Craft of Writing - What is Voice?

Say that again!

1. A definition

Of all the advice I read when I started to write, the one I found most perplexing was that I should, 'Find my own voice.'

What on earth did that mean. I had written it off as some Holy Grail, or a trick played by established authors to confuse those still learning their craft.

That was until I came across two suggestions that made sense.

The first is a definition that, even if it's not correct, is what I have come to believe is true.

'The writer's voice is the sum of all aspects of writing that represent the author speaking to the reader. It is the blend of language, point of view, use of metaphors, sentence structure, opinion and subject matter.'

2. Writing in your own voice

Despite the fact that we all have a unique voice by definition, the problem for many new writers is that they write what they think will be popular or saleable. They may even copy one of their favourite writer's style and so present a variation of that author's voice.

The second suggestion comes into play now. The best way to find out if you're writing in your own voice is to read your work aloud. Does it sound like you?

Of course it's your voice, but does it sound like you're talking out loud, or reading someone else's story? If it's the latter then you're not being true to your own voice.

The caveat with this advice ought to be that sometimes people develop a writing style that is uniquely their own, but it isn't the same as if they were having a conversation with a friend. If that is you, then I've yet to find a way of proving it's your own voice and not an affected style.

3. Why write in your own voice

Many new writers wonder why having a unique voice is so important. After all, if you imitate a successful author, that's a positive thing, right?

The problem is that your writing won't be natural. It'll be inconsistent. If you write in your own voice, you'll remain consistent in terms of language or sentence structure or any other of the elements that make up voice. Readers expect a book to be consistent throughout. If your style wobbles at any point, it will throw the reader. Maybe not consciously, but it will affect their enjoyment and their commitment to continue reading.

Not surprisingly, agents and publishers know this and will be looking for a) your writing style to come through as they read and b) for consistency in that style.

The best books - and the ones that tend to get published - are the ones with a strong voice.

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