What Do I Sound Like…When I Write?

So obviously the title doesn't reference a specific sound, well maybe the click-click of the keyboard keys or the scratch of a pen if you prefer to jot down notes before you sit in front of the computer. And yet each of us has a "sound" or voice that comes out of us as we write. I spoke about this with my critique partner yesterday and the truth is I'm not sure what completely makes up the voice of a writer.

We each have our things we improve upon and learn: word usage, alliteration, poetic prose, long or short sentence structures, etc. But none of the mentioned items actually makes a voice. Nora Roberts is a good example of an author's voice whose "rings" loud no matter what she writes. Her novels range from contemporary romance to mystery to paranormal romance to fantasy romance. And yet, when I sit down to read one of

her books, I can always tell it is Nora. Same goes with one of my other favorite authors, Karen Marie Moning.

I really think the writing voice we each have is "how" we tell a story. Almost like the tone of our writing. Sure we can improve our craft by learning about show vs. tell, deep pov, plot structure, etc., but the voice of our works is something innate and unique to each of us. It is something we carry inside of us from the very beginning. Think of Harry Potter and each wizard's wand. The wand chooses them right? Well I believe our voice chooses us.

This doesn't mean we are each in touch with this voice. No, admittedly it does take a bit of coaxing to pull out of us. I'm now starting my fourth work and only now do I sense or "hear" my own voice. Sometimes if fades and sometimes it's strong but either way, I'm happy to have it around. What do you think makes up your writing voice?

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life, Writing Topics