We have
The chance to turn pages over
We can write what we want to write…
You’re the voice try and understand it
(“You’re the Voice” by John Farnham)
Okay, maybe this isn’t quite the correct interpretation of these lyrics, but it works for me.
Voice is the way your writing ‘sounds’. In the same way you can pick teenager’s speech from a politician’s, you can pick a writer’s voice (think JK Rowling vs Tolkien or Nora Roberts vs Jane Austen).
Voice is very important in your success as a published author. It makes you stand out in the crowd. But I’m wondering just how successful my voice will be. My competition judges have varied from seeing potential in my voice to loving my voice. Is that right? Voice it will appeal to some and not too others and there is nothing you can do about it? Or do I really need to work on mine?
I mean, unlike maths or history, where everyone must follow, writing is the opposite. Individuality and originality are encouraged, and copying is forbidden. So surely it follows that in achieving this some will like your voice while others won’t?
Sigh. I guess I need to go back and consider some of the aspects that make for a good *voice*:
displaying a definite and well-developed personality; appropriate tone for purpose and audience; individual, authentic and original; strong feelings, honest statements; and care about the topic (from Teaching That Makes Sense).
Just as well no-one critiques my spoken voice *wink*.