I just read Shirley Jump's comments on voice on the Ask An Author Pro loop. She said you should be able to open a book without looking at the title or author and know who the author is by reading. Every author's voice should come through in their work. She suggested comparing author's styles and voice to help you learn if you’ve found your voice.
Have you done this? I haven't and hadn't really thought about it. Now I have to go crack some books by the same authors and see if I can tell.
She went on to say - determine your strengths. Mine, I think, are dialog and quirky characters. I don't consider myself comedic, but I think my books with fun in them are more my voice. I have been struggling with the Spirit book and I find when I write the fun scenes with quirky characters they fly off my fingertips. And feel right.
Use your gut to determine your voice. Shirley also says you will know in your gut when you find your voice. It's that "Aha" moment. After writing 10 books, I still struggle with my voice. When I think I have it, someone knocks the chair out from under me. But judging from the reviews of Marshal in Petticoats and the first one from Gambling on an Angel, I think I need to stick to the light hearted, fast, fun, frolic voice and let the soapbox voice take a step to the side.
Then my oldest daughter started reading Gambling on an Angel this weekend. "Mom this is much better than the last one." She said after reading three chapters. Then this morning she told her husband it was my fault she wasn't up and dressed because she was reading my book. So now I'm thinking - so what is my voice? I remember being at a writer's weekend at Seaside a couple years ago. An author of many books said, "I'm not a writer, I'm a storyteller" because she didn't know anything about all the stuff the other writers were talking about, but she'd sold many award winning books and readers loved them. I'm beginning to think that is me. I'm a storyteller - because when writers start talking about knowing their voice, analyzing other's work - my belly turns into an acidic tornado, because I haven't a clue what they are talking about and nothing knowledgeable to add.
According to Donald Mass in his book Writing the Breakout Novel - To set your voice free, set your words free. Set your characters free. Most important, set your heart free. It is from the unknowable shadows of your subconscious that your stories will find their drive and from which they will draw their meaning. No one can loan you that or teach you that. Your voice is your self in the story.
Do you know your voice? Have you found it, or are you still looking? If you have found your voice, can you describe it? Or help someone out who hasn't a clue what they are looking for?
PS: I added another grandchild this weekend. She is adorable. 8 months old and such a good baby!
16 comments:
Paty,
Move over, baby, make room on the bench for me.
It wasn't that long ago that I wasn't aware of how many times I used "ly" words. I didn't know I shouldn't use "ing" words. I started sentences with "And" and "But." I acted like I owned the page! Oh, wait. I did. So do you.
And I will modestly state that several editors have complimented my writing and other than an early on battle with the then-than issue and the perennial it's-its thing, I have suffered very little editing because of the way I write. My personal motto is simple--tell the story in a compelling way in such a manner that a reader isn't yanked out of the action.
All along, I've had some basics in my head and precious few of those. The only ones that survived to be remembered were ones that made absolute sense to me. Like short, clipped sentences in time of terror--stiff little steps made in the dark when you are afraid someone will hear you. Like making sure "Anna" is always "Anna" and doesn't change into "Kate." Like using the right word at the right time and making sure every sentence worked with the one before and the one following. Like using good, solid verbs, cutting back on the adjectives, stuff like that.
And so the writing style becomes your voice. When my sister first started reading my books, she would say it was like talking to me, she could hear me when she read. I took that as a great compliment. I have no idea if someone who doesn't know me could tell my books from others though I have noticed certain writers remind me of my own writing--sorry, Eli, but you're one of them-- and I think that's because I don't spend any time at all rewriting their stuff in my head. You know, btw, I think a writer does that when they read not because what they read is wrong or unpleasant, but because the style is different than their own.
So, is style voice?
I always know when I hear Danita's writing that it's her. You have a very distinctive voice coupled with the present tense thing that stands out, Danita, and that is cool. I also read some of Eli's fiction not too long ago and I noticed she does something in her phrasing (and no, I can't remember what it is) that stood out to me. I started to comment on it and then I realized it was her style, that she did it now and again and that I liked it and if I can ever remember what it is, I might try it myself! And Paty, I just read and enjoyed your book MIP, and I thought your style was lively and fun, and that it fit your plot perfectly.
