Writer's Voice

[corvus]

Here's what wikipedia has to say:

 

Writer's voice is a literary term used to describe the individual writing style of an author. Voice is a combination of a writer's use of syntax, diction, punctuation, character development, dialogue, etc., within a given body of text (or across several works). Voice can also be referred to as the specific fingerprint of an author, as every author has a different writing style.

 

In creative writing, students are often encouraged to experiment with different literary styles and techniques in order to help them better develop their "voice." Voice varies with the individual author, but, particularly in American culture, having a strong voice is considered positive and beneficial to both the writer and his or her audience.

 

This voice business is a very real thing -- you could tell, from two lines of Log Way, that DomLuka wrote it. So do you think you've found your writer's voice? If so, what is it? Are you happy with your voice as it is now? Did you try different literary styles before you found your own?

 

Me: I did try several different voices in the past, and I'm still trying, but I think I'm getting closer than I was, say, last year. My voice right now is rather objective, more in the background than in the foreground. I'm not very lyrical, although I try to have my moments, and sometimes I'm terse. So... yeah.

[darkfoxprime]

I dunno. I don't write enough to know if I've "found my voice". I know I'm trying to change the way I write, somewhat. I tend to write sentences that always include some combination of two or three clauses or prepositional phrases, which makes them overly complex. I'm just having a hard time finding how to write shorter, simpler sentences without sounding choppy.

[Graeme]

I've never gone looking for "my voice". I just write how I want to write. I know my writing has evolved -- I've gone back and looked at some of my older stuff so I know I've changed -- but I'm not looking for a "voice". I'm looking to convey what I want to convey.

[JamesSavik]

I find mine to be a bit on the froggy side.

[Bondwriter]

He he! This brings back memories from creative writing workshops. My opinion on these issues is that a voice will come naturally after lots of writing, but that one should not ponder too much over these things when writing.

[BeaStKid]

I'm with what Graeme said on this one. If I look back at the short story I wrote in sixth grade and the stories I write now, after 6 years, I see that my writing has evolved. From short sweet and just-informative paragraphs to descriptive and long.

 

But as I look at my story, Alpha and Omega, I see that my writing evolved there as well. Seeing the first chapter and now, the seventh (about to come online) I see a world's difference in the way I write.

 

For me, writing is ever-evolving. As my father, who has done Masters in English, says...English is an ever-learning language. For me, so is writing. You can never reach a stage where you say that I cannot write better than this.

 

Coming back to the topic, I have much more to write before I can find my 'voice' and even then, I refuse to conform to just my voice. I may write the same, but I want my writing to evolve and keep getting better, a process that will never stop.

 

Just my 0.5 cents.

 

BeaStKid

[Graeme]

This leads into an interesting question that I was thinking about today. Is a writer's voice connected to the genre that they write in?

 

I was thinking about a fantasy novel that I've got on the plans for the future, and then realised that I've not really written a fantasy story (though a couple have come close). Would I be turning off my readers by switching to a genre that many of them may not prefer, since all of my novels so far fit far-and-square into a contemporary-relationship genre?

 

Is the "voice" linked to the genre, to the author, or to both?

[BeaStKid]

This leads into an interesting question that I was thinking about today. Is a writer's voice connected to the genre that they write in?

 

I was thinking about a fantasy novel that I've got on the plans for the future, and then realised that I've not really written a fantasy story (though a couple have come close). Would I be turning off my readers by switching to a genre that many of them may not prefer, since all of my novels so far fit far-and-square into a contemporary-relationship genre?

 

Is the "voice" linked to the genre, to the author, or to both?

The last time I checked, Heart of the Tree fits my definition of fantasy...

 

My answer would be, NO. Switching genres depends upon the author. If the switch is well done and well written, there should be no problem with the reader reading it. I can cite the example of Rad Steven and Ieshwar. Both have written for a variety of genres and almost all of them are quality works.

 

[Graeme]

The last time I checked, Heart of the Tree fits my definition of fantasy...

It had a fantasy element as its basis, but it is a purely contemporary story apart from the setup. The story I'm thinking about is pure fantasy -- a fantasy world involving magic, etc. Very, very different from anything that I've written to date.

 

Oh, and that is NOT going to be my next novel.... It's further down the track than that

[BeaStKid]

It had a fantasy element as its basis, but it is a purely contemporary story apart from the setup. The story I'm thinking about is pure fantasy -- a fantasy world involving magic, etc. Very, very different from anything that I've written to date.

 

Oh, and that is NOT going to be my next novel.... It's further down the track than that

I don't think it should be a problem with a writer of your caliber, Graeme. As a writer whose all ongoing long stories are Fantasy, I feel you can do a great job with this genre.

[Ieshwar]

Just write, Graeme. We are all going to like it. I'm sure!

 

I didn't know much about these voices. But then, i have never taken those creative classes. There are a few authors whose story when I read, I find some... voice? or rather literary identity...

 

I don't know if I have one. My readers can say. Do I?

 

Btw, James, if you wnat, you can drink thick fresh honey. Your froggy voice can feel better.

 

And thanks BK!

 

Take care,

Ieshwar

[BeaStKid]

I don't know if I have one. My readers can say. Do I?

You do have a tendency to write emotional stories that touch the reader.....umm...poignant? yeah!

 

And thanks BK!

You're most welcome...

[corvus]

He he! This brings back memories from creative writing workshops. My opinion on these issues is that a voice will come naturally after lots of writing, but that one should not ponder too much over these things when writing.

