Voice: Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are!
ave you ever noticed how writers always speak of “finding” their voice? As if they’re on a hunt, searching high and low, under rocks, inside nooks and crannies, between sofa cushions, hoping their voice will somehow magically show up?
Oh, if only it were that easy! Voice is not like a lost key, waiting around to be found. But voice is key in creating an authentic story, whether characters are discussing picking pockets on a 19th century London street or spells at a fantastical school for student wizards. Zeroing in on the right sounds and patterns makes fictional worlds real to the reader.
As important as believable dialogue is, though, it’s not the whole story. A writer’s voice can also carry through the narrative, setting tone and providing layers of depth to the novel. The stronger that voice, the better the novel. It’s that intangible in a manuscript that agents and editors are always looking for. And if they don’t find it, then your wonderful manuscript will receive that dreaded rejection letter.
So, how’s a writer supposed to find the magical key that makes a novel stand out? A good place to start is in front of a shelf—as long as that shelf is filled with books. It’s time to check out how other writers distinguished their voice.
READING
Reading great books is the first step to understanding great voice. You want to make sure that you, like editors and agents, know that intangible “it” factor when you see it. The more you read, the more you’ll recognize the standards of voice-rich writing.
The standards are award-winning and timeless in my favorite, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.This Southern tale of judgment and justice, told through the voice of nine-year-old Scout Finch, earned this book the Pulitzer in 1961. Seeing events unfold through the eyes of a young girl combines an innocent simplicity with complex themes; Scout’s voice pulls us into a South long past, yet keeps us riveted by conflicts still present in today’s society.
Want a few more great reads to round out your journey? We asked WOW! readers to share some of their favorite books—those stories brimming with that elusive voice quality that makes us want to plead like Oliver Twist, “Please, sir (or madam), I want some more.”
Speculative fiction author, Beth Cato, recommends The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. “This YA novel manages to be addictive and gasp-causing suspenseful despite (or because of) a first-person present tense narrative. It’s not like the story subject is all new and fresh—it takes place in a far-future dystopian America where teenagers are used as pawns in a sort of reality show. However, The Hunger Games works because of that voice.”
The Hunger Games works so well, in fact, that it’s burned up the bestseller lists, along with the second book in the series, Catching Fire. The third book, Mockingjay, has fans holding their breath, waiting for its August release (including me)!
But you don’t have to depend on what’s hot to find a breathtaking voice. Poet Cara Holman was enchanted with a used copy of I Capture the Castle, written by Dodie Smith, the author better known for 101 Dalmatians. The first sentence from the Castle novel drew Cara into the story: I write this sitting in the kitchen sink.
“I just had to know what Cassandra Mortmain was doing in the kitchen sink...I found her voice funny, charming, wistful, engaging, believable, and altogether fresh. And all this from a novel first published in 1948!”
Some authors are so adept at voice that their novels jump from the pages on to the big screen. Think Stephen King, says short story writer Madeline Mora-Summonte. “...his voice comes through loud and clear. Whether it’s boys (The Body made into the movie Stand By Me) or prisoners (Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption made into the movie The Shawshank Redemption) or insane female fans (Misery made into the movie Misery), the man’s voice is distinctive. He is a true storyteller.”
Pre-published novelist, J.M. Kelley, weighed in on another classic voice. “I’ve always considered J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye the ultimate example of strong voice. It was the first book I opened and could truly hear the protagonist speak in my mind as I read. A third-person narrative wouldn’t have captured Holden Caulfield’sdisillusionment. The voice is loud, bitter, hypocritical, and utterly mesmerizing.”
To complete your stack, compare the voice of Scout Finch with that of India Opal Buloni in Because of Winn Dixie. Writer and book reviewer, Donna Volkenannt, recommended this juvenile novel with a simple question: “How can you not love the voice of a character in a book that starts like this?”
My name is India Opal Buloni, and last summer, my daddy, the preacher, sent me to the store for a box of macaroni-and-cheese, some white rice, and two tomatoes, and I came back with a dog. This is what happened...
