Finding Your Voice

What’s your voice? And is it the same voice that reminds you to pick up a gallon of milk at the store or the other one that insists wearing white after Labor Day will have Stacy London beating down your front door?

From the very beginning all new writers are experimenting with style. And usually the style you like to read is the style you will probably end up writing. But will you recognize which one best fits your voice or will you tromp around in the puddle of indecision for longer than you should?

When I first tried to pen a novel in the late 90’s, I was convinced it would be a Desire. And in my quest to formulate a story I tried to keep myself within those boundaries. I wrote how I thought it should be, creating stories with little or no conflict because I wasn’t being true to my voice.

Now, we all know that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But what will separate your story from a similar theme in the slush pile or as a contest entry is capturing the reader’s attention. It’s confusing to draw a line between what everybody else is doing and how you will take that same idea and capture it in a fresh way. Your voice will make that happen.

Think of your favorite author. The one who pushes all your buttons and sends you to ebay in search of those hard-to-find early releases. Can you identify the main reason this author’s voice resonates with you? Is every story brimming with mystery or is the characterization so spot-on that you’d like to be related to the hero and heroine? Have you been to a conference or book signing with this author and found a personality trait that stood out in your mind? Something you can relate to in real life or a connection that makes you feel as though that author has written the story with you in mind?

That’s their voice speaking to you. They’ve found the style of writing that plays to their strengths and they are headed to the end zone with the ball. And as much as we hear that there is no set formula for a saleable story, you can’t argue with what works. That voice has captured you and (hopefully) thousands of other readers and if you see that author’s name it’s like hearing from an old friend.

So, have you figured out what your voice is saying yet? Can you name one element of your writing that is present in everything you’ve enjoyed creating? Do you have a knack for description or witty dialogue? Do you enjoy weaving clues into the fabric of your story or can you effortlessly shift scenes and point-of-view? Try focusing on what you do well and the rest will take care of itself.