Continuing my catch up with links I made note of before being swallowed by the Nine Muses Challenge, Roz Morris over at Nail Your Novel had a lovely discussion about Developing a Strong Writing Voice, what it is, how it developed for her, and how it is the make or break of telling a story. Rachelle Gardner also had a discussion about Craft, Story, and Voice that raises some really interesting questions about which of those is most difficult, and how they all come together to create a story.
My journey to voice did not come easily or quickly. I was well into graduate school before I really got even a glimmer of what voice was. And that wasn’t even in reference to writing or anything creative, it was in reference to change agents and being a transformative societal force. Of course I was in graduate school working on my MA in Education but still, I was so woefully unaware of not only my own voice but anyone else’s as well. And it wasn’t until I actually left academic writing to return after twenty years to creative writing that I began to worry about voice.
It’s elusive, difficult to quantify and qualify, and absolutely essential to good story telling. And even after all this time, I’m still not sure I have a handle on what it is or how to find it.
So here are my questions to you. What do you think makes good voice? What was your journey to it? Have you found it or are you still searching? And between craft, story and voice, which of those has given you the most difficulty?
Gosh, do you ask some tough questions. I never thought about voice, really, but I think mine changes around. I have to read the articles you mention and think about it some.
ReplyDeleteRnPB Chapter 012
Ah, Voice, that indescribable intangible.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what voice is. People tell me I have one, that it's strong, and it's good, but I have no idea what they're talking about. I supposes it's the way I tell a story, the way I describe my characters and settings, the way I allow them to have dialogue in certain spots.
As to finding it, I think for me, "You don't know what you got til it's gone". And I hope that as I continue to write it'll will only get stronger. IF it ever leaves, well, I don't know.
As to which is harder, definitely craft. I can write a story all day long, whether it's crap or not is where craft comes in.
Thanks for the early morning think.
I think what makes a good voice is the sense a character is a breathing being with a complex set of attitudes, associations, thought patterns and feelings. It's HOW a character says what he says, and it must appeal to readers, showing them a range of strengths and foibles that make your character relatable.
ReplyDeleteThe characterization piece of writing comes more naturally to me, but nailing voice took decades. (Sorry, youngsters, but that's reality.) I still struggle with the plot aspects, because they require so much planning and anaylsis, which doesn't come as naturally to me.
"Voice" seems such an elusive quantity, at least judging from the different intepretations I've read: it's possible that a good "voice" is the kind of link that a writer can establish with the readers - some sort of resonance, for want of a better word, that acts as magnet and catalyst and...works the magic.
ReplyDeleteAs for your questions...well, I'm still trying to find my way muddling through the darkness and the endless bogs, so I guess there is no voice yet. :-)
Hi, Nessa. I think you’re right that voice changes, especially when we move between writing in first and third person. I hope you enjoy the reading. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Anne. You are welcome. Early morning thinking is the best. Well, that along with coffee. :)
I think you do have a good voice, one that’s strong.
Voice to me comes in two types. One is the voice I have as the writer of a piece, my narrative voice as it were. We can’t help but have some of our own unique way of telling a story bleed into the story we are telling. That narrative voice gets stronger depending on the POV we are writing in. In first person, I find it very strong indeed. Some of that is blunted when I write in third person.
The other type of voice is character voice, and that should have nothing to do with me the writer and have everything to do with the character. You shouldn’t hear my narrative voice in character. If that makes any sense.
Anyway, coming to voice has taken me years, as has honing my craft. I guess that’s all part of being a writer.
Hi, Laurel.
ReplyDeleteI think what makes a good voice is the sense a character is a breathing being with a complex set of attitudes, associations, thought patterns and feelings. It's HOW a character says what he says, and it must appeal to readers, showing them a range of strengths and foibles that make your character relatable.
I think that's a really good way of putting it. Much better than what I rambled on about. :)
The characterization piece of writing comes more naturally to me, but nailing voice took decades. (Sorry, youngsters, but that's reality.) I still struggle with the plot aspects, because they require so much planning and analysis, which doesn't come as naturally to me.
And that is the truth. For some of us, coming to voice takes decades. And we struggle with it and the elements of story telling. I prefer character over plot as well, because as you say, it comes more easily and naturally to me.
Hey, Nym.