Kate DiCamillo, the author of Because of Winn Dixie, has sucked us in from the very first line, using the everyday voice of the girl-next-door. It sounds so natural, doesn’t it? But that kind of writing takes practice.
WRITING
Now, it’s your turn to practice, practice, practice. Before you can find the voice of characters from A to Z, you’ll want to find your own individual voice.
Journaling
Remember when you opened that little notebook and scribbled “Dear Diary”? All those words that flowed from your pen were likely the truest thoughts you ever wrote. That’s because you were writing for yourself. Journaling can be helpful in finding your voice because no one will read it but you. After you’ve completed a few months of entries, take a close look at your style. Are you witty or whiny? Confident or tentative? Do you ramble or get straight to the point? That’s your natural voice—both the fabulous parts and the flaws.
Blogging
Ready to introduce your voice to the world? Start a blog. You can create an online presence with a simple click on Blogger or Wordpress. Because you’re writing for an audience, you may be self-conscious at first, but stick to it! Eventually, your true voice will come shining through.
Commenting
Even if you write only one sentence, you can practice your voice. Twitter allows 140 characters, so it’s the perfect challenge for fine-tuning your voice! Or join Facebook and comment along with like-minded friends at spots like WOW!’s Facebook Fan page. For those who like an extra challenge, tweet or post comments under a nickname or pseudonym. If someone recognizes your style and says, “Oh, I’d know that voice anywhere!”, then give yourself a pat on the back. You and your voice have truly arrived!
“Staying true to your own voice will help you create the conversational tone that makes a novel so engaging to readers.”
Now that you know your voice, why not experiment a little with voice? Writing the same story from different points of view is a useful exercise, allowing the opportunity to see the role that voice plays in a story. You can try this technique with a familiar fairy tale or one of your own stories. Or read Wicked and see how Gregory Maguire turned The Wonderful Wizard of Oz around, giving us the Wicked Witch’s side of the not-so-wonderful story!
Staying true to your own voice will help you create the conversational tone that makes a novel so engaging to readers. So, whether you’re writing for tweens, preschoolers, or adults, tap into your personal experience to bring that voice to life. For historical novels, research the period through books, newspapers, and museum records in order to lend an authenticity to your dialogue and narration. And if you’re writing fantasy, experiment with different kinds of voices until you find the one that fits your world. When it comes to voice, practice makes perfect!
ARITHMETIC
You’re wondering about the numbers connection to voice, aren’t you? It’s elementary, my dear. You’ve read hundreds of books, and you’ve written thousands of words. Still, there’s one question rattling around in your brain. It’s that little voice asking, “Have I got IT?” Double-check your voice with critique.
A good critique group can be invaluable. Fellow members can give you feedback on whether your dialogue or voice rings true. And if you’re able to afford a manuscript consultation at the next conference you attend, be sure to ask the critiquer about the strength of your work’s voice. If you have a few more dollars, take an advanced writing class. It’s worth the investment to hone your skills in this hard-to-pin-down element.
Reading, writing, and critiquing add up to success when it comes to finding the key to taking your novel from slush pile to bookshelf. Because once you find “it,” you won’t have to go looking for voice again!
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Cathy C. Hall has a note posted above her computer that reads: I LOVE this voice! She’s pretty sure those were the exact words from author, Jane Yolen, after reading the first page of Cathy’s YA manuscript at an SCBWI conference. Cathy is a humor writer who’s published in both fiction and non-fiction for children and adults.
Find out more at her website, www.cathy-c-hall.com.
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Enjoyed this article? Check out some of Cathy’s previous articles on WOW!:
How to Find the Perfect Horror Fit for You
Making Time for Right and Left Brain Writing
The Cheap Writer's Guide to Conferences
(Almost) Everything I Really Needed to Know About (Humor) Writing, I Learned for Free
Getting Your Author Brand On, An Interview with Shelli-Johannes-Wells
Say Yes to Success: An Interview with Career Expert Maureen Anderson
How to Write a Picture Book: Interview with Eve Heidi Bine-Stock
Related Articles:
Channeling the Voice of Youth: An Interview with Ellen Hopkins
Recommended Resource: Finding Your Writer's Voice Class
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