Writing Tip: Develop Your Voice
As writers, our voice is what distinguishes our work from everyone else. While writing style has more to do with external structures and specific techniques, voice comes from within. I think it’s something which naturally develops over time, but there are some ways to uncover that voice, and I’d like to share some of what’s helped me.
What is voice?
Writing voice encompasses so many things, from our individual linguistic flair to the unique perspective and personal touch we bring to the page. It’s a direct reflection of the writer themselves, and a strong voice can be heard and felt regardless of the other structural, plot, genre, or character elements. A lot like our favorite vocalists, it’s distinct and ideally recognizable, just from the way it sounds and how it touches the listener/reader. Even when Beyonce puts out a country album, she still sounds like Beyonce. Whether she’s singing about heartbreak or time with the girls, she’s still Beyonce. We know her voice. We can do the same as writers.
Why is it important?
More than anything else, I believe a distinctive voice fosters an authentic connection with readers more quickly than anything else can. When readers recognize our voice, they feel a sense of familiarity and connection. It creates a relationship that goes beyond a single piece of work. As a querying author, I’ve watched or listened to countless interviews with agents regarding how they choose which clients to offer representation, and nearly all of them mention voice as a determining factor. In fact, even when they connect with the story and find the plot compelling, it isn’t enough if the voice isn’t there. That can be hard to hear as a querying author, but it’s the reality of it, and we can’t ignore how important this element is. That said, connection with a voice is often subjective, and what one person hates another might love immediately.
After that initial connection, our unique voice makes our writing memorable and easily recognizable. Just as we can usually identify a favorite musician by their sound, readers can identify our work by the unmistakable quality of our voice. This recognition enhances visibility and gives people a subconscious sense of comfort and sets our work apart from the rest. Whether it’s through the style of our prose, the use of sharp wit, a distinctive narrative approach, or overall tone, our voice draws in the people who will connect most with our writing.
One last note on why I think it’s important: Expressing our unique perspective on the world happens whether we mean for it to or not, even when we’re doing it through fiction. Our thoughts, emotions, and worldview influence our voice. Since it’s going to happen anyways, I prefer to be more intentional about it.
How can we develop voice?
Read Widely
Exposure to diverse genres, authors, and writing styles is probably the #1 best way to develop our own voice. Reading widely allows us to identify the elements that resonate with us, and what doesn’t.
Write Authentically
When we write from the heart, infusing our work with our genuine emotions, experiences, and beliefs, readers can feel that authenticity. Authentic writing resonates with readers, creating a connection that goes beyond the story itself, and just by the nature of being true to who we are, our natural voice emerges.
Experiment with Style
Embrace experimentation with language, tone, and structure. Try different styles and techniques to discover what feels most authentic to you. Don't be afraid to push boundaries and explore unconventional approaches that align with you. Check out this post for more on style.
Find Your Narrative Rhythm
As a classically trained musician, I liken writing to music. When I read a particularly well-written piece of writing, I sometimes read it out loud so I can fully appreciate the cadence, pacing and flow. Great writing is like great music, and shares that quality of just sounding good to our ears. Perhaps we see this more in poetry, but even in narrative writing, it’s a foundational element. We all know how boring and monotonous a piece sounds when all the sentences on a page are about the same length. Even one “off” paragraph is enough to pull me out of a story. We’re already taught as writers to vary sentence length and structure to maintain reader interest, so my suggestion is just to take that one step further.
Embrace Quirks
Our idiosyncrasies add character to our voice, without a doubt. Whether it's a penchant for vivid metaphors, a unique sense of humor, or a distinct perspective on life, these quirks become defining elements of our voice if we allow them to. For instance, Ishiguro tends to use a lot of commas and longer phrases, where McCarthy has a distinct lack of punctuation.
Exercise
Write down the names of 3 of your favorite authors
List 5+ qualities for each, identifying characteristics of their voice
What do you like/dislike about their voice?
What might you infer about each author as a result of these observations?
Are there elements in common with your own voice?
Extra Credit:
Take a scene from a book written by one of those authors and rewrite it in your own voice. How does the scene play out when it’s you telling the story? What makes your voice distinct from theirs?
Voice is one of those things that’s difficult to define. Though an abstract concept, it deeply impacts reader experience. Through reading widely, writing authentically, experimenting with style, finding our rhythm, and embracing our quirks, we can finally allow our true voice to shine through. I hope we all continue digging deep to let our most truest selves out onto the page.
Happy writing!
