Voice

What is voice?

What is voice? that sense of unique presence on the

page an unmistakable something that

becomes the mark of a writer a way of saying things that is the

writer’s own a sign that the piece was written by a

human being

How do writers create voice?

How do writers create voice?

1. With words (diction) Choice (vocabulary) Arrangement (syntax)

How do writers create voice?

2. Over time Because of writers they’ve read Because of choices they’ve

made

How do writers create voice?By repeating subject matter. Using the same point of view.Conforming to a form.

Writing Exercise (WNB)Take a minute and think

about your own writing. What do you do that makes

your writing yours? What patterns exist in your

writing?

How do I find my voice?

How do I find my voice?This is one of those phrases you

hear writers use. My answer: Was it ever lost?

You always have your voice, and it will probably change over time.

Concentrate on creating good writing, and your distinctive sound will emerge.

How do I find my voice?Don’t worry; it happens

automatically. We don’t choose it.

Seek to say something, and your voice will follow.

Work on broadening your vocabulary by reading.

It emerges when you write passionately.

How do I find my voice?You have a number of different

voices, depending on your audience.

You speak differently in class than you do:@home@practice@a party

“Voice is born from a lot of work—but not just any words or any work will do. You have to bleed a little. You have to shiver a little. You have to love a lot—love your writing, love your failures, love your courage in going on in spite of them, love every small triumph that points toward eventual success. You already have a voice. It’s beautiful, it’s unique… Your job is to lead it from the darkest of the dark places and the deepest of the deep waters into the light of day.”

– Holly Lisle

Can I steal others’ voices?

Can I steal others’ voices? Persona

Greek for “mask” Pretending to be someone else A mask adopted by a writer

Persona writing typically means “the creation of a voice for something or someone very different than the writer.”

This can be a great way to stretch imagination and writing style, to feed your own voice.

Remember: No written account can be the whole truth about an event.

Writing Exercise - Collected

Take a look at the person in the picture you are handed. If you don’t know them by name, that’s ok.

List qualities you think this person would have, just by looking at them.

List topics you think would be important to this person.

Adopt the persona of this person, and write about one of the topics you just listed.

Write a short piece from this person’s perspective. Remember, you are not writing your opinion of this

person, but imagining how this person sees the world.

Point of ViewA close relative to voice

Point of view Definition: the perspective from which

the story is told First person - I Second Person - You Third Person – He/she

Perspective The vantage point from which the story

is told

Writing Activity - Collected The situation: Your character is entering

someplace new. Write the opening of the story of this entrance from four perspectives: 1. First person

2. Second person

3. Third person

4. The perspective of an object in/a part of the room

What did you notice about the perspectives?

Ideas: Point of View Write about yourself from the

perspective of your shoes. Write from a baby’s perspective—in the

womb. Write from the perspective of an animal. Write form the perspective of an

inanimate object looking for his/her mate.