Three tips for finding a writer’s voice
A writer’s voice is described as the syntax, the diction, the
punctuation, and the grammar you choose to string words together. Oh, but it’s
so much more!
punctuation, and the grammar you choose to string words together. Oh, but it’s
so much more!
The definition from above could also describe a writer’s style,
which any fiction author can (hopefully) cite is based on the Chicago Manual of
Style. But that’s style. So, then, what the heck is voice?
which any fiction author can (hopefully) cite is based on the Chicago Manual of
Style. But that’s style. So, then, what the heck is voice?
Your voice is you. It is the part of you that is free. It is
unrestrained. It doesn’t have rules or guidelines. Sometimes your voice doesn’t
have civility. Sometimes it is kind beyond measure. It is authentic and a liar,
funny and somber, insightful and in denial, humble and having too much hubris.
In short, it is the essence of being human.
unrestrained. It doesn’t have rules or guidelines. Sometimes your voice doesn’t
have civility. Sometimes it is kind beyond measure. It is authentic and a liar,
funny and somber, insightful and in denial, humble and having too much hubris.
In short, it is the essence of being human.
Beginning writers might have a difficult time figuring out their
voice. But often authors who have been writing for years struggle with figuring
out when their voice wants to change. So discovering your voice is just another
step in this journey to being a writer. And here’s three tips how to find your
voice.
voice. But often authors who have been writing for years struggle with figuring
out when their voice wants to change. So discovering your voice is just another
step in this journey to being a writer. And here’s three tips how to find your
voice.
Mimicry
Watching a baby learn how to talk is one of the most thrilling
things a person can experience. A baby mimics. That’s how we all learn how to
talk. The baby watches someone else, listens intently, and learns, then copies.
things a person can experience. A baby mimics. That’s how we all learn how to
talk. The baby watches someone else, listens intently, and learns, then copies.
I strongly encourage writers to mimic your top five favorite
authors. It may sound counterintuitive when finding your own voice to
mimic someone else. But it’s while observing others that we learn ourselves
best. We watch, analyze, learn, then copy. While we’re mimicking, we learn what
we don’t like and what we do, what feels most comfortable and what doesn’t.
authors. It may sound counterintuitive when finding your own voice to
mimic someone else. But it’s while observing others that we learn ourselves
best. We watch, analyze, learn, then copy. While we’re mimicking, we learn what
we don’t like and what we do, what feels most comfortable and what doesn’t.
Sometimes mimicking another writer inspires our creativity.
Sometimes, though, it can be annoying because your voice wants so badly to come
out and play. And that’s when you let it loose and invite it do it’s own thing.
Sometimes, though, it can be annoying because your voice wants so badly to come
out and play. And that’s when you let it loose and invite it do it’s own thing.
Listening to Others
I have one friend who I’m probably going to embarrass by
mentioning her, but she is by far the best listener. My lovely friend Lana
listens and after just a few utterances from me, she knows exactly what I’m
talking about. EXACTLY. It’s uncanny because Lana can get to the heart of a
matter even if I’m not clear what my problem is. I’m so blessed to have her as
a friend!
mentioning her, but she is by far the best listener. My lovely friend Lana
listens and after just a few utterances from me, she knows exactly what I’m
talking about. EXACTLY. It’s uncanny because Lana can get to the heart of a
matter even if I’m not clear what my problem is. I’m so blessed to have her as
a friend!
Listening to your family and friends and even strangers is one of
the best ways to discover your voice. Yes, listening helps with diction and
dialogue. But truly listening to another, which means putting yourself in their
shoes—sympathizing to the point of empathizing, is an art.
the best ways to discover your voice. Yes, listening helps with diction and
dialogue. But truly listening to another, which means putting yourself in their
shoes—sympathizing to the point of empathizing, is an art.
