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| man with megaphone and computer* |
Your writing voice
may not be what you think.
I remember a specific class I attended at a writers’
conference several years ago. I even remember the teacher. He’s now a highly
respected and sought after editor. He taught about finding your writing voice.
His advice: write every day. That’s how
you find your voice. Solid guidance. I agree with him. You’ll discover (and
hone) your style, your prose, your “way” of writing through the act of
composing.
Today, whether you’re writing non-fiction or fiction, I want
to discuss another type of writer’s voice, one that only life experience can give us. Here’s what I mean:
What are you
passionate about?
One of my previous full-length manuscripts included a thread
I hadn’t anticipated. This thread unfolded as I wrote the story, and it turned
out I was more passionate about that topic, even though I was writing fiction,
than I realized I was. The topic: making assumptions about people without
knowing all the facts. (I know none of us are guilty of that. ;) ) As I wrote,
that theme presented itself a few different ways and without preaching, (I
hope), the story subtly showed the folly of assumption.
I hadn’t realized I wanted to give voice to that opinion, or
how timely that thread would later become in the editing phase of that novel,
until I wrote it and reread it.
Your writing voice can be your prose, your style. Or your
voice may be a message or messages you’re passionate about.
Have you noticed some fiction writers have a consistent
message in their books? They speak to a political situation or a societal
problem through story. I can think of at least one author who consistently
addresses a specific issue, both in her fiction and in her online presence. I’m
wondering if she received the calling to write fiction and then received the message she’s called to address.
Jesus gave voice to
His message through story.
You’ve heard it said “So-and-so has a voice” in a certain
area. Lisa Bevere is passionate about empowering women toward courage. Shaunti
Feldhahn teaches on marriage and gender specific traits in relationships. Dr. Gary
Chapman gave us the love languages. These are non-fiction writers who’ve used
their voices to influence readers.
Whether we realize it or not, we all have opinions that show
up in our fiction. As an editor, I watch for how words, (in non-fiction
projects or fiction projects), convey meaning. Did the author mean to express
what he just said? Until we analyze our words, or until someone else points
them out, we may not realize we already have a voice. But are we intentional?
It’s when we discover a passionate message that the privilege
to influence lives manifests because then we can purposefully share that missive
with readers.
Your Turn
Have you discovered your passionate message(s)? In what ways
are you a “voice?” Have you ever been surprised to find you had a strong
opinion about a topic that simply materialized in your fiction or in your online
interactions?
Write on, friends!
*Photo credit: Man With Megaphone by
bplanet at freedigitalphotos.net
~~~~~
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| Her Nerdy Cowboy |
Whoever heard of a bookish cowboy? When Logan
McDaniel’s brother-in-law dies, he steps in to help his beloved sister run her
ranch. But what does a city boy know of herding cattle? Claire Langley loved
her cousin. After he dies, she agrees to serve as a temporary nanny for two
heartbroken children.
Claire and Logan find they share a love of books, and
Claire can’t resist the nerdy uncle who is great with children, and who reads
to her of pirate romance. Claire’s ailing mother needs her in Seattle. Can she
break away? And if she does, can there ever be a future for Logan and her?
~~~~~
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| Annette M. Irby |
Annette M. Irby has three published books and
runs her own freelance editing business, AMI Editing.
See her page here on Seriously Write for more information.
