I've mentioned before that I thought I found my voice while working on my first blog, Project 52. Today, I'm not so sure of that. Oh, I know it improved, or at least got me started down the right path, but I don't think I've fully realized my "voice" yet. But I've changed what I think about voice recently.
What I'm about to say is probably going to sound crazy. I know longer believe that the character's voice is the most important to the story. I don't really even know that I believe the author's voice should be distinct from the character's voice. (Of course, I don't really write in the third person and don't enjoy reading it). But I do know voice is the most important thing your manuscript can have. Without voice, your manuscript will wither and die on your hard drive. Without voice, your carefully planned, brilliant and well written plot will die a slow and painful death.
Halfway through Shatter Me I went to the author's blog to see if she had any writing tips, and if she mentioned how she got to publication, and what kind of rejection she endured first. I found even her blog posts were beautiful, but the thing that struck me is the voice was unmistakable. It was the same voice I'd read almost 200 pages of. And what made the book so good, is because it was grounded in her voice. No bells, no whistles, just voice. If she writes a voice with a completely different MC I'll still read it for that voice.
And so now I know I have not found my voice yet, and I must do this. I must use it. I must own it, because it's mine.
What I'm about to say is probably going to sound crazy. I know longer believe that the character's voice is the most important to the story. I don't really even know that I believe the author's voice should be distinct from the character's voice. (Of course, I don't really write in the third person and don't enjoy reading it). But I do know voice is the most important thing your manuscript can have. Without voice, your manuscript will wither and die on your hard drive. Without voice, your carefully planned, brilliant and well written plot will die a slow and painful death.
Halfway through Shatter Me I went to the author's blog to see if she had any writing tips, and if she mentioned how she got to publication, and what kind of rejection she endured first. I found even her blog posts were beautiful, but the thing that struck me is the voice was unmistakable. It was the same voice I'd read almost 200 pages of. And what made the book so good, is because it was grounded in her voice. No bells, no whistles, just voice. If she writes a voice with a completely different MC I'll still read it for that voice.
And so now I know I have not found my voice yet, and I must do this. I must use it. I must own it, because it's mine.
Yes. Tahereh's blog has an awesome author's voice. That's probably why she has such a huge following.
ReplyDeleteIf you find your voice, make sure to post about it. :-)
Yes, very important! A good plot is also essential. Originality too. Juts read a post over at Goodreads that was railing about how many paranormals sounded the same, and had characters that were way too similar.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Beth. Voice is key. Good luck finding yours.
ReplyDelete