Voice Quotes

“the main task of the romance writer then––to get us bonded to the characters so we will want to follow them on their journey to amour.  Example 1: Secret Star by Nora Roberts”
― James Scott Bell, Voice: The Secret Power of Great Writing

“It was one of those hot dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen.  Comment Stylistically, this is clearly Chandler’s voice. It’s Omniscient narration, setting a mood for the story to come.  This is a legitimate fiction move, by the way. You can start a novel or story with a sort of “wide angle establishing shot.” Then pull in closer to the POV character.”
― James Scott Bell, Voice: The Secret Power of Great Writing

“Robert Jordan put up his field glasses, shading the lenses carefully with his cupped hands even though there was now no sun to make a glint, and there was the rail of the bridge as clear as though you could reach out and touch it and there was the face of the sentry so clear he could see the sunken cheeks the ash on the cigarette and the greasy shine of the bayonet.”
― James Scott Bell, Voice: The Secret Power of Great Writing

“CHARACTER background and language filtered through the AUTHOR’S heart, and rendered with craft on the PAGE = VOICE”
― James Scott Bell, Voice: The Secret Power of Great Writing

“To create a memorable voice you must first create a memorable character. Of”
― James Scott Bell, Voice: The Secret Power of Great Writing

“Over the years I've heard some attempts at explanation, and I've jotted them down: • A combination of character, setting, page turning. • A distinctive style, like a Sergio Leone film. • It’s who you are. • Personality on the page. • It’s something written from your deepest truth. • Your expression as an artist. You’ll”
― James Scott Bell, Voice: The Secret Power of Great Writing