Always try to empathize with another. How would you feel if your
daughter was recently diagnosed with autism and your family doctor thinks
autism is a phony diagnosis? How would you feel if your husband was sexting
another man? How would you feel if your best friend died? These are just a few
questions where instead of asking, “How would you feel if your friend’s
daughter was recently diagnosed…”, I put YOU in the picture. This is the very
heart of writing—putting YOU into the scene. Only, it’s not quite you because,
as a fiction writer, you’re writing about a beloved character. However, a
reader always knows the difference between a writer who can put her own
emotions into the scene versus when she’s guessing what emotions a character
might feel. Listening and empathy makes the difference between good writing
versus fantastic. It also makes the difference between a mediocre friend versus
someone you can always count on.
daughter was recently diagnosed with autism and your family doctor thinks
autism is a phony diagnosis? How would you feel if your husband was sexting
another man? How would you feel if your best friend died? These are just a few
questions where instead of asking, “How would you feel if your friend’s
daughter was recently diagnosed…”, I put YOU in the picture. This is the very
heart of writing—putting YOU into the scene. Only, it’s not quite you because,
as a fiction writer, you’re writing about a beloved character. However, a
reader always knows the difference between a writer who can put her own
emotions into the scene versus when she’s guessing what emotions a character
might feel. Listening and empathy makes the difference between good writing
versus fantastic. It also makes the difference between a mediocre friend versus
someone you can always count on.
Listen to Yourself
“This above all: To thine own self be true.” —Shakespeare.
Being a woman and having so many friends that are women, I find
that listening to ourselves might be just about the hardest thing for a person,
let alone a writer, ever do. Actually, I know several men who have problems
listening to themselves too. And listening to ourselves can be difficult
because sometimes we have a million things running through our heads at the
same time, we overthink our own problems, or under-think them, and often we
just don’t give ourselves enough time, period.
that listening to ourselves might be just about the hardest thing for a person,
let alone a writer, ever do. Actually, I know several men who have problems
listening to themselves too. And listening to ourselves can be difficult
because sometimes we have a million things running through our heads at the
same time, we overthink our own problems, or under-think them, and often we
just don’t give ourselves enough time, period.
In order to become a writer, though, you have to find the time to
listen to yourself. Yes, bouncing off your problems to a close friend is
important. But just as important, perhaps even more so, is learning how to
become that great listener to yourself, having compassion for yourself so you
can vent and put everything out there. You don’t have to only have a problem to
listen to yourself. Becoming a great friend to yourself means you’re also
listening when you’re having a great time too. It means being there for
yourself during the good times and the bad.
listen to yourself. Yes, bouncing off your problems to a close friend is
important. But just as important, perhaps even more so, is learning how to
become that great listener to yourself, having compassion for yourself so you
can vent and put everything out there. You don’t have to only have a problem to
listen to yourself. Becoming a great friend to yourself means you’re also
listening when you’re having a great time too. It means being there for
yourself during the good times and the bad.
But what does listening to yourself mean? Here’s a story to help
clarify: There are two birds on a tree. They are parents, preparing to have
their little baby. One is flying around, picking up twigs, figuring out the
structure of the nest, if it’s warm enough, if there’s enough food, and
generally worrying about the storm that happened last week and if something
similar might happen again. Then there is the one sitting on the egg. She’s
watching her partner flitter and flap about, proud of her spouse for getting
everything done, but she’s just watching, not judging, just watching
everything. Within our brains we have the bird who gets things done, and,
man-oh-man, do we need to get a million things done in this day and age. But
also within our psyche is the observer. She doesn’t judge. She’s there
watching, listening, and learning.
clarify: There are two birds on a tree. They are parents, preparing to have
their little baby. One is flying around, picking up twigs, figuring out the
structure of the nest, if it’s warm enough, if there’s enough food, and
generally worrying about the storm that happened last week and if something
similar might happen again. Then there is the one sitting on the egg. She’s
watching her partner flitter and flap about, proud of her spouse for getting
everything done, but she’s just watching, not judging, just watching
everything. Within our brains we have the bird who gets things done, and,
man-oh-man, do we need to get a million things done in this day and age. But
also within our psyche is the observer. She doesn’t judge. She’s there
watching, listening, and learning.
Was that too hippy-dippy for you? If it was, just focus on the
part where there is an impartial observer within. And that’s who will listen,
listen intently, and who we learn from.
part where there is an impartial observer within. And that’s who will listen,
listen intently, and who we learn from.
One more thought about finding your voice. You might fail to find
it at first. But this is good! A baby struggles with those first words for
days, months, and for some even a few years. The cycle for all learning, the
best kind of learning, is to fail, try once more, perhaps fail a few more
times, then after a period of trying again and again, there is success. I
encourage all writers to learn to love failure. It means you’re learning. It
means you’re learning something intrinsically valuable. It means you’re
learning you. And that’s your voice.