I won't pretend to have the knowledge that it seems 90% of writers have, but I will ever so carefully inch my way out on this fragile little limb and state boldly that I don't think a writer can know their voice because it's the only one they have and it seems natural to them. I will creep just a bit further and say that you shouldn't worry about this unless you have been trying to adopt a style that isn't comfortable, doesn't fit, as Paty said, and thus isn't your voice at all but an imitation of a voice you think you should have.
Paty, have your cake and eat it, too. Write light hearted, writer serious. Write suspense, write terror. Your voice will modify to the fit the plot. Some might be better than others and maybe the stuff that seems less instinctive is actually you growing as a writer to challenge yourself. And honestly, writing this and rereading what you wrote, I am having a hard time differentiating between style and voice.
Are they the same? How would someone else explain the differences?
Good blog, Paty, thanks for being there bright and early on a Monday morning.
Alice
Oh, and congrats on the new baby! I assume this one came with a mother or a father, or rather, a new wife or new husband for one of your kids? At any rate, how exciting!
Alice
Ah, voice. I've had this conversation numerous times with writer friends. I've heard the difference between style and voice as: If style is a potato, voice is a french fry. Works for me. 8^)
I gave a workshop on voice a couple of years ago at a writers' conference. I think you're right, that Alice, it really is your personality coming through on the page. And when you're not concentrating so hard on your writing, your grammar, your spelling, etc., etc., your voice is finally free to manifest itself. I think it comes from confidence.
My guess is that most published writers have found their voice. You can tell when judging contest entries that beginners still struggle with the writing part. You see overwriting, or trying too hard to write a certain way that it shows, or they're just getting the words down and it comes out flat and pedantic. They may have a good story going, but they haven't yet discovered their unique voice to make the story their own.
By the way, Paty, I take it your daughter was finally able to adopt Anthony's baby! Congratulations, grandma! 8^)
Karen
Voice I think I've got. Can't think of many rejection letters that didn't at least comment on how strong or fresh my voice is.
It's a bunch of the other stuff I need help with...I tend to ramble and get long-winded with descriptions, struggle to add enough emotion. Sometimes my characters do things that others say suspends their belief.
good blog, Paty, and congrats on the new baby granddaughter. How exciting!
And yes, Alice. I can hear you talking too when I read your books. A turn of phrase here, a description there. Definitely your voice.
I'm a little fuzzy on the difference between voice and style too.
According to Karen, voice is greasier than style?
Alice - I've had several people who know me say it was like me talking when they started my book, but once they got into it they forgot it was me and became immersed in the story. I found that to be a compliment and I guess it means my voice is coming through. It just isn't as strong as some other writers.
It sounds like style and voice kind of go hand in hand. But style is more the type of book you are writing...
Karen - no it isn't Anthony's boy that Angie adopted, but the sister to the girl they already have. Which is a sad and happy story.
Yes, Danita, you do have a voice that stands out and is fun to read. You'll get the rest handled in no time, I'm sure of that!
Congrats! Was it an adoption? Very happy happy for your family!
My favorite authors definetely have "voice." I know instantly that I'm reading one of *their* books. Other authors, even really good authors, it's not always as clear, and that's okay too--I like authors who can suprise me with a new voice from time to time (ala Krentz, Lael Miller, and others). For those with really clear voice, it's more than just style--it's also a certain unique formula--their spin on the alpha male, their way of expressing sexual chemistry, what details matter to them, setting, pacing.
I watched the Oscars last night--certain directors don't have an identifiable style--the dude who did Happy Feet also did a number of really dark, artsy adult movies. But other guys, you always recognize their work regardless of the particular story--Spielberg, Scorese, Eastwood, Sophia Copola-- each has a way of tackling more than just the acting--they create a certain type of universe for us. Others can create multiple universes.
