Tag: literature

How to Write a Villanelle?

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ALL ABOUT POETRY

Villanelles, also known as villanesques, have always fascinated us, and we’re pretty sure they always will. But what exactly is a villanelle? What qualifies a poem as a villanelle? And is it easy to write one? In this post, we’ll answer these questions and explore one of poetry’s most intriguing fixed verse forms.

Understanding the Term ‘Villanelle’

The English word villanelle is derived from the Italian villanella, meaning a rustic song or dance. In turn, villanella comes from villano, meaning a peasant. Originally, villanelles were imitations of peasant songs and did not follow any fixed poetic structure. Although the form was first developed by French poets and balladeers, most villanelles written today are in English. A villanelle is one of the best-known examples of fixed-verse poetry, the opposite of free verse.

Nineteen Lines, No Fixed Meter

Now that we know where the word villanelle comes from, let’s look at its defining characteristics. A villanelle is a short poem consisting of 19 lines. While these lines are generally concise, there is no prescribed length for each one. Likewise, there are no rules governing the number of syllables per line.

Although modern villanelles do not require a fixed meter, many nineteenth-century examples were written in trimeter. That said, tetrameter and pentameter have also been used successfully.

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Form and Refrains

As we’ve seen, a villanelle consists of 19 lines arranged into six stanzas. The first five stanzas are tercets (three lines each), while the final stanza is a quatrain (four lines).

The hallmark of a villanelle is its use of repetition. The first line of the opening tercet is repeated as the final line of the second and fourth tercets and as the penultimate line of the concluding quatrain. Likewise, the third line of the opening tercet reappears as the final line of the third and fifth tercets before concluding the poem as the final line of the quatrain. Minor variations are acceptable, but the repeated lines should remain recognisably the same.

In other words, every villanelle contains two refrains. It may sound like a lot of rules—and it is—but these very constraints are what give the form its distinctive musicality and emotional power.

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Rhyme Scheme

Writing a villanelle is no easy feat. In addition to its strict pattern of repeated lines, it follows a tightly controlled rhyme scheme. Only two rhyme sounds are used throughout the poem. Each tercet follows the ABA rhyme scheme, while the concluding quatrain follows ABAA.

The rhyme-and-refrain pattern may be represented as follows:

A¹bA² / abA¹ / abA² / abA¹ / abA² / abA¹A²

Here, A and B represent the rhyme sounds, while A¹ and A² denote the two refrains. Both refrains rhyme with the A sound.

Summary

A villanelle is a carefully structured poem that:

  • does not necessarily follow a fixed meter
  • consists of 19 lines
  • contains two refrains and two rhyme sounds
  • follows the ABA rhyme scheme throughout, ending with ABAA in the quatrain
  • comprises five tercets followed by one quatrain

Must-Read Villanelles

If you’d like to explore the form further, here are a few classic villanelles:

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Inside the Imaginative Worlds of Drema Deòraich

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The Virginia-based author discusses science fiction, ethical dilemmas, independent publishing, and why compassion matters more than ever

INTERVIEW

Drema Deòraich has been writing for as long as she can remember, but it was only in 2014 that she decided to pursue the craft with renewed seriousness. Speaking with Literary Harbinger in an exclusive interview, the Virginia-based author, who holds an Associate’s Degree in Education, recalls how attending a writers’ conference in her city transformed her understanding of storytelling. Over the following years, she learnt how to make her writing ‘tighter, more focused, and more dynamic.’

Her breakthrough came in 2018, when her first published short story, Last Call, appeared in Silver Blade Magazine. The moment remains unforgettable for the writer. ‘I remember being so excited that I danced around my apartment for a solid ten minutes,’ she says with a laugh. More published short stories soon followed, and in 2022, she released her first novel. Soon afterwards came her ambitious science fiction trilogy, a project she had nurtured for years.

A Pandemic Novel Written Before the 2020 Pandemic

Drema’s debut novel, Entheóphage, arrived in 2022 and immediately stood apart for its chilling premise. Though centred on a pandemic, it was not inspired by the global crisis that gripped the world in the early 2020s. In fact, Drema completed the first draft in November 2019 — mere months before reality mirrored fiction in unsettling ways.