BACK COVER COPY FOR ENEMY OF MINE:
Kidnapping
mortals to different eras is such fun. Trickster muse sisters, Clio and Erato,
call it a glimpse, but military
historian Minerva Ferguson, Erva, is fairly certain she’s gone nuts when she
wakes two hundred miles from her apartment. And two hundred years in the past
to Brooklyn, 1776. In an unfamiliar manse, during the American Revolutionary
War, she’s not too sure how to regain her sanity. Especially when she realizes
whose mansion she’s just woken in, the one British general she studied more than
anything else, Lord William Hill.
mortals to different eras is such fun. Trickster muse sisters, Clio and Erato,
call it a glimpse, but military
historian Minerva Ferguson, Erva, is fairly certain she’s gone nuts when she
wakes two hundred miles from her apartment. And two hundred years in the past
to Brooklyn, 1776. In an unfamiliar manse, during the American Revolutionary
War, she’s not too sure how to regain her sanity. Especially when she realizes
whose mansion she’s just woken in, the one British general she studied more than
anything else, Lord William Hill.
When
Will hears Erva’s screams of panic, he breaks down a door to save her, even if
he can’t quite remember why she’s visiting. She calms, though, the instant she
sees him, as if they’ve known each other for eons. From the second he sees her
dressed in a toga made from a bed sheet to later when she’s with his troops,
wooing them with her musket skills, he realizes he’s smitten. But he’s a weary
soldier, shrouded in grief, while she reminds him of a sun goddess. Is she too
good for him? Lord, how he wants her to want him.
Will hears Erva’s screams of panic, he breaks down a door to save her, even if
he can’t quite remember why she’s visiting. She calms, though, the instant she
sees him, as if they’ve known each other for eons. From the second he sees her
dressed in a toga made from a bed sheet to later when she’s with his troops,
wooing them with her musket skills, he realizes he’s smitten. But he’s a weary
soldier, shrouded in grief, while she reminds him of a sun goddess. Is she too
good for him? Lord, how he wants her to want him.
How
could Erva not fall for a guy who
accidentally quotes a Cheap Trick song? But now she has to get to the bottom of
if Will is really a rake, how to stop one of the most important battles of the
war, and lastly how to stop her insane crush on the general. After all, he’s going
to die in less than a week.
could Erva not fall for a guy who
accidentally quotes a Cheap Trick song? But now she has to get to the bottom of
if Will is really a rake, how to stop one of the most important battles of the
war, and lastly how to stop her insane crush on the general. After all, he’s going
to die in less than a week.
The
muses have to work fast for this glimpse.
But that’s when they work best. And as explosions erupt through New York,
sometimes it’s not from the artillery.
muses have to work fast for this glimpse.
But that’s when they work best. And as explosions erupt through New York,
sometimes it’s not from the artillery.
REVIEWS:
“Ms. Jameson has a hit here with her first
installment of “The Glimpse Time Traveler” series!” –InD’
Tale Magazine
installment of “The Glimpse Time Traveler” series!” –InD’
Tale Magazine
“Those muses should
have their own television show!” -Angela Adams, author of Magic
Moment
have their own television show!” -Angela Adams, author of Magic
Moment
“LOVED this book from the first word. It
was suspenseful, romantic, historical, funny…..” -Cat, from Amazon
Reviews
was suspenseful, romantic, historical, funny…..” -Cat, from Amazon
Reviews
“This is a great time travel book! It’s
creative plot includes interfering muses, the imminent death of the hero, and
the revolutionary war. Will a great love influence history for better or worse?
With a surprising ending (which I won’t give away) I think you’ll really enjoy
this book!” -Amazon Customer “SG”
creative plot includes interfering muses, the imminent death of the hero, and
the revolutionary war. Will a great love influence history for better or worse?
With a surprising ending (which I won’t give away) I think you’ll really enjoy
this book!” -Amazon Customer “SG”
“LOVED this book!! This book will give
all the ladies a case of ‘Red Coat Fever.'” -Rebecca Bird, from Amazon
Reviews
all the ladies a case of ‘Red Coat Fever.'” -Rebecca Bird, from Amazon
Reviews
EXCERPT FROM ENEMY OF MINE:
“Why are you—” She stopped herself
again. This time she bit her lush bottom lip and looked away.
again. This time she bit her lush bottom lip and looked away.