I don't think there's anything wrong with the multi-voice writers, but I think in terms of "branding" themselves they may have to work a little bit harder--but they also don't run the risk of the "voice" crowd of becoming a parody of their own voice or people becoming tired of them or bored---both can be really successful ways to launch a career.
Great topic
Danita--I'm going to tell you things you already know:
Use the KISS method with descriptions. Keep it simple, stupid. Add enough details to make the things you describe real, but don't allow yourself to go on and on. People have different tolerances for detail--I find it cloying and unless that wallpaper is really important, I don't care too much that it's composed of tiny little pink rosebuds surrounded my bright yellow garlands of leaves and black polka dots bisecting the---yawn...
The ramblings can get ousted during rewrite by keeping in mind that with few exceptions, every tangent, every word should greatly enrich the setting or advance the plot in some way shape or form or it should be cut from the book. This usually hurts like hell so make a back up copy and work on that knowing you can always take back those nuggets of wonderfulness you are slicing and dicing--I bet you ten bucks you won't ever take back a word, btw.
As for the emotions, I add those in the endless little rewrites I do every day but you can do them in the big rewrites you do. I don't know about you, but I'll be reading along and realize that the heroine didn't react to a shooting or a kiss or a nasty comment or whatever. Easy enough to add and it always enriches the character's depth and sometimes provides fodder for additional tension.
Nothing new, but maybe this stuff will help.
Alice
LOL, Danita! Greasy syle! A potato is what it is. Of course, you have different kinds of potatos. Have you ever tried the purple ones? Yummy! Take your potato and mash it, fry it, scallop it, or make potato salad, and use your own recipe. I think that's the analogy behind voice, as I understand it.
If a writer uses a lot of compound sentences or writes in first person or tends to use long passages of exposition, that's their style. What they do with their style is the voice they give it. For instance, I'm not a big fan of expository writing, but when written by a compelling author like Margaret Atwood, I can't get enough.
Another example: Using one-word and incomplete sentences is a style, but some writers pull it off better than others. It's their sense of timing, or maybe the context in which they choose to use it that makes it work. That's where voice comes in, IMO.
Fun blog post, Paty. 8^)
Karen
Karen--You exlained the voice/style thing so perfectly that even I understand it.
Not.
I don't get it. It's like apples and oranges to me.
And potatoes? Huh? I am scratching my head. What's with the purples ones, anyway? I tried them and they were mealy. Are you saying my writing is mealy, Karen? Is that what you're saying?
Giggle.
Alice
Oh, Alice. (shakes head) What am I to do with you? Hey, those purple potatoes are delicious! At least the ones I've had. My husband works at a natural foods store and brings home produce, and the purple potatoes he brought were really good. Kind of sweet, but not as sweet as the orange sweet potatoes. The purple sweet potatoes served at Hawaiian luaus are just like these.
Well, voice is a quandry for most writers, I think. If you don't think about it, you've probably already discovered it anyway.
Karen (the purple tater-eater)
Wow! Did I open a can of worms! Or should I say voices! LOL
This is great! Here I thought I was the big "L" because I wasn't sure what voice is and I find I'm not alone. How invigorating!
So voice is the way you put the words together as in your thought process and style is the way you put the words together in sentences. See now I've totally confused all of you and myself!LOL
So when I started out writing backward sentences that was my voice, until I learned to turn them around which now makes them my style and my voice is the words I choose to write.
So... my voice is in my word usage which is pretty much western, giving me a western voice.
And I just found out I was underpaid by TWRP last quarter and can now go out and buy me some western duds! Woo Hoo!
Paty wrote:
"So when I started out writing backward sentences that was my voice, until I learned to turn them around which now makes them my style and my voice is the words I choose to write."
Paty--Put down that brand spankin' new suede vest and those bare-assed chaps for just a second. Now, raise your right hand and repeat after me.
"I, Paty Jager, promise to never, ever again explain voice. Ever."
