Eliza Knight
I recall in my senior year of high school my English teacher talking about voice. I think she talked about it the entire year. Finding your own voice, recognizing the authors voice, even going so far as to have us watch movies – with the sound turned off – so we could understand “voice.” I gave this teacher a horribly hard time, because at the time as a young writer, I didn’t understand it, didn’t see the point. If she saw me today, she’d have the last laugh for sure. So to you, my dear teacher, my deepest and most sincere apologies!
Today people say to me they like my “voice.”
But what is “voice”? It’s this elusive cloud that weaves its way in and out of my writing, and I still have trouble grasping at it sometimes. As a writer, you voice is the most important part of your job. You have to be unique, fresh and recognizable.
Do you have a favorite author? Do you recognize his/her writing when you read? I know for me, my favorite authors all have a distinct voice. I could probably pick out their writing even if a sample was given to me without their name on it.
Some beginning writers, in their quest to discover their voice, will somewhat take on the voice of an author they enjoy. There is nothing wrong with that! One of the best things you can do as a writer, is to be a prolific READER! Besides actually writing, reading is the key to developing your own style, learning about writing and finding out what’s hot in the market. As you continue writing – because the only way to become a better writer and to find your own voice, is to continue writing – you will find that the elusive voice you couldn’t comprehend bursts forth, and there it is on paper!
Try experimenting. Take memories or a picture or even an idea you’ve had, and just start free writing. You may find within minutes, maybe hours, maybe longer, but at some point, you’ll find that voice trying to push out.
Write with passion, conviction, believe in your story. When your write from within, when you become part of this new world, your voice will shine through. Readers can tell when a story sounds forced. The words and characters won’t ring true. Your reader won’t connect with your story because you haven’t.
Different genre, different voice? A question I’ve asked myself quite often, but I don’t think so. Even when I’m writing my non-fiction works, I find that my voice is the same.
When you write do you “hear” your “voice” inside your head? I do. It’s a sultry feminine voice that catches me, draws me in and hypnotizes me. Somehow she connects the words she’s saying to my fingers and they fly over the keys. Without her I wouldn’t be the same. When your readers read your work, they will “hear” your voice too. Make it jump off the page.
My voice sounds like my muse. When I’m in the shower, she says, “Hey you, what if…” I love it when she does that. I can’t wait to grab some paper and write it down.
How do I view my voice? I think of my voice as sultry, intriguing, mysterious, sexy, at times a bit humorous and sarcastic, but most of all captivating. If you’ve read my work, do you agree or disagree? I’ve never asked this question before, and I’m curious to see if this is how readers view it.
Writers have you found your voice? What does voice mean to you?
Readers, what do you like most about a writer’s voice? How do you recognize it?
Leave a comment and on Tuesday next week, I will give away an e-book copy of Her Captain Returns, to one lucky person!
Cheers!
Eliza
Eliza Knight is the author of sizzling historical romance and time travel erotic Highlander romance. She is the author of the award winning blog, History Undressed. Visit Eliza at, www.elizaknight.com or www.historyundressed.blogspot.com
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Twitter: KrisKennedy
says:
Great post, Eliza!
Voice is so indefinable, isn’t it? And yet so clear and recognizable. We all know what we mean, but no one can say what it is, specifically, or how it comes to be–what it’s made up of.
I know I can ‘find’ my voice sometimes by reading awesome books, as you say. It may not even be a book that sounds anything like my voice, but it hooks me, and therefore inspires me, and I can go back into writing in a state of Flow. And then, when I re-read, I hear my ‘voice.’
Also, having a great new idea can power up Voice. I get so excited, I just start writing, and within that raw, rough stuff is a kernel of Voice, I think. Then I refine it in revisions. But excitement can definitiely tap me into Voice.
I did a blog on Monday (5/4) at RomanceBandits, and one of the commenters gave her new theory on where Voice comes from. It was interesting. (She was p226, at about 2:24, if you’re interested.)
