Comments on Writability: What We Talk About When We Talk About Voice

Yeah, I think it depends on the MS, but the narrat...

2014-11-29T03:25:11.550-08:00

Yeah, I think it depends on the MS, but the narrative voice can definitely be a voice/character on its own, too. Thanks so much, Ellen!

Ava -- Another excellent post! I've sounded of...

2014-11-27T15:52:06.162-08:00

Ava -- Another excellent post! I've sounded off on "voice" myself (see https://ellenbooks.wordpress.com/2014/05/31/finding-your-voice-2/ ) to add the idea that narrative voice can be thought of as yet another character. A strong narrative voice -- regardless of whether the story is told in first, second, or third person -- can add personality to the telling of the story, or dimension in other ways. The example I use is historical fiction: when the story is told in the manner that (for example) 19th Century novels were written, then you have a distinctive voice for that particular novel. And it wouldn't be the voice of the author, either. So I put "voice" out there apart from even the author's natural storytelling style, and consider it another element of the book that has to fit as well any other piece.

Thanks, Lola! I agree—voice can be extremely subje...

2014-11-19T03:28:23.331-08:00

Thanks, Lola! I agree—voice can be extremely subjective, especially, I think, with stronger (and more unique) voices. I loved the Shatter Me series largely because of the voice, but I know there were definitely many like yourself who couldn't connect with it at all and thus hated it. (Which is understandable, because if you don't like the voice, enjoying the book is going to be much more difficult).

I usually call it writing style instead of voice, ...

2014-11-17T11:11:48.792-08:00

I usually call it writing style instead of voice, but I think this post is pretty spot on! Great post! It's really difficult to describe what voice is exactly or how to describe an author's voice.

I think that voice/writing style is a very personal preference, whether a reader likes the voice or not, can really depend from person to person. A few authors have a writing style I connect with and I will probably read everything by them, just because of the writing style. It's also easier to get into a book when I like the writing style. On the other hand I couldn't stand the writing style of Shatter Me and it was one of the main reasons I DNF'd the book, while I know many other people love it.

That's a great point! Revisions can totally be...

2014-11-17T10:09:26.633-08:00

That's a great point! Revisions can totally be the perfect place to refine your voice. I like the buried/shovel analogy, too. Or you could look at is as a chisel. Either way, agree. :)

I agree that it takes lots of practice to develop ...

2014-11-17T10:02:48.062-08:00

I agree that it takes lots of practice to develop your own unique voice. And I think in revisions is where you can help to bring out and develop the voice in a manuscript if it's currently sort of 'buried'. Revising for voice = get yer shovel! ;)

Ha ha no worries! :)

2014-11-17T06:55:13.771-08:00

Ha ha no worries! :)

OHHHH, that would make more sense. Yes, that would...

2014-11-17T06:54:30.880-08:00

OHHHH, that would make more sense. Yes, that would definitely do it. I was confused. XD Thanks for clearing that up.

Ahhh no no no. I don't mean innate like you...

2014-11-17T06:51:36.990-08:00

Ahhh no no no. I don't mean innate like you're born with a great writing voice—I mean innate like it's something that develops naturally, subconsciously as you read and write. I definitely disagree with the talent argument, too.

That argument would make sense too. I recently rea...

2014-11-17T06:48:45.902-08:00

That argument would make sense too. I recently read a pretty painful book, and I can see how that forced voice would come through... But then I think the innate voice goes back to the talent vs. skill argument with writing, and I don't enjoy that one either. Blah.

Heh, so I take a middle ground with this. On one h...

2014-11-17T06:19:17.278-08:00

Heh, so I take a middle ground with this. On one hand, I agree that voice is innate, and I think when you focus on "finding" your voice, a lot of writers tend to...force it, I guess. That being said, the voice doesn't develop if you don't do anything, which is why I think it's so important to read widely and write plenty. :)

I think it's interesting, because earlier this...

2014-11-17T05:59:13.626-08:00

I think it's interesting, because earlier this week I read two blog posts, one giving advice on how to find writing voice and the other saying that trying to "find your voice" is ridiculous because it's innate. I think this helped, a little, not because it changed my mind but it put into words what I couldn't figure out before. "If the reader doesn’t connect with or like the voice" well then, perhaps an 'innate' voice isn't the best key at all...

I know that voice is something I currently struggle with all. the. time. but I do think that Neal Shusterman and A.C. Gaughen have unique writing voices and some of my favorites, screw the criticisms on Goodreads.