Okay, cowgirl, go buy yerself a Stetson and whoop it up!
Alice
Alice, ROFLOL!!
I'll forget I ever wrote this blog and go shopping!
Thanks for the reminders, Alice. Sometimes it helps to beat them into my head every month or so. Think I'll print out your gems of advice and have them tattooed on my aSS. No, wait. I wouldn't be able to see them to remind myself when I'm sitting on the gems writing. That is, unless I get a pair of chaps like Paty's...say, now there's an idea...
By the way, I meant suspend DISbelief in my earlier entry...
And as far as potatoes, well, okay, whatever... .Style, voice, words, sentences...I like the golden potatoes. My friend Michele uses them in her potato salad. Leaves them in nice big chunks...now that's style, baby!
I'm using a lot of these...tonight. Is it annoying anyone yet?
Change of subject, but I just watched the movie The Pursuit of Happyness. Excellent show. Sad, happy, homeless. Got it all. Based on a true story too.
First of all, congrats on your new granddaughter, Paty. That's very very cool.
Second of all, I really wish I'd been around to reply to this yesterday. I was at a funeral all day and didn't get any web time (funny how you go through withdrawls. I missed you all and it was only one day!)
I hate to admit it, but I've never truly understood the difference between style and voice, although Karen's explanation was pretty good and Danita's extra-explanation that one is greasier than the other helped. However, reading Paty's take on it (waaaay down below) I think it's safe to say I'm still confused. ;)
Of course, I'm really wondering what weird thing I do in my phrasing, Alice, so you're going to have to clarify on that one. LOL. I agree with the others, Alice, in that I "hear" you talking when I read your books. My good friend has said the same about my writing, though I don't know if it's true. She's not a writer, but she commented reading my stuff is like having a conversation to me. That was a pretty cool compliment.
I tend to think voice/style is subjective. Allison Brennan once commented that she was all over the map when it came to contest scores - high and low - and she recently hit the NYT bestseller list. I've heard people say if you're getting contest scores or feedback like that it means you have a strong voice - some people love it and some people hate it. It's the "meh" comments you should really be worried about because it means you haven't really developed your voice yet. I don't know if that's true or not. I've had editors read my book and say "great, unique voice" while Kate Duffy commented to my agent that she thought the voice was "immature and young". What does that say? To me, it simply says one person liked it and another didn't.
This whole topic of voice is really timely for me, as I think I tend to be one of those people who has a "changing voice" depending on the tone of the story. The last book I wrote - and the one I landed my agent with - is very light and snarky (bet ya never guessed that, huh?). The heroine is extremely snarky and the hero feeds off that. It lent for some very fun, whimsical writing in their POVs. The book I'm working on now - and the one I wrote before the one my agent has - are both much darker. No snarkiness here because it doesn't fit the mood and tone of the book. Does that mean my voice has changed? I don't know. I understand the importance of branding, but I also recognize the fact "darker, grittier RS" is in right now, so that might be what I ultimately sell first. I'm not sure. But I still don't know if that means my "voice" is dramatically different. I think the only person who can answer that is someone who's read both of my "type" of books - like Becky or Lisa (so if you girls have feedback for me, I'd love to hear it!).
I do think voice is something it takes a while to establish, mostly because as a new writer, you're experimenting with voices you've read to see what fits for you and what doesn't. I knew in the fourth book I wrote that my voice was finally clicking. The writing became easier, the thoughts and internals and phrases really flowed where before it took me a long time to "get into" the book as a whole. I also know - looking back - that my voice dramatically changed from the beginning of that book to the end, and I had to go back and revise the opening to fit the voice at the end. Didn't happen in book five, so maybe four was a turning point for me. I don't know. I tend to be slow on the uptake though, so hopefully the rest of you didn't have to go through four books to finally "get" your voice.
Okay, I wrote a whole novel here, so I'm going to sign off. Great post, Paty. I fowarded the link to my CP and made her read it. She enjoyed it as well.
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