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?
