How do you write good narrative poems?

Well, if you could post an example, it would help. It's hard to give someone advice if you don't know their skill level! :)

More generally, think about what you're trying to convey. Imagine a woman waiting at a window. Do you want to write about how she looks, who she's waiting for, or maybe the moment someone arrives? Imagine your scene or event, and pick out what you want to focus on. If your poem was a scene in a movie, where would the camera zoom in? When would it linger, when would it sweep quickly? Great storytelling, no matter what form, depends on timing.

If you're worrying about subtlety, always remember to show instead of tell. Again, think about the things a movie will tell and what you only see. Characters don't say "I am angry!"; they slam doors and storm away. If you don't know how obvious something is, have someone read it. Ask specific questions regarding weak points instead of "is this good or not" and make sure you pick a person who is willing to constructively criticize. Many people feel strange telling a person their art is flawed.

Narrative writing appears in and is not limited to novels, short stories, biographies, autobiographies, historical accounts, essays, poems, and plays

Write a story about your the best celebration you have ever had; tell why this is your favorite.

Think of a time when you were nervous. It might be your first plane ride or the first time you slept over night with a friend. Tell what happened and how you reacted.

Write a fictional story about being an eyewitness at an historical event.

Find an example of a narrative; explain the elements that make this a good example

Narrative Essays and Prompts

A one-page article that describes this genre while also including links to examples of narrative writing.

Narrative Writing Resources

Visit this list for additional resources gathered by the Web English Teacher.

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RE:

How do you write good narrative poems?

They're all I end up writing, even when I try to write lyric or dramatic ones (well, maybe they were half-and-half). I don't think they're good, though, so I'd appreciate some tips. (I think I have particular problems with pace and subtlety.)

Hi walrus,

Here's my tips on writing a good narrative poem:

1) Make sure it rhymes. It doesn't need to rhyme all the way, but to maintain its poetic characteristics, you have to work on the rhymes...maybe at the end of the sentence, or repetitions or by using figurative language.

2) Make sure it is cogent and coherent. No matter how long your narrative poem is, make sure it has a certain binding theme that gels the enormous amount of words together. Your writing should evolve around the same subject matter so that it doesn't appear like a prose or an essay. This is also important to create harmony in your poem.

Here's a narrative poem, as an example. It was written by me. You don't have to think that it is great, i'm just trying to give you a clearer picture on what i was saying:

Round and round...(a prose poem)

People say the earth is round. But is it really round? How round? They said life is like a rollercoaster. Why rollercoaster? Why not marry go round? But what happens if the world is no longer round? and life is no longer like a rollercoaster? What happens when the clock stops ticking? Will our hearts stop beating? Will our pulse keeps on beeping? Stop! Thy thread is on empire's dust! Will the life of the earth ends tragically as Napoleon's? What would be mother earth's tragic flaw then? To provide mankind excessively? To spoil men with countless necessities? Or is the earth round because of its infinite life? Round beings don't have an end nor an angle. Not possible to be cornered. Doesn't she feel tired of being so round? Does it symbolize the roundness of her heart? Tirelessly giving and giving. All around the clock. Non-stop. Round and round. Round. Balloons are round. But balloons are fragile. Mother earth is a tough figure. Like Erin Brockovich. Catering to the insatiable needs of citizens of the earth. Feeding hungry mouths. Forgiving ungrateful children of her own breed.

--->Keep on writing. Practice makes perfect. Hope this helps. Good luck! =)

-Iris.

well, I write and have a book out )poetry) and I am working on 2 more books...

writing is just a means to gather your thoughts into intelligent and observant pronounced understandings

here's my link

www.poetrypoem.com/jasonlammons