“Why am I what?” He should have let
her question falter, but he had to know for himself if she were a spy or not.
The more questions she asked, the more she would reveal herself.
her question falter, but he had to know for himself if she were a spy or not.
The more questions she asked, the more she would reveal herself.
The anomalous thought flittered
through his mind though that he wasn’t too sure if he cared if she were a spy.
through his mind though that he wasn’t too sure if he cared if she were a spy.
She glanced back up at him, her eyes
wide and timid. “Why are you here?”
wide and timid. “Why are you here?”
That, he hadn’t expected. A spy would
wonder about his men, his drills, his arms, anything else that mattered to the
war. Not a philosophical question about why he was here. But even the reason
why he was here could be used against him, if court martialed. He hadn’t
realized that thus far. Then again, he’d thought he wouldn’t have survived this
long in the war. In his mind, he would have no reason to be court martialed. He
wouldn’t be alive for it.
wonder about his men, his drills, his arms, anything else that mattered to the
war. Not a philosophical question about why he was here. But even the reason
why he was here could be used against him, if court martialed. He hadn’t
realized that thus far. Then again, he’d thought he wouldn’t have survived this
long in the war. In his mind, he would have no reason to be court martialed. He
wouldn’t be alive for it.
She licked her lips and slightly shook
her head. “I mean, you didn’t vote for any of the acts the Americans protested.
The newspapers said that you didn’t support any kind of action against the
Americans. You don’t support this war, yet here you are. Why?”
her head. “I mean, you didn’t vote for any of the acts the Americans protested.
The newspapers said that you didn’t support any kind of action against the
Americans. You don’t support this war, yet here you are. Why?”
“Why not?” He tried to deflect the
conversation.
conversation.
She narrowed her eyes, no longer
looking sheepish but challenging, ruthless, and so lovely. He liked her best
like this, shooting faster than most of his men, speaking of sedition to his
superiors, the Howe brothers. Lord, how he liked it when her eyes caught fire
and turned back into dark red-brown honey. His veins pumped his too hot blood
through his body.
looking sheepish but challenging, ruthless, and so lovely. He liked her best
like this, shooting faster than most of his men, speaking of sedition to his
superiors, the Howe brothers. Lord, how he liked it when her eyes caught fire
and turned back into dark red-brown honey. His veins pumped his too hot blood
through his body.
“Why not, hmm?” She gave him a wicked
smile. “Why not, indeed. I think you don’t want to be here.”
smile. “Why not, indeed. I think you don’t want to be here.”
“On the contrary, there is no other
place I’d rather be.”
place I’d rather be.”
She blinked, then caught his meaning
that standing so close to her was exactly where he’d love to be. Arching a
blonde brow, she said, “You know what I mean, obtuse man.”
that standing so close to her was exactly where he’d love to be. Arching a
blonde brow, she said, “You know what I mean, obtuse man.”
He silently chuckled at his new name.
“I think you don’t want to be in this
war.”
war.”
He felt his own mirth leave his face.
“You might be right.”
“You might be right.”
“Then why are you here? Why do you
fight? Especially so efficiently?”
fight? Especially so efficiently?”
“Do I?”
She growled, making Will grin again.
“Quit evading the questions with your own.”
“Quit evading the questions with your own.”
“Why? This is fun.”
She smacked one of his shoulders, then
he caught her small hand in his.
he caught her small hand in his.
“Is this fun for you too?” he asked,
carefully gauging her reaction as he twined his fingers through hers.
carefully gauging her reaction as he twined his fingers through hers.
She didn’t look at their hands.
Instead, her gaze was focused on his chest. He especially enjoyed that, as if
she found him desirable. Lord, he hoped so, that he wasn’t making a fool of
himself.
Instead, her gaze was focused on his chest. He especially enjoyed that, as if
she found him desirable. Lord, he hoped so, that he wasn’t making a fool of
himself.
She never answered, but looked up at
him, her long lashes batting. He took hold of her candle and set it on a nearby
table. In so doing he’d gotten that much closer to her, and just as he was
thinking of holding her other hand, she reached up, probably on her toes, and
kissed him.
him, her long lashes batting. He took hold of her candle and set it on a nearby
table. In so doing he’d gotten that much closer to her, and just as he was
thinking of holding her other hand, she reached up, probably on her toes, and
kissed him.