‘It was weird,’ she admits. ‘For a few months after the real pandemic began, I could not work on this book, or even look at it.’ The story’s emotional and thematic weight suddenly felt far too close to reality. Yet Drema eventually returned to the manuscript with renewed determination.

She later submitted the novel to the prestigious Pitch Wars competition in hopes of refining it further. Published UK author Anna Kaling selected the manuscript as her Pitch Wars project, and together they strengthened the tension, pacing, and overall marketability of the work.

However, when Drema began pitching the novel to agents and publishers in 2021, the publishing world was reluctant to embrace pandemic narratives. ‘No one was willing to take on a pandemic story,’ she explains. Undeterred, she decided to publish the work independently. ‘The climate message felt too important to put off until agents and publishers would be interested again,’ she says firmly.

Building The Founder’s Seed Trilogy

Drema’s second published novel, Fallen, marked the beginning of The Founder’s Seed, an expansive science fiction trilogy she had spent years developing. The workshops she attended at writing conferences, coupled with the lessons she learnt during Pitch Wars, proved instrumental in shaping the trilogy into publishable form.

The subsequent instalments, Broken and Driven, followed soon after, further cementing her place as a distinctive voice in speculative fiction. Drema later published two novelettes — Jane Doe #7 and Deer in Headlights — both of which are currently available through Kindle Unlimited.

Her latest publication, meanwhile, is a compelling short-story collection titled Murder of Crows and Other Consequential Tales. The anthology gathers stories centred on the idea of ‘consequences,’ ranging from full-length short fiction to flash fiction pieces. ‘I have had a lot of fun with these stories,’ Drema says enthusiastically. ‘They do not encompass all my published short works, but they are all focused on the theme of consequences.’

For readers interested in multiple formats, Drema notes that all her works are available as ebooks. Murder of Crows and her four full-length novels are also available in paperback, while the novels themselves have been adapted into audiobooks narrated by the award-winning Stacey Lind.

Planning, Structure, and the Unexpected

When asked whether she outlines meticulously or writes instinctively, Drema answers without hesitation: she is fundamentally a planner. ‘Writing by the seat of my pants results in stories that wander far and wide from the story’s focus,’ she explains. ‘I prefer to outline and use that as a roadmap.’

Having an ending in mind, she says, gives her a destination towards which the narrative can steadily progress. Yet she is not rigidly attached to structure. If her characters begin steering the story in a different direction during the writing process, she is more than willing to abandon the original outline and begin anew.

Balancing writing with a day job at a local attorney’s office is not always easy, and she often writes whenever time permits. Still, storytelling remains the centre around which her life revolves.

Literary Influences and Ethical Questions

Among the writers who have profoundly influenced her work are Frank Herbert and Ursula K. Le Guin. Drema greatly admires Herbert’s storytelling and praises his son’s continuation of the legendary Dune saga.

What draws her most strongly to Herbert and Le Guin, however, is their willingness to confront ethical dilemmas and philosophical questions through fiction. ‘They wrote stories that asked questions and posed ethical quandaries for their characters to resolve and for their readers to ponder,’ she explains. ‘This is what I try to do in my own work.’

From Private Passion to Published Purpose

For Drema, writing itself was never really a choice. ‘It was always a given that I would write,’ she says.

Publishing, nonetheless, was a deliberate and conscious step. She acknowledges the immense labour involved in independently producing books that are professionally edited, polished, and well-presented.

Be that as it may, she ultimately felt her stories carried themes and emotional truths worth sharing with readers. ‘I decided to stop writing stories just for myself and share them with others,’ she reflects.

Finding Joy in Nature

Outside literature, Drema finds peace and inspiration in the natural world. She enjoys observing birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife in their native habitats, often gravitating towards ponds and streams in hopes of spotting turtles and water birds.

She also maintains a small garden focused primarily on native plants, hoping to create sustainable habitats for local wildlife. Watching caterpillars thrive on the plants she has cultivated gives her immense satisfaction.

‘It is quite rewarding when I see caterpillars from the butterflies growing and thriving on plants I placed in our yard as an offering!’ she says warmly. Daily walks and spending time with her two cats also remain among her favourite pursuits.