"Voice" seems such an elusive quantity, at least judging from the different intepretations I've read: it's possible that a good "voice" is the kind of link that a writer can establish with the readers - some sort of resonance, for want of a better word, that acts as magnet and catalyst and...works the magic.
I like the idea and imagery of that. :)
As for your questions...well, I'm still trying to find my way muddling through the darkness and the endless bogs, so I guess there is no voice yet.
I think you're finding your way just fine. And I also think you're doing well on your journey to voice.
Hmm... interesting questions.
ReplyDeleteWhat do I think makes good voice? Well, I guess it's the way an author approaches the way he/she tells the story. For example, John Irving has a detached, almost omniscient way in this third person POV stories (The World According to Garp). Stephen King, otoh, has a more personal, inside the head of a character so it's almost a 1st person told in the 3rd person.
I don't know if that constitutes good "voice"; maybe it's just the confidence with which the author tells the story, be it first, third, or omniscient POV.
My journey to it? I really have no idea. I think I have a good voice, as I've been told this by different people in different venues, be they teachers, writers or readers. I think a lot of it has to do with understanding people (your characters) and being able to relay that to a reader so that the reader knows the character.
I'm guessing.
Have I found it or am I still searching? I think I've found it but...
Between craft, story and voice...I'm not 100% sure what craft means--making the story, putting it together, building it with the right tools? I have an understanding of the process, grammar, spelling etc.
I'm guessing craft and story, which sort of go hand in hand. I can do characters, and I think I can do voice, but I can't seem to get them to do anything in a story. Or get a story off the ground, plot-wise.
And thus--Agony!
OH this is a topic that I sometimes fight....
ReplyDeleteVoice to me is an elusive lover. It comes to you sometimes with ease and simple requests that can be comfortably performed. Then it slips away as you decide to try something new in the relationship. It isn't like it dislikes the new techniques, it is more that the voice has decided it is better off not returning your phone calls until you change directions again. It teases the reader with its charm yet aggravates when confusion sets in. It is POVs nightmare & dream all at once. Voice can bring great beauty to a multiple POV if the transition is smooth, but can destroy a reader/writer's joy if there are arguments about how often each POV should be rotated.
The character may not always feel that the Voice tells her/his story well. It can make a story disjointed if the writer is not careful. It is a tool that can easily make a writer stand out or blend into conformity.
In other words I am constantly trying to lure Voice over to my side of the couch. It is always around the house but it sometimes stares blankly at the window. In those moments I must minimize my current work and do an exercise or step outside for a little while. We are a couple that must constantly work on our relationship, yet we know that without each other we are both lost.
;o) Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am so glad to have discovered yours. Forgive my crazy rambling but that is honestly how I think of Voice. In a way I gave it character traits...lets just see if it can survive the next round of edits ;o) lol
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Voice is a tough one--the personality that comes through in print. Attitude, word choice, pacing, humor, depth...so much involved. A strong voice is a bit like when an actor really nails a part, I think, so that you can really feel the character. It takes a while sometimes, when I first start a manuscript, to find the voice. I think it's about getting into a certain rhythm. Characterization is less difficult for me. Voice takes a little more practice--not sure if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteHi, Eva. I think you’re right. It’s narrative voice that speaks to us first, that draws us into the story so that we can connect with character voice. It’s those two levels that wrap us up as readers and get us to invest.
ReplyDeleteYou do have a strong voice. I can hear it loud and clear when I read your work. I don’t mean that it overshadows or pulls me out of the story, but I can see your style (that’s another post on another day) and hear your voice in the tone of the piece. It’s one of the things that keeps me reading what you write.
And you and I both feel we do character better than plot, I think.
Hi, SP. Welcome. I love the way you describe voice. It’s so descriptive. And so true about how it slips away either via POV or tense or something else. It is a thing of beauty and joy when it all works, but it’s painfully obvious when it doesn’t.
Thank you for giving life and character traits to voice for us here. And thank you for stopping by my blog. Yours was a wonderful find for me as well. Good luck with your edits.
Hi, Carol. You are so right. There is so much involved in voice and it really is the personality of the piece/writer.
I love your description of voice as an actor nailing a part. It’s not just hitting your marks, it’s owning a part and making it yours. And it can be frustrating, because it does take a while to find voice in a new piece. The rhythm is off and nothing fits.
Of course that makes sense. :) I think all of us here in this little corner of our universe feel a bit more comfortable with characterization as it comes more easily and naturally. We all seem to have our falling outs with voice.