This time he reacted immediately. His
lips melded with hers. She tasted strongly of mint, and he licked the seam of
her lips to enjoy. She opened for him, and he dove his tongue into her mouth.
God, she was sweet. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and he pulled her closer
by holding onto her not-corseted waist. Next her tongue was inside his mouth,
and he couldn’t help but pull her even closer, her stomach against his, her
breasts crushed against his chest.
lips melded with hers. She tasted strongly of mint, and he licked the seam of
her lips to enjoy. She opened for him, and he dove his tongue into her mouth.
God, she was sweet. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and he pulled her closer
by holding onto her not-corseted waist. Next her tongue was inside his mouth,
and he couldn’t help but pull her even closer, her stomach against his, her
breasts crushed against his chest.
Will felt Erva fiddle with the ribbon
at the nape of his neck, and his hair was released from its hold. Instantly,
her hands raked through his mane. It gave him silent permission to finally take
hold of her tresses with one of his hands. Pure silk ran through his fingers.
He loved her long hair, so wild and free this moment. Like the color of corn
silk, Erva’s locks were close to white with a light dandelion sheen. He fisted
what he held, which tilted her head back, all the better to deepen the kiss.
She moaned into his mouth. All his blood rushed south. That little noise was
his undoing.
ABOUT RED L. JAMESON
at the nape of his neck, and his hair was released from its hold. Instantly,
her hands raked through his mane. It gave him silent permission to finally take
hold of her tresses with one of his hands. Pure silk ran through his fingers.
He loved her long hair, so wild and free this moment. Like the color of corn
silk, Erva’s locks were close to white with a light dandelion sheen. He fisted
what he held, which tilted her head back, all the better to deepen the kiss.
She moaned into his mouth. All his blood rushed south. That little noise was
his undoing.
ABOUT RED L. JAMESON
Red L.
Jameson is an award-winning and multi-published author. She writes in many
genres. Her pen name, L. B. Joramo, includes the odd combination of historical
and paranormal for the Immortal American Series. However, it is under her “Red”
name, her nickname too, where all her stories are strongly laced with love,
including contemporary, historical, time-travel, paranormal, and erotic romance.
Red lives in the wilds of Montana with her family and a few too many animals,
and is currently working on her next novel that she hopes will make her readers
laugh, cry, think, and fall in love.
Jameson is an award-winning and multi-published author. She writes in many
genres. Her pen name, L. B. Joramo, includes the odd combination of historical
and paranormal for the Immortal American Series. However, it is under her “Red”
name, her nickname too, where all her stories are strongly laced with love,
including contemporary, historical, time-travel, paranormal, and erotic romance.
Red lives in the wilds of Montana with her family and a few too many animals,
and is currently working on her next novel that she hopes will make her readers
laugh, cry, think, and fall in love.
Website:
www.redljameson.com
www.redljameson.com
Blog:
http://immortalhistory.com
http://immortalhistory.com
Social
Media Links:
Media Links:
Amazon Author
Page: http://goo.gl/Gvd2vq
Page: http://goo.gl/Gvd2vq
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/redljameson/
Twitter: @RedLJameson
Thank you so much for having me here on your lovely blog! I'm in love with your blog and the landscape images!!! Just gorgeous! Hugs!
Those are wonderful tips. I hadn't thought of mimicry, but it does make sense. I didn't know I would be a funny author until someone said I was funny and I read a popular series with funny. Many hugs, sweetie.
Terrific suggestions, Red! The whole issued of 'voice' is so difficult to explain and even more to find. Really enjoyed the excerpt, too!
Oh, thank you, Vicki and Barb!
As for mimicry, I hadn't thought of it either, until I went to a creative writing class, my first one, a thousand years ago now. 🙂 I didn't like doing the exercise, finding that my own voice wanted to come out. But that was the whole point of the exercise. Hee-hee!
The "voice" is difficult to explain, and most people confuse it with style. Yikes! But I think it is so important to find!
Hugs!
Love the mimicry exercise. What a great method to narrow down and cultivate voice.
Great post…and you know how fond I am of those muses!