New Worlds Still to Come

Drema is currently working on a new trilogy tentatively titled The Nexus, which will serve as a continuation of The Founder’s Seed universe. Characters who once occupied secondary roles in the earlier trilogy will now take centre stage. Where the previous books explored acceptance, survival, and the meaning of humanity, this new series will focus more deeply on trafficking and the complicated bonds of family — both biological and chosen.

Book One has largely been written and now awaits revision, while the remaining instalments are already mapped out. Alongside this trilogy, Drema is also developing a novella titled Cleanup Crew. The story follows a protagonist who is unknowingly immortal, gradually uncovering truths about systems of power and control that silence dissenters and eliminate challengers.

Advice for Indie Writers

Having navigated the unpredictable terrain of independent publishing herself, Drema deeply understands the discouragement many writers face when their work struggles to gain visibility. ‘You are not alone,’ she says reassuringly. ‘Most of us are in the same boat at one time or another.’

She strongly encourages aspiring and independent writers to seek out supportive writing communities, whether online or in person. Such groups, she believes, can provide not only emotional encouragement but also practical assistance — from beta readers and ARC reviewers to marketing advice and creative guidance during difficult periods. ‘Sometimes all you need is someone who can listen and understand,’ she says. ‘Author groups can fill that space.’

A Final Reflection on Compassion

As the interview draws to a close, Drema is asked what one thing she would change about the world if she could. Her answer is thoughtful and measured. ‘It is not easy to pick just one thing,’ she says, acknowledging how difficult it can be to predict the long-term consequences of even the best intentions. Yet if forced to choose, her answer becomes beautifully simple: ‘I would change hate to compassion. We need more of that in this world.’

Before signing off, she leaves readers with one final appeal — a reminder of how vital reviews and ratings are for independent authors, particularly on platforms like Amazon. Even a brief review or star rating, she explains, can dramatically improve a book’s visibility and help connect writers with potential readers. And for lower ratings, she urges readers to explain their criticisms constructively. ‘We writers can usually take constructive criticism,’ she says with sincerity. ‘And so, we appreciate it!’

With her profound love for storytelling and her unwavering faith in compassion, Drema Deòraich continues to create worlds that challenge the mind, stir the conscience, and linger in the reader’s imagination long after the story ends.

Sometimes all you need is someone who can listen and understand. Author groups can fill that space.

~ DREMA DEÒRAICH

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Writing Beyond Retirement

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At 67, Maurice Perkins is turning personal memories and hard-earned life experience into compelling fiction

INTERVIEW

Author Maurice Perkins wrote short stories at school in the 1960s and had others published during the 1980s. Nevertheless, he says writing was never his primary profession for most of his life. ‘My writing career for many years was limited to business development and submitting tenders for contracts,’ he lets on, speaking with Literary Harbinger in an exclusive interaction. The 67-year-old, who currently lives at Stockport in Greater Manchester, the United Kingdom, says it took the Covid pandemic in 2020 to reignite his passion for storytelling. Spending more time reflecting on life encouraged him to return to creative writing after decades away from it. ‘It took Covid in 2020 to reignite my passion for sharing stories,’ he shares.

Turning Real Life into Fiction

Speaking about one of his latest books, Revenge, Maurice says the story was inspired by something he witnessed years ago. He says he expanded the idea dramatically to make it more gripping and intense. ‘Old ex-military men with dormant skills stumble into a gang turf war with disastrous consequences,’ he shares, revealing that several characters in the novel are based on real people he knows personally.

Although the individuals do not possess the dangerous skills seen in the book, he borrowed their personalities and mannerisms to shape the characters. ‘It allowed me to incorporate all of their idiosyncrasies into some humorous dialogue. They also acted as the initial beta readers. It is quite brutal and has some tough dialogue,’ Maurice lets us know.

Many Thanks to Social Media

The author says social media unexpectedly played a major role in his return to writing. He had been sharing personal experiences online, many of them funny, difficult, or emotional, and people encouraged him to document them properly. According to Maurice, that support made him realise his stories deserved a more permanent home.

‘It also made me realise that my grandchildren may never hear me tell those raucous stories as they grow old enough to hear them and I remain compos mentis enough to tell them,’ he says. That thought eventually pushed him to write three books based on his life experiences. ‘So, I wrote three books about my life so far, told through a series of funny and sometimes sad stories. It was so they could hear them in my own words and not retold by others,’ he lets on.

