaning out desk drawers
is dangerous,
because you will find
yesterday's fantasies.

You will fine poem starts,
finished poems,
and those that need rewriting.

Letter From the Editor

I cleaned out the drawers of my computer desk. I found several fantasy genre story poems, which I have to either rewrite or transfer--without rewriting--into "Poem Experiments"  [18+]. This journal/blog contains a hodgepodge of poems I wrote beginning sometime in the last century. I am not certain of the exact dates, because for a while I was, somewhat, lackadaisical about dating the drafts.

The three fantasy poems I found, were written in quatrain form rhyming abcb. Two of the three is about a wizard, the first poem is called "The Wizard's Quest", and The Wizard (no other name) is searching for forbidden knowledge. I have reread this poem several times, and I cannot decide whether to leave it as is or rewrite. If I rewrite it will become a completely different poem. Following is the last stanza of "The Wizard's Quest".

Thus this tale ends
About a sorcerer bold,
Who sought forbidden knowledge
In a tablet of pure gold.

Rewriting is the dilemma. I have encountered this dilemma before with the novels I have written. I like the plot. I am not sure whether I like the characters or not. I think part of the problem with these poems is the line lengths and the rhythm. When I read the poem aloud, the rhythm does not flow and seems jagged. I am sure I am not the only writer encountering this problem. Any suggestions are welcome. If anyone wants to read the full text of the poem, I am transferring them into "Poem Experiments"  over the next few weeks, with any other poems I discover in this same genre.

Editors Picks

Magic  (E) Magic is real, she knew it. #2163478 by Leslie

Excerpt: Elena knew one thing, magic was real. Despite what her relatives said she knew it existed. She could feel it in the air, feel it in her bones and in her blood. The way sparks ignited at her fingertips when she grew angry, or how she could speak to animals. Magic explained everything.

The final frontier  (ASR) Space: the final frontier. Or is it? #2163708 by Ricardo Monascal

Excerpt: Space: the final frontier. Or is it? With the advent of astonishingly fast interstellar ships, the vastness of space has becomes less overwhelming. Journeys that would've seemed impossible just a couple of hundred year ago, are but ordinary commutes today. An ordinary galactic citizen could be working in the Alpha Centaury system and have his lunch back at Earth.

Invalid Item  This item number is not valid. #2048109 by Not Available.

Excerpt: I sidestepped the security cameras and slithered in through a third-story window. A mummified cat stared up at me.

Trapped in Time  (13+) A man takes a medicine that's under experiment and gets himself trapped in time #2164970 by Nada Philippe (a.k.a: R.H.N)

Excerpt: Keith sitting on the sofa in the living room, gazing at the television’s empty screen. Holding his tears as his memories comes rushing to his mind. He sees the fire burning the building. He focuses on the fire and sees Lara his wife in one of the rooms inside the burning building and a part of the burning wooden cupboard falls on her body trapping her in the fire. He rushes towards her and finds she is already dead. Returning back to reality and his tears falls.

Still Learning  (E) 299 words. #2165437 by Robert Kaine

Excerpt: "No," she hissed. "You're not getting it!"

Feedback from "Fantasy Newsletter (July 11, 2018)" 

Quick-Quill writes: After doing my family geology back in 2000 I found my 4 times great grandfather had written a book on biblical prophecy. I called the member of the family that might still have family memorabilia and was told the wife of the last family member had taken all his family treasures and burned them. I was sick. We all were. She isn't much loved in the family, I don't think she cares either. She was rude when I contacted her. I would love to go back to the late 1800's and talk to that grandfather. (Hopefully I know what I know now) and share what he wrote and what has transpired since then. Maybe one day I will meet him.

Uncommonspirit wrote: Nice article, but was not "The Time Machine" written by HG Wells? :)
Yes, The Time Machine was written by H.G. Wells. Thank you the correction.
Prosperous Snow celebrating