Great ideas of awakening the muse and tapping into Voice, Eliza. Thanks!
It’s so true Kris that excitement taps you in! I know when I get really pumped up, I can’t stop, and even when I get interuptions, the words still flow in my head, and I have to hurry back or I’ll lose them. I write a lot in my head, I wish I had some nifty electronic device that could just transfer it to my computer as I walk around writing mentally.
THanks for leaving the info, I’ll go check it out!
Hi Eliza,
Your blog is one of the first things I’ve read that links writing style, or “voice” with something tangible and understandable that makes sense. As a former journalist in another life, “voice” was written out (pun intended) of our writing by the standard newspaper formulaic writing style, except for feature writing which is another thing altogether.
One of my early favorite authors was Catherine Coulter, whose historicals I devoured. So when I read my first attempt at writing an historical at my local RWA chapter critique, the first thing they said was I have the correct voice for historicals. But what was “voice?” I had written with an ear toward how Catherine Coulter would write my story. I was hearing her voice in my head and the words flowed through my fingertips.
Over the next three years as other chapter members read their ms. for critique I came to understand the unique differences in voice just by listening to the words come off the page as they were read to us by the author. Our chapter members write in all genres of romance.
It has to do with the way words are put together, word flow, rhythm and cadence, word choice, attitude, and sentence structure. And a host of other intangibles too elusive to mention that wind up becoming part of “voice.” Not to mention which voice is appropriate for which genre. That, too, is part of the voice issue.
Thanks for your blog. I really enjoyed it.
I’m glad I could help Averil!
When I went to college, my major was journalism, I couldn’t stand that they were beating my personality out of everything I wrote, so I switched majors. Good for you to be able to do and make a career of it! Journalists always amaze me.
You are so right about the flow, cadence, wording, I’ve noticed that a lot when I’m reading, and writing!
Being a new writer, ‘voice’ is one of the three dollar words I have thrown at me all the time. Along with the phrase “devloping your craft.”
Only time will tell if I have a voice within my craft! LOL But thanks for your post. It was interesting to read another opinion on a very important topic for all writers, but especially newbies.
Ah yes Sarah, I remember getting those phrases/words thrown at me. WHat am I saying? It never stops! Even now I have to think about it, and writers are always improving their craft too.
I think you have a voice, I’ve read it in your blogs
Great post, Eliza! I write across several genres: contemporary, paranormal, historical, and erotic. But I have one voice. I find it differs just a little in historical, but it’s still me. I think Averil said it best in her comment above. Word flow, rhythm, cadence — so much goes into voice. And no two writers approach these things in exactly the same way.
Thanks Helen! I’m glad you said that about the one voice crossing genres, as I feel the same way. You’re right that it might differ slightly in dialect maybe or wording depending on the era, but there is always that one part that makes it you, that shines through.
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Eliza,
Just the other day a friend of mine was talking, telling me about how he hears his characters and just writes what they say.
For me, I kind of zone out – get lost in the movie of my mind, and write what I see them doing. When I’m in the zone, I don’t even think. I just let them carry me where they will.
What amazes me is the more I study, practice, and write, the easier rewriting gets. The less work I have to do on the “back end” of things.
Thank you for your wonderful description of voice… such an amorphous concept to explain. Well done, kiddo!
~Ash
Thanks Ash!
I get movie scenes too! Especially when I’m trying to explain what I’m seeing–I’m all about making the scenes pop on the page.
You are so right about how things just seem to get easier and easier. I’ve even noticed with my editor–the last submission I made she said, “Thank you, this was a very clean manuscript.” In other words, not as much to fix as with my others, lol
Twitter: wiremamma
says:
Gotta love the thank you note from the editor! *snort!* lol.
~Ash
Twitter: violaestrella
says:
Great post, Eliza! I find that my voice changes slightly with each book (especially if I write one in 1st person and another in 3rd). But I think the important part for me is finding my voice for that particular WIP and sticking to it throughout. And I should probably add a disclaimer that my opinion on this will most likely change.