Searching for your voice

October 8, 2008

First, two recent searches in my web stats:

Simon le Bon ‘Gobsmacked’

Richard Armitage arse

I think the latter may refer to a different RA.

Anyway, I have been thinking a lot about writing ‘voice’, what it is and how to hold true to it when you feel like writing like someone else. Like Jane Austen or Dan Brown.

I asked Julie Cohen to answer but feel free to join in!

Update: Julie’s started a discussion on ‘voice’ over on her blog so post here or pop over and say hello.

Comments

1. On October 8th, 2008 at 8:35 am
   Lorraine Powell Says:
   

   (Being unpublished and therefore no expert on the matter)… I feel that your voice comes naturally without trying. It is a mixture of what you like, how you live etc. AndI bet that even if you think that you are writing in the style of say Jane Austen if you give it a while and read it back it actually would just be your voice after all.
   Some writers style is so distinctive tat you would know it without a name on the front, Katie Fforde for example!

   By the way eenjoyed your norm.blog bit and the link to the chick lit style covers!

   Lori x

   http://lorrainepowell.blogspot.com

2. On October 8th, 2008 at 8:37 am
   Lorraine Powell Says:
   

   ps sorry for all typo’s am doing this with my little boy sitting on my lap waiting for me to put it on CBeebies!

3. On October 8th, 2008 at 8:59 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Hi Lorraine.

   I agree with you about voice punching its way to the fore. I tried a little bit of faux Victoriana for my first ever piece – it was awful. I realised I needed to write something funny and contemporary. I just couldn’t take myself seriously!

4. On October 8th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
   Julie Cohen Says:
   

   Have blogged about it, Phillipa, but mostly to say I haven’t a clue. 🙂

   I’ve tried writing in other styles for fun and experience–J. D. Salinger, Jane Austen, Edgar Allen Poe, Emily Bronte, Arthur Conan Doyle. I think it’s fun to try on other voices as an exercise, even if only to learn about your own.

5. On October 9th, 2008 at 1:48 am
   Tam Says:
   

   I like impersonating other people but my own voice (slightly sarcastic and generally amused at everything) tends to come out whatever I write.

   Were they suggesting RA is an arse, do you think, or did were they hoping to see it??

6. On October 9th, 2008 at 5:11 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Tam. Hopefully the latter which you can do to your heart’s content by renting ‘Between The Sheets’ on DVD.