Building Worlds and Characters

Maurice admits he never expected his books to become as successful as they have been. The positive response from readers gave him the confidence to pursue larger fictional ideas that had remained in his imagination for years. One of those ideas became his dystopian novel Quest.

The novel explores survival in a world where resources are steadily disappearing. ‘A motley group travels west in search of answers while trying to survive against the odds,’ Maurice explains. ‘However, there are others, from a different time and a different place, who are also trying to survive. The futures of both groups are inextricably linked.’

Taking Unexpected Directions

Asked whether he carefully plans his plots or writes more instinctively, Maurice says he begins with a rough structure. He usually creates a simple outline featuring the chronology of events and the key characters he believes the story requires. From there, the process becomes far more flexible and organic. ‘I then overlay that with set-piece scenes or events that I want included,’ he explains.

The notes are either pinned to the wall in front of his writing desk or organised on a spreadsheet displayed on a separate screen. Even then, he says the original structure rarely survives unchanged. ‘It could be that the chronology does not work or I need to introduce another character, or eliminate one during editing,’ he tells us. According to Maurice, stories naturally evolve during the writing process and often take unexpected directions. ‘The story then evolves as it must to create the image I want the reader to understand,’ he adds.

Inspired by Lee Child & Frank Herbert

Lee Child, creator of the Jack Reacher series, happens to be Maurice’s favourite writer. He admires Child’s ability to combine dry humour with action-packed storytelling and problem-solving. Maurice says those qualities strongly appeal to him as a reader and writer. ‘I also like Frank Herbert, who wrote the Dune series, recently adapted into films again,’ Maurice shares, adding that the scale of Herbert’s fictional universe and its theological depth left a strong impression on him.

Maurice, who usually writes only when he feels genuinely inspired and prefers to work away from distractions, insists becoming an author was never part of a long-term plan. Instead, he describes it as an accidental consequence of sharing stories online and discovering that readers connected with them. Even now, he admits balancing writing with family life and friendships can sometimes be difficult.

‘Remain Creative and Be True to Yourself’

Currently, Maurice is preparing a rough outline for another novel while also gathering ideas for a fresh collection of humorous personal stories. Despite his growing readership, he insists writing remains a passion project rather than a business venture. ‘I am retired and being an author is a hobby,’ he says, adding that he has set the price of his books at a modest level and therefore it will never become a sustainable source of income. According to him, financial success was never the motivation behind his work. ‘It is about sharing the stories in my head,’ he tells us.

For aspiring indie authors, Maurice believes authenticity matters more than perfection. He encourages writers to trust their instincts and avoid overthinking the process too early. ‘Remain creative and be true to yourself. Write what you want to write and, somewhere out there, you will find the right audience,’ he says.

Final Say

Maurice also believes excessive research can sometimes damage creativity instead of strengthening it. ‘You need to write the story down as you see it and then check it afterwards,’ he explains. ‘If you spend too much time researching when you should be writing, it can limit your creativity, in my humble opinion.’

Finally, when asked what he would most like to change about the world, Maurice’s answer is immediate and deeply personal. He says he would eliminate wars of every kind because innocent people are always the ones who suffer most. ‘It is always the innocent who suffer in wars, rarely the people who start them. People in the military can only do what they are commanded to do,’ he says, signing off.

If you spend too much time researching when you should be writing, it can limit your creativity, in my humble opinion.

~ MAURICE PERKINS

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‘If You Want to Write, Do It; Push Through’

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INTERVIEW

Tony DiGerolamo has been writing since childhood although not quite in the way most literary careers begin. ‘When I was in first grade, the school had a short story contest for a McDonald’s hamburger,’ he says, beginning his interaction with Literary Harbinger. ‘I kept winning until the school asked me to stop entering so one of the other kids could win,’ he adds.

It is the kind of origin story that feels strangely perfect for a writer whose work thrives on absurdity and chaos. Beneath the punchlines, however, lies something more enduring: decades of commitment to storytelling and relentless creative output.

Thirty Years in the Pine Barrens

For more than three decades Tony has immersed himself in the folklore of South Jersey, particularly the mythology surrounding the Jersey Devil. That fascination eventually evolved into The Pineys, a comedy-horror novella series centred on a family of hunters tracking the monstrous kin of the Jersey Devil through the wilds of New Jersey.

