Author Voice – Finding & Developing

This is the second of three articles on the topic of Author Voice. This considers how to find and develop author voice. The first defined what author voice is. The third looks at how to maintain author voice throughout the editing process.

Contents

Finding Author Voice
Benefits of Author Voice
Author Voice Elements
Understanding Personal Voice
Worksheet
Roundup
Related Articles

Finding Author Voice

Having identified what Author Voice is in the first of these three articles it seems appropriate to now help authors find their unique voice. The first point authors need to be aware of is that developing their fully rounded writing voice takes time. Naturally everyone has an initial voice but authors will want to enhance their own to make their writing recognisable.

Some may feel it odd to suggest authors need to actually develop their author voice. Surely their natural voice is sufficient? This may be true for many but human nature has a tendency to fluctuate in different circumstances and if unchecked may lead to confusing writing for readers. 

Benefits of Author Voice

As mentioned, developing an author voice takes time. Consequently, some may ask if it is worth the effort and time. Why not just write in the manner that comes naturally without having to apply any extra effort? There are good reasons for investing time and effort into developing an author voice. Some benefits to having a unique author voice:

Helps gain a committed audience.Composes part of the author’s brand.Makes writing personal and recognisable.Enables author to determine reader experience.Writing becomes more relatable.Assists author to stand out from the crowd.

Developing a unique author voice is considered essential by most however, it should not be done in isolation. Authenticity is also important. Authors are therefore advised to do it in conjunction with their own personality. Not to do so will make writing harder for the author and may come across as insincere or even false to readers.

Author Voice Elements

There are various elements to consider: 

Perspective: The position or angle from which the author wishes to impart the content. In the same way an artist decides from which position or angle to paint a picture an author needs to determine the position or angle from which to relate the story or account being shared. Some questions an author may ask themselves to help identify the position or angle they would like to adopt:

Why are they writing the book, article, post?Is there a specific opinion or point they wish to convey?Do they simply wish to tell a good story?

Note: Most authors have a primary dominant perspective. However, with some effort and concentration they can change it for different projects. They should bear in mind this can be difficult to achieve but is not impossible.  

Word Choice: This will be influenced by the style the author wishes to adopt:

Precise Language (e.g., in the UK this is identified as the Queen’s English).Regional Phrases (will need to ensure they have a good knowledge of those for the district the work is set in).Colloquial (will need to consider if they will include swearing, cursing, profanity, etc.).

Sentence Structure: This will influence the author’s written voice. Will the author primarily use:

Long Sentences.Short Sentences.Mixed length Sentences.

Note: Reader fans will expect to see a consistency throughout all the author’s works. This may change if they write in more than one genre in which case they may wish to ensure their readers are aware of it being a conscious choice.

Punctuation: Though not always considered a primary element of author voice, punctuation can influence the style: How will the author use it:

Sparingly.Consistently.Give preference to certain components e.g. “‘“, “””, “!”, “,”, etc. 

Point of View: The author should pick a regular narrator voice:

1st Person (I).2nd Person (You) (not easy to use for most story forms).3rd Person (He/She).

Description v Dialogue:  Most authors have a preference for predominately utilising one or the other. To develop an identifiable voice the author needs to determine an overriding style: 

Description – Consistently using lengthy descriptions only adding dialogue where description alone is inadequate for the purpose.Dialogue – The story or account is principally driven by dialogue and conversation with description only added where necessary to enhance the scene for the reader.Substantial mix of both – Most writing experts advise choosing one but there is nothing to bar an author from breaking the mould and developing their own unique style. However, they should ensure this will not become confusing for their readers.

Tone: This refers to how the author feels about the story or account and the emotions they wish to generate in their readers. Word choice plays a principle part in this element. Naturally tone can, and probably will, change between projects depending upon what is being shared. The author needs to decide at the commencement of a work. Tone can be:

SeriousFormalCheerfulComicalSadnostalgicEtc. 

It may help authors to consider the vocal tone they would use if telling the story or relating an account orally.

Understanding Personal Voice

It may help an author identify their voice by asking a few personal questions.

What words do they use to describe themselves? – It may help to think of how they would do this with other people rather concentrate upon their own inner thoughts.

How do others describe them? –  They could ask relatives, friends, colleagues, etc. Reviews may also provide some insight. If they have such a relationship with them they could ask their readership.  

Which author voices do they like? – Obviously taken from the books they have a preference for. This may help distinguish their own voice and provide some insight on how to develop it further.

How do they usually communicate with others? – Consider letters, website/blog, social media, phone calls, etc.

Worksheet

To assist authors find their unique author voice a free straightforward worksheet is available. Click the button below to access it.

Download Free Finding Author Voice Worksheet.

Roundup

As seen above, there are many elements to author voice. Understandably, it takes time for authors to fully identify their own voice and decide upon the voice to utilise in their writing. In the long term it will be time well invested as the final choice will give them a recognisable uniqueness that their readers will appreciate. The available worksheet may help reduce the time spent determining the choice.

Related Articles:  

Author Voice – Defined

Author Voice – Maintaining (Link will be provided when article published.)