We believe it’s worthwhile for a writer to develop their own voice. There are a number of sometimes-conflicting definitions of what that entails. Generally, voice is the way you put together sentences and paragraphs. Is your writing punchy and to the point? Or do you write long, languid paragraphs with strong, evocative details? We also believe that “voice” factors into what you say – what is important to you, what you despise, the advice you give through your writing. Presented with two story excerpts, most readers could state with some assurance which was written by Margaret Atwood and which by Stephen King.
In a recent re-post, C.S. Lakin says we often focus too much on voice, because it’s likely to change from book to book, and it should. “That’s because every story is different, even within the same genre,” Lakin says.
She also reminds us of the difference between voice, style, and tone:
- Voice: Belongs to the character. Every character has a voice.
- Style: Belongs to the writer. It’s the way you write – syntax, sentence structure, vocabulary. Style also may vary from book to book.
- Tone: Belongs to the individual novel or story. You might write a comedy and then a horror novel. Your characters’ voices will often be more dominant than tone.
Lakin says that many of the books she edits highlight style over voice. A novel with multiple POVs will use the same voice throughout, watering down the differences between characters. “Even seasoned fiction writers can fall in the trap of thinking “voice” is all about them and how they are telling the story,” Lakin says.
