There's a lot of discussion among writers about "voice". But what is it? Editors claim it's probably the most important element of writing. They can help you fix the plot, the wording, the action. But voice? That's one element an author must grapple with all alone.
I've decided that the only voice an author really needs to worry about is that of the characters. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think voice refers to the personality of your characters. In a well-written book, the main character's voice or personality shines clearly through within a few pages of the first chapter. Maybe within a few paragraphs or sentences, even. Take, for instance, the voice of Death in Markus Zusak's novel, The Book Thief (Knopf, 2006).
HERE IS A SMALL FACT. You are going to die. I am in all truthfulness attempting to be cheerful about this whole topic, though most people find themselves hindered in believing me, no matter my protestations. Please, trust me. I most definitely can be cheerful. I can be amiable. Agreeable. Affable. And that's onlys the A's. Just don't ask me to be nice. Nice has nothing to do with me.
Within a few sentences, Zusak has given Death a distinctive, snarky personality. He's intriguing and you keep reading. Or at least I did.
Writing style, though? That something else again. Cynthia Rylant, for example, has a distinctively simple and beautiful writing style that permeates all her writing, whether it's picture books, novels, autobiography or poetry. It's always there and easily identifiable. J.D. Salinger and William Steig also have a distinctive writing style and each very different from the other.
It seems that an author must establish the voice of the main characters almost immediately but that style is something he or she develops more slowly over years of writing. Style is more subtle. I think it has to be. Highly stylized writing detracts from the voice of the characters. Writing is always such a tricky balancing act.
Anybody have any thoughts on this?
7 comments:
Oh, yeah, so many thoughts but perhaps little coherency. Great post topic!
I haven't read The Book Thief yet (I know, I know!) but it sounds to me like Death is a first-person narrator. Yes? So what you get is the main character's voice through most/almost all of the story.
What happens, though, when a writer tells their story in third person. Then the MC's voice only shows up in their dialog, or if the author uses a technique to get into their specific internal thoughts.
I'm not sure that, in this case, only have the main character's voice down would be enough. I think the narrator's or storyteller's voice is very important (and very hard to get!)
So far, I've done all first person--possibly because it does feel easier to get that voice. But not just because I'm writing "as" the MC. I think it may be because I see the MC AS a storyteller. So, maybe, that's the trick. Listen to the narrator, even if it isn't a character in your story, and hear how the storyteller wants to tell you about thing?
Oh, yeah. Soooo easy! NOT. :)
To some extent, voice and style are inseparable yet I think they are also quite different. I agree, Becky, that it's easier to establish voice when you're writing in first person. If you're writing in third person you have to show the reader how your main character views the world. You can use dialog or internal thoughts to establish voice. It's a tricky business. And often sooo frustrating.
It's so tricky, isn't it? I always think I understand about voice until I start thinking about third person writing.
Honestly, I think my brain has it so muddled, I couldn't possibly try to explain what I mean here.
I've stopped worrying about voice. I write how I write and I use different styles for different types of stories. I figure voice just happens. Whether or not it's any good is a whole different concern - one that's out of my control.
Yes, the first person/third person issue was the first thing that popped into my head, too. But if you think of your narrator (even 3rd person) as an essential character, you have to give him some personality, too. Of course the trick, here, is deciding how close he will be to the other characters. If it is a more personal (or limited) omniscient narrator, you have to give him some sense of connection. Sometimes , however, the omniscient 3rd person narrator can fall into the analytical distance trap. The narrator is just too detached from the action, even though he has plenty of detailed description to offer.
It can work, but it's much harder to connect to your reader that way. I've written mostly in personal 3rd, and I tend to stay close to the MC, even share his thoughts and feelings (and I mean share not just tell).
Voice is the toughest but most crucial element of writing, the thing that really separates a writer from the herd.
Good luck, everyone!
1986. Stella!! I'm so excited that you're from Sayville!
I found you because you posted a comment on my blog--author2author.blogspot.com. Little did I know that we grew up together. I graduated Bayport HS in 1986. We must get in touch! My childhood neighbor is the Bayport librarian.
I see Mary Ann (ghost girl) is here, so I'm sure we'll manage to find each other!
--Kate, Miss Apprentice Writer on Author2Author.
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