A bad idea is in my head, so I'm giving it to you instead. · 1:06am May 9th, 2019
I see it come up, again and again
Authors and readers who bitch and complain
That writing lines for Zecora is tough.
I think they just haven't worked it enough.
Writing in rhyme takes consideration
But not enough to justify consternation,
Or so it seems from where I sit
For rhyming bothers me not one bit.
The trickier challenge when writing in zebra
Is maintaining a minimum semblance of meter.
(That's rhythm when speaking of poetry verse,
And rhyming is easy but rhythm is worse,
'Cause you have to think to maintain a beat
And without it Zecora just isn't complete.)
But for whatever reason verses like those
Are only just harder than writing in prose
Or anyway that's how my little brain works;
I suppose it's just one of my own mental quirks.
But so many of you find Zecora's lines scary-
All I can say is, your mileage may vary.
My failure to grasp just how tough you find
Rhyming put notions in the back of my mind
And now I'm considering writing a fic
Told by Zecora in her own verbal tic
As dumb ideas go it appeals quite a lot...
... and I'll begin writing once I think of a plot.
Ironically, the word "Zecora" itself does not seem to entirely cooperate with the demands of meter. Probably the "z", it disrupts alliteration.
As to a plot, well there's always the old standbys, someone or something gets hurt in the Everfree, and she has to nurse them back to health. One of those itinerant human critters, perhaps? As to why the ponies aren't involved, just put the story before Bridle Gossip, when the town was still shunning her.
Oh my
Great, now I'm THINKING in rhyme and rhythm!
We need this story now.
Make it about plots. Lavander plots, white plots, pink plots and dark blue plots; white, pink, yellow, orange and light blue plots. And while at that, why not scaly purple plots too?
Paging Dr. Suess... Paging Dr. Suess...
Very well done
Nice. :D
Your words are wise, my talented friend.
This fear of our zebra friend's couplets must end.
As for rhyming and meter, I've found there's much use
In a childhood spent reading the stories of Seuss.
In your writing adventures, I wish you the best.
Now I bid you farewell. Let us both get some rest.
Zecora admittedly does use some slant rhymes and some things that only rhyme because of her pseudo-Swahili accent.
She also speaks in iambic pentameter.
Card Captor Zecora
5055337
Alliteration's a bonus, a plus.
It may add some spice, but it isn't a must.
Zecora is just an iamb and a half.
An amphibrach to be worked in with a laugh.
Your syllable count and the emphasized points
Are all that it takes to keep rhythm in joint.
So don't be afraid to bring all twenty-six
Members of the alphabet into the mix.
(You see how that last one seems just a bit off?
It's forcing the rhythm where people should scoff.)
Fun fact according to Lauren Faust Zecora was planned to be a major secondary character. Acting as the local mentor to Twilight so she wouldn't have to be constantly running to Canterlot or just send letters for advice.
As we know, for whatever reason that never worked out and Zecora only showed up once or twice a season and only mentored Twilight on screen once.