SCBWI's Blueboard - A Message & Chat Board
Writer's Room => Picture Books (PB) => Topic started by: d-dzien on October 15, 2021, 08:33 PM
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Hi all, first time board user so apologies in advance if this topic has been covered. I am formatting a picture book in verse. I have found that I should be indenting each line with one tab. My question is, if the line carries over into the next line , should it be indented further? Should it stay in line with the rest of the verse? Or maybe should it not be indented? Any help is appreciated!!!
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Verse can be left justified. Verses are used as paragraphs. Do not use capital letters unless grammar calls for it. So:
Twinkle, twinkle little star,
how I wonder what you are
up above a world so high
like a diamond in the sky.
Often the line spacing is 1.5 or single spaced, instead of double, with and extra line break between verses.
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Thanks so much for the reply Debbie, that helps a ton!
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Hmmm, I'm thinking that the lines for PB verse would be short enough that they fit on a single line. I'd try to split them up in a logical manner if that makes sense. If you go to Linda Ashman's website and click on books, she has posted some of her originals for some of them. Example: https://lindaashman.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Samantha-On-a-Roll-as-acquired.pdf She has many more and wonderful resources for PB writers and is a wonderful teacher too.
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I had missed that part about longer lines. Treat them as you would those lines in any poem. But also look for examples in published books. I can't think of any where the lines were that long.
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Thank you both! Vijaya the example was definitely helpful. I think I have her all formatted and ready to put on the critique board. I appreciate your time!