‘The Pineys books are kind of the culmination of that,’ he explains. Through the series he introduces readers not only to monsters and mayhem but also to the folktales and strange cultural textures of South Jersey itself.

The premise is deliberately outrageous. He describes the series as ‘Ghostbusters only with drunken hillbillies and guns in South Jersey.’ Yet behind the irreverence lies careful worldbuilding and long-term planning.

Building Stories Backwards

Unlike writers who discover stories entirely as they write, Tony often begins with endings. ‘Normally, I come up with an ending, then start at the beginning and work my way there,’ he lets on.

With The Pineys series specifically the process has become increasingly interconnected. While finishing one book, he is already considering the next so he can plant clues and narrative threads ahead of time.

Other projects operate differently. His Wokeistan series, for example, remained dormant until he recently discovered what the third installment should become. ‘Now I have to find time to write it,’ he remarks.

The Writers Who Lit the Fuse

Among the authors who shaped him most are Kurt Vonnegut, Hunter S Thompson, William Goldman, Frank Miller, and several others whose work blends sharp storytelling with distinctive voice.

‘I guess they inspire me because I feel good after a reading and then I want to create something kinda like that,’ Tony tells us.

These days, however, time for reading has become increasingly scarce. Writing, promotion, and production consume most of his hours.

The Night Shift

Tony writes late at night when distractions finally disappear. ‘At night, when the phone and the emails stop,’ he says, adding, ‘Very late with iced tea.’

The image feels almost cinematic: a writer hunched over scripts and manuscripts while the world sleeps around him.

Currently residing in Laurel Springs the 58-year-old author holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications. Unlike many writers who stumble unexpectedly into publication, he speaks with certainty when asked whether becoming an author was a conscious decision.

‘Yes.’

Writing, Politics, and Monk-Like Discipline

Outside fiction his interests orbit around politics, which he follows ‘like sports.’ He also creates YouTube videos, both as creative outlet and promotional tool.

‘I live like a monk and mostly spend time writing and selling my books,’ he says.

That discipline is perhaps unsurprising considering the sheer variety of projects attached to his name. Long before The Pineys Tony built an eclectic writing career spanning comics, television comedy, websites, and games.

Among his most recognisable credits are writing for The Simpsons Comics published by Bongo Comics, contributing jokes to Politically Incorrect hosted by Bill Maher, and scripting material connected to Space Ghost Coast to Coast.

He has also written for comic books, games, Comedy Central, and Cracked.com.

No Patience for Half-Hearted Writers

When asked what advice he would give aspiring writers struggling with rejection or poor sales, Tony responds with ruthless humour.

‘Quit. I do not need the competition.’

What follows is less comforting pep talk and more verbal provocation. He dismisses the fantasy of literary glamour and argues that genuine writers persist because they cannot imagine doing otherwise.

‘Many people do not want to be writers. What they want is a room full of people asking for their autograph and calling them clever,’ he says. ‘If you want to write, do it; push through.’

Then comes the line that perhaps encapsulates his entire philosophy: ‘WHY AREN’T YOU WRITING RIGHT NOW?!’

Life in Repetition and Controlled Chaos

His daily routine unfolds with relentless repetition. Writing scripts for The Webcomic Factory, organising signings at libraries and breweries, making YouTube videos, responding to freelance opportunities, and continuing work on The Pineys series all compete for space within a single day.

Somewhere in between come walks with the dog, dinners with his parents, and attempts to sleep before beginning again the next morning.

Four to six times a month he also conducts live signings to support himself financially.

Folklore, Humour, and South Jersey Madness

If there is one thing Tony wants readers to understand, it is that The Pineys was designed to be fun. Fast-paced, comedic, and unapologetically strange the books function almost like episodic television while remaining steeped in regional folklore.

Readers unfamiliar with South Jersey need not worry, he insists. The stories are accessible to everyone while still preserving the flavour of the place that inspired them.

For a writer who once dominated elementary school hamburger contests relentless productivity appears to have been the point all along.

Many people do not want to be writers. What they want is a room full of people asking for their autograph and calling them clever. If you want to write, do it; push through.

~ TONY DIGEROLAMO

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