Nursery rhymes are those quirky (often disturbing) little tunes that have been passed down through the ages. They were originally made to entertain and teach kids by using concise, rhythmic structures, and verses to spin tales of adventure, love, mischief, and tragedy. From Jack and Jill's amusing escapades to the enigmatic tales of Humpty Dumpty, nursery rhymes captivate the imagination.
As you already know, I love using music to inspire my writing (This is (not about) David Bowie collection being a good example), but there are some barriers with how much of the music you can include in your stories (for copyright reasons). But this isn’t the case with nursery rhymes! You can use the lyrics as a springboard for your own stories without worrying about the small print. It’s a win win!
Nursery rhymes are an embodiment of the oral tradition. They bridge the past and present, connecting us to our roots and shaping our collective identity. Drawing inspiration from nursery rhymes allows us to add another layer to our storytelling that runs deeper than we can put our finger on. When we draw on them, we are delving into a much deeper well.
Nursery rhymes offer a trove of inspiration, which is why I’ll be doing a series on them this year to explore how we can infuse them into new stories. Whether seeking fresh ideas or a nostalgic trip, let nursery rhymes be your muse, and witness your creativity soar.
Egging you on! Your Prompt…
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