Thursday, March 8, 2018

Finding Your Voice by Tanya Agler

When I’m driving my youngest children to school or wherever, I like to play the standards of yesteryear. I’m introducing Cupcake and Chunk to the silky voices of Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Doris Day, and I love throwing in some Satchmo for good measure. There’s nothing like Louis Armstrong’s trumpet playing to brighten up my day. Decades later, their voices are each distinct and unique, and I can tell immediately whether Bing is crooning, Frank is extolling the virtues of New York, or Doris is serenading the troops who were taking a “Sentimental Journey.” As I was listening to “Swingin’ on a Star” the other day, I started to think how writers develop their own voices, something unique that differentiates their styles from others. 

Theme. Even today, the name Doris Day often brings up two famous songs of the twentieth century, “Que Sera Sera” and “Sentimental Journey.” Both are sung in a fashion to bring reminders of home to boys and men, who are searching for their way home. (“Que Sera Sera” was used effectively in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Man Who Knew Too Much and “Sentimental Journey” was a huge hit during World War II.) The theme of finding a way back to family is familiar in many novels. Coming home is also a recurring theme in my writing, and I try to use my voice to evoke images of home, from baked goods to holidays. When a writer is wondering how to establish his or her voice and his or her brand, recurring themes are often a great place to start.

Setting. Going into detail about the book’s setting can often make it seem as though the setting is an additional character in the book and help your voice stand out. Dynamic settings can add a dimension to a writer’s voice and keep the reader turning the page. The Alaskan wilderness or a Kentucky cave can lend a suspenseful air. The murmur of the waves on the shore can provide a backdrop for a women’s fiction novel or a reunion romance. All of these details are one more way a writer can strengthen his or her voice.

Dialogue. Ensuring your characters sound like themselves and not like other characters can help your writing. I’ve heard other singers perform “It’s a Wonderful World,” but when Louis Armstrong sings it, I stop what I’m doing and listen. It’s a beautiful song and his inflection and slightly scratchy voice bring out the best in the lyrics and melody. So too, your teenager should sound like a teenager and not like your heroine’s grandmother. By infusing your characters with attitude and giving them their voice, you also grow your voice.

In a way, some songs are sheer poetry. Some writers have melodious voices and their prose reads like poetry. Others take you on a wild roller coaster of a ride. The best part is there’s room for all our voices out there. Think about your favorite song and why the singer who vocalized the lyrics made that tune something special. Then think about your writing. There’s something special in your words as well, and your voice helps shape their meaning.

What’s your favorite song or genre of music? Do you see any of the themes in those reflected in your writing?

Tanya Agler lives in an Atlanta suburb with her husband, four children, a Basset Hound, and a rabbit. She loved the University of Georgia so much she stayed there for seven years, ultimately earning her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Juris Doctor degree but trading those in for blue jeans and a laptop. A write-at-home mom, Tanya is a member of RWA and is the current President of Georgia Romance writers. A 2017 Unpublished Contemporary Category Maggie winner and Unpublished Contemporary Gateway to the Best winner, she is represented by Dawn Dowdle of the Blue Ridge Literary Agency.

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