Talk about Voice

October 9, 2008

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

This is probably breaking her copyright (sorry) but Julie makes an excellent point here:

I’ve written enough now to know I’m a competent writer even when I suck. My crappy first drafts actually read okay on a page-by-page level, because I can put words together in a way that makes sense, I have a very good grasp of sentence structure, scene structure and grammar, and I’ve got a voice that’s easy to read. However, though voice and raw writing skill can get me through a page, they can’t sustain a whole book. Voice will never make up for weak characterisation, lack of conflict, stupid plots, meandering narration, lazy storytelling, and a tendency to put really lame jokes everywhere. This is why I revise so hard.

I could barely manage the competent part when I first started writing. My first novel, Decent Exposure, may have made it to publication first time, but believe me, it went through so many drafts you wouldn’t believe – I rewrote every line over and over until I thought it sounded right. if I could get it back now, I’d probably rewrite it again (and I’d like to revisit Will, I must admit).

Like Julie, I feel I’ve got those basic skills now but there are still all the other issues to take care of. I feel that I have just about passed my driving test, in the technical sense. Now I can handle the car safely but I want to drive faster, more stylishly and tackle trickier courses, push things further. Without crashing of course.

That may be why there are three ‘stories’ in my current wip and three points of view. I’m in new territory and wrestling with the steering wheel!

Comments

1. On October 9th, 2008 at 8:17 am
   debs Says:
   

   Julie speaks such sense, I must try and remember all these things.

   I’d love you to revisit Will too, he was wonderful.

   Dx

2. On October 10th, 2008 at 6:36 am
   Julie Cohen Says:
   

   Nah, you can copy and paste the entire blog and all its contents if you want to, but someone might end up thinking you fancy David Tennant or something.

   Your current wip sounds like a wonderful challenge and very exciting! Me, on the other hand, I’m writing this behemoth which is FAR too unwieldy and I’m going to have to cut, cut, cut. Killed off a character with my writing chum last night.

3. On October 10th, 2008 at 11:30 am
   Phillipa Says:
   

   Thanks for the support Julie. Curent wip is a challenge – handling linked but separate stories while keeping the pace going is tricky but I’m really enjoying it. Will let you know aht happens. 🙂