Look Inside Yourself to Find Your Voice

Look Inside Yourself for Your Writers Voice

Why do you write?

Some writers just love to be creative and make something out of nothing. They love to write. Others discover they can change their world by revising the plot and placing themselves in the hero's head.

I think we write to try to create a perfect world for ourselves. To bring consistency and order out of chaos. It gives us the power to fix something we don't like in the real world. We write to escape, and to escape we must express ourselves in our writers voices.

Who do you become when you write?

First, you become vulnerable and exposed. You become the characters, all of them -- even the bad guys. For the characters to be compelling I believe they must contain some real part of the writer's personality. You have all the voices inside you waiting to come out; they only need the right character. Being able to let them each speak as themselves, individually, is your writers voice. You literally must pour yourself into your writing. That isn't as much a cliche as you may have thought.

You might be surprised on reading something you've written a while ago, and hearing a certain voice you didn't consciously write. It will have a flavor of realism that could be embarrassing or pleasant, depending on the words and topic you chose, but it's your real writers voice. Learn to control it by becoming each character. To become each character, you must know them well. Study them, make them individuals by basing them on someone real.

I've heard some say they don't worry about the characters, because they think the story is more important. They admit throwing card-board characters in as they're needed to get the story to the finish line. I haven't read their work so I don't know if they can pull it off or not, but I think even if it's completely narrated, the narrator still needs a strong voice.

I agree with the statement that the story is important, but I believe the characters are more important. Readers read to escape too. They don't care how vulnerable the writer had to become to make the characters true-to-life; they just know if they identify with the heros and warriors or not. They can't become that particular character or overcome the obstacle; thus feeling better about themselves, without the true writer's voice bringing the character to life for an hour or so. Bottom line - they won't like your story.

So, to find your writers voice, dig through all the animosity, fear, anger, cruelty, joy and heartbreak of everyday living; past, present and perceived - exaggerate it and give it to your characters to work out.

Thanks so much for reading.

WoW- I was featured!
True it was in the Non-Members section, but I don't care!

Maharani, period.

Sorry 'bout that.
Uh, maybe you should post in the group forum more often? lol

Loved the "Moody" article!

I finally played catch-up with my email today, and had a chance to read the latest newsletter. I found myself nodding with every sentence, and thinking... man, esprit's a lot like me. (LOL)

Posting on the internet when you're in a bad mood is NEVER a good thing! I have learned that the hard way more than once since I first logged on several years ago.

The only thing I can write well when I am angry or depressed is poetry, and that's because I tend to use it as an outlet for those emotions. Anything else... fahgeddaboutit! ;)

Great job, esprit!
BBINJC

Thank you, Starr!

Whew, I finally took the time to read the newsletter, the Writer's Circle newsletter, that is. Anyone who hasn't subscribed, should.

This issue deals with a topic most of us really don't want to consider: our moods and how they affect us; whether of not we can really be ourselves online. I wonder if we can or if we do or if we should. I'm rather myself online or off, but perhaps I shouldn't be.

You gave me several things to consider, which is a sign of a good editorial
Vivian: publisher, author

Sometimes I'm myself, but I find I hold back a lot. Thanks, Viv.

I hear you so loud and clear. I admit to being one who sometimes logs on in bad temper. I have learned my lesson. I try to review on those days now. Often I write and keep my item private in case the words change with my mood later on. Thanks for sharing. I think it's a very good point. daycare

Oh, my goodness, Wendie! You're brave, I wouldn't dare review on my bad days.

I enjoyed your candid editorial on "moods", particularly the way the "perceptions" were woven together to demonstrate how our views can be easily affected.

In sharing your own experiences as examples, you've given the writing a warm and human touch. hdelphyne

Thea, thank you for subscribing, and for the kind comments. They are both appreciated.

What a wonderful newsletter! I so enjoyed reading it, and what you are saying is very true. Great job Tiggy

Thanks, Ashes!

And, many thanks to all who took the time to read. All of the editors work hard trying to come up with new ideas and helpful hints for you, the subscribers. The reason you're getting me more often is because, apparently, I'm the only member of Writers Circle not involved in the Nano Writing extravaganza, (or nightmare), depending on how you're getting along with it.

Shoot, I've written my 50,000 words in newsletters this month! Does that count?