Hello and Happy Friday! Tara here.
The V-word. We hear it a lot, right? Everyone's looking for that manuscript with a "great voice". If that voice is just right, agents and editors might be willing to overlook some plot or writing issues. If the voice isn't right, they won't get past the first page. Yeah, yeah. We know. Voice is important.
But how do we find it?
When they say voice can't be taught, they aren't lying. Your writing voice is something that can only come from you, and it will change throughout your life. So, I can't tell you how to develop a killer voice in a minute. But I can give you a couple ideas on where to start.
1. Pick your favorite character from a book and write a scene introducing them. Do not use the original author's descriptions or words. Use your own.
You'll probably notice that this character, despite being someone else's creation, now sounds like a different character entirely. This is YOUR voice.
2. Repeat the process above with your own character, always keeping in mind who your character is and what they want at their core. Who knows... You may have just end up writing the opening scene to your next book.
Until next time!
The V-word. We hear it a lot, right? Everyone's looking for that manuscript with a "great voice". If that voice is just right, agents and editors might be willing to overlook some plot or writing issues. If the voice isn't right, they won't get past the first page. Yeah, yeah. We know. Voice is important.
But how do we find it?
When they say voice can't be taught, they aren't lying. Your writing voice is something that can only come from you, and it will change throughout your life. So, I can't tell you how to develop a killer voice in a minute. But I can give you a couple ideas on where to start.
1. Pick your favorite character from a book and write a scene introducing them. Do not use the original author's descriptions or words. Use your own.
- Who are they and what do they want most in life?
- How do they talk?
- What kind of music do they listen to?
- What do they fear the most?
You'll probably notice that this character, despite being someone else's creation, now sounds like a different character entirely. This is YOUR voice.
2. Repeat the process above with your own character, always keeping in mind who your character is and what they want at their core. Who knows... You may have just end up writing the opening scene to your next book.
Until next time!
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