How to write haiku
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A better title for this is probably How I write haiku.
Because haiku is a Japanese literary form, there are lots of ways to approach writing haiku in English, depending on how one interprets rules of syllable counts, themes, and so forth. For the haiku I write on this site, I chose to follow some (well, three) of the easier rules to follow:
- 5-7-5 syllable count for lines
- Include some kind of contrast or contradiction
- Include a seasonal word of some kind
5-7-5 syllable count
While there are generally variations and different interpretations, as near as I can tell the most common syllable count for haiku written in English is five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the last. So that’s what I do here.
Include a contrast
Some kind of contrast is generally shown in a haiku. I’ll fill this out more later, but in the meantime consider the image of a dry hovel on a rainy day.
Seasonal word
The haiku doesn’t have to strictly refer to a season. Use of a word associated with a season in sufficient. Warm food, icy stare, wet tears… I aimed for this, but only hit the target on the very first entry so far (“Ending leaves me cold”).
Haiku that follows these rules:
Bits of ice fall down.
Clutch coat close and imagine
the warmth the hearth brings.
Haiku that doesn’t follow the rules:
Um…well…just go to the home page and pick one.
A few words about punctuation
I’ve been using punctuation. Sometimes. While writing the haikus, I haven’t been remembering the rules of punctuation, but now, checking my reference sites (see below), I see the rule is apparently, “There isn’t a rule.” One of my reference sites features haiku examples that have no punctuation, while another has them punctuated like regular sentences. While that seems to provide a freedom that some relish, it drives me a little nuts because I’d like a framework for consistency. My recommendations: Study haiku written by people who know what they’re doing and do what they do, or at least set your own rule and follow it consistently.
Gee, that helps a lot, doesn’t it?
Reference sites
These are the sites I primarily refer to when I need help writing these things, or at least to give me a clear idea of what rules I’m not following:
The Process of Composing Your Own HAIKU Best overall. Discusses the basic traditional rules, but also offers some flexability for nonconforming international versions. Plus, it has a .jp domain which lends a lot of credibility.
HAIKU for People Really believes in teach by example, because it includes lots by both old masters and newer writers. Also, it’s named “HAIKU for People,” which reminds me of Songs for People, a truly hilarious compilation album by Jim Nayder of The Annoying Music Show.
There are others I came across when I Googling for haiku-writing tips, but these are the two I really used.
Okay, hopefully this is enough to get you started writing your own haiku. If you want. Have fun!
5 responses so far
I’m reminded of Mr. Smarty Pants (aka The Fin)’s lament in The Tick vs. Reno, Nevada as he tortured the twins:
“No, no, no! You’re just counting syllables!”
Which brings to mind this classic from Mystery Men:
Mr. Furious Okay, am I the only one who finds these sayings just a little bit formulaic? “If you want to push something down, you have to pull it up. If you want to go left, you have to go right.” It’s…
The Sphinx Your temper is very quick, my friend. But until you learn to master your rage…
Mr. Furious …your rage will become your master? That’s what you were going to say. Right? Right?
The Sphinx Not…necessarily.
I should go review that right now!
I liked your tutorial. Concise. 3-Points, perfect.
What are your thoughts on those Haiku purists?
Shouldnt we be trying to make Haiku accessible to very one?
Granted theres a need to be able to distinguish between Haiku and some other random utterances but it seems there a tendency for people to become bogged down by the rules and legalisms at the sake of the enjoyment of a self-expressive art form.
There appears to be an attitude of preteniousness that pervades Haiku especially at the (self-appointed) upper echelons. I guess, to an extent, this is unavoidable.
That being said, I will welcome the fact I could be wrong.
Keep Haiku fun and enjoyable I say.
I liked your tutorial. Concise. 3-Points, perfect.
What are your thoughts on those Haiku purists?
Shouldnt we be trying to make Haiku accessible to very one?
Granted theres a need to be able to distinguish between Haiku and some other random utterances but it seems there a tendency for people to become bogged down by the rules and legalisms at the sake of the enjoyment of a self-expressive art form.
There appears to be an attitude of preteniousness that pervades Haiku especially at the (self-appointed) upper echelons. I guess, to an extent, this is unavoidable.
That being said, I will welcome the fact I could be wrong.
Keep Haiku fun and enjoyable I say.
P.S: If this comment appears twice, my apologies it looked like it didnt send properly the last time.
Hi Matt and others,
When I was reading everything I could find about haiku (70’s), I stumbled across Senyru. I was just going to describe the difference, but found someone who does it better. She opened my mind a bit about the structure of haiku, also.
Haven’t written one for years, but got inspired by my writer’s group and your blog so I started tonight.
If you want to find my page, do a search for rednaxela07.