 

That's true; being too self conscious while writing can ruin it. A writer who has a very strong voice may certainly have developed it without being aware of doing so, but it's interesting to think of analytically. Some introspection can also be helpful if one is stuck in a rut.

 

This leads into an interesting question that I was thinking about today. Is a writer's voice connected to the genre that they write in?

 

I was thinking about a fantasy novel that I've got on the plans for the future, and then realised that I've not really written a fantasy story (though a couple have come close). Would I be turning off my readers by switching to a genre that many of them may not prefer, since all of my novels so far fit far-and-square into a contemporary-relationship genre?

 

Is the "voice" linked to the genre, to the author, or to both?

 

The voice isn't linked to the genre at all. Doris Lessing, last year's Nobel winner, wrote autobiographies, science fiction, contemporary fiction -- you name it. I don't think she needed to tailor her voice to that of Herbert or Le Guin in order to venture into sci-fi. That being said, she *did* alienate a lot of her readers (ie, critics) with her decision to go into a "flaky" genre like sci-fi -- which is completely ridiculous. You can make great literature no matter what the genre.

[Lugh]

there are authors who write in more than one genre, many under pen names due to the cross-contamination of readers expectations.

 

Voice...

voice is something that develops over time, often without the writer being aware that it is being developed.... sort of like balance.

 

I'd like to think I have a writer's voice. I've been told I do. I don't really "hear" it though in the writing, but maybe that's because we, as writers, are deaf to our own voices.

 

I think it would be fun to have people (authors who supposedly have a voice -- or think they do) write a short story on a theme (like an anthology) but don't put the names with the stories... and then see how many people can match the story and author together via voice, style, whatever.

[Graeme]

I think it would be fun to have people (authors who supposedly have a voice -- or think they do) write a short story on a theme (like an anthology) but don't put the names with the stories... and then see how many people can match the story and author together via voice, style, whatever.

Cool! Would you want to keep the names of those involved secret, or have the names known and test to see who can match whom to whom? I think the later is better because otherwise it could be a bit too challenging...

 

In case you haven't figured it out, I think this a great idea and we should do it at some point. I might even participate, because I'm curious as to if I have "a voice". And in case anything things they'll spot my story because it'll be set in Australia and use British spellings, try again I use an American editor so I can write USA-based stories from time to time

[BeaStKid]

Me thinks it is a wonderful idea and would love to be a part of it...

[S.L. Lewis]

I found my writers voice. It's...rather on the...snarky side of things. It's also rather either poetic or a detail lover, depending on the story and genure.

[Ieshwar]

OMG! I love the idea! I want to do it. Me too think that the first option will be too tough.

 

Now, that I'm thinking of it, I think I will be able to differentiate between the authors as a reader.

 

Ieshwar

[Hylas]

I dunno. :S Can anyone tell me if I have one? LOL

[Camy]

I've been told I have a 'voice', whatever that is. All I know is that if I tried to write in a style or voice other than the one I have, it wouldn't work.

I think it would be fun to have people (authors who supposedly have a voice -- or think they do) write a short story on a theme (like an anthology) but don't put the names with the stories... and then see how many people can match the story and author together via voice, style, whatever.

 

Great idea, Lugh!

 

Camy

[Tiger]

I think it would be fun to have people (authors who supposedly have a voice -- or think they do) write a short story on a theme (like an anthology) but don't put the names with the stories... and then see how many people can match the story and author together via voice, style, whatever.

I love that idea. I think we should try that some time. I wonder if the admins would approve.

[Libby Drew]

I think it would be fun to have people (authors who supposedly have a voice -- or think they do) write a short story on a theme (like an anthology) but don't put the names with the stories... and then see how many people can match the story and author together via voice, style, whatever.

 

Anonymous fests like this are very popular in fandom communities. I've participated in many, and it's always a blast trying to figure out who wrote what.

[jfalkon]

That is an exelent idea!

 

The writer's voice seems to be a product of the writer's thought process. I think anything that has a personality will express it in something they do. For writers it is the 'voice'. If it changes over time that is a reflection of chages in the writer's thinking. We are all learning so our voices are going to change.

[S.L. Lewis]

I want to see how this happens. That would be so cool!!

[Tristan Thinks]

That's true; being too self conscious while writing can ruin it. A writer who has a very strong voice may certainly have developed it without being aware of doing so, but it's interesting to think of analytically. Some introspection can also be helpful if one is stuck in a rut.

This is interesting to me, since I've always been very aware of what my natural 'voice' is, and I make deliberate conscious decisions on what 'voice' I'm going to employ to best deliver the storyline, and the emotions, that I want the reader to focus on.

 

If I'm writing first-person especially, I'll adopt a 'voice' that reflects the culture, upbringing, and social surroundings of the character. If it's a third-person narration I'll sometimes choose to use tight and detailed descriptions of almost every movement - the kind where you can write 50,000 words covering just one day. Other times I'll use something very loose and vague and causal that gets the reader making assumptions based on their own life experience and investing some of themselves and their lifestyle into the plot.

 

I'm currently working on one story where I have to write first-person on behalf of two characters points of view. The story starts like a regular first-person tale, written as if the character is having a conversation with the reader. As it progresses, clues appear that indicate the silent person in the conversation is a relationship counsellor, and later I switch to another character's first-person perspective talking to the same counsellor. It makes it interesting to write because I use the 'voice' to make the characters distinct, and I have to ensure I don't use the 'wrong' voice or get them confused.

 

I was chuckling to myself reading the thread "Jumping the Shark" in Writer's Corner about things a writer should avoid, this being one of them